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English and French Law

Entry Year: 2024

Key information

Degree
LLB (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2024
UCAS code
M106
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades A*AA at A-Level. This must include A-Level French (or DELF at B2 Level). General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£9,250
Funding information
Paying your fees

Overview

Broaden your legal horizons by studying English and French law at renowned law schools in London and Paris.

Immerse yourself in a bilingual legal culture with our double degree run jointly with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. This integrated programme brings together expertise from two first-class law schools to help you build impressive knowledge of both countries’ legal systems.

Queen Mary and Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne academics teach across both locations. To help boost your employability, they’ll share their network of law firms with you to help you find invaluable placement opportunities in both London and Paris.

Interested in research? We’ll also share our latest insights into international, European, comparative, English, and French law.

Learn about law in Paris

Spend your two years in London covering the foundations of English legal knowledge. This includes everything from elements of contract law and law in context, to equity and trusts, and the law of the EU. Then you’ll move to Paris to explore French law, comparative law, international law and European law.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a qualifying law degree that gives you access to legal professions in both countries and international organisations. If, after your first or second year, you decide to stay in London, you have the flexibility to transfer to our traditional Law LLB.

However if after your first or second year you wish to stay in London, you have the flexibility to transfer to our traditional Law LLB and complete your degree at Queen Mary.

Ready for your next challenge?

Top 3 reasons to study at QMUL

  1. Surrounded by support join a vibrant student community that is not only driven by academic excellence but also by a group dynamic that helps everybody to thrive.
  2. Endless career options – you’ll be qualified to practice law in France, England and Wales, which will open up exciting opportunities in NGOs, governments and international organisations.
  3. Extensive network – we’ll introduce you to our connections at law firms to help you find invaluable placement opportunities in both London and Paris.

Professional recognition

This double degree will satisfy the academic stage of qualification for the purpose of entry into the legal profession in England, Wales and France. The LLB is recognised as a qualifying law degree by both branches of the legal profession in England and Wales, and allows the appropriate exemptions from professional examination requirements.

Structure

You'll take a French language test at the start of the programme. French language classes are compulsory if you do not meet the required level, and otherwise are optional. All third and fourth year modules are taught in French, except Jurisprudence and Legal Theory.

Year 1

Taught in English at Mile End campus, Queen Mary

  • Contract Law I: Formation and Vitiation
  • Contract Law II: Terms Breach and Remedies
  • Land Law
  • Law in Context - Semester A
  • Law of the European Union - Semester B
  • Public Law

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 2

Taught in English at Mile End campus, Queen Mary

  • Tort Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Equity and Trusts
  • Introduction to French Public Law
  • Introduction to French Private Law

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 3

Taught in French in Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University

  • Droit administratif 1
  • Droit administratif 2
  • Droit civil 1
  • Droit civil 2
  • Droit constitutionnel 1
  • Droit constitutionnel 2
  • Droit de la famille
  • Droit des libertés fondamentales
  • Droit des sociétés 1
  • Droit des sociétés 2
  • Droit international public
  • Droit pénal général

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 4

Taught in French in Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne University

  • Contrats spéciaux
  • Droit général de l’obligation
  • Droit international prive 1
  • Droit international prive 2
  • Jurisprudence and Legal theory (taught in English by Queen Mary academic staff)
  • Eight optional modules

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Testimonial

Being a student of this prestigious degree, which was ranked as one of the best in France, is a remarkable experience. During this four-year course, you will study the law of two major legal systems belonging to two distinct judicial traditions: common law and civil law. With this dual approach, you will develop key skills such as flexibility and rigor making you very attractive to future employers. Similarly, as a member of the dual degree, you will join the Association des Juristes Queen Mary et Sorbonne which gives you access to a powerful network of alumni and potential employers.

Anna Viallefond, English and French Law LLB (2024)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

The courses are delivered in the language and according to the customs of each country. At Queen Mary, you'll receive approximately three hours of weekly contact time per module, comprising lectures led by academic staff and smaller seminar groups.

For every hour spent in class, you'll complete a further two to three hours of independent study.

A new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) was introduced in September 2021. Anyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor is likely to have to take this centrally assessed SQE. Queen Mary is dedicated to ensuring that students are equipped with the experience and skills required to undertake the SQE and any other post LLB bar qualification internationally.

Assessment

Assessment typically includes a combination of coursework (presentations, assignments, essay report writing, in-class tests, research and project work) and/or examinations in May or June.

