Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Bachelor of Laws with Honours Gaborone University College Law and Professional Studies, Botswana, Level 5, Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Welcome to the Course
Welcome to the 2023/24 academic year at Leeds Law School.
We sit in the heart of Leeds, the most important legal centre outside London, and are proud to be part of Leeds Beckett University, a thriving university that puts students first and provides access to many great opportunities. This year we move into our new Law School Building in Broadcasting Place. This will provide academics and students alike with a great sense of home and will mean you will be studying in the most modern law school in the country.
Leeds Beckett University, through its founding colleges, has been teaching law since 1924 and this academic year is particularly special as it marks our centenary. Over the last 100 years we have trained many thousands of lawyers and our alumni have reached the highest levels of legal, academic and business practice. We have alumni who are judges, solicitors, barristers (and King's Counsel), professors and senior academics, managing directors, managing partners and chief executives, and I am committed to helping all Leeds Law School students achieve similar success. Many of our past students return each year as professional mentors, guest lecturers and prize sponsors.
During your studies, you will be taught by an academic team consisting of legal experts and experienced practitioners who shape our teaching programmes with their knowledge and expertise. Our academics also undertake diverse and cutting-edge research across a wide range of specialisms; their work has a positive impact upon society and ensures the content of our courses is at the forefront of legal education.
Our excellent links to legal practice see many prominent figures delivering guest lectures throughout the year, providing opportunities for you to network and hear speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. Our 'Law in Practice' lecture series allows you to gain insight into developments and key issues of relevance to the legal sector and professional practice throughout your studies.
As well as supporting your academic development, we want to ensure we give you the necessary skills and experience to progress in your career of choice, boosting your employment prospects and allowing you to challenge yourself, both within and beyond your course. As such, we provide opportunities for you to participate in various extra-curricular and co-curricular activities that are tailored to your ambitions. These include mooting, insight days, networking events and trips to legal London. Our exclusive partnership with Support Through Court and our own Law Clinic will give you unparalleled opportunities to get authentic legal work experience. This personalisation continues in our approach to teaching, learning and assessment.
We maintain excellent relationships with local law firms and non-law organisations and the Law School hosts numerous employment enrichment activities each year, allowing you the valuable opportunity to cultivate relationships with professional contacts from the legal sector and beyond. I would encourage you to take advantage of each and every one of these opportunities, broadening your experience and building lifelong friendships and networks along the way.
At Leeds Law School, we pride ourselves on developing and improving the experience we offer to our students via feedback gathered through surveys, module evaluations and student course reps. If you need help or advice at any point throughout your student journey, our Academic Advisors and Course Administrators will be on hand to support and guide you.
I hope you have an enjoyable and rewarding year with us; please don't hesitate to contact me if you feel I can help you in any way.
With very best wishes,
Professor Deveral Capps
Dean of Leeds Law School
D.Capps@LeedsBeckett.ac.uk
Deveral Capps, Dean of School
It is with great joy that I welcome you to Gaborone University College of law, a privately owned college. The college is open to everyone regardless of age or gender. The college environment facilitates a culturally rich community, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, politics, gender, or social status. Its students and staff are passionately engrossed in training, education, research, outreach programmes and other activities that are related to their specific areas of interest.
Our courses and programmes are deliberately designed to be in tandem with VISION 2036 pillars of providing an "Educated and informed Nation". We have also developed strong collaborative institutional partnerships with reputable Universities and colleges within and outside of our borders, the region and the world at large. Although the college offers a variety of programmes, its main focus is law. This programme is unique in that it is being offered in collaboration with an international University which is Leeds Beckett.
We are now living in a litigious era where knowledge of basic law is increasingly becoming necessary even to people who are not necessarily lawyers. The days when law was the preserve of lawyers only are fast fading. The police; teachers, trade unions, council workers and many other government workers need basic knowledge of the law more than before. So far we are one of the few institutions, if any, that offers law at certificate level in the country.
I wish you a very successful, pleasant and rewarding academic experience and I conclude by once more thanking you all for coming and feel welcome to Gaborone University College of Law. I hope you will find your association with GUC challenging and very fruitful too.
Dr. Antoney P Joseph
Managing Director
Key Contacts & Keeping in Touch
Emilia Sayenda
Students are allocated Academic Advisors according to their student number. The Academic Advisors are the Module Tutors. Their details are as follows:
- Ms Emilia Y Sayenda, yesayenda@guc.ac.bw, 00267 318 5596, Office 11 New Building , Lot 6398. Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana
- Mr Dennis Wachepa,dennis.wachepa@guc.ac.bw, 00267 3185596, Office 1 New Building, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana
- Mrs Santa C Kiwanuka,santack@guc.ac.bw , 00267 318 5596, Faculty of law and Security Caravan, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana
- Mr Benard Kombo, benard.kombo@guc.ac.bw, 00267 3185596, Staff Room, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana
For LLB specific support, the Course Administrator is Ms Nametso Dikeleko who typically works between Monday-Friday from 8.00am - 8.00pm.
