Legal Practice - LLM
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
Looking to pursue a career in Law? At Birmingham City School of Law, we don’t just teach law, we advocate it; We don’t just focus on professional practice, we actively break down barriers to social justice and human rights throughout the world....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time
- Location City Centre
- Award LLM
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Law
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Overview
Looking to pursue a career in Law?
At Birmingham City School of Law, we don’t just teach law, we advocate it; We don’t just focus on professional practice, we actively break down barriers to social justice and human rights throughout the world.
The LLM Legal Practice course is designed to prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1) by utilising our excellent legal expertise and providing a unique mix of study and real-world experience.
Whether you have a first degree in law or any other subject or discipline, this course is perfect for anyone wanting to be a legal practitioner and develop their legal knowledge and skills. It is designed to help prepare you for legal practice in a changing world through encouraging you to reflect on your practice and develop transferable skills alongside legal knowledge. In addition to taught study, you will have the opportunity to work on real-world legal cases through our Law Clinic where students, under the guidance of legal professionals, work on live cases brought by people in the community.
You are also encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities to support your learning, with student societies such as the highly successful Mooting Society. Furthermore, you will have the ability to engage with the wider Birmingham legal community through our connections with the Birmingham Law Society, the largest regional law society in the UK.
What's covered in this course?
Our LLM Legal Practice course brings together a mix of led study and real-world experience to reflect on the role of legal professionals in society generally and in specific legal contexts.
The LLM encourages you to research and apply critical knowledge of the law and legal practice accurately and effectively in at least one additional area of legal practice, identify the extent to which clients can legally achieve a desired outcome and offer appropriate explanatory advice and demonstrate the ability to act honestly and with integrity, and in accordance with the SRA Standards and Regulations
Upon completion of the LLM Legal Practice, you will be able to demonstrate competence in a variety of practical lawyering skills which should include several of the following: client interview and attendance note/legal analysis; advocacy; case and matter analysis; legal research; legal writing; legal drafting.
You will also be able to demonstrate the ability to deal professionally with members of the public through work experience, volunteering or public legal education projects as well as research and apply critical knowledge of the law and legal practice accurately and effectively in at least one additional area of legal practice and reflect on personal development as a legal practitioner and identify development and training needs
Why Choose Us?
- You will learn from an outstanding and dedicated teaching team.
- You can study this course whatever subject your undergraduate degree is. You do not require a degree in Law to study this course.
- We have strong links with law firms and companies based right here in Birmingham, which allow us to host guest speakers from industry regularly.
- On all of our courses you will gain a professional focus and real-world experience of law, ensuring you are equipped to make an immediate impact in the legal world.
- Our Law Clinic can give you opportunities to volunteer with local charitable legal advice providers and to work alongside legal professionals undertaking pro-bono work, allowing you to make a genuine difference to the lives of Birmingham residents.
- You will be able to benefit from the newly-introduced postgraduate loans. For more information, visit UCAS.
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
OPEN DAY
Join us for an on-campus open day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: Saturday 24 June
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
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Minimum 2:2 class UK degree or international equivalent in any subject area. |
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Additional information for EU/International students
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Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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| English language requirements | ||
| IELTS |
6.5 overall with 6.0 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules:
This module provides an overview of the Functioning Legal Knowledge required by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1). It outlines the scope of the SQE 1 and acts as a refresher for all legal topics covered. The content is mapped onto the SQE 1 required content.
This module provides the main opportunity to learn the skills of answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs) under test conditions, in anticipation of the SQE 1 centralised examination. The module is run online.
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience working in the legal field and develop your practical lawyering skills.
In order to complete this course a student who does not have an undergraduate degree in Law or Law conversion course must successfully complete all the following CORE modules:
This module provides an overview of some of the key areas covered by the Functioning Legal Knowledge Assessments 1 and 2 of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1). It covers the Legal System of England and Wales, Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law, Tort Law and Criminal Law. The content is mapped onto the SQE 1 required content.
This module provides an overview of some of the key areas covered by the Functioning Legal Knowledge Assessments 1 and 2 of the Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE 1). It covers Business Law and Practice, Dispute Resolution, Contract. The content is mapped onto the SQE 1 required content.
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Employment Law Practice. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focussing upon developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
In order to complete this course a student who does not have an undergraduate degree in Law or Law conversion course must successfully complete at least 20 credits and a student who has an undergraduate degree in Law or Law conversion course must successfully complete at least 80 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Employment Law Practice. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focussing upon developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focusing on developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in areas which are not based on substantive law or legal areas but focused on things like project management, mediation or arbitration or the completion of other relevant micro-credentials.
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Family Law. You will cover the key elements legal practice in this area focusing on developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Commercial Dispute Resolution. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focusing on developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of immigration law and practice. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focusing on developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
This module provides you with the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in the area of Commercial Property Practice. You will cover the key elements of legal practice in this area focusing on developing practical skills and applied knowledge. Lectures will provide you with an overview and peer study groups, online discussions and workshops will provide opportunities to develop skills, apply your legal knowledge and practise answering SQE 1 style multiple choice questions (MCQs).
Download course specification
Download nowThis course is an intensive introduction to the areas of Functioning Legal Knowledge which are examined as part of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1). The course is designed to help you to develop the knowledge and legal skills needed to pass the centralised examination and thus work towards qualification as a solicitor.
In addition, the course prepares you for practice by encouraging you to reflect on the role of practitioners in specific legal contexts, offering opportunities to study additional areas of legal practice and develop your practical lawyering skills.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
You will have the opportunity to undertake a placement or complete a project as an alternative to a dissertation.
In addition we have active, student-led Legal, Mooting and Debate Societies. Our Student Mooting Society is one of the most successful in England, with our students reaching five finals in the past six years, regularly beating teams from some of the country’s most prestigious universities.
We also have a staff and student led Pro-Bono Unit that provides legal advice to the public.
International
The School of Law at Birmingham City University is home to students from a wide number of countries studying on traditional degree programmes and short-term international courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A legal education at Birmingham City University is widely recognised and many of our international students return to their home country to either pursue legal practice or requisite professional qualifications in their jurisdiction.
As a law student you will not only develop and refine knowledge in discrete areas of English and international law but also develop key transferable skills designed to enhance your employability profile. Many international students have travelled thousands of miles to study at Birmingham City University and the School offers you an engaging and diverse study experience based in the city of Birmingham which is the second largest city in the UK.
Due to our proximity close to the legal and business district of the city we enjoy strong links with Birmingham Law Society and law firms around the West Midlands. The benefit of these links is passed directly onto you so that you can enhance your network of contacts whilst seeking relevant legal practice experience to enhance your employability profile.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £260 million on learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at the City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Law, Business and Social Sciences courses.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The facilities at the Curzon building include two bespoke Law Courtrooms, replicating a Crown court and a Magistrates court. These rooms will play a key part in your learning experience, allowing you to try your hand in mock court cases, whilst also being the venue for our Mooting and Debating Societies.
On top of this, the Curzon building houses an extensive Law library, with books covering every aspect of Law history.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Jessica Guth
Head of School
Dr Jessica Guth is a legal academic with particular interests in legal education and pedagogy as well as in EU law and policy. She has experience designing courses and modules and teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate course.
More about Jessica