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Gain a full understanding of why laws are created and the process of how politicians pass laws, whilst developing the skills to challenge policy and construct legal arguments.
  • 91% satisfaction rating in the National Student Survey 2021.
  • Gain the analytical skills required for a career in the Law
  • Learn how laws are passed by politicians and why these laws were created

Why study Law and Politics?

The degree's focus on practical (as well as theoretical) teaching means the student can develop the analytical and critical skills essential for formulating legal arguments. They will also have the opportunity to study a range of specialist subjects that are relevant to their aspirations. 

Becoming a Solicitor

Since the September 2021 anyone who has not started a QLD is now able to qualify as a solicitor through the Solicitor’s Qualification Exam route (SQE). The candidate must:

  • complete both stages of assessment, SQE1 and SQE2
  • complete a degree-level qualification or equivalent
  • complete two years of qualifying work experience (QWE)
  • satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements

Our LLB and BA (Hons) Law degrees are ideal courses to ground your legal knowledge and help prepare you for the SQE, although you will still need to embark on a course that will prepare you for passing the SQE after graduation.

Becoming a Barrister

As well as this course, we also offer a Law with Politics LLB (Hons) degree.

Our LLB Law degrees are ‘Qualifying Law Degrees’ (QLD) and are recognised by the Bar Standards Board. The completion of one of these degrees will satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the Bar, although you will still need to pass an aptitude test and embark on (and pass) the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).

Why St Mary's?

The Law School is situated just a 30 minute train journey to legal London. The Supreme Court, Old Bailey, Royal Courts of Justice, The Law Society and the Inns of Court are all easily accessible from our campus.

We also have excellent links with Kingston Crown Court, which has in the past offered marshalling opportunities for our students.

Our Department of Law, Criminology and Politics is only a 30 minute train ride to Parliament, an institution that is open to all, which especially important for the Law student because Parliament is where legislation is made.

Foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Law and Politics.

Useful information

Course lead

Tracy McManus
Course Lead - LLB Law

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Entry requirements

96-104UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

72 UCAS points should include at least a B and C grade at A Level (or equivalent).

Inclusiveness is one of our core values and we are committed to widening participation. We actively encourage applications from all students as we firmly believe that helping more people from a wide mix of backgrounds to access education contributes positively to individuals and society.

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references and your motivation for study.

International requirements

International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).

Law and Politics with a foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Law and Politics.

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

The optional modules listed below are the modules that were available to students in the 2021/22 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2022/23.

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional
  •  Optional

Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.

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Career opportunities

Our Law and Politics degree is ideal for you if you don't necessarily want to become a lawyer, but have an interest in law and wish to understand its operation within a political career.

A Law degree is highly valued by employers in all sectors because it equips graduates with a range of highly transferable skills, as well as a detailed and analytical knowledge of law.

The wide range of option modules - including work-based learning placements - and a diverse variety of assessment methods (such as simulated negotiation exercises and delivering presentations) will allow you to develop subject specialisms and apply your experience in real working world situations.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

Jobs you can do with a Law and Politics degree

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Law and Politics include:

  • Lawyer
  • Diplomatic service officer
  • Paralegal
  • Civil Service Fast Streamer
  • Government social research officer
  • Policy officer
  • Political risk analyst
  • Politician's assistant
  • Social researcher
  • Diplomatic service officer
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What our students say...

Eleanor Toomey

You felt like your tutors knew who you were and where able to assist you more

Read Eleanor Toomey's story

How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

The degree makes use of a wide range of learning and teaching strategies. Law is predominantly taught in a classroom environment through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.

Lectures are held weekly and provide a guide to a topic, highlighting important areas and providing information on matters that may not be readily available from other sources.

Seminars are normally held once a week for each module. The seminars provide opportunities for you to consolidate your learning. 

Tutorials are provided for weekly and allow you to discuss a piece of prepared work, for example, a single problem question on a one-to-one basis. Tutorials will also be used as a way of providing feedback to draft plans and also completed assignments.

In addition to these formal sessions, you will be expected to organise meetings with other students in the form of study groups and to prepare for group assessments.

You will also have an opportunity to take part in field trips to the local courts.

We make extensive use of Moodle, the University’s virtual learning environment. It's used as a to share important information and resources and for encouraging learning engagement.

In the first year there is an emphasis on tutor-led learning, moving towards a greater degree of self-directed learning in the second year, culminating in a self-managed research project in the third year. 

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 16%
  • Independent study: 84%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

Assessment types and criteria are clearly linked to the learning outcomes of course. Assessment criteria are used to ensure that you understand the knowledge and skills each assessment is seeking to develop.

You will encounter a variety of different assessment methods, each used to test your subject knowledge, skills and understanding:

  • Written examinations
  • Reports
  • Essays
  • Oral assessments
  • Log
  • Work placement supervisor assessment
  • Poster presentation 
  • Portfolio
  • Practical legal skills
  • Multiple-choice question exams (MCQs)

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

View all facilities
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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £14,850

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding

Information about tuition fees, student loans and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.

Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Meet your lecturers

Dr Judith Bourne (Lecturer - Law)

Dr Judith Bourne

Before working at St Mary's, I had worked at a central London university, and when I visited St Mary's for the interview I fell in love with the green, leafy and spacious campus. 

It is a great privilege to support students to overcome any issues and then watch them succeed. I always shed a tear (or two) of pride for my students at graduation...

Currently, I am editing a book on race and am embarking on a new project with the Inns of Court: ‘Race and the Legal Profession’. Part of this project involves recovering 'lost' BAME barristers' lives from the archives.

Read Judith's story

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Meet current students, explore our green campus, and find out why St Mary’s could be the place for you.

You'll also get a chance to:

Staff from various teams, including the Student’s Union, Student Funding, and Admissions, will also be around to discuss any questions you may have about studying at St Mary’s.

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

Find out more about the application process
4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

Find out more about UCAS Extra
5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

Find out more about the application process
6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

Find out more about Clearing
7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

Find out more about UCAS Extra
8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

Find out more about Clearing
9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

Find out more about Clearing
10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

Find out more about the application process
11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing