English Law and French Law/Master 1
English law and French law is a degree for students who want to understand two distinct but interconnected legal systems and emerge from their studies qualified in both. English law is a common law system grounded in judicial precedent and parliamentary statute, while French law is a civil law system deriving from the Napoleonic Code, and studying both gives you a comparative legal education of unusual depth and practical relevance. As legal practice increasingly crosses national boundaries, whether in commercial transactions, human rights litigation, or international arbitration, the ability to engage with both systems is a genuinely distinctive professional asset.
At the University of Exeter, this four-year, full-time LLB involves spending a year studying law at a French university, where you will receive instruction in French law from French academics and develop the legal language skills and cultural literacy that effective cross-jurisdictional practice demands. The Exeter programme provides an excellent foundation for a legal career, covering the foundational subjects required for the academic stage of professional qualification as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales, while the French component develops your competence in a second legal system. The programme prepares you for the further training required by the relevant regulatory bodies for those who wish to qualify to practise.
The typical entry tariff is 168 UCAS points.
Graduates from bilingual law programmes are sought by international law firms, particularly those with French or Francophone clients or operations, by EU institutions, by multinational corporations needing in-house legal support across legal systems, and by international organisations engaged in dispute resolution, trade, and human rights. Many graduates pursue professional qualification in England and Wales, and some qualify in both jurisdictions. Postgraduate study in comparative law, international law, or European law is a natural path for those who wish to specialise in cross-border legal practice.