International Foundation Year in Law
Law
The International Foundation Year in Law leads to a choice of degrees at Lancaster University Law School – one of the UK’s most respected law schools. To prepare for your degree, you will study core English language modules and subject modules for Law. Your degree options include Criminology, Law, and Law with Politics.
Is this programme for me?
Ready to make a difference and change the world? Take the first steps to your law degree from a UK university with our specialist pathway programme. As a Law student the topics you will study include justice, ethics, democracy and political institutions. You will learn about important cases and the history of the law, complemented by either study Globalisation or Core Mathematics.
What will I study?
You will study core modules within the International Foundation Year programme alongside subject specific modules designed to help you on your degree.
Core modules focus on your English language and university-level study skills. At the end of the programme you will feel confident in taking notes, writing essays, giving presentations, and contributing to discussions. Study areas include:
Academic English Skills*
- develop your English communication skills
- presenting and seminar preparation
- time management and organisational skills
- meeting deadlines and responding to feedback
Project and research skills
- a self-study project related to your undergraduate degree
- completed over two terms.
*Subject to approval
Subject modules in Law, Economics and Politics give you the academic knowledge and confidence you need to progress to your chosen degree. You will study either Core Mathematics or Globalisation.
Study areas include:
Law 1 & 2
- Concepts of law
- Relationship between law, justice and morality
- British and EU legislation
- The doctrine of precedent
- Civil and Criminal Courts
- Role of the Judiciary
- Contract law
Economics 1 & 2
- Economic systems; Economic policies
- Types of goods; Types of market
- Allocation of resources
- Price controls; Cost and revenue
- Economies of scale; Market failure
- Aggregate demand; Aggregate supply
- Inflation, Unemployment
- International trade; Development economics
Politics
- British political system and British constitution
- Civil liberties and their relation to the judicial system
- How parliament works
- Including the electoral system
- Political parties and the legislative process
- The composition and functions of the government
- The civil service and Britain’s relationship to the EU
Either Core Mathematics OR Globalisation:
Core Mathematics
- Algebra
- Statistics
- Understanding mathematical terms and techniques
- Problem solving in real-life situations
Globalisation
- Interpreting global issues
- Interpreting contemporary events
- Critical thinking and a range of other skills
Study plans
Why study the International Foundation Year in Law at Lancaster?
- 1st for graduate prospects in Law (Complete University Guide 2021)
- 2nd for graduate prospects for Criminology (Guardian University Guide 2021)
- 80% of research ranked as world leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework 2014
Progressing to your degree
You will progress to your chosen degree when you have completed your International Foundation Year and achieved the grades you need.*
Lancaster Law School
Our law school is consistently ranked as the best in the North West and one of the most respected in the UK. It often ranks higher than most Russell Group universities.
Degree options
You can choose between five challenging law degrees within Lancaster Law School. The options include Criminology, and Law with Politics.
To see all degree options, visit our progression degrees page.
* Please note the degree aim / selected degree path is not fixed or guaranteed. During your first term at the International Study Centre you will be asked to select three degree choices from progression list. You will receive a conditional offer, this offer will be made unconditional on successful completion of the course and on achieving the required progression grades.
Key facts
Course length
Three terms
Entry points
October and January
Visit our term dates page for specific dates.
Entry requirements
Visit our entry requirements page to learn more.
Fees
Visit our fees page to learn more.
Top rankings
7th in Criminology
7th in Politics
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022