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  • Legal Methods (Certificate of Higher Education)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • A variety of forms, including coursework, tests, presentations and projects. 

  • Attendance

    • One afternoon or evening a week from September/October to July, plus Saturday schools (dates to be confirmed).

      The programme is offered across three terms on the following days and times:

      • Monday 6pm–9pm (Bloomsbury)
      • Tuesday 2pm–5pm or 6pm–9pm (Bloomsbury)
      • Wednesday 2pm–5pm or 6pm–9pm (Bloomsbury)
      • Thursday 6pm–9pm (Stratford).

      When you apply for your place, please be sure to note which of these days and times you would like to enrol for. Spaces on the programme are limited, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible.

  • Duration

    • One year.

  • Entry requirements

    • All applicants will be required to undertake a written exercise designed to evaluate your comprehension skills. The exercise requires no prior knowledge of law and will be sent to you with clear instructions and a submission deadline, upon receipt of your application.

      For applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent is required. If you would like assistance with English language skills, Birkbeck offers a range of academic English and language development modules.

      You must be willing to undertake 10–15 hours of independent study a week outside class time, and will need to ensure that you are able to access the internet regularly (facilities are available at the College).

  • Fees and funding
  • Financial support
      • If you are a new student starting on a course in autumn 2012, you may be able to get a student loan to cover your fees and other Birkbeck financial support. Check if you're eligible.
      • If you are already studying with us and continuing on a course that you started before autumn 2012, find out about financial support and see if you are eligible.
      • Not sure if you are a new or a continuing student? See here for more information. 
  • Location
    • Central London and Stratford.
  • Teaching

    • Lectures, seminars, exercises, oral presentations, discussions and debates. Teaching may be on a whole-class, group work or individual basis.

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Legal Methods (Certificate of Higher Education) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview
      • Gain a University of London qualification – expand your knowledge and enhance your CV.
      • Learn the skills you need for a degree in law, and get help with applying to university.
      • Complete the award in one year – with a guaranteed place on Birkbeck's Law LLB and credit for one of the first-year modules if you pass with a mark of 50% or above.
      • Widely recognised as an entry qualification for a range of law degrees.
  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?

    • This programme is ideal if you lack prior educational qualifications or need additional qualifications to gain entry onto an undergraduate LLB course. You will leave the course with a thorough understanding of the construction and interpretation of English law and with a good foundation in the skills needed to study law.

  • Course structure and modules

    • To gain the Certificate of Higher Education, you must successfully complete a total of 120 credit points. You must enrol for the whole programme and cannot enrol for individual modules.

      The four modules you will study are:

      • Legal Skills
      • Reading Law
      • Law and Due Process
      • An Introduction to Human Rights and EU Law
  • Further study opportunities

    • Students awarded the Certificate of Higher Education with a mark of 50% or above are automatically offered a place on Birkbeck's Law LLB with credit for the first-year Legal Methods and Legal Systems core module. Students who pass but achieve a mark below 50% are eligible to apply for a place on the LLB programme.

      This Certificate of Higher Education may also fulfil the entry requirements for first degrees at other universities.

  • How to apply/enrol

    • ME(P) (modular enrolment with prerequisites): you can enrol on these modules as long as you meet the required prerequisites.

      All applicants will be required to undertake a written exercise designed to evaluate comprehension skills. The exercise requires no prior knowledge of law and will be sent to you with clear instructions and a submission deadline, upon receipt of your application.

      Submit your application

      You cannot currently apply online for this programme. Please contact us for more information.