UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2011 ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL•ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY•ABERDEEN
LAW GET ON THE CASE
Law What and when: course overview …and course detail
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Law and Management What and when: course overview …and course detail
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How will I be taught? How can I apply? What next?
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Choosing a course isn’t straightforward. There’s loads of detail you need to know: where will I study? what topics get covered? how do I get assessed? Plus you also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – ideally, directly and honestly from some current or recent students. In this brochure we have combined both of these factors: hard facts and the views of RGU students. And we’ve tried to keep things short and clear, so you don’t get put off by more information than you need. Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our courses. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
OPPORTUNITIES: access more possibilities
“There’s a huge range of interesting modules, especially at honours level where you have choice. For example, I’m taking UK Oil and Gas Law this semester – particularly topical as RGU is in Aberdeen.”
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Kirsten Thomson LLB Law
… graduated in summer 2010, and plans to return for her Diploma in Legal Practice. She enthuses about the teaching staff: “They’re excellent, all with a great wealth of knowledge and academic or practicing experience. They’re supportive, for example helping with moot competitions… a few have been known to turn up at the annual RGU Law Society’s Spring Ball!”
Law LLB (Hons) UCAS M114
Overview This course mixes thorough academic study with the practical experience of moot courts, plus giving you a grounding in the general transferable skills needed for all professional roles. Ours is a focused, friendly department, with smaller class sizes than some other institutions, regular class contact and a appealing balance between academic and practical input.
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Law LLB (Hons) UCAS M114
“The student-to-lecturer ratio is great. You don’t feel crammed into a tiny dingy lecture hall with no communication with the lecturer. At RGU it’s more interactive, with more possibilities to speak and seek clarification.”
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Laura Petrie LLB LAW
… loves the location. “RGU’s environment is innovative and stimulating, it’s not the usual centuries-old building other universities have. Early morning starts aren’t nearly as depressing when the building around you is vibrant!”
Career options A Law degree from RGU opens the door to the legal profession – plus opportunities within the financial sector, civil service, banking, corporate consultancy, global business management, local government, charitable organisations and trade unions, to name just a few.
PROSPECTS: …AND GAIN REAL EXPERIENCE
If you intend to become a solicitor, you can also complete the one year Diploma in Legal Practice at RGU. Our previous LLB graduates, many of whom have also taken the Diploma in Legal Practice with us, have an excellent record for quality employment in the legal profession, locally and nationally. We expect this trend to continue.
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Law LLB (Hons) UCAS M114
what & when: COURSE overview… Core areas & Skills During this course you gain a thorough understanding of the Scottish, UK and EU legal systems; explore the concept and reality of human rights and justice; and examine and critically assess diverse and key legal subjects including: >> Criminal Law >> Constitutional Law >> Administrative Law >> Contract Law >> Commercial Law >> Family Law In addition to this legal training, you develop key transferable skills such as communication, planning and organising, team working and problem-solving. You also acquire specialist skills in legal research, analysis and legal reasoning. The first three years of the course are designed to provide you with the law subjects required by the Law Society of Scotland for entry into the legal profession, including Contract Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, Consumer Law, Family Law and European Law.
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ChoosE your specialisms In year 4 of the course (Honours year – optional) you choose subjects that appeal most to you. This means you can tailor your subject profile to suit your intended career path, whether in the public or private sector. The subjects available are diverse and, in some cases, highly vocational, such as Criminal Justice, Oil and Gas Law, Media Law, Information Technology Law, International Human Rights Law and Intellectual Property Law.
teaching styles Our teaching methods enable you to develop professional skills such as communication and problem-solving. This ensures your degree is valuable whatever career you’re considering. Throughout the course, you’re taught by staff experienced in a wide range of legal subjects. In addition, we ensure you graduate ready for today’s professional world. We value the advice and input of our close contacts in the legal profession, who constantly keep us appraised of the latest professional trends. This in turn informs our curriculum and teaching style.
