LLM in Legal Practice (SQE prep)

Entry requirements

• Minimum 2:2 classification in undergraduate degree
• If you have a third-class degree, you can still apply and will be invited to an informal interview with the College to determine your suitability for admission.
• If English isn’t your first language, English language qualifications equivalent to IELTS at level 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in each component (writing, listening, speaking, reading)
• Completion of a personal statement

If you don’t have a law degree or equivalent experience based on the English Legal System, we strongly recommend you take our Graduate Diploma in Law programme for students with a non-UK law degree or qualification.

Months of entry

February, March, August, September

Course content

The LLM in Legal Practice is a Master of Laws Programme for aspiring solicitors, who are looking for a programme to fully prepare them for the rigours of a dynamic legal services market.

This programme will give you both the relevant legal knowledge and practical skills to pass the SQE assessments and specific transactional and business skills that today’s solicitors need to succeed.

The LLM has two modules that prepare you for the SQE1 & SQE2 assessments, and a range of transactional and business skills modules that you can choose to fit your career path. There is also a compulsory business project that you manage throughout the Masters programme.

You can study the LLM in as little as 12 months as a full-time programme, or over two year part-time.

Included in the programme is:

• Full access to online Learning Portal and virtual community
• SQE1 and SQE2 preparation modules
• Choice of elective modules across eight practice areas and business skills
• Multimedia presentations, workbook scenarios and skills activities to access as and when you like
• Virtual group surgeries and town halls
• Personal development against a clear competency framework
• Regular one-to-one supervision with expert practitioners

Why study with us?

• One of the most flexible LLM in Legal Practice available on the market, offering part-time and full-time options and a range of electives.
• All your costs for both the LLM and SQE exams can be covered through a Masters Loan (students in England, Wales and NI only)
• High levels of 1-2-1 supervision and teaching from expert practitioners
• Purposely designed to prepare you to take both the SQE1 and SQE2 Preparation Courses and the assessments
• Learning focused on developing your proficiency in technical and procedural knowledge and critical thinking, reflective and workplace skills.
• We are fully accredited by the Office for Students with new Degree Awarding Powers.

The programme runs several times a year, and runs full-time and part-time, the schedule of programmes can be found here.

Information for international students

There are no specific requirements for our courses relating to international students. We have already had students based abroad successfully take and pass our SQE prep courses and their SQE1 Assessment.

At present, you can take the SRA's SQE1 assessment in multiple locations across the world, but the SQE2 Oral assessments are currently offered only in England & Wales. This is meant to be changing, but we recommend you visit the SRA website to find out the latest about test centre locations.

Fees and funding

You can pay for the course in instalments, please see the fee schedule here.

The LLM in Legal Practice is eligible for a government-backed postgraduate Master’s Loan. The Master’s loan offers students in England up to £12,167 (2023/24) that can be used on anything relating to your studies.

This level of funding will cover the full cost of both the LLM course fees (£6,900 until 1st May 2024, £7,245 thereafter) and the SRA's SQE exam fees (currently £4,564).

Assessment