LLM Legal Practice (CILEX)

Entry requirements

You should have:

• a qualifying law degree, usually 2:2 or above, or

• a Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law with an average of at least 50%

Character and suitability requirements to become a CILEX Lawyer

By applying to have your experience assessed against the qualifying experience criteria, CILEX regulation recognises this as an intention to apply to become a chartered legal executive in the future. As a result, if you are a member of CILEX at the time you apply to have your experience assessed against the qualifying experience criteria, we will ask you some questions about your background through a statement of prior conduct in the application form.

By completing this declaration, you are confirming that you want your suitability for admission as a Chartered Legal Executive to be assessed by CILEX Regulation in accordance with the Enforcement Rules and in line with the Code of Conduct. This means that the Rehabilitation of Offenders’ Act will not apply to you and that any spent convictions/cautions (that are not protected) will be considered as part of the assessment.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our LLM Legal Practice (CILEX) course is designed to give you the necessary skills to build a career as a legal practitioner while studying for a Masters’ degree. The course aims to equip you with a combination of advanced legal knowledge and professional credentials.

CILEX offers a flexible and respected path for those pursuing a career in law, with qualifications that focus on both academic and professional development, leading to professional recognition at different levels and authorisation as a CILEX Lawyer.

Achieving this Masters in Law practical qualification (with eligibility for Advanced Paralegal membership with CILEX) is especially valuable in a competitive job market, demonstrating not only a high level of academic achievement but also practical readiness for various legal roles.

As well as gaining professional accreditation, additional benefits of studying our LLM Legal Practice course include:

• taught by lecturers with industry experience
• career-focused modules,
• guest lectures and seminars with industry experts
• specialist careers fairs on campus
• opportunities to build your portfolio.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), a professional body for lawyers, legal executives, paralegals and other legal practitioners in England and Wales.

To qualify as a CILEX Lawyer you will:

• join CILEX as a Paralegal member
• complete your Masters
• become an Advanced Paralegal member of CILEX
• sit the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Professional stage exam in your chosen area of law and complete a project on the legal sector or based on your firm
• complete your qualifying work experience. You will need three years general legal experience (this can include law clinic experience) and two years qualifying experience in the area you wish to receive authorisation for, directly preceding your application to CILEx Regulation
• submit a portfolio of evidence
• complete an additional portfolio of evidence and pass an Advocacy course if you wish to be authorised in Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation or Family Litigation
• become a CILEX Lawyer, fellow of CILEX and authorised person.

Cross-Qualification with SQE: Students who become CILEX qualified lawyers can still choose to pursue exemptions from the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority (SRA). This course will allow students to leverage the learning to streamline the process of becoming a solicitor, should they wish to.

Information for international students

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships.

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

Fees and funding

The LLM in Legal Practice is eligible for a Postgraduate Masters Loan of up to *£12,167 from Student Finance England. Students who obtain such a loan will need to complete the full course leading to the LLM qualification or they may break the terms of their loan agreement.

*Subject to government approval