other opportunities In year 3 of your course you have the opportunity to spend a 12 week semester abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe. During the course you also have the opportunity to take part in an internal mooting competition (mooting involves conducting a mock legal debate) or in an international mooting competition, the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
There are several key advantages to the way we teach this course: >> You’ll have regular class contact both in tutorials (seminars) and lectures >> Our Student Law Society offers events and more liaison with staff >> The strong research culture among departmental staff feeds into their teaching expertise >> You can choose to take part in regular mooting exercises (legal debating), giving you additional practical experience >> We give regular feedback on your academic performance
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Law LLB (Hons) UCAS M114
…& COURSE detail Year 1
Year 2
Semester One
Semester One
>> Legal Systems >> Legal Methods >> Law of Contract >> Criminal Law Semester Two >> Constitutional Law >> Commercial Law >> Human Rights >> Property Law If you left now, you’d have… Certificate of Higher Education Law
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>> Law of Evidence >> Family Law >> Law of Succession >> Delict Semester Two >> Company Law >> European Union Law >> Legal Theory >> Property Rights in Land If you left now, you’d have… Diploma of Higher Education Law
Year 3
Year 4
Year 4
Semester One
Semester One
Semester Two
>> Tax Law >> Choose from one of the following: – Forensic Practice OR – IT for Managers OR – Fundamentals of Employment Law >> Plus two honours level modules (see list in Year 4) Or study abroad at a partner European or US University Semester Two >> Practical Legal Skills >> Choose from one of the following: – Managing the Public Sector OR – Management Studies for Law OR – Forensic Psychology >> Plus two honours level modules (see list in Year 4) Or study abroad at a partner European or US University If you left now, you’d have… LLB Law
>> Dissertation >> Three elective modules from: – Roman Law – Employment Law – Criminal Justice – European Union law – Legal Issues in Construction – Sports Law – Criminal Responsibility – Child Care Law – Environmental Law – Regional Human Rights Systems – Judicial Review and – Public Administration – Property Law (honours) – Media law – Public International Law – International trade law – Evidence: Law Theory and Practice – Comparative Company law – Tax Law
>> Dissertation >> Three elective modules from: – International and Comparative Family Law – UK Oil and Gas Law – International Private Law – International Human Rights Law – Equality Law – Legal History – Criminal Law: Specific Crimes – Medical Law – Consumer Law and Policy – Intellectual Property Law – Comparative Law – Criminology – Medical Ethics – Information Technology Law – Dispute Resolution – Comparative and International Tax Law Note: Honours level modules will run subject to student demand. If you left now, you’d have… LLB (Hons) Law
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pROSPECTS: Open up more possibilities
“I was really impressed at the diversity of the course, and the fact it opened the door to a lot of career opportunities in a variety of industries.”
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Alaina Morrison … graduated with a BA (Hons) in Law and Management in 2005, before returning to ABS to take the accelerated LLB and the Diploma in Legal Practice, finishing in 2008. She found that all three courses are “wellstructured, interesting and can be made relevant to whatever it is you want to achieve.”
law and management BA (Hons) UCAS M990
Placements You have the chance of an optional placement in your third year. This course will equip you with a sound grounding in law, as well as key business skills and knowledge. Career options The course opens a range of opportunities. For example, it can be a pathway to becoming a Qualified Conveyancer or Executry Practitioner. (You can gain Diplomas in Conveyancing and Executry Services, or Executry Services, as additional qualifications in year 4.) Other options are with oil companies (locally and overseas), banks and businesses, civil service, corporate consultancy firms and the police.
What you do is up to you – and we’ll help you arrange it. You could concentrate on the legal side of your studies. In the past, students have worked in Sheriff Clerks’ Offices, legal firms, local government and councils plus public and private sector organisations. Or you can explore the management component in a corporate placement. Many students choose Contracts and Procurement departments, while others work in Finance, HR and Marketing. Recent placements have included Grampian Police, Scottish Court Service, Aker Kvaerner and Halliburton.
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law and management BA (Hons) UCAS M990
“ABS allowed me to reach my full potential. The opportunities are endless: I set up and headed a new student Law Society during my time here, and participated in an international Law Moot Court Competition.”
