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PART 1 – LLB (HONS) LAW PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

1 Awarding institution

St Mary’s University, Twickenham

2 Partner institution and location of teaching (if applicable)

N/A

3 Type of collaborative arrangement (if applicable)

N/A

4 Award title

Law

5 Final award

LLB (Hons)

6 Interim award(s) with award titles (if specific titles have been designated)

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) LLB (Hons) Legal Studies

7 School with responsibility for the programme

Management and Social Sciences

8 Language of study

English

9 Joint Honours combinations

The LLB Law and LLB Legal Studies programmes may be taken as a single honours LLB degree only.

10 UCAS code M100

11 JACS code L437, M120, M130, M140, M200, M210, M211, M221, M222, M223, M224, M240, M250, N290

12 Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditation / recognition

The LLB (Hons) Law is accredited through Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) status from the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”).

13 QAA subject benchmark or other relevant

The programme follows the guidelines of the QAA Honours Degree Benchmark Statement for Law (2015).

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external reference point

14 Normal completion time and maximum duration of study

Normal completion time: Full-time study – three years Part-time study – six years The overall duration of an undergraduate honours degree programme of study from initial registration to completion shall be no less than three years of full-time study. Duration of study - LLB (Hons) Law As prescribed by the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) and Solicitors Regulation Authority (“SRA”) the maximum time limit for completion of the academic stage of training through a Qualifying Law Degree (“QLD”) (studied either full-time or part-time) is six years. If this time limit is exceeded, save in exceptional circumstances, the degree will not receive QLD status and will not be recognised by the SRA or BSB. Students may still graduate with a non-QLD status degree in so far as the overall duration of study at each level of programme, from initial registration to completion, does not exceed the limits as set out. A full-time BA undergraduate student will normally register for 120 credits worth of modules in an academic year. Exceptionally, where a student is trailing credit from previous levels, or by approval of the Registrar on the advice of the Programme Director, they may register for a maximum of 140 credits at Levels 4, 5 and 6 in any one academic year. A full-time undergraduate student must register for no less than 40 credits and no more than 100 credits per semester. A regular part-time student must register for between 40 to 80 credits per academic year. No regular part-time student may take more than 80 credits worth of modules in any one academic year, excluding any modules that are resits, unless this is permitted under the Subject Requirements and/or with the approval of the Registrar.

15 Mode of study Both LLB Law and LLB Legal Studies are available to study on a full-time and part-time basis.

16 Mode of delivery Face to face

17 Date approved and name of authorised body

STLQEC 2017

18 Applies to students commencing

September 2017

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study in (month/year)

PART 2 – CURRICULUM SPECIFIC DETAILS

19 Summary of the programme If you're interested in becoming a barrister or solicitor, or pursuing a career in

commerce or government, our Law LLB degree will give you the foundation you

need to be successful.

You will learn the core ‘foundations of legal knowledge’ required by the Solicitors

Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board in order to pass the academic

stage of training and progress on to the vocational stage.

The degree's focus on practical (as well as theoretical) teaching means you can

develop the analytical and critical skills essential for formulating legal arguments.

You'll also have the opportunity to study a range of specialist subjects that are

relevant to your own aspirations.

With a 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, you will learn through experiencing the

law, not just through exams.

20 Aims of the programme

Primary Aims and Outcomes of the Programme

Aims In line with the University Mission, the QAA Benchmarking Statement in Law and the requirements of the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar for Qualifying Law Degrees, the primary aims of the programme are:

1. To provide a framework within which students can achieve a detailed

knowledge and critical understanding of the foundations of legal knowledge and of other selected areas of law;

2. To seek through taught modules and a supervised independent research module, to create a positive, stimulating learning environment for students in which to develop knowledge and understanding of legal principles and the legal process;

3. To provide a framework within which students can practice scholarship and research and gain academic and intellectual progression by imposing increasing demands in terms of the acquisition of knowledge and skills;

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4. To enhance the employability of students in the context of employers’ expectations of subject knowledge and practical experience for those wishing to enter the legal profession as well as those who choose to enter a wide range of other careers and professions; and

5. To enhance students’ awareness and appreciation of the ethical issues central to society and the study of law.

Outcomes On successful completion of the programme, students will have achieved the following outcomes:

