This course teaches you to understand and critically analyse the rules and institutions which society establishes to secure and promote justice and order. Our degree emphasises an understanding of law in context. We aim to encourage a broad outlook on legal issues, an understanding of the functions of law and of the legal system, and an appreciation of the place of rules of law in the construction of politics and society. Students learn that law is not a body of knowledge stored in libraries, but a presence all around us, constantly evident in our social, civil and business interactions. To study law with us is not to amass large quantities of stored information, but to explore key issues of fundamental importance to society. The study of law involves the acquisition of a variety of intellectual skills. In addition to being a preparation for the legal profession, the creative and imaginative powers of reasoning that the study of law develops are valued by many employers. So whilst this is a qualifying degree, meaning you can go straight from graduating to taking the LPC (Legal Practice Course), many students enjoy the intellectual challenge of a law degree before embarking on a career in a range of other sectors. In addition to the LLB degree, the Department offers a double degree programme with Columbia University Law School in New York. This LSE LLB/JD (juris doctor) programme is open to a limited number of LLB students and applications are invited during the second year of study. This is a qualifying degree, meaning you can go straight from graduating to taking the LPC (Legal Practice Course), and recent leavers have secured training contracts at world renowned law firms, whilst others have been taken on as analysts and consultants. Others still have used the legal and social insights gained in their degree to set up their own NGOs or start their own businesses.