Law with Foundation Year

Why study Law with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• 94% of students surveyed on this course said the teaching staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025)

• Unique Investigating Liverpool module that looks at media portrayals of the city

• Opportunities in your final year to work on the Support Through Court scheme at Liverpool Civil & Family Justice Centre*

• Highly active student Law Society

• Direct progression onto professional practice training programmes

• Our students are Mooting Competition Winners four years in a row

• Follow our student stories on Instagram - @ljmupolicinglawjustice

About your course
This course is truly innovative in that you can observe real law in action from Semester 2 of your first year. The core module in your first year (level 4) 'Legal and Professional Ethics’ is delivered by our award-winning Legal Advice Centre and means you will gain invaluable insight into the pro-bono work that we are proud to undertake, helping to support access to justice in our city.

The Legal Advice Centre is something you can be part of all the way through to your final year of study. Since 2014, LJMU's Legal Advice Centre has helped over 500 clients and given £0.6 million worth of free advice to the local community.

*There are 24 places available for students who select the level 6 Year-Long Advanced Clinical Legal Education module to spend the year working with Support Through Court at Liverpool Civil & Family Justice Centre. You work one full day a week on site helping the service.

Every year, thousands of people in England and Wales face court alone. Often through no choice of their own, they must represent themselves at a moment that could determine the rest of their life. They may face eviction from their home or lose contact with their children. In an unfamiliar courtroom, up against a party with legal representation, the process can be stressful and confusing. Support Through Court Liverpool stands with those who have nowhere else to turn, offering support and guidance before, during, and after court. They make sure people facing court are not alone and help them navigate a complex legal system with dignity and self-assurance, so that they can best represent themselves.

Student support and availability directly contributed to Support Through Court Liverpool returning to full time operating hours which had previously been reduced due to the impacts of the pandemic. In the academic year 2022-23 LJMU students assisted clients on 1,376 occasions and supported 178 hearings (a 147% hearing increase from the preceding 6-month period when students were not on-site in Liverpool), as well as developing essential legal and employability skills.

Support Through Court Liverpool is a five-year exclusive partnership with LJMU and is only available to LJMU LLB Law students.

Foundation Year
The LLB Law Foundation Year is ideal if you have the interest and ability to study for a Law degree, but do not have the qualifications to enter directly onto the LLB Law degree programme.

The unique module, Investigating Liverpool, addresses key contemporary issues facing Liverpool, such as Scouse identity, Hillsborough, slavery, migration, riots, culture, education, policing, and media portrayals of the city.

You will be given a basic introduction to English Law and have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the starting points of civil and criminal liability.

Once you pass the Foundation Year (level 3) you will progress directly onto the first year (level 4) of the LLB honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Accreditation
Recognised by the Bar Standards Board as passing the academic stage of qualification to become a barrister.