Law

Teaching is delivered in two main styles: lectures and small group tutorials. With two lectures in each module per week and a tutorial once a fortnight, you will have approximately 12 contact hours each week.

Lectures provide you with the framework for each subject, whereas your tutorials are an opportunity for you to engage with the subjects in more depth. Tutorials test your understanding by planning how to advice a client or critically discussing pre-set problems amongst a group of students led by a member of academic staff. In a small group of around only eight to twelve students, you can really have your opinion heard and ask questions to make sure you've fully understood the topic. Through this personalised experience, you'll receive more individual support with your learning, as well as learn how to confidently articulate your arguments. Some optional modules include seminar-style teaching with larger groups of around 15 students, particularly where group work helps replicate the experience of working in teams.

We use web-based and electronic course materials to supplement traditional teaching methods and support student learning. There is easy access to computers in the David Wilson Library next to the Law School and quiet study space in the historic Harry Peach Law Library. You will be able to access information about your courses and tutorials electronically.

Assessment methods include assessed essays/coursework, exams and multiple choice question papers. Professional legal writing - for example, writing a letter of advice or opinion addressed to a client or a briefing for a supervising solicitor or pupil-master - is also built into our curriculum. You will start developing these practical skills from your very first year with us.

Criminology

The modules you take are taught using a combination of lectures and workshops, as well as more contemporary virtual learning environments. Lectures provide you with the foundational knowledge needed to study the subject area, while the workshops give you the opportunity to discuss key ideas with your peers and your workshop leader. The virtual learning environment, which include podcasts, online discussion forums and audio/visual learning aids, gives you the opportunity to explore the subject area at your own pace and offer an alternative approach to learning and teaching.

You will be taught by an award-winning teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of workshops under the supervision of the module leader. Our team of staff are on-hand to help you with any problems you might have, whether it be through a meeting with your personal tutor about a personal matter, or a drop-in session with a member of teaching staff about an academic concern.

Our assessment strategy allows you to develop a range of academic and transferable skills throughout your degree. You will be assessed through essays, reports and presentations. You will also have the opportunity to produce factsheets, blogs, posters and a range of other creative and authentic, real-world forms of assessment.

We believe in the importance of developing transferable skills while you study with us and our assessment methods are designed to reflect this. You will be assessed mainly through essays, reports and presentations, but you will also have the opportunity to engage in creative forms of assessment such as factsheets, blogs and briefing papers.

Independent learning

Outside of your teaching, you continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, preparing for tutorials, working on individual and group assignments, undertaking research in the library, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

• study and exam skills
• academic writing
• presentations
• dissertations
• numerical data skills
• referencing sources

Leicester Law School is made up of a vibrant international community of academics, many with leading reputations in their field. We have expertise in a broad range of areas across the legal spectrum, which offers you access to a wide variety of optional modules. We strongly believe in research-led teaching, which allows our modules to draw on the latest thinking and cutting-edge developments. You can learn more about our supportive community of experts and professionals by visiting our staff profiles.