LLM Law and Practice

Take the next step towards professional legal practice with the LLM Law and Practice at the University of Wolverhampton. Designed for law graduates or those who have completed a law conversion course, the programme combines Masters-level study with preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination 1 Preparation module develops the knowledge and assessment skills needed for SQE1, while Legal Skills for Practice gives you experience of the practical skills assessed at SQE2 through authentic client scenarios and practice-focused exercises. 

Practical experience is a major part of the course. You can participate in the Wolverhampton Legal Advice Centre, where you may interview members of the public, research their legal issues and provide written advice under the supervision of legal practitioners and academics. Time spent in the Legal Advice Centre can count towards Qualifying Work Experience, and every student also has the opportunity to undertake a professional development placement. Your practical skills are captured in an eportfolio that can be shared with prospective employers, helping you demonstrate your development beyond academic study.

The Law Project gives you the opportunity to take your interests further through either an independent dissertation or a practice-focused project connected to a micro-placement, professional activity or networking opportunity. You can investigate a live legal issue and apply your research skills in a professional context, building the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities needed for your next step. The course is particularly suited to those working towards qualification as a solicitor, while the University also identifies career routes including academia, the Civil Service, financial services, research, Trading Standards and the police. 

Further details about who this course is ideal for:

If you started your Undergraduate degree after 31 December 2021 your route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales will be the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This is a centralised assessment set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This course will provide you with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and assessment skills necessary for SQE 1 and to evidence the development of practical legal skills which you will need when sitting the SQE2 assessments. The SQE 1 and SQE 2 are external exams provided by the SRA and the cost of these examinations it is not included in the cost of this course.

The course will be relevant to anyone seeking a career in professional legal practice who is a law graduate or has completed University of Wolverhampton’s LLM Law Conversion or a similar course.

The course combines the expertise and support of staff within Wolverhampton Law School and the intuitive technology and SQE 1 assessment specialist knowledge of our external partner, Barbri.

You will study in a supportive and collaborative environment which combines face to face teaching, group activities, independent study and online learning.

University staff will act as Learning Coaches to assist you with any problems you may encounter on the course and to check that you are maintaining the level of engagement required to provide you with the best possible chance of success in the SQE 1 assessments.

The completion of the two practical legal skills modules will result in an eportfolio showing evidence of your competence in these skills, your improvement during the module and your reflection on the acquisition of the skills. This eportfolio can be shared with prospective employers as part of the job application process. External research has identified that employers of law students value practical legal skills very highly[1].

The practical legal knowledge and practical legal skills acquired on this course will prepare you for your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). 

You will have the opportunity to participate in the Wolverhampton Legal Advice Centre providing you with an chance to interview members of the public, conduct research into the issues raised and provide written advice to the client. This will be done under the supervision of legal practitioners and law academics who are currently working in practice and/or experts in specific areas of law. Time spent participating in Wolverhampton Legal Advice Centre can count towards your period of QWE.

[1] Exclusive research: SQE prep not enough say majority of law firms - Legal Cheek