Ms Nametso Dikeleko, nametso.dikeleko@guc.ac.bw , 00267 318 5596, Office 3 New Building, Lot 6398. Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana
The Course Representatives are fellow students enrolled on the programme. Course Representatives are selected by the student at each level. Students have separate WhatsApp groups where they communicate with the Course Representatives.
Ms Tuelo Getrude Thomas, tuelo.thomas24@gmail.com , 00267 3185596 Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana.
Dr Jisha Binse, jishab@guc.ac.bw , 00267 318 5596, Vice Pro-Chancellor, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana.
Mr Upenyu Chiparo, uchiparo@guc,ac.bw , 00267 3185596, Academic Directors Office, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana.
Mr Dennis Wachepa, dennis.wachepa@guc.ac.bw , 00267 3185596, Office 1 New Building, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial, Gaborone, Botswana.
Academic and administrative staff at our University use your email address to contact you. It is important that you check your email account regularly. You can forward emails from your personal email address to a preferred personal email address, however, quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your personal email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff.
We will inform you of class activities and course notifications, including any cancellations. Describe how this will be done for example, via text to the mobile phone number on our contact records, email to student email address, noticeboards or via portal/VLE announcements. Please detail any social media used by the course team, for example WhatsApp groups or Moodle discussion areas.
For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.
Please make sure that you inform Ms Nametso Dikeleko at GUC whenever you change your address and contact details.
Timetable Information
Timetables will be made available to students during induction week, via Moodle and hard copy hand-outs.
Course Overview
The LLB (Hons) Law provides a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of law and develops the academic skills associated with graduate studies and those skills essential for a career in law and elsewhere.
The course includes opportunities to study the necessary elements of a Qualifying Law Degree as defined by the SRA. It satisfies the academic stage of training requirements for students wishing to become a lawyer as determined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB). It seeks to provide a sound, contemporary and relevant education in law for those students who wish to become professionally qualified.
The LLB (Hons) Law aims to offer students the opportunity to select for themselves a portfolio of modules that matches their career aspirations and interests. It is recognised that not all students wish to progress to professional qualification and the course seeks to develop those intellectual and personal abilities which will be of assistance to students whatever their ultimate career.
The Law Society of Botswana has confirmed that the development of a Leeds Beckett University LLB programme delivered in Botswana by Gaborone University College, would adhere to the admissions requirements in the Legal Practitioners Act and the graduates who will obtain this qualification will be allowed to practice law in Botswana.
At the end of the course, students will be able to
- Demonstrate comprehensive and coherent knowledge, understanding and application of underlying legal concepts and principles.
- Act independently in planning and managing study tasks with limited guidance and with an ability to identify their own resources and to retrieve information relevant to the subject matter from multiple digital sources for practical application and integration into existing knowledge.
- Autonomously analyse, critique and challenge contemporary issues in law.
- Demonstrate a conceptual understanding which enables the development and sustaining of supported reframing of knowledge to provide realistic and coherent strategic solutions to legal problems and the recognition of conflicts and tensions in the law.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of the position and rule of law, both in relation to specific subjects and generally within its social, economic, commercial, political, historical, ethical and/or cultural contexts.
- Communicate fluently and coherently, both orally and in writing, including to audiences whose first language may not be English, using legal terminology effectively.
Level 5 Learning Outcomes
- Analyse key elements of legal problems and plan, manage and execute strategies for their solution
- Effectively communicate information, arguments, and analysis in a variety of forms including oral presentations, essays and reports including to audiences whose first language may not be English
- Read a range of complex works, infer argument, and summarise accurately and identify and locate relevant electronic and paper sources of information
- Function effectively as an independent learner through reflective learning and self-assessment activities and feedback
- Identify and evaluate how their knowledge, skills and attributes can align to the needs of an employer
- Determine their own learning needs, develop appropriate strategies, and identify the resources needed for personal support
Assessment & Feedback
Level 4 is assessed by a broadly even mix of written assignments (coursework) and MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) assessments. There are also elements of oral assessment.
Level 5 is assessed predominately by written assignments (coursework) and MCQ assessments. There are also elements of oral assessment and timed assessments. As all modules at Level 5 are elective modules, the specific mix will depend on the modules selected by a student.
Level 6 is assessed predominately by written assignments (coursework). There are also elements of oral assessment, MCQ assessments and timed assessments.
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of examinations can be found on your timetable once the examination schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, on course noticeboards or in individual Module Handbooks/other module guides.