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CALUM HOWE … graduated in summer 2009. For Calum, the fact we’ve been voted the best modern university in UK by The Times Good University Guide several years running “made the choice easy. With the modern resources and new campus at Garthdee, RGU is a state of the art university – and I knew right away I’d made the right choice.”
RESOURCES: ...TO REALISE YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
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law and management BA (Hons) UCAS M990
what & when: COURSE overview… Key Areas The high level of flexibility in this course allows you to shape your degree to specialise in the areas you develop an interest in. As well as studying core law subjects, you’ll: >> Develop knowledge of the management perspectives and principles that underpin the effective operation of a business >> Gain an understanding of economic principles and concepts >> Learn effective people management practices This course will equip you with a comprehensive set of skills in: >> Communication, including report and essay writing >> Making presentations and information handling >> Research, including critical appraisal and referencing >> Project management
>> Time management techniques >> Team working
>> Information technology including managing files and using computers for word processing, spreadsheets and databases
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core skills/specialisms In each year of the course you study a range of law and management subjects including Contract Law, Commercial Law and Consumer Law, as well as Economics, Accounting and Management. In your final year you can specialise further in either law, or management, or a combination – whatever most interests you. Optional subjects include Family Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law, European Law, Human Resource Management and Management of Change.
practical experience In year 3 you could have the opportunity to gain practical experience, equipping you for the working world. Placements are highly regarded by employers as preparation for employment and are an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and establish links with potential employers. You have the option to undertake a placement with a small, mediumsized or multinational organisation situated locally, nationally or internationally. See page 21 for some examples of where previous students have worked. The placement helps you to acquire skills and knowledge that are difďŹ cult to gain in an academic setting. This is one of the reasons why we assess your progress and contribution during your placement as part of your degree award.
teaching style
ADDING LLB (HONS) LAW
There are several key advantages to the way we teach this course:
It is possible to add LLB (Hons) Law to this degree. If you enter the degree in year 1, and successfully complete the first three years to graduate with a BA in Law and Management, you can then apply to enter year 3 of the LLB (Hons) course.
>> Our small class sizes allow for more intensive, individual support and enable you to explore ideas and solutions >> You’ll have regular class contact both in tutorials (seminars) and lectures >> Our Student Law Society offers events and further liaison with staff >> The strong research culture among departmental staff feeds into their teaching expertise
Degree Link students who enter the degree in year 2 or 3, and successfully graduate with a BA in Law and Management on completing year 3 can then apply to enter year 1 or 2 of the LLB (Hons) course.
>> You can choose to take part in regular mooting exercises (legal debating), giving you additional practical experience >> We give regular feedback on your academic performance
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law and management BA (Hons) UCAS M990
…& COURSE detail Year 1
Year 2
Semester One
Semester One
>> Business Ethics >> Management Concepts >> Legal Methods >> Legal Systems Semester Two >> Introductory Economics >> People Management >> Jurisprudence >> Constitutional Law If you left now, you’d have… Certificate of Higher Education Law and Management
>> Property Law >> Law of Contract >> Globalisation >> Choose one option from: – Governing the UK – European Union – Organisational Behaviour – The Financial Environment Semester Two >> Administrative Law >> Commercial Law >> Human Rights >> Choose one option from: – Marketing – Business Economics If you left now, you’d have… Diploma of Higher Education Law and Management
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Year 3
Year 4
Semester One
Semester One
>> Fundamentals of Employment Law or Legal Methods (Direct Entrants only) >> Law of Business Associations >> Delict >> Choose one option from: – Ethics and the Consumer – Organisational Marketing Or study abroad at a partner European or US University Semester Two >> Company Law >> Consumer Law >> Management Studies for Law >> Work Placement Or Managing the Public Sector Or study abroad at a partner European or US University
>> Dissertation >> Three elective modules from: – European Union Law: Constitutional Aspects – Criminal Justice – Legal Issues in Construction – Conveyancing Law 1 – Criminal Law – Employee Relations and Reward – Employment Law – Family Law 1 – Media Law – Law of Trusts and Succession – Public International Law – UK Oil and Gas Law – Roman Law – Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Semester Two >> Dissertation >> Three elective modules from: – Contemporary EU Policy – Conveyancing Law 2 – Corporate Ethics – European Union Law: Substantive Aspects – Information Technology Law – Family Law 2 – International Human Rights Law – International Private Law – Intellectual Property Law – Employment Law Collective Rights – Labour Market Economics – Medical Ethics – Tax Law – Strategic Marketing Management – Criminology – International Trade Law – UK Oil and Gas Law
If you left now, you’d have… BA Law and Management
If you left now, you’d have… BA (Hons) Law and Management
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How will I be taught?
