Durham Law (LLB) — Course Guide & How to Excel

Durham’s LLB is a three-year qualifying law degree and one of the most competitive outside Oxbridge. It satisfies the academic stage for the SQE and the Bar, and is taught through a collegiate system with a strong tutorial culture.

Core modules.The degree covers the foundations of legal knowledge: contract, tort, criminal law, public law (constitutional & administrative), land law, equity & trusts, and EU/retained law, plus an introduction to law and legal skills. These foundations dominate the first two years and the exam timetable.

Assessment. Most modules end in unseen exams, with formative essays and problem questions through the term to sharpen technique. The highest marks go to scripts that apply authority to the facts and engage with counter-arguments rather than describing the law.

How to revise efficiently. Lock in the leading cases with flashcards, read fast with structured case briefs, and rehearse timed answers on past papers with model answers. Pair it with a steady revision strategy.