Law School
The Role of a Bespoke Law
Foundation Programme in Widening
Access
Beverley Steventon
Jane Wood
Coventry University Law School
Background
2004 - a study of LLB entry grades and
progression.
Decision to raise entry grades.
2006 recognition of a market for a
bespoke foundation programme.
Coventry University Law School
The Foundation Programme
Key aims:
i) to equip the students for entry to
an undergraduate law programme;
ii) to provide a supportive
environment where the students feel
fully part of the Law School.
Coventry University Law School
The programme:
Credits
Studying the Law
20
The Nature of Law
20
English Legal System
20
Introduction to Contract and Tort
20
Introduction to Constitutional Law
20
credits
Plus two 10 credit Academic English modules
Coventry University Law School
Assessment
All law modules contain an examination
element to the assessment.
Coventry University Law School
Entry criteria:
GCSE Mathematics and English
Language at grade A-C or equivalent
and 100 Tariff points or more from A2.
Coventry University Law School
Number of students registered on the
programme on December 1st each year
2007
2008
2009
42 (38 home and 4 overseas)
56 (50 home and 6 overseas)
61 (59 home and 2 overseas)
Coventry University Law School
Teaching Methodology
- Classes not to exceed 30
- One group lecture and one workshop
- Lecturers get to know students and
monitor attendance.
Coventry University Law School
2007-08 Cohort
42 students admitted onto the
programme.
25 out of the 42 students had UCAS
points 100-190
All students with non-standard
background (except overseas)
interviewed.
Coventry University Law School
18 out of the 26 with A2/AS qualifications
passed and were eligible to proceed
onto the LLB (69%)
7 out of 16 with other qualifications
passed (44%)
25 out of the full cohort of 42 passed and
eligible to proceed onto LLB (60%)
3 students who could have progressed,
did not.
Coventry University Law School
First Year Results
87% of the first year undergraduates with
A2/AS results passed the first year LLB
18 of the 22 students from the Foundation
Year passed the first year LLB (80%)
Coventry University Law School
Success?
Why
1) Confidence factor
2) Determination to succeed
3) Familiarity with the subject areas
4) Fewer distractions
5) Ability to cope with problems usually
encountered by first year students.
Coventry University Law School
Future Results?
• How will the students fare?
• Many find the second year a lot more
difficult…
• But results show that they are coping
with the challenge.
Coventry University Law School
• So, is there a place for a bespoke law
foundation programme aiming to widen
access to legal education in the current
economic climate?
Coventry University Law School