1. Developed the knowledge and understanding of the foundations of legal

knowledge and of other selected areas of law; 2. Developed a fundamental understanding of the role and function of law in a

social context; 3. Developed the transferable skills of fact management, decision making,

research and independent learning; and be equipped with the ability to apply these skills in a wide variety of legal situations;

4. Developed the ability to identify, conceptualise and solve legal problems across a range of functional areas;

5. Undertaken an independent study of a topic relating to law, involving planning, research, analysis and construction of a written research project;

6. Be equipped with the inter-personal and communication skills necessary for effective entry and operation in the graduate work place; and

7. Developed the skills necessary to be autonomous lifelong learners with a sense of study and enquiry and the skills to comprehend and contextualise developments in law.

21 Criteria for admission

Programme entrance requirements • Candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements of St Mary’s

University outlined in the Admissions Policy. To qualify for entry, students are normally expected to have a minimum of 112 points, of which 80 must comprise at least 2 B grades. The remainder points can be made up of A level and AS level grades. Candidates must also have a GCSE in English and Maths to Grade C, or an equivalent qualification.

• Non-native speakers of English must achieve a score of either 6.0 overall or not less than 5.5 in any section of the IELTS test of English language proficiency (or equivalent).

Criteria for Transfer from the BA/BSc Business Law Programme • In support of the widening participation aims of the University and the

Professional Bodies , students who registered on the BA/BSc Business Law programme at FHEQ level 4, who had entry qualifications that did not fully reflect their ability have the option to transfer from BA/BSc Business Law to the LLB Law programme at FHEQ level 5

• Students undertaking the BA/BSc Business Law combined honours programme may transfer on to the LLB Law programme at the conclusion of

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FHEQ level 4 where they have passed at first attempt all FHEQ level 4 modules.

LLB (Hons) Legal Studies • Candidates will not have direct entry onto the Legal Studies programme (with

the exception of cases of accreditation of prior learning). Subject to the discretion of the Programme Board of Examiners, a student who has failed to pass any module designated core on the LLB Law programme at the third attempt will be recommended to transfer to the LLB Legal Studies programme as an alternative to programme termination.

• Candidates will therefore have satisfied the general admission requirements

of St Mary’s University and those of the LLB Law Programme as set out below.

• Students whose first language is not English must have achieved an overall score of 6.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with no less than 5.5 in any section.

Credit Accumulation & Transfer and Accreditation of Prior Learning for LLB Law • The University will consider, on an individual basis, applicants for credit

transfer and APL whom wish to transfer credit from the law degree of one UK QLD institution to the QLD at St Mary’s University. To ensure compliance with the Academic Stage regulations as required by the BSB and the SRA applicants must have successfully passed all of the necessary assessments and examinations for the relevant academic years of study for which credit is transferred. If a transfer is in breach of the credit transfer rules, the SRA and BSB will not accept the final award as a QLD.

Credit Accumulation & Transfer and Accreditation of Prior Learning for LLB Legal Studies • The University will consider, on an individual basis, applicants for credit

transfer and APL whom wish to transfer credit from other institutions for exemption from elements of the programme. These will be applicants for whom it has not been possible to accept their initial wish to have sought exemptions from the LLB Law programme or Business Law programmes.

22 Scheduled learning time (the number of guided learning hours (GLH) is 10 hours per 1 credit http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/contact-hours-student.pdf)

Type of learning time

Number of

hours Expressed as %

Contact time 584 16% Placement/work-based learning hours

0 0%

Guided learning hours

0 0%

Independent study time

3016 84%

TOTAL* 3600 100%

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*A typical 3 year undergraduate programme has a total of 3600 hours A typical 1 year Masters level programme has a total of 1800 hours

23 Programme learning outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes: Knowledge and understanding 1. the principal features, processes and procedures of the English and

European Legal Systems 2. the Foundations of Legal Knowledge of English law 3. selected areas of law chosen from electives 4. the philosophical, policy, social, political, economic, ethical and cultural

context in which law operates 5. the intellectual and practical skills needed to research and analyse the law

and undertake practical problem solving Cognitive Skills 6. demonstrate an ability to apply legal knowledge to complex problem

scenarios and present reasoned arguments for the resolution of the problem(s) supported by legal authority

