Law

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Cambridge offers an exceptional academic experience for students aspiring to understand the fundamental principles of law and develop analytical, critical, and research skills essential for a legal career. This rigorous undergraduate programme is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of law, covering core topics such as constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, equity and trusts, European Union law, land law, public law, and tort law. Students are encouraged to engage in critical thinking and debate, exploring the historical, social, and philosophical underpinnings of legal systems, while also gaining insights into contemporary legal issues and reforms. The programme emphasizes the development of precise legal reasoning and the ability to interpret legislation, judicial decisions, and legal texts, preparing students for diverse careers in law, public service, or further academic research.

The Cambridge LLB integrates rigorous lectures, seminars, tutorials, and independent research, fostering an environment of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. Students also have opportunities to participate in moots, internships, and legal clinics, gaining practical experience alongside their theoretical studies. The teaching approach at Cambridge ensures close interaction with distinguished faculty members, who are leading experts in their fields, helping students to refine their arguments, acquire advanced legal knowledge, and build professional networks. The programme's flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies according to their interests, with options to specialize in areas such as commercial law, human rights law, or international law in later stages.

Studying law at Cambridge also offers an enriching campus life, featuring access to world-class libraries, legal resources, and a multitude of academic societies. The combination of challenging coursework, collaborative learning, and real-world application equips graduates with the skills necessary for success in legal practice, academia, or other sectors requiring analytical and strategic thinking. Graduates of the Cambridge LLB are highly sought-after internationally, benefiting from the university's reputation for academic excellence and its extensive alumni network. Whether aiming to pursue further legal qualifications or seeking a broad-based intellectual education, students undertaking the Cambridge law programme gain a solid foundation to excel in their chosen paths.

For each subject, you attend lectures given by teaching members of the Faculty. The typical number of lecture hours for each paper is 36 per year, mostly timetabled for the first two terms of each year, which equates to about 10-12 hours of lectures a week. You normally have a fortnightly College supervision in each subject as well.

With the exception of the Legal Skills and Methodology paper, for which you submit an extended essay, each paper is assessed by a written examination at the end of the year. In the third year, you have the option of substituting one paper for a dissertation.

Year 1 (Part IA)

In Year 1, all students take the same papers:

• Criminal Law
• Constitutional Law
• Civil Law
• Law of Tort
• Legal Skills and Methodology – a half paper providing training in legal methodology and research

Year 2 (Part IB)

In your second year, you choose five papers from a wide range of options. Most students take Contract Law and Land Law. Other options are:

• Family Law
• International Law
• Administrative Law
• Criminal Procedure and Evidence
• Legal History
• Civil Law II
• Criminology, Sentencing and the Penal System
• Comparative Law

Year 3 (Part II)

In the third year, you select and study five papers from an even more extensive range.

Most students take Equity and European Union Law but you can develop your interests in, for instance:

• commercial law
• public law subjects
• labour law
• more theoretical aspects of law, such as jurisprudence

You can take certain half papers as well. In recent years, papers available have included:

• Landlord and Tenant Law
• European Human Rights Law
• Personal Information Law
• Law and Development
• Banking Law

You can also participate in a seminar course, submitting a dissertation in place of one paper. Seminar courses vary each year but in the past have included Family in Society, Women and the Law, Law and Ethics of Medicine, Public Law, and Select Issues in International Law.

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.

Admission assessment

All applicants for Law are required to take a written assessment at interview, if interviewed.

Assessment format

• Cambridge Law Test (essay version; 60 minutes)

 Law Admissions Assessment Specification

You do not need to register or be registered in advance for the assessment at interview – the Colleges provide details of arrangements in the letters inviting applicants to interview.

Please note that your performance in the assessment at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

In addition to the at-interview assessment, applicants who are invited to interview are required to take a College-set written assessment at interview at the following Colleges (see individual College websites for details): Churchill

The University of Cambridge offers various funding options for students pursuing Law degrees. These include college-specific scholarships, the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Scholarships, and government-funded loans and grants. Students are encouraged to explore both university-funded bursaries and external funding sources to support their studies. For UK students, there are government loan schemes such as the student loans for undergraduate courses, which cover tuition fees and living costs. Postgraduate students may be eligible for doctoral loans or funding through specific scholarship programs related to legal studies. International students can apply for scholarships tailored to their home country or region, as well as university scholarships like the Trinity College Bursaries and Fitzwilliam College Funding Opportunities. Additionally, students are advised to identify part-time work opportunities within the university or in the surrounding city to supplement their income during their studies. The university also provides financial advice services to help students plan their budgets, understand the costs associated with their courses, and navigate the application processes for various funding schemes. It is important to review the specific eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and application procedures for each funding source. Many scholarships and bursaries are competitive, and applicants are often required to demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, or a combination of both. Students are encouraged to start their funding applications early and to utilize the official university and college websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Overall, the University of Cambridge is committed to making legal education accessible by offering a range of financial support options tailored to diverse student needs.

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).