Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 Years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£TBC per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

Q31L

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road and One Friar Gate Square, Derby Campus

The best bits

  • Combining two subjects boosts your employability and gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise in two subject areas, making you a more versatile graduate
  • Develop all the key skills required to succeed in the legal sector - including drafting, advocacy, interviewing and negotiation
  • Our Law facilities are based One Friar Gate Square in the heart of Derby’s city centre, featuring a replica Crown Courtroom, Custody Suite and Student Legal Advice Centre
  • We're networked into the legal profession, which opens up exciting opportunities for work internships and professional mentoring
  • There is the opportunity to broaden your experience with work-based learning projects, study visits to cultural and heritage institutions, as well as lectures and seminars delivered by guest speakers
  • Engage with literary, critical and cultural theory and develop a highly nuanced and sophisticated approach to the analysis of literature, language and culture
  • You will explore fascinating aspects of English, including the evolution of fantasy, the representation of crime, the legacy of Empire, cultural politics, existentialist writing, classical myth and the 19th-century realist novel
Top15for assessment and feedback - Law subject areaNational Student Survey 2024
Top15for teaching quality - Law subject areaTimes and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Studying English and Law provides you with analytical, research and creative transferable skills that open up a range of career paths to explore, keeping your career options open for the countless professions where legal knowledge is invaluable.

We aim to broaden your understanding of literature and culture, while equipping you with skills and knowledge of the legal sector. We're networked into the legal profession, which opens up exciting opportunities for work internships and professional mentoring. 

You will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of literature from around the world, reading into key themes and creatively applying literary theory to uncover new perspectives and possibilities – from gender and identity, to culture, politics and genre.

Student Legal Advice Centre and Pro Bono work

Students studying Law at Derby may have access to our Student Legal Advice Centre - our dedicated space for real-world learning. Volunteering in the Centre provides you the opportunity to develop transferrable skills that will assist you in gaining the skills required once you graduate. 

The Centre offers assistance in the following areas: 

The Centre also offers support to Litigants in Person in Family Law matters at the Family Court at Derby. In Autumn 2022, a Business Clinic and Legal Triage Clinic (exclusively for University of Derby students) was launched. 

The Centre also has a Policy Clinic and Justice Project. The Justice Project promotes the teaching of law to all members of the community, including school children, by informing them of their legal rights and responsibilities.  

The Centre was shortlisted for Best Contribution by a Law School at the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2022, and was highly commended at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2021 for Best contribution in relation to the Centre’s Immigration Family Reunion Clinic. 

A broad perspective with English

English at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature, but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film and philosophy, as well as contemporary cultural politics. You will be introduced to a range of cultural expression from across the globe and from diverse historical periods. 

The range of options will gradually allow you to acquire a degree of specialisation in a particular area. They include key aspects of literary history such as Renaissance drama, the 'rise of the novel' in the eighteenth century, Romantic poetry, nineteenth-century realism, modernism, and postmodernism, as well as modules investigating postcolonial writing and the literature of crime.

Literature asks questions about who we are, why we are here, and the nature of the world in which we find ourselves, and studying English reflects the vibrancy, dynamism and profundity of the subject at large. 

Two students have a discussion in a classroom.

Tailor your degree

To make sure you get the most out of your degree, your Law modules are prescribed. However, you’ll be able to tailor your studies in English by choosing various modules covering different themes and theories in literature such as crime, fantasy, gender and cultural politics – all to suit your career goals and interests.

Expert teaching

Our Law teaching team includes barristers, solicitors, criminal psychologists, sociologists and experienced police officers. Several are still actively engaged with practice, which helps you keep up to date with contemporary issues in justice. Our teaching is also enriched by research covering some of the most pressing issues confronting society today, from slavery to digital privacy. 

This course is supported by visiting professors and guest lecturers who are leading authorities in their fields. Our celebrated Public Lecture Series also brings influential figures to the University to shed new light on the legal system. 

For English modules, you will be taught by an enthusiastic team with research expertise covering a broad range of areas. We place emphasis on discussion and active engagement with the material. We aim to challenge you to achieve your best, and offer substantial tutorial support in addition to scheduled classes.

Facilities

Law students are based on the Derby Campus at One Friar Gate Square. It includes a mock court room, replica custody suite and social learning hubs where you can develop your skills and familiarise yourself with the type of environments you’ll encounter in real-life legal situations.

Choose your pathway

Studying an English and Law Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally. 

You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally.

In this pathway, you study English and Law equally. 

In this pathway, English is the major subject and Law is the minor subject.

In this pathway, Law is the major subject and English is the minor subject.

I chose Derby because of the emphasis placed on practicality which set it apart from others. Another factor was the welcoming atmosphere that was apparent when you entered the building. It was the first university that just felt right.

Gemma Wood
LLB (Hons) Graduate

The course was perfect for me as it allowed me to engage in high level intellectual study that sets me apart from other applicants. It developed my research, reading, presentation and teaching skills.

Charlie Pidcock
English student

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

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What you will study

The Law Pathways within the Joint Honours Scheme do not lead to a Qualifying Law Degree. However, if you select a particular combination of modules (as advised by the Subject Leader) this may offer some exemptions from the Postgraduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination. Any such exemption must be negotiated by the individual student with PGDL /CPE providers and with the professional bodies.

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

You'll be taught through a variety of methods, such as:  

Engaging in real or simulated legal practice, you will build a range of the key skills required to succeed in the legal sector at every stage of the course. 

You will also develop skills in legal scholarship, with the chance to undertake problem-based research and original academic enquiry. If our teaching team consider the work you produce to be of sufficient quality, it could be published in the Derby Law School Journal. 

Through our peer assisted mentoring scheme, students from later years of the course also give helpful guidance and support to first year students.

English is a subject based upon discussion and interpretation, and your English classes will reflect this, with great emphasis placed upon student contributions and presentations in addition to lectures.

Showcasing your skills

Mooting forms part of certain modules and you can develop your expertise further through regional and national competitions. We have an excellent record of success in these challenges. 

We also help run a schools’ debating competition in partnership with Derby & District Law Society and Enterprise for Education where you can mentor local secondary school pupils.

How you are assessed

Our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills.  

For Law modules, assessments include: 

For English modules, there are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills, with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course. 

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Who will teach you

Joel Klaff

Programme Leader

Joel in a classroom.

Joel Klaff

Joel is currently Assistant Head of Law and Programme Leader for the Undergraduate LL.B Law Programmes. His areas of interest include Commercial Law, International Trade and International Economic Law. He has a further interest in ensu...

View full staff profile

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC (At least a grade C in English or related subject (or equivalent qualification)
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEAccess to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£TBC per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Studying English and Law provides you with transferable creative, communication and analytical skills. You will develop key skills - such as writing, editing and presenting – that are essential for many roles, making you attractive in the job market and giving you excellent career opportunities. 

You may consider a career in: 

This degree also allows graduates to engage in careers in business, banking and human resources – any profession that welcomes an exposure to studying law. 

You can go on to study at postgraduate level and achieve an LLM or complete a qualifying Solicitor exam. 

Careers and Employment Service

Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

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Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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