This graduate entry accelerated law degree offers students the opportunity to study in two years the courses required to allow them to progress to the next stage of their legal education. This degree programme attracts students from the UK, Ireland and North America creating a cosmopolitan learning environment. Students benefit from studying law in one of the oldest and most prestigious Law Schools on these islands with an international reputation for excellence. In recent years our graduates have gone on to legal careers in Canada, the UK and Ireland.
At QUB Law School students have the opportunity to gain real-world legal skills as well as an excellent understanding of law from an academic perspective.
Law Senior Status Degree Highlights
Law at QUB is ranked 18th in the UK in Complete University Guide 2022. Law was ranked 8th in the UK for Career Prospects in the Times Good University Guide 2022.
Professional Accreditations
The degree offers students the opportunity to study the modules required for the academic stage of legal qualification. In addition, students are offered the opportunity to explore their interests in the final year with modules offered that allow them to specialise in a particular area, or simply receive a more rounded sense of what ‘Law’ is. Many of these modules consider the law and law-like interactions on a local, national and international level.This means that the degree covers those subjects that are regarded as pre-requisites for professional legal studies. The Senior Status degree is particularly popular with Canadians as it allows graduates to qualify with a law degree in only 2 years.Queen’s University Belfast has a long history of Canadian students studying law with us. Upon completion of their studies, some students choose to stay and practice in the UK or Ireland whilst others return to Canada to embark on legal careers.For those planning on returning to Canada the following is a guide on the process of Canadian accreditation:
When returning to Canada LLB students will sit a number of challenge exams in order to fulfil the requirements set out by the Federation of Canadian Law Societies' National Committee on Accreditation (NCA).
Students can choose to prepare for their challenge examinations through self-study, where the NCA provides a syllabus and students study at home. Most students complete their challenge exams within a year of returning to Canada. Alternatively, students can complete a recognised common-law qualification, typically one year, in a Canadian Law School upon their return.
Students completing our 2-year LLB for Graduates with a 2:2 or above (equivalent to a C in Canada) in all modules generally have to sit seven challenge exams.
Students completing a 3-year LLB programme with a 2:2 or above (equivalent to a C in Canada) in all modules generally have to sit five challenge exams. Students taking a 3-year LLB straight from high school will also have additional challenge exams set by the NCA.
The above information is for guidance purposes. We recommend that students carry out their own research and check with the relevant jurisdictions they wish to practise in for the most up to date information as the regulations are subject to change.
Industry Links
The Law School at Queen's has a well-established tradition of regular consultation with legal professional bodies and top international law firms that is very beneficial for students.
Law students have the unique opportunity of working with industry leaders through commercial awareness events and other negotiation exercises that offer insight into the legal practice (and services) world but also provide an enhanced skills development experience.
World-Class Facilities
The £20m School at Queen’s offers students access to world-class facilities such as a fully interactive Moot Courtroom, a One Button Recording Studio and a wellbeing room.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Students in the School of Law are taught by world-leading experts in the areas of Law, Human Rights, Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. Our staff have close research links with the professions, government and Civil Society. Research in Law was ranked 15th in the UK in the most recent Research Assessment (2014).
Student Experience
Students can join a number of student-led initiatives within the school including the Law Society, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, the Women in Law group and the Street Law project. Other initiatives include the Global Skills Project, LawPod, Queen’s Student Law Journal, Lawyers without Borders, the student magazine ‘The Verdict’ and the Mooting Society.
Students can join a number of student-led initiatives within the School including the Law Society, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society and the Street Law Project. Other initiatives include the Queen’s student Law Journal, Lawyers without Borders, the student magazine ‘The Verdict’ and the Mooting Society.
