LLB
Joint degree in AS Legal Studies and LLB Law
The Department of Law at Goldsmiths is collaborating with St John’s University, New York to deliver a newly designed degree for those interested in exploring law in different contexts internationally. You will study for four years, with two years spent at each institution.
Why study the joint AS Legal Studies and LLB Law (pathways)
- You’ll graduate with two degrees – an AS Legal Studies from St John’s University and one of our LLB Law pathways at Goldsmiths (see below for pathway details). This will help you stand out in a crowded job market.
- With the support of our dedicated Careers Service, leading faculty and an international alumni network, you’ll graduate with expertise and professional connections as you take the first steps into your legal career.
- You’ll gain academic experience spanning two continents, in two of the world’s leading legal cities.
- At Goldsmiths, you’ll study at one of the highest-rated law courses in the country. We're number 1 in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide Law League Table 2024). In the National Student Survey 2022, our Department of Law was ranked number 1 in the UK for its intellectually stimulating curriculum and programme, and we were rated the best department in London for quality of teaching in law.
- You'll learn from world-leading minds who've been involved in some of culture and society's defining moments, and from practitioners who have direct connections with the creative, cultural and business sectors.
- Our single-site campus is located 10 minutes from London Bridge, and you’ll have all that London has to offer on your doorstep.
- At St John’s University, you’ll benefit from an inclusive, accepting, and welcoming community that reflects the diversity of Queens, New York.
Students after taking part in an interactive workshop at the Supreme Court.
Students in Contract Law during their visit to Facebook (Meta) headquarters in London.
LLB pathways
Once you have successfully completed the AS Legal Studies at St John’s University, you’ll be eligible to apply for direct entry into the second year of one of the following programmes:
Please note that admissions to this programme are only open to students who have completed the AS Legal Studies at St John’s University. If you’re interested in studying law at Goldsmiths, then please explore our degrees.
To find out more about our admission process, please read the ‘How to apply’ information below.
International students
From student housing to scholarships, we have lots of support and advice available for international students.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Department of Law.
Watch videos about your course
What you'll study
The LLB pathways will give you the opportunity to focus on your interests in the second and third years by choosing from a range of law option modules. A unique feature of the degree is that you'll also be able to study across a wide range of specialisms, drawing on globally leading expertise in the departments of Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Art, and Media, Communications and Cultural Studies.
For more information about modules in each of the LLB Law courses, please visit the relevant degree page:
Law students taking part in a mock debate, in Deptford Town Hall's Council Chamber.
Law students in a mock jury exercise.
Careers
Preparing you for a successful future
Becoming a solicitor
The joint AS/LLB will allow you to qualify as a solicitor, and throughout your studies you’ll acquire the academic knowledge, professional awareness and skills needed to pursue a dynamic legal career – in England, Wales and internationally.
It is a qualifying law degree (QLD), recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and has also been designed specifically to provide graduates with a solid foundation to tackle the new Solicitors' Qualifying Examinations (SQE) for all future solicitors.
Find out more about becoming a solicitor.
Please note the Joint AS/LLB does not allow students to qualify as a barrister and is not recognised by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Please also note that students who participate in this dual degree programme generally will not be eligible to sit for a US bar exam without completing a US LLM degree. Students who want to sit for a US bar exam should consult the rules regarding foreign legal education of their state’s board of bar examiners. Completion of this programme does not guarantee US LLM admission.
Cutting-edge specialisms
Reflecting Goldsmiths’ creative and progressive ethos, the degree also offers opportunities for you to engage with pioneering and future-looking topics that will open up exciting career paths in law and other areas. You’ll be able to develop specialist knowledge in cutting-edge areas of law, such as:
- Artificial intelligence and law
- Criminology and human rights
- Criminal law
- Commercial law and international trade aggreements
- Media law
- Art law
- Creativity and intellectual property law
- Financial technology
Careers further afield
Graduates of the degree can also pursue career opportunities in a wide range of other areas, such as:
- Human rights and the third sector
- Financial technology and regulation in the financial sector, including compliance
- The civil service
- Journalism, the media and creative industries
- Patent and trademark litigation
- Art and cultural heritage litigation
- The government, for example in relation to immigration or foreign affairs
- Mediation
- The Crown Prosecution Service
- The police or the prison service
- Legal recruitment
- The ‘in-house’ legal practice sector
- Academia
Graduate visas
Our Immigration Advisory Service can provide advice on graduate visas.
Entry requirements
Successful applicants will have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from the AS Legal Studies at St John's University.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.
Fees & funding
Annual tuition fees
Please see the degree pathway pages above for details.
Funding opportunities
We offer a wide range of scholarships and bursaries, and our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies. Find out more about funding your studies with us.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please see the programme specification on degree pathway pages for more information.
