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An image to illustrate the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB)
Our Bachelor of Laws, the UK’s most popular law degree, provides a strong foundation for a successful legal career. You can tailor your study to match your goals – whether pursuing an academic law degree, fulfilling the 'Foundations of Legal Knowledge' required to become a barrister in England and Wales, a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland, or a degree that provides a foundation to take the first assessment (SQE1) of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination in England and Wales. On completion, you'll have the legal knowledge and analytical skills needed to apply the law effectively in legal and non-legal professions.
This course has a route recognised by:
CILEX logo
If you want to become a barrister in England and Wales, or either a barrister or solicitor in Northern Ireland, you will need to complete this degree within six years. Please note, this degree is not suitable for qualifying as a lawyer in Scotland.
This law degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You’ll begin by focusing on a range of criminal offences and addressing themes of law reform, human rights, and issues relevant to the Criminal Justice System of England and Wales. You’ll then develop an understanding of the range of civil laws and the operation of the civil justice system and explore various torts, including negligence, nuisance, and defamation.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb

You'll start by studying the law of relations between individuals and the state, followed by an analysis of how contracts are formed, their contractual terms, and how they end. Then, you'll choose two further modules focusing on subjects most relevant to your career.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You’ll also study two from the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Students who intend to progress to an LLB and aim to be a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland will need to study Evidence law (W250).

Choose a study route
At Stage 3, you’ll choose a study route most suited to your career aspirations:
ModulesCreditsStart month
Academic Law Degree route
You'll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You'll complete your degree with three of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb
Foundations of Legal Knowledge route
You'll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)
30Oct
European Union law (W330)
30Oct
Land law (W312)30Feb
You’ll complete your degree with one of the following:
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)
30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Solicitors Qualifying Examination route
You'll study the following:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb
You'll complete your degree with one of the following:
European Union law (W330)
30Oct
Justice in action (W360)
30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Trusts law (W311)
30Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.
ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study two of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You'll study three of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study two of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Students who intend to progress to an LLB and aim to be a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland will need to study Evidence law (W250).
Stage 3 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Land law (W312)30Feb
You'll study one of the following:
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study two of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb
You'll study one of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Trusts law (W311)30Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s 60 credits of study each year.
ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll study the following:
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You’ll complete your degree with two of the following:
European Union law (W330)
30Oct
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)
30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
Land law (W312)30Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Students who intend to progress to an LLB and aim to be a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland will need to study Evidence law (W250).
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Trusts law (W311)30Oct
Land law (W312)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study the following:
European Union law (W330)30Oct
You’ll complete your degree with one of the following:
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Criminal law and the courts (W111)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Civil justice and tort law (W112)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You’ll study the following:
Public law (W211)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 2 | Year 4
You'll study the following:
Contract law (W212)30Oct
You'll study one of the following:
Business and employment law (W240)30Feb
Evidence law (W250)30Feb
Family law (W230)30Feb
International, environmental and space law (W260)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
SQE: legal system, public law and criminal litigation (W321)30Oct
SQE: property and private client law (W322)30Feb
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll study one of the following:
Exploring legal boundaries (W350)30Feb
Justice in action (W360)30Oct
Law, society and culture (W340)30Oct | Feb
European Union law (W330)30Oct
You'll complete your degree with the following:
SQE: business law and dispute resolution (W323)30Feb

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, online study materials, interactive resources, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
Please note: If you wish to become a barrister in England and Wales or a barrister or solicitor in Northern Ireland, you must complete your law degree within six years.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
As independent learners, law graduates have developed literacy, communication, presentation, numeracy, cognitive and organisational skills, and can apply an academically coherent methodology to current debates in law. This is excellent preparation for a career as a legal professional and is also an asset for many careers such as roles in finance, commerce, human resources, education, local and central government, the voluntary sector or management.
Studying law opens up many career options, whether in law or law-related fields, including solicitor, barrister, legal executive and paralegal. Solicitors and barristers usually work in private practice, in central or local government, commerce, industry, the armed forces or in professional bodies.
In England and Wales
Becoming a Barrister
If you wish to become a barrister, you require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge (contract law, tort law, public law, criminal law, trusts law, land law and European Union law). This will exempt you from the academic stage of training, and you can progress to the required professional training. However, for intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:2 is required.
There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister, and you must complete your law degree within six years.
If you are claiming credit that is not a complete degree, then this will impact the time limit, because you must complete all study towards your law degree within six years, and that includes your credit transfer study. If exceptional circumstances prevent you from completing the degree within these timescales, you can apply for an extension, which is typically one further year. If you don't intend to become a barrister, the six-year time limit does not apply.
There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before becoming qualified to practice as a barrister.
Becoming a Solicitor
If you wish to become a solicitor, you do not require a law degree. Your degree can be in any subject. You'll have to pass both parts of the national Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements. You'll also need to have two years' qualifying work experience.
In Northern Ireland
If you wish to become a barrister or solicitor, you will require a degree which covers the seven Foundations of Legal Knowledge and evidence law. This will exempt you from the academic stage of training, and you can progress to the required professional training. For intending barristers, a minimum honours degree classification of 2:1 is required.
There are strict time limits for those wishing to become a barrister or solicitor. Please see the Application Booklet for the Institute of Professional Legal Practice at The Queens University of Belfast. OU level 3 modules finish in July, with marking taking place in August, and the results and degree classification are then available in September. This means that you need to plan to sit the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) Admissions Test in the December after completing your degree with the OU, not during Stage 3, as your degree classification will not be available before the IPLS summer application deadline.
There is a further period of professional training required, followed by practical work experience, before admission as a solicitor.
If you don't intend to become a barrister or solicitor, the six-year time limit does not apply.
In other legal jurisdictions
If you wish to become qualified in a different legal jurisdiction, you should check with the appropriate regulatory body that this qualification will be accepted before you register.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination route through our law degree has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). A CILEX Recognised Degree provides a quicker route to qualifying as an authorised legal practitioner and CILEX Lawyer, through exempting you from some of the modules in the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ).
Graduates on our LLB SQE route are eligible for exemptions from the following CGQ modules:  ​
CILEX logo
The knowledge and skills you will gain from studying this degree are recognised and highly respected by employers outside the legal profession. Roles in finance, human resources, local government or general management all benefit from a legal background and from the discipline of studying law. Other relevant jobs include Citizens Advice Bureau caseworker, Crown Prosecution Service caseworker, magistrates' court legal adviser, court reporter or administrator, licensed conveyancer, patent attorney, trademark agent, teacher, or lecturer in law.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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