7. identify accurately within a problem the legal issues which require research 8. identify and retrieve up to date legal information, using paper and electronic

sources 9. recognise and rank items and issues in terms of relevance and importance 10. synthesise and evaluate information from primary and secondary legal

sources 11. make a critical judgment of the merits of a particular argument 12. present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions Performance and Practice 13. compile information and materials from a variety of different sources 14. conduct independent legal research 15. where relevant and as the basis for an argument, to use, present and

evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form 16. make appropriate use of information technology in carrying out a broad

range of tasks 17. Undertake an advanced body of independent legal research and

demonstrate a critical awareness of developments in that area. Personal and Enabling Skills 18. reflect on their own learning and seek and make use of feedback 19. work effectively, both individually and in a team 20. communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, complex material and

argument 21. make effective use of legal terminology 22. manage their time effectively and work to deadlines

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24 Programme structure and module requirements

LLB (Hons) Law FHEQ Level 4 Students must acquire 120 credits at FHEQ level 4, comprising of the 6 core modules listed below.

Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW4008 Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills

20 1 Core

LAW4007 Legal Process and the Introduction to the Practice of Law

20 2 Core

LAW4009 Public Law 20 1 Core LAW4010 Human Rights Law 20 2 Core LAW4021 Criminal Law 20 1 Core LAW4013 Law of Contract 20 2 Core

FHEQ Level 5 Students must acquire 120 Law credits at FHEQ level 5, including 80 credits from the 4 core 20 credit modules and 40 credits selected from the list of 20 credit option modules Students are not permitted to take option modules other than from the list provided below. The modules 20LAW502 Public Law (Conversion) and 20LAW5021 Human Rights Law (Conversion) are available to Business Law students converting to the LLB Law programme upon completion of FHEQ level 4 and they are designated as core modules for these Business Law conversion students. Where a student converts from Business Law to LLB Law this will amount to 120 credits of core modules at FHEQ level 5.

Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW5025 Law of the European Union

20 1 Core

LAW5026 Land Law 20 2 Core LAW5003 Practical Legal Skills,

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

20 2 Core

LAW5020 Law of Tort 20 1 Core LAW5021 Human Rights Law

(Conversion) 20 2 Core module

available to Business Law

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Conversion students ONLY

LAW5022 Public Law (Conversion) 20 1 Core module available to Business Law Conversion students ONLY

LAW5016 Family Law 20 2 Option LAW5017 Company Law and

Corporate Governance 20 1 Option

LAW5018 Sports and the Law 20 2 Option LAW5019 Consumer and

Commercial Law 20 2 Option

LAW5023 Criminal Justice 20 1 Option LAW5013 Feminist Perspectives

on Law: Past and Present

20 1 Option

LAW5024 Intellectual Property 20 2 Option LAW5027 Jurisprudence 20 2 (from

2017) Option

FHEQ Level 6 Students must acquire 120 Law credits at FHEQ level in order to be eligible for the award of LLB (Hons) Law. Students are required to select: The core 20 credit module LAW6014 Equity and Trusts One independent study project module: either the 40 credit module LAW6015 Law Research project or the 20 credit LAW6028 Extended Essay in Law. Students are permitted to select both of these independent study modules (with the approval of the Programme Director) if they wish. Students are able to select the remaining credits from the list of option modules below to achieve a total of 120 credits at FHEQ level 6 overall. Students are not permitted to take option modules other than from the list provided below. Business Law students who have converted to the LLB Law programme are required to select LAW6025 Criminal Law (Conversion) as a core module. The option modules LAW6032 Land Law and LAW6033 Practical Legal Skills, Ethics & Professional Responsibility are only available to students who participated in a study abroad exchange during FHEQ level 5. Students may take both 40LAW6015 and 20LAW6028 with the approval of the Programme Director.

