Law School

Coventry University Law School The Role of a Bespoke Law Foundation Programme in Widening Access Beverley Steventon Jane Wood

Coventry University Law School Background a study of LLB entry grades and progression. Decision to raise entry grades 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 Law20 The Nature of Law20 English Legal System20 Introduction to Contract and Tort20 Introduction to Constitutional Law20 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 (38 home and 4 overseas) (50 home and 6 overseas) (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 Cohort 42 students admitted onto the programme. 25 out of the 42 students had UCAS points 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.

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