Objectives
The CUNEF Degree in Law provides students with professional training, knowledge, skills and abilities that are highly sought after in a professional context. The fundamental goals of the qualification are as follows:
- Firstly, the students acquire an in-depth knowledge of the legal system so that they can practice law in public administration and in the business world, in a legal advisory capacity. The aim in this regard is to train professionals who combine an in-depth knowledge of the legal and corporate area with the ability to lead project development and efficiently adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
- Secondly, they acquire the necessary legal training to hold positions of responsibility at the legal departments of national and international companies in industry, trade, banking, insurance, development cooperation, etc.
- Furthermore, the participants also gain familiarity with the processes of decision-making, analysis and summary skills, communication and teamwork. Likewise, they also develop the abilities needed to analyse and resolve legal problems, to apply knowledge in practice, receive and convey information in other languages, and use information and telecommunications technologies.
- Students have the chance to supplement their academic training with practical placements at law firms and legal departments of companies through the educational cooperation programmes, and international training periods through exchange programmes established with a range of international institutions and universities.
- Lastly, the aim is to raise students’ awareness of ethical principles and values in the course of their work.
Competences
The skills acquisition process takes place through the modules and subjects that make up the Degree course. How aptitudes are acquired will of course depend on the student’s stage on the Degree course, with skills being learned at initial, intermediate and advanced levels, as is standard practice within the European university system.
The horizontal and specific skills acquired by students focus on preparing them to engage in professional pursuits corresponding to the qualification offered.
The way the skills are designed likewise complies with the provisions of the ‘MECES’ framework for higher education qualifications in Spain.
General skills
GS1. Capacity for analysis and summary.
GS2. Critical thinking.
GS3. Oral and written communication.
GS4. Ability to manage information.
GS5. Application of the knowledge acquired to the formulation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems.
GS6. Capacity for negotiation, conciliation and decision-making.
GS7. Acquisition of general knowledge that enable the student to access higher levels of study.
GS8. Ability to transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
GS9. Capacity to project the knowledge, abilities and skills acquired in the promotion of a new society based on the values of freedom, equality, justice and pluralism.
GS10. Development of skills to initiate research.
Horizontal skills
In order to achieve an adequate general training aimed at preparing for professional activities to which the Degree in LAW is directed, the curriculum establishes generic and specific skills.
The principles set forth in article 3.5 of RD 1393/2007 have been taken into account in the design of the generic and specific skills of the Degree, namely, respect for fundamental rights and equal opportunities for men and women (Organic Law 3/2007 of 22 March), respect for Human Rights and the principles of universal access of persons with disabilities (Law 51/2003 of 2 December) and the promotion of education in a culture of peace and democratic values (Law 27/2005, of 30 November). These principles affect both the organisational aspects of the qualification, as well as the infrastructure of the centre where it is delivered and its contents. Using the latter perspective as a basis, the study and analysis of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and Human Rights have been incorporated into the Basic Training Topics and Topics that form the options of the Degree.
Likewise, the design of the basic skills of the Law Degree meet the conditions of the general and specific skills set forth in RD 1393/2007, Appendix I, section 3.2, namely, the prescriptions of the Spanish Framework on Qualifications for Higher Education (MECES). In particular, the skills of the Law Degree have been designed in such a manner to ensure the student:
- Acquires knowledge typical of the Social Science and Legal areas that follow on from the base studied in general secondary education.
- Has the capacity to gather and interpret relevant data within the different areas of Law, and in general in the area of Social Sciences and Law, to issue opinions that include a reflection on relevant topics of a social, scientific or ethical nature, with the reflection on human rights being of particular importance.
- Has the capacity to defend the democratic principles and values associated with the respect for and defence of human rights, proposing solutions to professional problems that contemplate and are based on such values and principles.
Each of the topics making up the different Modules on which the Degree in Law Curriculum is based have Specific Skills (Learning Results), which are described in details in the “Learning Plan” section of this Memorandum. These are included in each one of the subjects with the letters CM.
Specific Skills
SS1. Perception of the unitary character of the legal system and the necessary interdisciplinary vision of legal problems.
SS2. Capacity to read, interpret and draft texts and documents of a legal nature.
SS3. Recognise and understand the main public and private institutions of our legal system in terms of their origins, individually and as a whole.
SS4. Capacity to handle legal sources with support on the ICTs and legislation and jurisprudence databases.
SS5. Capacity to identify and apply all the legal sources of relevance to a specific matter.
SS6. Awareness of the importance of Law as a regulating system for social relations.
SS7. Understanding of the different ways Law was created throughout its historic evolution and its current reality.
SS8. Identification of the underlying social values in the rules and legal principles.
SS9. Capacity to argue in topical debates using the applicable law in a precise manner.
SS10. Capacity to discover alternative solutions in addressing a problem or in the use of legal sources with multiple approaches.
SS11. Identification of the aspects of legal significance of the social, economical and environmental reality.
SS12. Reflection on topics of a social, scientific or ethical nature in the Law field.
Regulated professions for which the students are prepared.
The Degree in Law prepares students to carry on their training to become a lawyer or court officer, under the terms established by Law 34/2006 of 30 October, on the access to the professions of Lawyer or Court Officer.
Professional opportunities
Students of the Degree in Law will be able to practice law after passing the legally required complementary training and hold positions in companies and institutions of the industrial sector, consultancy, banking and finance, insurance sector, etc. They will be able to work in the different law departments of law firms (commercial, civil, employment, procedural, tax, M&As, etc.), in the departments of national and international companies (finance, HR, commercial, marketing, etc.) and in public administration.