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Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW6014 Equity and Trusts 20 1 Core LAW6035 Criminal Law

(Conversion) 20 1 Core

Business Law Conversion students only

LAW6015 Law Research Project 40 1 Core option LAW6028 Extended Essay in Law 20 1 Core option LAW6016 Public International Law 20 2 Option LAW6017 Law of International

Trade 20 1 Option

LAW6018 Employment Law 20 1 Option LAW6019 Banking Law 20 1 Option LAW6020 Insurance Law 20 2 Option LAW6021 Introduction to Sharia

Law 20 1 Option

LAW6022 European and International Employment Law

20 2 Option

LAW6023 Medical Law and Ethics 20 1 Option LAW6024 Law and Religion 20 2 Option LAW6026 Intellectual Property Law 20 2 Option LAW6027 Employment Law in the

Workplace 20 2 Option

LAW6036 Cultural Legal Studies 20 2 Option LAW6030 Work Based Learning for

Law 20 1 Option

LAW6034 International Criminal Law

20 2 Option

WPL6010 Managing in the Workplace

20 2 Option

LAW6032 Land Law 20 2 Option for study abroad students only

LAW6033 Practical Legal Skills, Ethics & Professional Responsibility

20 2 Option for study abroad students only

LLB (Hons) Legal Studies FHEQ Level 4 Students must acquire 120 credits at FHEQ level 4, selected from the list of option modules below.

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Code Title No. of

credits Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW4008 Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills

20 1 Option

LAW4007 Legal Process and the Introduction to the Practice of Law

20 2 Option

LAW4009 Public Law 20 1 OptionLAW4010 Human Rights Law 20 2 OptionLAW4021 Criminal Law 20 1 OptionLAW4013 Law of Contract 20 2 Option

FHEQ Level 5 Students must acquire 120 credits at FHEQ level 5 from the list of option modules below.

Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW5025 Law of the European Union

20 1 Option

LAW5026 Land Law 20 2 Core LAW5003 Practical Legal Skills,

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

20 2 Core

LAW5020 Law of Tort 20 1 Core LAW5016 Family Law 20 2 Option LAW5017 Company Law and

Corporate Governance 20 1 Option

LAW5018 Sports and the Law 20 2 Option LAW5019 Consumer and

Commercial Law 20 2 Option

LAW5023 Criminal Justice 20 1 Option LAW5013 Feminist Perspectives

on Law: Past and Present

20 1 Option

WPL5031 Experience and Employment in Education

20 1 or 2 Option

WPL5040 Experience and Employment in Business

20 1 or 2 Option

WPL5051 Experience and Employment in Sport

20 1 or 2 Option

FHEQ Level 6 Students must acquire 120 credits at FHEQ level 6 from the list of option modules below. Students are not permitted to take option modules other than

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from the list provided below. The option modules LAW6032 Land Law (Study Abroad) and LAW6033 Practical Legal Skills, Ethics & Professional Responsibility are only available to students who participated in a study abroad exchange during FHEQ level 5.

Code Title No. of credits

Sem of delivery

Module status (core, option)

LAW6014 Equity and Trusts 20 1 Option LAW6015 Law Research Project 40 1 Option LAW6028 Extended Essay in Law 20 1 Option LAW6016 Public International Law 20 2 Option LAW6017 Law of International

Trade 20 1 Option

LAW6018 Employment Law 20 1 Option LAW6019 Banking Law 20 1 Option LAW6020 Insurance Law 20 2 Option LAW6021 Introduction to Sharia

Law 20 1 Option

LAW6022 European and International Employment Law

20 2 Option

LAW6023 Medical Law and Ethics 20 1 Option LAW6024 Law and Religion 20 2 Option LAW6026 Intellectual Property Law 20 2 Option LAW6027 Employment Law in the

Workplace 20 2 Option

LAW6036 Cultural Legal Studies 20 2 Option LAW6030 Work Based Learning for

Law 20 1 Option

WPL6010 Managing in the Workplace

20 2 Option

LAW6032 Land Law 20 2 Option for study abroad students only

LAW6033 Practical Legal Skills, Ethics & Professional Responsibility

20 2 Option for study abroad students only

25 Work placements or study abroad

Work Place Learning The programme offers a range of work placement modules at FHEQ Levels 5 and 6. These modules provide the opportunity for students’ to gain experience in the workplace whilst reflecting on, identifying and improving their own skills, knowledge and professional identity. Students have the opportunity to undertake ‘Experience and Employment’ during FHEQ Level 5 and ‘Managing in the Workplace’ during FHEQ Level 6. These

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modules are part of a suite of generic modules offered by the Centre for Workplace Learning. Utilising its extensive network of placement opportunities, student are assigned a placement and are given initial instruction and are supervised by the Centre. Extra-Curricular experience opportunities The programme also offers law specific community related voluntary work with the Twickenham CAB and Richmond Legal Advice Service. This has provided opportunities for students to gain experience providing legal advice and working in a legal services environment. A number of students are committed even at an early stage, to a legal career and are keen to make an immediate contribution by providing legal help to local people. The development of a student’s employability and personal development enables students to have a much deeper understanding of the learning process and their skills and helps them to develop their ability to evaluate their own performance and take control over their learning so that they become independent learners. Students become reflective individuals who are forward thinking and capable of working on their own and with others. In addition the programme provides the opportunity for students to undertake a European Institutions field trip in Level 5. This is a three day trip which visits the Hague and international courts. The cost of the trip is subsidised by the programme.

