Choosing between solicitor and barrister does not have to happen on day one of the LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation. The foundation year builds the study skills needed for law, then the degree covers the foundations of legal knowledge. At the start of Level 6 you pick a pathway: SQE, preparing you to attempt SQE1; Bar, which includes EU Law as required by the Bar Standards Board; or International Bar, with a set international syllabus ending in a Legal Dissertation. Workshops help you decide. The course can be studied at UK study centres — Birmingham, London (Holborn and Stratford) and Manchester are listed — or fully online. AF Education supports UK home students with free Student Finance England help.
Key facts
- Award / level
- LLB (Hons) (Bachelors)
- Study mode
- Full time
- Schedule options
- Weekday
- Location
-
- the Birmingham campus
- the Holborn campus in London
- the Stratford campus in London
- the Manchester campus
- Upcoming intake
- December 2026
- Foundation year
- Yes — included in this course title
- Awarding university
- Arden University
- Partner pathway
- ARDEN
Who this course is for
This suits mature students considering a legal career, and those who value a law degree for wider careers such as journalism, politics, policing or teaching. You don’t need to decide your legal route before you start.
Entry routes for mature students
Arden’s foundation-year entry asks for at least 45 credits at Level 3 completed within the last three years, or an equivalent qualification. If you don’t meet that, you may be considered with at least two years’ professional work experience, evidenced with a CV and reference.
Funding with Student Finance England
AF Education is a free service for England-resident UK home students — not international applicants. For eligible courses, a Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the university and a Maintenance Loan is paid to you for living costs. Eligibility depends on residency and previous study; use our free eligibility checker before you apply.
Check your Student Finance eligibility — free, takes about 2 minutes.
How often you study
Full-time weekday study is listed at the Birmingham, London and Manchester centres, and Arden also offers this foundation entry fully online. Most courses AF Education supports need 1 to 2 campus days a week, so many students work alongside their studies. Confirm your study mode before you enrol.
Career and progression
The SQE pathway prepares you to attempt SQE1; the Bar pathway covers a Foundations of Legal Knowledge subject required by the Bar Standards Board. Qualifying as a solicitor or barrister still needs further assessments and training. AF Education does not guarantee training contracts or pupillage.
Course overview from Arden University
This course is a great choice if you want to become a solicitor or barrister, and is also the first step to an exciting choice of career possibilities in the wider legal sector and professions such as journalism, politics, policing, teaching, and much more. However, we don’t expect all our students to make concrete decisions about their future careers when they first join us. The course will equip you with workplace attributes that are valued across a wide range of careers, helping you graduate with a highly regarded qualification that provides value for a lifetime. Our team of academics, practitioners, and research-active staff will provide a thriving learning environment that supports you in taking the next steps in your career.
You can study our LLB Foundation Year entry at our UK study centres or as a fully online degree. The course covers the foundations of legal knowledge and has been updated to take into account recent changes to professional practice qualifications. You now have the opportunity to select from distinct degree pathways to help you prepare either for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1) or the Bar, including an International Bar pathway for those students looking to study modules that are more international in scope.
Our foundation year modules are tailored to give you the extra support and skills needed to get started in higher education, helping you complete your full law degree with confidence. Following this, you will move on to the first level of the full degree course.
At the start of level 6, you will have the opportunity to select a degree pathway that aligns with your career goals, whether that’s the SQE, Bar, or International Bar. You will have workshops detailing the pathways and our team's guidance and support to help you make the right choice.
SQE (Solicitor) pathway
If you want to qualify as a solicitor in the UK, this pathway imparts the knowledge and skills needed to attempt SQE1 successfully. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge through a range of elective modules.
Bar (Barrister) pathway
Designed for students who wish to qualify as a barrister, this pathway includes EU Law, one of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge subjects required by the Bar Standards Board. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge through a range of elective modules.
International Bar pathway
With its more international curriculum, this pathway is most suited to students interested in practising law outside of the UK. The pathway has a set syllabus without the need to choose any additional optional modules and concludes with the Legal Dissertation module.
Law degrees are respected in all sectors due to their graduates' broader skills, such as critical thinking, effective communication, presentation.
How this course differs
This page is LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation at Arden University: Bachelors, with a foundation year, Full Time (Weekday), at Birmingham, Holborn (London), Manchester, Stratford (London). Other versions with the same title are listed below so you can pick the right one.
| Course | University | Level | Foundation year | Mode | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation this page | Arden University (Partner: ARDEN) | Bachelors | Yes | Full Time · Weekday | Birmingham, Holborn (London), Manchester, Stratford (London) |
| LLB (Hons) Law | Arden University (Partner: ARDEN) | Bachelors | No | Full Time · Weekday | Birmingham, Holborn (London), Manchester, Stratford (London) |
| LLB (Hons) Law | Arden University (Partner: ARDEN) | Bachelors | No | Part Time · Online | Online |
| LLB (Hons) Law | Anglia Ruskin University (Partner: ARU) | Bachelors | No | Full Time · Weekday | East India (London) |
| LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation | Anglia Ruskin University (Partner: ARU) | Bachelors | Yes | Full Time · Weekday | East India (London) |
| LLB (Hons) Law | Bath Spa University (Partner: WCL) | Bachelors | No | Full Time · Weekday | Stratford (London) |
| LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation Year | Bath Spa University (Partner: WCL) | Bachelors | Yes | Full Time · Weekday | Stratford (London) |
Showing 6 of 10 other versions.
LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation is available at Birmingham, London, Manchester. Campus details and map links are below.
Available Campuses for LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation
-
Birmingham
Lock 14, 39 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ
View on Google mapsNext intake Ask an adviser -
Holborn
Buchanan House, 4th floor, 30 Holborn, London, EC1N 2LX
View on Google mapsNext intake Ask an adviser -
Stratford
3 Westfield Ave, Stratford Cross, London, E20 1HZ
View on Google mapsNext intake Ask an adviser -
Manchester
2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3HF
View on Google mapsNext intake Ask an adviser
Campus locations on the map
Entry Requirements for Arden University (Foundation Year)
These entry requirements apply to Arden University courses with a Foundation Year. All applicants must provide supporting evidence to enrol. Standard entry A minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 completed within…
English Language Requirements for Arden University
Arden University needs evidence that your English is at the right level for the course. You can meet this through recent study in English or an accepted English test. Qualifications studied in…
Interview Process
Arden University interviews are held online on Microsoft Teams. They are a short conversation about your course choice and how you meet the entry route — not a formal exam. Before the…
See the full entry, English language and interview requirements for Arden University →
How AF Education helps
AF Education support is 100% free for students. We help you check eligibility, choose a suitable course and campus, prepare documents, and submit your application — with clear next steps for Student Finance England where relevant.
FAQs about this course
When do I choose between the SQE and Bar pathways?
At the start of Level 6. Workshops explain each pathway and staff help you choose between SQE, Bar and International Bar.
Does the degree prepare me for SQE1?
The SQE pathway gives the knowledge and skills needed to attempt SQE1. You sit the SQE separately and must meet SRA rules to qualify.
Can I study online?
Yes. Arden states the LLB foundation entry can be studied at UK study centres or as a fully online degree.
Do I need A-levels?
No. Arden asks for 45 Level 3 credits from the last three years or equivalent, or at least two years’ professional work experience with a CV and reference.
Can I get Student Finance England for this course?
AF Education gives England-resident UK home students (not international applicants) free help applying for Student Finance England on eligible courses. Check your eligibility free before you apply.
Register your interest
Register your interest in under 2 minutes. 100% free — we never charge you anything. A dedicated advisor will contact you to check eligibility and guide you through enrolment for LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation.
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