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SQE
LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2)
Our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) course is designed for graduates who want to qualify as a solicitor using the new SQE route to practice and also gain a Master’s award. We focus on the knowledge and skills that you need to pass the SQE assessments and additional knowledge and skills that employers are seeking so that you can prepare for the realities of life in legal practice. Being ready for practice is so important to us that we include in this course, that’s why you’ll receive four weeks guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) within our Legal Advice Clinics. This course will ensure you’re fully prepared for your career as a solicitor, as well as success in the SQE exams.
Pass first time or study for free
We’re so confident in our SQE courses that, if you don’t pass SQE1 or SQE2, you can repeat our Exam Preparation Courses up to two further times.*
Key Facts
Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline (or equivalent), as well as evidence of knowledge of the seven foundation subjects of law.
Entry requirementsLocations
Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield, Southampton and OnlineAPPLY NOW
Course Details
LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2)
Our LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) course will offer you the best possible preparation to practise law. This course incorporates preparation for both SQE1 and SQE2, as well as additional content, called SQE Plus*, considered highly desirable by law firms, including key practice areas (KPAs) and further additional modules in the business of law or research of a specialist practice area. It is professionally-focused, and will equip you with the key legal knowledge and skills required to pass SQE and will prepare you for practice before your qualifying work experience (QWE).
On successful completion of this course, including passing all the University of Law’s assessments, you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification.
Why choose our LLM Legal Practice course?
- Develop the knowledge and skills required for a career as a solicitor by studying three KPAs, along with additional modules in the Business of Law or a Research project.
- With one of the largest legal careers services in the UK, ULaw gives you the support and the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) opportunities you need to make the best start in your legal career.
- Experience of working in legal practice. You’ll learn in the context of our virtual law firm, ULaw LLP. ULaw LLP replicates the working environment of a law firm and students perform real world tasks on simulated cases, deals and transactions, as if they were in the office.
- Confidence for the assessments, we will prepare you for all the SQE assessments, giving you the best preparation for success.
- Brand new resources, developed specifically for SQE by our expert lecturers. You’ll be provided with all course materials, including:
- an extensive bank of practice SQE exam questions
- ULaw SQE – Our intelligent revision app provides practice tests and feedback. Students have found this app, together with the data it generates about their individual performance and likelihood of passing SQE1, to be extremely useful. The bank contains an extensive number of practice questions aligned with the SRA’s SQE1 assessment specification and each practice question, once answered, provides our students with detailed feedback as to why an answer is correct or not.
- brand new online study manuals.
- In depth guidance and support from our experienced lecturers, who will monitor your progress and give feedback using predictive analytics, so you’ll know how you are performing and where to focus.
- Taught by qualified lawyers, with practical workshops to develop your legal knowledge and skills, so you’ll know what to expect in a real-life work environment.
- Flexible study – We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a wide range of study modes (full-time, part-time, on campus, online) across our courses to provide you with the greatest choice and flexibility you need to succeed in your studies.
- We have a vast network in the legal industry and deliver training to 91 of the top 100 law firms, with exclusive relationships with 61 of the top UK law firms and many of the most prestigious US firms in the UK.
- Receive four weeks of guaranteed Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Get hands-on legal work experience working with real clients in our Legal Advice Clinics. You’ll get to see how a case progresses in practice and how the skills that you will learn are relevant in a practical context.
- Our Employment Promise - get a job in nine months or your fees back, up to 50% as cashback and 50% as credit towards another course**.
- 94% of postgraduate students were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating***.
Our years of experience in training more practising lawyers in the UK than any other law school has helped our students go on to succeed in law, business, politics and more. We believe in training students for the real world from the moment they accept a place with us.
Not sure if this course is right for you? Download our free guide, An SQE Course for Everyone, to find your path to becoming a solicitor.
Did you know:
According to Legal Cheek's 2024 survey of top UK law firms, 89% of firms require non-law graduates to undertake a conversion course before beginning their SQE preparation.
Important Information
Progression for full-time PgDL and MA Law (Conversion) students
Based on the projected end dates of our full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PgDL) and Master of Arts in Law (MA Law Conversion) courses, find out if you are eligible to commence our Bar Practice Course (BPC), LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) or SQE1 Preparation Course in January 2025.
Please note: If you require a visa to study in the UK and wish to progress on to one of our on-campus vocational courses, please refer to our UK visa requirements page for information about applying for a Student Route visa.
***94% of postgraduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes data). Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2024.
*All eligible cohorts contacted, results based on over 1,800 responses.
SQE Exam Dates*****
|
Intake |
Study mode |
SQE1 exam |
SQE2 exam |
|
September 2024 |
Full-time |
January 2025 |
April 2025 |
|
January 2025 |
Part-time |
July 2025 tbc |
January 2026 tbc |
|
March 2025 |
Full-time |
July 2025 tbc |
October 2025 tbc |
|
June 2025 |
Part-time |
January 2026 tbc |
Information Coming Soon |
|
September 2025 |
Full-time |
January 2026 tbc |
Information Coming Soon |
|
January 2026 |
Part-time |
July 2026 tbc |
Information Coming Soon |
|
March 2026 |
Full-time |
July 2026 tbc |
Information Coming Soon |
|
September 2026 |
Full-time |
January 2027 tbc |
Information Coming Soon |
*****The dates for the centralised SRA’s SQE assessments are set by the SRA and are published on the SRA SQE website. Dates for SQE2 sittings frequently run over into a subsequent month.
Full access to the SQE app
Students studying this course will receive full access to our intelligent SQE revision app. The app is an integral part of the SQE1 preparation part of the course and was specifically designed to help prepare and embed your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), ready to take on the SQE1 assessments.
Find out moreCourse Structure
Required pre-course study
We recommend students take a pre-study online diagnostic test to check their understanding of the key foundation law subjects. This quiz is called the Academic Law Knowledge Quiz and is made up of question sets which cover the seven academic law subjects assessed on SQE1 which students should have studied prior to joining this course.
We use this diagnostic testing to assess each student’s knowledge in these subjects for SQE1. Based on your results, we may recommend extra revision aids or a law conversion course.
Modules
This course is divided into three parts:
- SQE1 Preparation (60 credits)
- Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK)1 (Business Law and Practice, Legal Services, Dispute Resolution and ethics) (30 credits)
- Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK)2 (Property Practice, Wills, Solicitors’ Accounts, Criminal Practice and ethics) (30 credits)
- SQE2 Preparation (30 credits)
- Interviewing
- Advocacy
- Case and Matter Analysis
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Legal Drafting
- SQE Plus (90 credits)
- 3 Key Practice Areas (KPAs) (15 credits each) from one of two pathways: Corporate/Commercial or Commercial/Private Client
- Preparation for Practice module (15 credits)
- Either the Business of Law module (30 credits) or The Professional Practice Report Module (30 credits)
KPAs for the Corporate/Commercial pathway include:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Debt Finance
- Equity and capital markets
- Advanced Dispute Resolution
- Advanced Real Estate
- Commercial and International Trade
- Competition
- Employment
- Intellectual Property
KPAs for the Commercial/Private Client pathway include:
- Advanced Dispute Resolution
- Advanced Real Estate
- Commercial and International Trade
- Competition
- Employment
- Intellectual Property
- Advanced Criminal Practice
- Family
- Immigration
- Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
- Private Wealth
All KPAs are available on-campus and online (subject to demand).
The Preparation for Practice module (which is a compulsory module underpinning the three KPAs) includes commercial and well-rounded lawyer skills content taught within the delivery of the KPAs. These additional skills were developed in conjunction with law firms to provide our students with the required 21st century practice skills.
You may then choose between studying either the Business of Law module or the Professional Practice Report module.
The Business of Law module consists of one compulsory module: Business of Law 1 which has content on professional effectiveness, and law firms and their clients.
Plus a choice from one of the following additional modules known as Business of Law 2 options:
- Commercial Law
- Competition Law
- Employment Law
- Innovation, Technology and Legal Project Management
- Intellectual Property
- International Trade
It is not possible to select a Business of Law 2 option in the same subject as one of your KPA choices.
The Professional Practice Report module consists of: research method induction, individual tutor supervision and the completion of an extended research report based on one of your chosen KPAs.
On successful completion of this course, including passing all the University’s assessments in SQE1, SQE2 and SQE Plus , you will gain an internationally recognised Master’s qualification. Passing the SRA’s centralised assessments is not necessary in order to gain our master’s award although it is required in order to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. The course prepares students for these centralised assessments and creates spaces within the academic calendar for students to be able to sit them.
Course Start Dates
January 2025
-
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)
- Part-time Day: Birmingham, Bristol, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield and Southampton
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Exeter, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield
March 2025
-
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield and Southampton
June 2025
-
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)
- Part-time Day: Birmingham, Bristol, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield and Southampton
- Part-time Evening: London Bloomsbury and Manchester
- Part-time Weekend: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Exeter, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield
September 2025
-
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)
- Full-time: Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Egham (Royal Holloway), Exeter, Leeds, Liverpool, London Bloomsbury, London Moorgate, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Reading, Sheffield and Southampton
Online
Study LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) Online starting January 2025, March 2025, June 2025 or September 2025
Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)
As part of the new SQE route to practice, you must complete two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) which can be completed with up to four employers.
For all students on this course, we’re offering you the chance to complete four weeks of QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics*.
How it works
You’ll get the opportunity to work on a range of real-life cases by providing free legal advice and representation to members of the public.
Throughout the programme you’ll get to put the theory and skills you have learnt into practice. You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to deal with a number of processes such as triaging, conflict checks, familiarisation with Case Management Systems, client meetings and interviews, drafting letters, research and ensuring solicitor competencies.
At each stage you will be closely supervised by a qualified Supervising Solicitor to ensure what you are doing and the advice you are giving is correct.
*On enrolment to the course, you’ll get the opportunity to opt-in to complete QWE within our Legal Advice Clinics.
Get to know our lecturers
Find out how you can benefit from their knowledge on your journey to becoming a solicitor.
Watch now
Course requirements
The course demands show you the requirements, prior knowledge and commitments our course will involve.
Study Online
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of a flexible study programme to fit around your other commitments together with the benefit of our expertise, experience and employability focus, why not consider our online study option? The study hours are spread across more time so you can continue to manage other commitments whilst you learn.
open daysUpcoming Dates
Nov 19th
SQE Courses for Law Graduates Open Day (London Bloomsbury Campus)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:30
London Bloomsbury
Nov 19th
Law Conversion Courses Open Day (London Bloomsbury Campus)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 19:30
London Bloomsbury
Nov 20th
The University of Law National Pupillage Fair (Virtual Event)
Postgraduate
17:00 - 20:00
Online
next open day
2d 1h 35m
Course Information
Application and booking deadlines vary by intake - take a look at our key application and enrolment deadline dates for more information.
With so many options for how and where you can study the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) course, you can be sure to find a start date and study option to suit your needs.
The University assesses its master’s students in the following ways:
Functioning Legal Knowledge is assessed internally through the following final assessments:
- FLK1 Students will sit a Multiple Choice Question paper using Single Best Answer style questions (SBAQs) covering the topics in Functioning Legal Knowledge 1. The assessment will consist of 90 SBAQs and will be delivered online using the University’s Virtual Learning Platform Elite. The SBAQs will mimic the SRA’s SQE1 assessments in terms of syllabus coverage and timings to best prepare students for these external assessments.
- FLK2 Students will sit a Multiple Choice Question paper using Single Best Answer style questions (SBAQs) covering the topics in Functioning Legal Knowledge 2. The assessment will consist of 90 SBAQs and will be delivered online using the University’s Virtual Learning Platform Elite. The SBAQs will mimic the SRA’s SQE1 assessments in terms of syllabus coverage and timings to best prepare students for these external assessments.
Ethics will be assessed pervasively across FLK 1 and 2 including unflagged ethical questions.
Once successfully passed, the assessments will contribute 60 credits towards the student’s master’s award.
The SQE2 skills are assessed internally through the following final assessments:
- Written skills
Students will receive one composite 48 hour takeaway coursework assessing the four skills of writing, drafting, legal research and case and matter analysis. This will be marked on a competent/not yet competent basis.
- Oral skills
Advocacy: Students will watch media clips covering advocacy and be asked to complete a number of MCQs on that oral skill, under time restrictions.
Interviewing: Students will watch media clips covering interviewing and be asked to complete a number of MCQs on that oral skill, under time restrictions.
In addition, there will be internal assessments for the SQE Plus modules, including:
- For each KPA a 2,000 word technical black letter law coursework based on problem solving questions.
- For the Preparation for Practice module a 3,000 word research report (plus a 500 word reflective statement) on the development of the well-rounded lawyer skills and the commercial/legal practice/client contexts relating to the practice of law. The report is based on a title selected by each student linked to a KPA that they are studying. Students will also be required to produce and submit a slide deck and complete an oral assessment based on their report and slide deck.
- For the Business of Law module, a 4,000 word coursework and a 500 word reflective statement on Business of Law 1 topics relating to professional effectiveness and law firms and their clients and a 2,000 word coursework on their Business of Law 2 option.
- For the Professional Practice Report a 7,500 word research report (plus a 500 word reflective statement). The report is based on a title selected by each student linked to a KPA that they are studying.
External assessments
SQE1 and SQE2 are assessed by centralised assessments introduced by the SRA. These assessments are an essential requirement to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales (but do not need to be passed in order to gain our master’s award).
The SRA assessments for SQE1 and SQE2 are under the control of the SRA’s chosen assessment provider Kaplan. For details on how to book, pay and receive your results for your SQE assessments, as well as request any reasonable adjustments, please visit the SRA website.
Each unit will follow our unique adaptive and personalised learner journey, using our dynamic learning model: Prepare, Engage, Consolidate (PEC), covering all professional practice subjects and revision of all law subjects in the SRA’s assessment specification.
Employability We Set You Up For Success
We care about your career, which is why we offer support with job applications and other work experience opportunities as soon as you accept your place.
Discover more
Find a career that suits you
Fees and Applying
If you’d like to study full-time you can apply through CAB. For part-time study you can apply directly with us.
Please note: The SQE assessment fee is not included in this course fee.
2024/25 Course Fee (for courses starting on or after 1 July 2024)
- London: £17,800
- Outside London: £14,150
Discounts:
We are offering a £500 Postgraduate Award to students studying at Newcastle University and a £1,000 Postgraduate Award to students studying at our Nottingham Campus. Dependant on start date. Terms and conditions apply.
If you’re a ULaw alumnus, you may be eligible to receive our £500 General Alumni Discount and receive an additional £250 discount, as part of our Early Bird Alumni Offer.
We’re so confident in our SQE courses that, if you don’t pass SQE1 or SQE2, you can repeat our Exam Preparation Courses up to two further times.*
Study manuals: eBooks are included in the course fee, and you’ll receive a 50% discount if you’d like to purchase print versions.
We also have a range of scholarships and bursaries available which make studying with us more affordable than ever.
You could also be eligible for a postgraduate student loan.
We have students from over 120 different countries throughout our campuses, with a dedicated team to help international students.
If you are an international student and are coming to the UK to study, then you must apply to the Home Office for a visa. In most cases you will need to obtain a Student Route visa. In order to apply for this visa you must be sponsored by an education provider which is licensed by the UK Home Office.
The Home Office has also introduced a Graduate Work visa which allows Graduates to work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career in the UK for 2 years post completion of a UK degree. The Graduate route is an unsponsored visa, meaning students will not need a job offer to apply for this visa.
Please note that the University does not currently provide visa sponsorship to students for part-time study. We also cannot sponsor students for online courses due to Home Office regulations.
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