The Professional Skills Course (PSC) is the final, compulsory part of training for trainee solicitors before qualifying as a solicitor. The PSC should normally take place during a period of recognised training.
Why PSC at ULaw?
- Established and sought-after. ULaw has trained more practising lawyers in the UK than anyone else, and is the exclusive provider to a number of leading law firms.
- Become perfect for practice. Training is designed to make sure that you’re fully equipped to deliver the key competencies employers demand.
- Be taught by experience. Over 90% of our lecturers are qualified lawyers. Learn in a realistic, professional and contemporary context.
- Personalise your programme. Choose from a wide range of electives and study either face-to-face or online.
- Nation-wide. Study with us in Birmingham, Bristol, Guildford, Leeds, Liverpool, London Moorgate or Manchester. Or talk to us about our PSC in-house delivery.
- Cost effective. ULaw Alumni receive a 10% discount. Packages available.
As the one of UK’s most established PSC providers, we have refined and developed our programme to ensure that your training is directly relevant to life in practice. One of our main goals with the PSC is to make sure that you’re fully equipped to deliver the key competencies employers demand. This means preparing you to be perfect for practice by being able to relate what is learnt in the classroom to key competencies expected of trainees in the real world. With expert lecturers delivering our rigorous PSC, we are confident that you will qualify to become a self-reliant and client-focused modern lawyer.
Our PSC is delivered via face-to-face small group workshops or live online training. It is made up of three compulsory core modules (48 hours over eight days), covering key areas of practice, and four days (24 hours) of elective module training to suit areas of interest. Together this totals 12 days (72 hours) of training.
Core Modules
Advocacy and Communication Skills – 3 days (18 hours)
Client Care and Professional Standards – 2 days (12 hours)
Financial and Business Skills – 3 days (18 hours)
Elective Modules
Each elective module comprises six hours of training and is run over one full day. You can select any four elective modules.
Practice Skills
- Advanced Communication Skills
- Being a Resilient Lawyer
- Client-focused Technology and Management of Disruptive Technologies
- Coaching Skills for Lawyers
- Consultancy Skills for Lawyers
- Creative Problem-Solving and Emotional Intelligence in the Age of Automation
- Effective Written Communication
- Essential Skills for the In-House Lawyer
- Impact and Influence
- Is it Enforceable?
- Knowledge Management - Improving Research Skills
- Legal Technology
- Presenting to Persuade
- The Law Firm as a Commercial Enterprise
- The Skilled Negotiator
- Professional Effectiveness
Contentious Skills
Personal Injury
- Funding and Damages
- Employers' Liability
- Investigation of a Claim
- Pre-action Protocols and Expert Evidence
Family Law
- Advocacy and Practice – Care Proceedings
- Advocacy and Practice – Domestic Abuse
- Drafting - Application for a Financial Order
- Interviewing and Negotiation – The Children Act 1989
Employment Law
- The Employment Contract
- Disputes in the Work Place
- Employment Tribunal Advocacy
Criminal Law
- Bail and Mitigation
- Criminal Trial in the Magistrates’ Courts*
Dispute Resolution
- Case Analysis and Management
- Civil Litigation Drafting Skills
- Mediation (ADR)
*Two day course
Non-Contentious Skills
Corporate Law
- Acquisitions and Disposals of Shares
- Share Capital & Directors Duties
- Corporate Borrowing and Taking Security
- Corporate Drafting
- Company Formation, Management and Share Capital
- How to read a Company’s Accounts
- Stock Markets and Flotation
- Understanding the City
- Understanding Corporate Tax Transactions
- Corporate Insolvency
Commercial Property
- Sale and Purchase Transactions
- Drafting Commercial Leases
Commercial Law and Intellectual Property
- Drafting IP Licences
- Practical Contract Law
- E-Commerce and Data Protection
- Practical Commercial Contract Drafting
Private Client
- Wills and Inheritance Tax
- Will Trusts and Tax
- Estate Planning
Higher Rights of Audience
If you’re looking to pursue a career in litigation you can choose to undertake Higher Rights of Audience training in lieu of your PSC electives.
Business of Law
The training contract period is a vital stage of a trainee solicitor’s preparation for a career in law. Working with law firms, we have identified a set of key competencies that all trainee solicitors need in practice and, through our Business of Law programme, we’ve integrated these competencies into the modules of the course so that you can be sure to develop the skills that your employer will be looking for.
There are four Business of Law areas – Business, Law, Self, and Working with Others. These are identified in all PSC modules, both core and elective, so that you can easily see which essential competencies will be focused on for you to take back to the work place.
Alumni Discount
We offer a 10% discount on all of our Professional Skills Course modules to members of our Alumni Network. You will need to supply your Student Number or your University of Law email address when booking. Only the above 10% discount applies to members of the Alumni Network.
Find out more about the Alumni NetworkFrom a Firm?
We can provide our PSC training to groups of trainees for firms either at our campus or at your offices.
Find out moreCourse Fees
Our range of Professional Skills Course options can be booked individually or in convenient, cost-effective packages.
With absolute flexibility, you can benefit from adjusting your bookings or package as you go.
Packages
Pick and Mix
Core modules and 4 electives
£1,490 + 20% VAT
PSC and Higher Rights training
Core modules and Higher Rights, courses only
£1,940 + 20% VAT
PSC, Higher Rights training and assessment
Core modules, Higher Rights and assessment
£2,495 + 20% VAT
All Core Modules
£1,220 + 20% VAT
24 Hours of Electives
Up to 24 hours of your choice of electives
£750 + 20% VAT
*Fees subject to change. Correct as of 3 October 2022.
Individual Core Modules
Advocacy and Communications
£570 + 20% VAT
Financial and Business Skills
£485 + 20% VAT
Client Care and Professional Standards
Day One: £200 + 20% VAT
Day Two: £200 + 20% VAT
*Fees subject to change. Correct as of 3 October 2022.
Individual Elective Modules
All of the elective modules can be booked for £245 + 20% VAT each.
*Fees subject to change. Correct as of 3 October 2022.
Book professional legal training courses
You can book a place on our professional legal training courses online, or contact our team via email for more information. Members of The University of Law Alumni Network can benefit from a 10% discount on any of the public Professional Skills Course fees. Please note that this discount is not applicable to online bookings; to find out more please call 0800 289997 (UK) or +44 (0)1483 216000 (international). Alternatively you can e-mail [email protected]
Book nowBook professional legal training packages
You can book a place on one of our packages online, or contact our team via email for more information.
Book nowFrequently Asked Questions
Why take the PSC with the University of Law?
- Over 90% of our tutors are qualified lawyers with experience in practice allowing students to learn in a realistic, professional and contemporary context.
- With a team of over 30 experts, we have one of the UK’s largest legal careers and employability services. Our bespoke one-to-one guidance from a team of specialist careers advisers offers you the tools to make a great start to your career.
- Our range of programmes can be booked individually or in cost-effective, convenient packages.
How long does it take to complete the PSC?
You'll attend the course during your period of recognised training, and your training provider may fund it. The course takes the equivalent of 12 full-time days of attendance.
Are there exemptions from the PSC?
You can only qualify through this route if you meet our transitional requirements. If you do not meet these, you will need to qualify under the SQE.