26 Links to industry and employability

Employability in the context of combination of subject knowledge, skills and personal qualities, developed through an effective learning, teaching and assessment strategy, clearly underpins the Law Benchmark Statement and is fully embraced by the programme team in the design of the law programmes and in affording opportunities for students outside of the programmes. Skills strand The Law programmes have an established integrated skills strand. At FHEQ Level 4 ‘Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills’ and ‘Legal Process and the Introduction to the Practice of Law’, FHEQ Level 5 ‘Practical Legal Skills, Ethics and Professional Responsibility’, FHEQ Level 6 ‘Law Research Project’ or the ‘Extended Essay in Law’ provide the opportunity to develop essential skills, necessary to succeed on the programme and in addition gain employment. These skills include: undertaking legal research, drafting documents, Curriculum vitae and cover letter writing, advocacy, client interviewing, undertaking a negotiation, conducting presentations, improving time management, undertaking effective team work etc. Personal Tutoring and Pastoral Support Students are provided with the opportunity to engage in the Personal Tutoring scheme which is the University’s version of a Personal Development Planning (“PDP”) scheme. Personal tutoring gives students the opportunity to: • Reflect on their progress and development since the last personal tutoring

meeting;

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• Discuss their progress and areas for improvement with their Personal Tutor; • Review their feedback from module assessments to identify common

themes, both in terms of achievement and potential learning needs and discuss these with their Personal Tutor;

• Link their learning in their programme and extra-curricular activities to their ongoing academic, career and personal development;

• Identify skills to be developed in order to enhance their academic performance and future employability;

• Identify potential opportunities for work experience, internships or other employment opportunities which will better equip them in their professional careers after graduation; and

• Create and implement a Personal Development Plan based on the learning needs and employment opportunities identified, and evaluate the success of the Plan at agreed times in the academic year.

At induction each student is allocated a Personal Tutor who will remain that student’s tutor during their time at the University (Personal Tutors should have no more than 25 academic tutees). Various induction and orientation activities are conducted with each team member’s academic tutees.

27 Programme awards

This programme conforms to the University Academic Regulations. Eligibility for Awards In order to achieve the LLB (Hons) Law students must attain 360 credits, including at least 120 credits at FHEQ Level 6 and not more than 120 credits at FHEQ Level 5. Marginal Failure of a Foundation of Legal Knowledge (“FLK”) A FLK subject cannot be awarded compensation credit and following a maximum of three attempts (along with the other modules designated core), the student will be recommended for transfer onto the LLB Legal Studies (as noted above). A student transferred onto the LLB Legal Studies programme who has passed all but one of the FLK’s may still receive QLD status in order to progress onto the vocational stage of training, subject to the discretion of the BSB and the SRA. The BSB and SRA may at its discretion, in exceptional circumstances, condone a single marginal failure in a FLK (marginal failure is achieved where the mark obtained is within the 5% of the QLD pass mark of 40%, i.e. 35% or above) allowing the student to obtain exemption from the academic stage of training. Where a student has not only marginally failed a FLK, but has also failed or has been compensated or received compensation credit by the University in one or more other subjects within the programme, the BSB and the SRA is unlikely to condone the marginally failed FLK. Intermediate Awards Students successfully completing 120 credits at FHEQ Level 4 are eligible to be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Law as an exit qualification.

