Studying with us

What are the dates for my course this year?

Teaching is due to commence on Monday 25 September 2023. Most years this is broken into two 12 weeks semesters, each followed by an assessment period. These are also broken up by our Christmas and Easter breaks.

More information on Term Dates.

What does an average week normally look like?

You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching in group lectures and small class sessions, workshops, tutorials and seminars, which are supplemented by opportunities to get one-to-one guidance from academic staff during their weekly ‘open office’ hours. The rest of your study time will be spent undertaking directed independent study, making use of our excellent library and IT facilities.

How are my modules assessed?

Methods of assessment differ depending on the module. Throughout your degree programme you will be required to undertake various assessments such as written coursework (including essays, blogs and research reports), exams, group work and presentations. 

All module assessment types are listed in the module choice guides, any updates to the way that modules are assessed will be updated in these guides.

Will my first year assessment count towards my final degree marks?

Whilst not used to count towards your final degree marks, doing well in your first year assessment is still important. Students are required to have a minimum 40% pass rate on modules to continue into second year.

When will I pick modules?

You will be automatically pre-registered for required and mandatory modules for your programme.

Optional modules will not be pre-selected for you. If your programme has optional modules, you will need to select these modules during the registration period. Module selection deadlines will be set and communicated to you once available modules options are confirmed.

In some instances, modules are subject to change depending on the demand for each module and academic availability during that academic year.

What will my timetable and workload be like if I’m on a combined degree (joint honours/major/minor course)?

For combination courses, mandatory modules will be set out for each combination, this may differ for each course and the split (50:50 or 75:25) that you have chosen.

Certain modules will have been identified to be the core modules which need to be undertaken. In some instances this may equate to having more mandatory modules than in a single honours course which reduces the amount of optional modules that may be available.

We understand that choosing what to study at university can be daunting and that things can change once you start your degree. That’s why most combined degrees give you the opportunity to adjust the weighting of your chosen subjects by 25% at the end of your first year

Are there visits and events to support Careers and Employability for students?

Yes, the careers team offer a wider range of events and talks that take place throughout the academic year during teaching weeks. All of these events will be publicised to students via our various communication outlets across the school and wider University.

You can find out more about what the central careers and employability service offers on their website.

Will there be placement opportunities?

The School of Law and Social Justice operate its own placement scheme which is open to undergraduate students in year 2 or year 3 of their studies. We have opportunities with a wide range of industry providers, including; charities and voluntary and community organisations (VCOs).

What support is available at the School of Law and Social Justice?

The School of Law and Social Justice has a dedicated support team based within the Student Experience team who can provide a wide range of support during your studies. The Learning, Teaching and Support Officers are your first point of contact if you need any support. 

They can help to assess what support you need and put you in contact with the relevant central teams who specialise in different areas. They can also help students to gain further academic support if it is required, any extenuating circumstances, exam extensions and more.

What support services does the University offer?

Whether you are new to our University community or returning for another year of study, we know it can be a stressful time. The University’s Student Services team offer comprehensive support to all students across a number of areas including:

• Student Welfare Advice and Guidance
• Counselling Service
• Mental Health Advisory Service
• Advice and Guidance
• Disability Advice and Guidance
• International Advice and Guidance
• Money Advice and Guidance.

If you would rather talk to a fellow student, our Peer Mentoring programme connects students with a student mentor - for guidance, support or just someone to chat with.

What kinds of societies are available to join within my Department?

Alongside the huge range of clubs and societies across the University, there is a dedicated Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology (SSPC) Society that connects SSPC students with a range of academics and social activities. Visit the SSPC Society web page.

For more information on the societies available at the university head to the Guild’s website. They are all student led and, if there is a new society that doesn’t already exist, you can set your up with support from the Guild.

Will I be able to get a part-time job whilst studying?

At Liverpool we recognise that part-time work is an increasingly essential part of student life and do our best to help you fit work around your studies.

Legally you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, though the University recommends that you work no more than 15.

As well as sourcing part-time work yourself, Careers and Employability also advertise local job vacancies - both inside and outside academia. Visit the Careers and Employability website for more information.