Resources and facilities

The School of Law offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:

  • the Law Library service, home to state of the art library resources and e-learning facilities
  • the School’s Legal Advice Centre (LAC), giving you the opportunity to work alongside trained solicitors and advise members of the public on real issues.
  • Student Support Officers who are dedicated to providing students support and advice both in their academic and mental well being.

Entry requirements

A-LevelGrades A*AA at A-Level. This must include A-Level French (or DELF at B2 Level). General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,6 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include French at Higher Level (or DELF at B2 Level).
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma. We will hold all UCAS applications until January before drawing up a shortlist based on the information in the UCAS form about your pre-Access experience, academic record, personal statement and academic reference. In February and March, applicants are shortlisted and an updated academic reference may be requested. A shortlisted applicant may be invited for interview or further assessment. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, all of which must be at Distinction. (The School of Law may specify particular Level 3 subjects in which we require a Distinction.) Typically, successful candidates are aged 21 and above at the start of the Access programme.

Applicants must have an A-level in French at grade A (or equivalent).

GCSEPlease note this programme has enhanced GCSE requirements. At least six GCSE passes at grades AAAABB or 777766 are required, including English and Mathematics.
Contextualised admissions

Our standard contextual offer: Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include A-Level French (or DELF at B2 Level). Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Our enhanced contextual offer (for care experienced students, refugee/asylum seekers or students who have completed Realising Opportunities or Access to Queen Mary): Grades AAA, Care Leaver AAB at A-Level. This must include A-Level French (or DELF at B2 Level). Excludes General Studies, Critical Thinking.

More information on how this information is used for a contextual offer can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

Selection process

The English and French Law programme is a highly competitive programme; we receive a large number of applications for a small number of places. Applications must be received by 31st January 2024, late applications will not be considered.

All on time applications are assessed and candidates are shortlisted for interview. We assess candidates by looking at a range of criteria and decisions are based on the application as a whole. We pay close attention to a candidate's academic profile, the quality of the personal statement and academic reference. Even if you are predicted to achieve the entry requirements, this does not guarantee you will be shortlisted for an interview.

Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview at Queen Mary University of London. The interview is a 15 minute panel interview which aims to assess your motivation, academic level and linguistic capacity and is conducted in both English and French.

Applicants who are unsuccessful for the English and French Law programme may be considered for an alternative programme at the discretion of the admissions selector and is dependent on the number of places available.

Non-UK students

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.

If your qualifications are not accepted for direct entry into this degree, consider applying for a foundation programme.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

See our general undergraduate entry requirements.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.

Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

A degree from the School of Law opens up an enormous number of roles for our graduates. Many apply their degree knowledge directly, entering legal roles such as barrister, solicitor, paralegal and legal adviser. Others use the broad range of skills gained during study in other sectors, such as public administration and business. Our English and French Law LLB will arm you with a sound knowledge of the French language and understanding of French law and legal culture, opening up further opportunities for an international law career.

Recent graduates from the School of Law have been hired by:

  • Arcadis LLP
  • Chambers and Partners
  • Deloitte
  • Dentons
  • House of Commons
  • Macfarlanes LLP

Career support

During your studies you will have access to a bespoke careers programme, including:

  • one-on-one appointments throughout the year with your assigned academic adviser
  • workshops and events to help you identify your career options, train you in recruitment and selection methods and provide you with networking opportunities
  • an opportunity to apply for a six-week mentoring scheme with a leading law firm
  • over 120 employer-led events per year, from seminars to large fairs, which host major legal employers on campus including Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Macfarlanes, Linklaters, Herbert Smith Freehills, Eversheds and Blackstone Chambers.

Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.

Students on the English and French Law LLB also have the opportunity to take part in a unique new international summer placement program with international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP). The program offers a four-week summer vacation scheme at BCLP’s London office after your second year, with the opportunity of a further eight-week secondment in BCLP’s Paris office after the third year of study at Paris 1. Find out more about the international summer placement program.

Course data

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

About the Schools

School of Law - Department of Law

The School of Law was ranked 7th in the UK and 32nd in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, and 10th in the UK and 50th in world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by subject.

Our academics are some of the UK’s top legal minds and have expertise advising high profile international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank and foreign governments.

The School is home to the Legal Advice Centre (LAC), through which our students work alongside solicitors to offer free legal advice to the local community.

Panthéon-Sorbonne

The Panthéon-Sorbonne is located in the lively Latin Quarter of central Paris and has over 40,000 students. Its large global alumni includes the Prime Ministers of France, Jordan, Niger and Georgia.

The Sorbonne Law School - ranked 20th in the world and top university in France by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 - brings together teaching and research activities in the area of law. Our mission is to train men and women capable of addressing the legal challenges of today and tomorrow.

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