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Students successfully completing 240 credits, including at least 120 credits at FHEQ level 5 or higher are eligible to be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Law as an exit qualification. PART 3 – TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT

28 Programme

teaching and learning strategies

Research Enriched Teaching and Learning The programme took as its starting point the QLD criteria and the research expertise and interests of the programme team. Additional staff appointments has led to the development of a number of research enriched optional modules which build on existing research enriched modules. This has resulted in the development of a curriculum which is not only underpinned by a strong research focus but has also allowed the programme team to develop modules which produce a broad, balanced and coherent programme of study. The programme team has also recognised that, despite the diversity of its research interests, a common thread that runs through the team’s work is the strong focus on the overlap between Law and culture. This has resulted in the creation of the Centre for Law and Culture which is a hub for fostering and actively promoting research and scholarly activity related to the various emanations and intersections of law and culture. Teaching and Learning Strategy The programme’s principle aim for teaching and learning is for the programme team to support and facilitate independent learning by students. The programme 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, these are explained below. Lectures 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. The module convenor also points out areas of difficulty where the law may be in some way problematic, contentious, unsettled or unclear. Seminars Seminars are normally held once a week for each module. The seminars provide opportunities for students to consolidate their learning. Seminars are a forum for discussion and debate and will usually be based on the preparation of an answer to a problem or a discussion topic. This approach encourages students not only to acquire legal knowledge but also to develop their understanding of problem solving, analysis and evaluation. The importance of careful preparation for seminars and, in particular, the reviewing and analysis of primary and secondary sources of information will be stressed to students throughout. From the outset of the programme, students start to develop their research skills, particularly in the ‘Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills’ module.

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Workshops Workshops are held weekly and normally act as a substitute to the lecture and seminar format of delivery. Students will come together in larger groups than a seminar, but smaller than for a lecture and undertake a variety of activities placing emphasis on the student developing their problem solving skills, their reasoning and research skills as well as detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic or area of law in question. Tutorials Tutorials are provided for weekly and allow students to discuss a piece of prepared work, for example, a single problem question on a one-to-one basis. It will provide students with a few key points that you can be take away. As with seminars this may require students to undertake preparation prior to the tutorial session. Tutorials will also be used as a way of providing feedback to draft plans and also completed assignments and they are a useful tool in supporting the process of learning. In addition to these formal sessions, students will be expected to organise meetings with other students in the form of study groups and to prepare for group assessments and will have an opportunity to take part in field trips to the local courts. This will be particularly reflected in the module ‘Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills’ where students will be grouped into small study groups to work together throughout the module. The programme team make extensive use of MyModules, the University’s virtual learning environment which uses the Moodle platform. This will be used as a means of disseminating important information and resources and for encouraging learning engagement through a series of initiatives which may include: • Online formative assessment with detailed comments in the feedback field; • Wikis and discussion groups/forums; • Vod/podcasting – video and audio recordings; • Online lessons – a series of webpages with activities/questions with students

receiving on progression pre-made feedback; and • Grademark – online summative feedback application. As noted above, there is a commitment to encouraging independent study and learning. It is, however, recognised that individual students have different needs and skills, and the programme team are and will continue to adopt a considerable diversity of teaching and learning practices. By way of example, the proposer has purchased video capture technologies to create vodcasts and podcasts that will be available for students. In addition the proposer has purchased a wireless audience response system which will allow for greater engagement in formal sessions. These diverse teaching strategies have been selected in order to: • promote understanding and application of legal principles; • enhance practical skills;

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• develop critical and reflective skills; • help students to respond flexibly to different styles and preferences; • create an active and lively student learning community that extends beyond

classroom activities; • foster professional attitudes, values and discipline; and • develop students into an independent and self-sufficient learner. There is an emphasis on tutor-led learning at FHEQ Level 4, moving towards a greater degree of self-directed learning at FHEQ Level 5, culminating in a self-managed research project at FHEQ Level 6 (‘Legal Research Project’ or ‘Extended Essay in Law’). To reflect this incremental approach to becoming an autonomous learner, formal contact hours gradually reduce between FHEQ Levels 4 and 6. At Level 4 students will focus on the reading and the comprehension of legal materials. They will also be exploring different methods of studying through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, written and oral presentations and skill-based workshops as noted above. At Level 5 students will build on their knowledge and skills with a greater focus on analysis and critical evaluation. They will also further develop their group-based skills by undertaking group work in such modules as ‘Practical Legal Skills, Ethics and Professional Responsibility’ and ‘Consumer and Commercial Law’. At Level 6, students will have greater autonomy in selecting which option modules they wish to undertake and will develop their independent study skills further by undertaking either the ‘Legal Research Project’ module, where a 2,000 word research proposal and literature review followed by a 10,000 word project is required, or the ‘Extended Essay in Law’ module, which required a 5,000 work project.