Disabled students should contact Ms Nametso Dikeleko at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss their support requirements for assessments and / or examinations.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3.11 of the Academic Regulations. Please check the penalties that apply to this course as some Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements may mean that different penalties apply.
If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.
You may be required to submit your written work via Turnitin; further information on Turnitin is available.
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (e.g., from Level 4 to Level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level) are available on the Results Online system.
Results will appear within Results Online five working days after the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your Course Director, Course Administrator or Academic Advisor for any necessary clarification.
Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.
Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.
Teaching & Learning
The LLB (Hons) aims to create a flexible and stimulating learning environment. By being able to choose their palette of modules, students are able to tailor their degree to their career aspirations. This, with the culture of high expectation and confidence in our student cohorts, and the Law School's enrichment programme, gives students the opportunity to develop and work towards their academic and career goals.
At Level 4, the emphasis is upon transition and engagement, enabling all students to understand, and meet the challenges of learning within a University as self-directed learners and supporting their success at the next levels of their course.
At Level 5, the focus is upon consolidation and deeper contextualisation. At this intermediate stage, students will become more immersed in their legal studies, and able to reflect critically both upon its nature and place within their future professional and/or academic lives.
The emphasis at Level 6 is upon strengthening and developing independence and the further growth of students as critical thinkers, increasingly knowledgeable and reflective, both about their own academic development and about the research environment of their subject.
Learning and teaching activities include recorded lectures, large group sessions, and seminars. Learning tasks and assessments are authentic as they are heavily based around real life problem situations and require students to give legal advice. Many activities are designed to challenge students, requiring them to adapt to different situations, employ different skills and perform similar tasks to those they might be required to do in the workplace. Students are encouraged to reflect on tasks and be more mindful of what they are doing and why, and of how the skills they are learning might be used differently in different situations.
Level 5 Modules (FT students)
Property Law (20 credits)
Applied Criminal Law (20 credits)
Equity & Trusts Law (20 credits)
Law of the European Union (20 credits)
Commercial Law (20 credits)
International Trade Law (20 credits)
Overall Workload | |||
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 288 hours | 288 hours | 216 hours |
Independent Study | 912 hours | 912 hours | 984 hours |
Placement | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Attendance & Absence
The University expects you to attend and fully contribute to all mandatory sessions on your timetable. Fully engaging with your lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions is an important part of your learning, contributing both to the University community and the learning experience of your fellow students on the course.
Please see the GUC Prospectus for more details. If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence (see section 3).
Please see the GUC Prospectus for more details.
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details and any available evidence as soon as possible. Contact Mrs Edeh to get a copy of the appropriate extenuating circumstances form. For more details on 'fit to sit' and mitigation please visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation.htm.
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor / academic advisor to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, staff at your delivery provider or the University may be able to help. It may be possible to arrange suspension of studies from your course.
If you are considering withdrawing, permanently or temporarily, you must complete a withdrawal form, which you can obtain from the administrative staff at your delivery provider. This form must be submitted as soon as possible as withdrawals cannot normally be backdated. For further details see the Student Regulations.
Professional Accreditation or Recognition Associated with the Course
Bar Standards Board (BSB)
This course is compliant with the academic component of Bar training as prescribed by the Bar Standards Board.
Skills, Employability & Graduate Opportunities
Students who graduate with an LLB (Hons) Law degree will have a well-respected and valued qualification, attractive in both legal and non-legal environments. The course aims to develop law students as active citizens and the tasks students are asked to complete have real world relevance. There is a strong emphasis at all levels of the course on authentic tasks based on real practice, informed by the ongoing involvement of many of the course team in the legal world. On completion of the course students should be able to apply fundamental legal concepts and principles, analyse and critique contemporary issues and critically appraise a range of key theories and principles relating to the law. Key skills such as problem-solving, working well in a team or independently, and communicating fluently are embedded within the course design and teaching delivery. Time management, discipline, prioritisation, and self-motivation are all developed by studying the course.
Undergraduate students will develop three graduate attributes: Enterprise, Digital Literacy & Global Outlook
Enterprise (able to problem solve, plan and evaluate, be creative and an effective communicator)
Enterprise is built into the learning, teaching and assessment strategy in each module. The LLB (Hons) Law has a strong focus on the real world and the practical approach to problems which employers expect from law graduates.
Digital Literacy (able to confidently and critically identify and use information and digital technologies to enhance academic, personal, and professional development)
Students are required to engage with module content via electronic media including MyBeckett, podcasts, and discussion boards. Submission of assessed work and feedback is achieved by the use of MyBeckett and Turnitin as standard.
At Level 4 students are introduced to data gathering and analysis and at Level 5 their digital literacy is further enhanced. Digital literacy at Level 6 is reflected in the learning outcomes of all modules.
Global Outlook (able to engage effectively and responsibly in a multicultural and globalising world)
Global outlook is an integral part of many modules and a number of modules have a specific international aspect.
