We're open for Clearing
The University of Law ranks 10th in the UK for quality of teaching in National Student Survey 2024. Find out more

blog

Experience counts: Our Foundation Year courses

Have you ever thought about a career in law or policing but dismissed it as a daydream due to your lack of formal qualifications? Did Atticus Finch capture your heart in To Kill a Mockingbird or did Martha Costello QC of Silk ignite your passion for justice? Has DCI Sarah Lund from The Killing or DCI John Luther drawn you to the world of policing?

By Editorial Team. Published 03 October 2018. Last updated 06 January 2022.

Have you ever thought about a career in law or policing but dismissed it as a daydream due to your lack of formal qualifications? Did Atticus Finch capture your heart in To Kill a Mockingbird or did Martha Costello QC of Silk ignite your passion for justice? Has DCI Sarah Lund from The Killing or DCI John Luther drawn you to the world of policing?

No matter who or what attracts you to these careers, you shouldn’t let anything hold you back. No GCSEs? No A Levels? No problem.

We recognise skills developed through high level work experience and we give prospective students the opportunity to demonstrate these skills and take advantage of our non-standard study routes. No matter your education or background we want to support you with the chance to achieve your ambition and make your career dreams come true.

You can join one of our 4 year campus-based undergraduate law or Policing & Criminal Investigation degrees (which includes a foundation year) without any formal qualifications. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • At least 2 years of relevant work experience at a supervisory level where you have managed people or processes
  • A full CV which demonstrates this
  • An employer reference to confirm it
  • To pass an interview with a member of the academic team
  • To sit and pass an in house literacy and numeracy test
  • And for students requiring a Student Route visa to study with us, normal English language requirements will still apply

If you can meet all the above criteria and pass the in-house tests then you can apply to any of the undergraduate degree courses below (all 4 year programmes):

  • LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation Year
  • LLB (Hons) Law with Business with Foundation Year
  • LLB (Hons) Law with International Business with Foundation Year
  • LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology with Foundation Year
  • LLB (Hons) Law with Investigative Journalism with Foundation Year
  • BSc (Hons) Policing and Criminal Investigation with Foundation Year

If you would prefer to study online then in addition to the work experience requirements above, we also require you to hold GCSE Maths and English language grade C or 4. This is because there is no Foundation Year included with the online courses so they begin at a higher level of study. You would also need to carry out an interview with a member of the academic team but this can be conducted via Skype.

This online route into law is especially useful to students who have dependents or caring responsibilities, who live in isolated areas and are unable to attend campus or would like more flexible study hours.

  • Online courses available through this form of entry include:
  • Online LLB (Hons) Law, 4, 4.5 and 6 year programmes

Find out how studying at with us can help set you up for success by visiting our website.