We teach the law that matters. We are ‘freer, more daring and more experimental' than a traditional law school, so your legal education is relevant and responsive to the needs of a changing society. Our approach is global in outlook, based on justice, and engaged with real-world problems.

Our LLB Law provides you with a rigorous academic training in the discipline of law. We enable you to develop an approach to the discipline so that you can see each subject area as part of an integrated whole. We emphasise an awareness of the place of the law of England and Wales in its European and international frameworks.

You develop a critical awareness of the nature of law within its social, political and economic contexts. Not only will you learn legal rules, but you will also consider the function of law in society, the philosophy of law, policy issues and law reform. You learn to consider, evaluate and respond to alternative and, possibly, conflicting points of view.

You cover all the key areas of law, as well as a wide range of optional topics including:

Copyright and trademark law

International environmental law

Law and literature

Human rights

The use of evidence

Were ranked 22nd (12th in UK) for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for reduced inequalities (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024).

Our law course allows you to develop your intellectual and critical faculties, encourage you to think independently and teach you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

Placement year

When you arrive at Essex, you can decide whether you would like to combine your course with a placement year. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.