Students who graduate with an LLB (Hons) have a well-respected and valued qualification. This makes students attractive in both legal and non-legal graduate environments for those students in the UK and in Botswana.
It is appreciated that our LLB (Hons) graduates will undertake a range of graduate roles and there are a range of activities and employability support within the course and GUC designed to enhance students' employability skills.
A law degree is a well-respected undergraduate degree that offers a range of potential career opportunities. The skills developed in a law graduate are transferable and necessary for many graduate and professional roles. Some students may wish to work towards a career in the legal sector and qualify as a legal professional such as a Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Executive or Paralegal.
There are also roles within the legal technology sector. There are various routes to professional qualification. Further study and assessments will be required to work towards professional recognition.
Graduates can also find several opportunities within the government graduate schemes, local authority schemes and other graduate schemes.
There are further study and postgraduate study options for law graduates.
Learning Support
For LLB specific support the administrator is (Ms Nametso Dikeleko) who typically works between (Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm).
Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.
Students will be able to get online support using the following technologies;
· Moodle learning management system accessible through the website www.guc.ac.bw,or directly http://elearning.guc.ac.bw/
· Direct communication with lecturers and tutors through WhatsApp groups and Direct Messages.
For LLB specific support the administrator is (Ms Nametso Dikeleko) who typically works between (Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm).
The library opens Monday- Friday from 08:00am-08:00pm. On Saturday it opens from 08:00am-3:00pm. The Library is located at the Main Campus in Broadhurst Industrial, Lot 6398, Lejara Road, Broadhurst Industrial.
We have an Electronic Databases which are as follows;
The Library at the Main Campus in Broadhurst Industrial has personal computers all connected to the internet . The designated E-library has 66
· EBSCOHOST
ProQuestThe Students Representative Council responsibilities are as follows;
- Ensuring that the needs of the student community are addressed in accordance with vision and mission of the college as defined.
- Being the mouthpiece of the student community in all matters pertinent to the success of the college and its activities including liaising with the college management and other government departments.
- Working closely with the college in ensuring that the social and academic affairs of the students are promoted accordingly.
- Leading and facilitating the development of new and innovative services for the benefit of students in the college.
- Recommending to the college, ideas that enhance accountability by college staff, lecturers and the student's body.
- Providing support to the college and academic departments through reinforcement of collegial discipline, responsibility and accountability among students.
- Ensuring overall community activities including raising funds for just causes.
- Working hand in hand with the college in ensuring that the social and academic affairs of the students are promoted.
- Monitoring the student's college's performance are in line with the vision and mission of the college.
- Do all that is necessary in promoting the college's and student's ideals in a peaceful, dignified and responsible manner.
The SRC has Twenty(20) members student representative secretaries in all the 7 GUC campuses
The following are members of the executive committee:
K. Mokgoro - President
T. Maikano - Vice President
L.Padima- Secretary General
O. Gaofise - Secretary
G. Boikanyo -Minister of Legal Affairs
S. Manyanda - Minister of Finance
O.Modimoofile - Minster Of AcademicsResources
In terms of course resources, the Moodle platform is utilised to access recorded content and other materials, which are provided by Leeds Beckett University module leaders. There is also access to both online and GUC campus library content.
Student Voice
We are committed to working in partnership with you and nominated Student Representatives to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.
We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.
In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.
LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.
Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:
- Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
- Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
- Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
- Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
- Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
- Being an ambassador for your course.
Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:
We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys.
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your course representative or directly with your personal tutor / academic advisor.
If you have a specific complaint about your course, you should initially follow the complaints procedure of your delivery provider.
If this does not resolve the matter, then you should make a formal complaint under the University's Student Complaints Procedure. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.
General Information
Bachelor of Laws
Diploma of Higher Education in Law
Certificate of Higher Education in Law
Leeds Beckett University
Level 6 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, with 120 credit points at each of Levels 4, 5 and 6 of the UK Credit Framework for Higher Education (360 credits in total).
There is no part-time route of study for this programme.
The Fees details are as follows:
Registration Fees: P 400.00
Total Tuition Fees: P90, 000.00(instalments- P2 500.00 per month)
Examination Fee: P 54, 000. 00
Total Fee: P144,400.00
Policies, Standards & Regulations
Exemptions from certain University Academic Regulations apply to this course to account for Professional Body provisions in relation to the pass mark and the maximum number of assessment opportunities for the legal foundations modules. Information can be found in the LLB (Hons) Law Course Handbook. www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/public-information
There are additional or non-standard regulations which relate to your course.
An exemption from the standard university regulation student progression, requirements for progression at level 4 is in place.
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.
There is a team of twelve external examiners responsible for external moderation of modules delivered on the LLB. The course Chief External Examiner is:
Kathryn Clague
Cardiff University
Appendices
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