Welcome from the Executive Dean
Although the youngest of the six London University Law Schools, Birkbeck School of Law houses a large and expanding community. By 2014 we plan to have the largest cohort of law undergraduate and postgraduate students within the University of London, and are currently investing heavily in our portfolio of programmes. We aim to attract greater numbers of employer-sponsored students in addition to our customary student cohort onto our full- and part-time courses during the evenings.
Our School has a vibrant research culture with regular visiting scholars. We have twice hosted the Critical Legal Conference, launched a Law on Trial event, and support an annual three-week writer-in-residence programme, offering masterclasses in critical theory to our research students. Our reputation in the field of critical legal theory and philosophy, and socio-legal approaches to law, attracts graduate students (currently over 100) from a wide range of jurisdictions.
Our postgraduate portfolio of degrees comprises eight at Master's level, including our flagship programmes in Human Rights and International Economic Law, Justice and Development. We are distinguished from other law Schools by our triple-track qualifying law degree programme, enabling our students to study the academic stage of the legal profession over two, three or four years.
Uniquely among law providers, we offer a full-time law degree by evening study alone, which increasingly attracts international students. For access students from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds we offer Certificate-level programmes in Legal Methods and Criminology providing exciting skills-based and specialist modules.
Law School staff are dedicated and supportive to students with additional learning/pastoral support offered by an Academic Support Officer. Academic staff, of whom 27% are readers/professors in recognition of their standing as foremost researchers in their fields, are research active and make regular media appearances. Staff commitment is apparent in the success of our students. Our PhD candidates are regularly appointed to full-time academic posts. Last year's final-year qualifying law degree students reached the semi-finals of the Weekly Law Reports mooting competition and the finals of the London Universities Mooting Shield competition.
The School events offer much to engage students in academic study: reading groups, an annual PhD conference, regular work in progress seminars, and a dynamic programme of events for staff, students and the public, including mock-trials, talks, films, lectures and conferences. The School also plans to open a virtual learning centre in 2011, which will include a dedicated academic advice line and eventually a telephone line offering pro bono legal advice.
In 2012, we will be celebrating our twentieth anniversary and look forward to continued growth. We look forward to welcoming you to our School.
Patricia Tuitt
Executive Dean
Professor of Law