29 Programme assessment strategy

Strategy and Rationale for Assessment and Feedback In line with the School’s Teaching and Learning Strategy, the intention is ‘To provide appropriate, formative and summative assessment with feedback designed to support a learner-centred approach and to motivate and encourage the School’s students.’ The programme’s assessment strategy is also informed by Chapter B6 of the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education and is fully reflected in the University’s Assessment Policy and Assessment Tariff. In particular the programme incorporates a number of opportunities for formative assessment, peer observation and feedback and for self assessment and reflection, a strategy informed by the QAA – Integrative Assessment - Balancing Assessment of and Assessment for Learning Guide. The programmes considers that all assessment methods should be informed by the following principles: • fit for purpose of assessing the particular learning outcomes of the module; • coherent; and • contributing to progression and development through the programme. It is part of the assessment strategy for the programme that assessments have explicit assessment criteria which will, when combined with feedback on

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performance , create an effective means of learning. Assessment criteria are used to ensure that students understand the knowledge and skills each assessment is seeking to develop and assess. Assessment types and criteria are clearly linked to the learning outcomes. Students may expect to encounter a variety of different assessment methods aimed at developing and assessing their competence in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills. A variety of assessment methods are used to test subject knowledge and understanding. Examinations are also an important part of the assessment framework, though their prominence depends on the programme being undertaken. On the LLB Law programme students are likely to undertake examinations in 2/3 of the modules undertaken at Level 4, 1/2 of the Level 5 modules and 1/3 of the Level 6 modules. This reflects the traditional importance given to examinations, most notably in the FLK, by the Professional Bodies. Where examinations are used, the weighting of the exam will, generally constitute 50% of the overall module grade. Examinations will include traditional unseen papers, however the Programme Team have considered and where appropriate adopted the use of pre-released problem questions, seen question banks and the use of unmarked, open statue book examinations. In addition to examinations, students will be assessed by coursework. Coursework is usually undertaken in the student’s own time and will often be based on a written assignment addressing a problem scenario or an essay question. However, coursework may also include, inter alia, making an oral presentation, a viva voce, writing a skills portfolio or carrying out a simulated exercise. Coursework provides students with an important opportunity to gauge how they are coping with various subject areas and levels of study before having to sit an examination. These methods of assessment allow students to show how they have acquired both legal knowledge and the ability to think critically about the subject. But also, they allow the student to reflect on the feedback given for an assessed piece of work and to think of ways to improve the quality of their work before they sit an examination at the end of the semester or attempt another piece of coursework. The aim of the assessment strategy is to have a variety of assessment which will provide a range of appropriate opportunities to assess learning. To minimise over-assessment, a maximum of two assessments will generally be undertaken per module. An assessment may be broken down into smaller exercises where a skill is being developed or specialist knowledge required, for example, this is seen in ‘Sources of Law and Academic Legal Skills’. The programme takes an incremental approach to assessment, which has been valued by students. This is reflected in the questions and content set and also in the examination time loads and wordage requirements. The importance of examinations in assessing a broad range of knowledge is acknowledged, but the time loads can vary dependent on the Level.

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The programme adheres to the University’s three week turnaround time for feedback to students.

PART 4 – UNIVERSITY SUPPORT

30 Student support and guidance

We have a dedicated Student Centre in the heart of the University. Our aim is to assist, guide and support students throughout their period of study. The Student Wellbeing Service provides personal 1-1 Counselling in addition to group workshops such as mindfulness. The Student Wellbeing Service includes both physical disabilities and learning support such as Dyslexia. Mental Health Advisors and Mentors together with an on-site Health Centre. Our Student Life and Guidance Team includes; the Accommodation Services, Student Funding, Pastoral Care & Advice & Guidance. Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor who can assist with any academic advice and support with any personal issues.

31 Quality management arrangements

This programme aligns with the quality assurance requirements of St Mary’s University through the following processes:

• Five yearly cycle of revalidation • Ongoing monitoring through the Programme Review process • Programme Boards • Consideration of marks and graduate profiles at Exam Boards • Engagement with programme student representatives • Engagement with approved external examiners