Through varied class sizes, diverse lecturing styles and a range of assessment techniques. These degrees are all taught in two semesters. Each semester has a block of 12 weeks of teaching.
In the classroom
Assessment
You’ll take four modules per semester. Each module involves around 2–3 hours of class teaching per week. While this differs from module to module, most have:
We use a mixture of assessments.
>> Two hours of lectures delivered to the whole class >> A further one hour tutorial taught to a small group of about 20 students Outside the classroom In addition to lectures and tutorials, you‘ll have to spend approximately 20 hours a week outside class time working on your own. For example doing the prescribed reading, preparing answers to the tutorial assignments, or researching and writing up coursework.
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Most modules are assessed by a two hour exam at the end of the semester, and by coursework submitted during the semester. Staff experience Some of our teaching staff have professional legal experience. Similarly those on the Law and Management course have professional legal and management experience. This means appropriate subjects are taught with a highly practical edge. In addition, almost all law staff teach subjects in which they’re engaged in research activity (such as writing books, academic journal papers, delivering conference papers) – meaning you learn from experts.
How can I apply? Entry requirements
Law
Law and Management
SQA Higher: ABBB including English
SQA Higher: BBBC
GCE A level: CCC including English
ILC Higher: BBc1c1 International Baccalaureate: 26 points including Higher English at Grade 5
ILC Higher: BBBB including English International Baccalaureate: 28 points including Higher English at Grade 5 Alternative qualifications Equivalent overseas qualifications will be considered. Study options Full-time: 4 years Full-time: 2 years for holders of a BA Law and Management from ABS Professional accreditation The course is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland, a key factor for those seeking to enter the legal profession in Scotland. This course is also recognised by the Faculty of Advocates.
GCE A level: CCC
Alternative qualifications Equivalent overseas qualifications and some access programmes will be considered. Entry to year 2 of the course is possible if you have an HNC in Legal Services from Banff and Buchan College. Degree Link Programme Entry to year 3 of the course may be possible if you have completed an HND in Legal Services or an equivalent HND programme from another FE College. Study options Full-time: 4 years Placement An optional placement in year 3.
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WHAT NEXT?
The next thing to do is talk to us. We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email admissions@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you ďŹ rst hand.
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This course guide is intended as a guide for applicants for courses delivered by Robert Gordon University. In compiling it the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, and the information in this course guide is correct at the time of going to print, but the course guide must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University undertakes to make every reasonable effort to provide the teaching and academic facilities necessary for applicants’ programmes of study. However the University reserves the right, if such action is considered to be necessary, to make variations to fees and/or to vary the content or delivery method of any course at any time. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, discontinue or amalgamate any course(s). In these rare cases the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and reasonable steps will be taken to provide a suitable alternative to a discontinued course.
Open Day
Applicants’ Day
We organise two annual open days in October and November each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit us, meet the academic staff, experience the first-class facilities and talk to current students.
When you apply for any course at ABS, you’ll be invited to one of our course-specific Applicants’ Days – scheduled for February and March 2011.
For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday or request a brochure on 01224 262044.
We realise there’s a lot involved in making your final choice, so we hope to give you all the insight and information you need. Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons, held on a Wednesday between 1:00–3:00pm at either our Schoolhill or Garthdee Campus. For upcoming dates, follow the link on www.rgu.ac.uk/visitafternoons The visit includes a talk by a Schools’ Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer on the course you’re interested in.
Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE
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Talk to us. We can answer any questions or queries you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728, email admissions@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk