Professional Legal Practice, LLM

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Course Overview

LLM Professional Legal Practice at Swansea University is a professional course for law graduates that has been designed to align with the requirements of the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations 1 & 2 (SQE1&2).

Studying LLM Legal Practice at Swansea will provide you with the core knowledge and practical legal skills that are essential in preparing law graduates who are looking to qualify as Solicitors in England and Wales via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical skills, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the skills and knowledge required to pursue a successful career in the legal profession.

Alongside preparation for the SQE1&2, you will also be properly prepared for a career in practice. Guided by our expert academics, you will build a recognised and attractive profile for potential employers.

LLM Professional Legal Practice at Swansea offers you the opportunity to gain a master’s award, attain legal knowledge and skills, and prepares you for a successful life in legal practice.

For non-law graduates seeking a conversion route to prepare for the SQE1, our LLM Law and Legal Practice provides the ideal first essential step towards qualification.

Why Professional Legal Practice at Swansea?

As an LLM Professional Legal Practice student, you will be joining a thriving postgraduate community and vibrant academic environment, at our globally recognised, School of Law.

Our School of Law is recognised as a source of expertise, having an impact in a diverse range of fields of practice. Our School is wholly committed to continuous improvement in learning and teaching, putting students at the centre of our activities and offering an exceptional student experience.

You will be supervised by academics and qualified practitioners with a wealth of real-world experience, who are ideally placed to provide ongoing guidance and support.

You will also receive a number of opportunities to engage with our Law Clinic, where you can provide advice to clients under supervision.

About the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is the centralised route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. Introduced in 2021, it replaces previous qualification pathways.

To qualify, all candidates must complete:

  • SQE1 – testing legal knowledge
  • SQE2 – testing practical legal skills (such as interviewing, advocacy, and legal writing)
  • Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) – practical experience completed in one or more legal settings

The SQE aims to ensure a fair, consistent route to qualification for everyone, regardless of their background or previous legal study.

Our LLM Professional Legal Practice will support you in building the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to work towards the SQE assessments, and prepare for a career in legal practice.

The SQE will eventually replace the current routes into practice. If you have already begun or accepted a place on a GDL or LLB on 1 September 2021, there are transitional arrangements for you to qualify via the Legal Practice Course route until 2032*.

*Applicants need to have accepted their offer of a place on a GDL by 31/8/21, or for an LLB by 30/9/21 to retain the ability to qualify via the LPC.

Please consult the Solicitors Regulation Authority for full details on routes to becoming a solicitor. The SQE assessments do not form part of the programme itself and the cost of undertaking the SQE assessments is not included in the programme fee.

Your Professional Legal Practice Experience

Our LLM Professional Legal Practice offers an inclusive, student-focused learning environment and community, centred around your success.

Our programme is delivered in two stages. In stage one you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the core practice areas, whilst stage two focuses on developing your professional legal skills within the context of the core practice areas.

As you progress, you will also undertake directed independent learning, authentic to the legal profession, focusing on practical legal research and drafting.

You will gain excellent oral and written skills, learning to present your ideas in a range of formats. You will be provided with the means to become a critically agile, analytical thinker, adept at legal research and with a strong problem-solving skillset that is essential to life in legal practice.

Our programme includes various forms of assessment, and you will be encouraged to develop team-working and communication skills through seminars and workshops, as well as project management and independent research skills as part of the independent learning module. These skills will ensure that you can compete successfully in the employment market.

 You will also have access to guest lectures from prestigious practitioners and academics and will benefit from our established professional networks that support your learning.

Professional Legal Practice Employment Opportunities

Our LLM Professional Legal Practice prepares you to sit both SQE1 and SQE2. After passing these assessments and completing two years of qualifying work experience, you will be eligible to qualify as a solicitor.

Our degree also equips graduates not wishing to complete the SQE1 and SQE2 with a range of transferable skills, making you well-prepared for a range of alternative careers, including:

  • Academic Lawyers
  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Commerce and Business
  • Corporate Governance
  • Crown Prosecution Service
  • Finance Industry and Banking
  • Government Legal Service
  • Legal Publishing
  • Ombudsman Departments
  • Regulators
  • Tax

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.