How long is the BA in Government and Law Studies?

The BA in Government and Law Studies is a three-year full-time honours degree, with part-time and accelerated routes. All variants deliver the same BA in Government and Law Studies curriculum, placement expectation and dissertation.

Can I take the BA in Government and Law Studies online?

Yes. The BA in Government and Law Studies is available on-campus in central London, by live online seminar and by distance learning, with placement support in all modes.

Does the BA in Government and Law Studies qualify me as a solicitor or barrister?

No. The BA in Government and Law Studies is a UK Level 6 honours degree that pairs government machinery with legal analysis, and it is a strong foundation for later SQE or Bar training, but qualification requires separate assessment.

What are the entry requirements?

A-levels at BBB or Access to HE, GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, IELTS 6.5, two references and a personal statement.

What are the fees and funding options?

Fees for the BA in Government and Law Studies are published on the LSLPE admissions page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarships are available on request.

BA in Government and Law Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The BA in Government and Law Studies is a three-year UK Level 6 honours degree, with part-time and accelerated routes, that reads the UK machinery of government alongside the legal framework that constrains and enables it. The syllabus is aligned with the applied competencies referenced by the Political Studies Association, the Institute for Government tradition, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

By graduation you will have argued mooted judicial review cases, drafted policy submissions, produced case comments on constitutional judgments, spent a year-two placement in Whitehall, a chambers set or a public interest law centre, and completed a final-year dissertation on a chosen government and law question.

Key Features

Aligned with SRA, Bar Standards Board, PSA and Institute for Government competencies.
Weekly moot-court sessions alongside select-committee case-room seminars.
Placement year in Whitehall, chambers, in-house counsel or NGO legal centre.
Structured drafting of policy submissions and legal opinions.
Practitioner sessions from Whitehall alumni, public law counsel and think tank fellows.
Three parallel study modes: on-campus, live online and distance.
Final-year dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words.

What You Will Learn

Trace how a UK statute is drafted, scrutinised, argued and applied.
Analyse the doctrines of parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law.
Apply judicial review grounds to an administrative decision.
Draft a Cabinet-style policy submission and a legal opinion on the same subject.
Interpret the UK constitutional structure and the role of devolution.
Evaluate governance reform proposals across UK government.
Present submissions in both moot-court and select-committee traditions.
Complete a final-year dissertation reading government and law together.

Who This Course Is For

A-level and Access to HE applicants targeting Whitehall or public law careers.
Working policy officers wanting an honours qualification with legal depth.
Paralegals and legal assistants exploring the public sector interface.
International applicants seeking a UK-recognised BA.
Career changers moving into public administration or public law.

Career Pathways

Policy Adviser in a government department.
Political Analyst in a think tank.
Parliamentary Researcher on select committees.
Legal Adviser in a public interest law centre.
Public Sector Consultant on governance reform files.
Government Affairs Manager in a corporate team.
Public Affairs Officer in a Commonwealth or trade body.
Judicial Clerk in the Administrative Court.

The LSLPE careers service maintains standing introductions to Whitehall, chambers, think tanks and NGO legal offices.

Entry Requirements

A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, OR a UK Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Two academic references and a personal statement.
International applicants receive dedicated visa and accommodation support from LSLPE admissions.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE places the BA in Government and Law Studies within a short walk of Whitehall, Parliament, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Administrative Court. Live briefings, court observation days and guest sessions from working practitioners keep the degree anchored in current UK practice.

Every intake joins the same weekly seminar with a named tutor. The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against PSA, Institute for Government and Bar Standards Board guidance so BA in Government and Law Studies graduates step into policy and legal advisory work with a credible, current base.

Apply for BA in Government and Law Studies

The BA in Government and Law Studies is the honours foundation for a career at the intersection of Whitehall and the courts. Apply for the LSLPE Bachelor's programme, placement year in chambers, government or a think tank included, admissions responds within one working day. Enrol Now.