About this course
This programme is for graduates from any discipline who want to change their career direction into law.
- Covers all foundations of legal knowledge required to go on and qualify as a solicitor or barrister
- Practical based programme allowing students to learn the law and being able to apply it
- Taught by a mixture of academics and practitioners
- Undertake a research project in a legal clinic environment
- Excellent links with industry allow you gain real-life client casework
Unique module
The legal clinic research project is a unique module, that allows students to gain real-life client case work, through LJMU's Legal Advice Centre. This will be invaluable when qualifying to become a solicitor or barrister. It's equally brilliant experience for those wishing to pursue alternative professions.
Important dates.
The deadline for full-time applications (made via the central Applications Board) is Sunday 20 August 2023. Part-time applications must be made through the LJMU online application form. The deadline for part-time applications is Friday 25 August 2023.
The programme starts on Thursday 7 September 2023.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Rice-Jones Scholarship
The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust was set up by an individual who wanted to benefit postgraduate law students studying in the North-West of England. The lady's late husband and her father were both lawyers. This has inspired her to help students who show academic promise and a commitment to the legal profession, yet who may not have the financial support to undertake their studies. The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust is registered with the Charity Commission: charity 1171890. View the full details.
The Rice-Jones Scholarship will be offered to applicants who have accepted a place to study on a postgraduate law course including, but not limited to, the Graduate Diploma in Law, the Legal Practice Course, the Bar Professional Training Course or the Masters in Law.
For all 2022/23 applications, each award will total between £250 and £1500 towards study expenses. Awards granted will depend on the applications received.
The deadline for applications is 2 May 2022. Download your application form and view the terms and conditions.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Give the foundations of legal knowledge required in order to pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister.
The programme is taught in a practical way giving students the possibility to obtain skills in both oral and written legal skills.
The student experience
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Contract and Debating
10 credits
This module will provide a basis for knowledge, critical understanding and analysis of the principles of contract law and the skills associated with debating. It aims to develop teamwork, interpersonal skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills alongside the acquisition of legal knowledge.
Each week, students are presented with a hypothetical scenario addressing a particular area of contract law with suggested readings. Interactive seminars will see students divided into smaller groups to represent a client from the hypothetical scenario - to discuss, strategise and plan their case.
Groups then present their case, allowing students to engage in debate and discussion. The lecturer acts as judge.
Crime including Litigation and Advocacy
20 credits
Covers criminal law and the skills relevant to advise clients being detained at the police station, prepare for trial and to advocate in the criminal justice process.
Students will undertake a case study which begins at the police station and will play the part of the investigating office and others the defence solicitor, and deal with the associated law of the offence. The students will then continue in the role of defence solicitor or prosecutor and deal with bail application, analyse witness statements and all other law and procedure through the case up to and including sentencing and appeals.
Equity and Trusts including Wills and Admin
20 credits
This module will develop students' critical understanding of equity, trusts, succession and wills and administration. Students will be given a mock Will to be used throughout the seminars by way of demonstration of the legal principles of equity and succession. Students will be expected to write letters of advice on certain subjects as well as memos and reports as appropriate.
Land including Property Law and Practice
20 credits
Develop a critical understanding of the foundations of modern English land law and the processes and rules associated with the conveyancing procedure.
Students will use a case study of conveyancing documentation in the seminars which will put the law into context and show how it applies in practice. The documentation will include sample official copies, transfers, mortgage deeds etc. Students will be expected in seminars to demonstrate their understanding by writing reports and letters of advice.
Public and EU Law
20 credits
This module will allow students to gain an appreciation of both the constitutional and theoretical framework of the UK alongside EU Law and Human Rights. Students will be supported on their learning journey in honing their research, presentations, problem solving and debating skills through; tailored collaborative workshops to foster and nurture their learning through collective intelligence; directed independent study for their self-actualisation as autonomous learners, and; various opportunities for formative feedback and feed forward.
Tort including Dispute Resolution
20 credits
This module introduces the fundamental principles of the law of tort and the basic concepts of dispute resolution, namely mediation. It includes interactive seminars that are designed to allow students to conduct mediation alongside problem questions in the following scenarios:
- Personal injury matters - importance of issuing proceedings within the limitation period
- Quantifying the value of a claim for damages
- Negotiating a settlement based upon the value of a claim for damages resulting from negligence
- Opposing parties dealing with various defences such as contributory negligence and volenti ("voluntary assumption of risk")
Legal Clinic Research Project
60 credits
This module aims to provide the basics of professional conduct and clinical legal education, providing a basis for delivering legal services with appropriate supervision. Practice-based seminars will train students in the observation and participation in 'live' client case work as well as interviewing and drafting.
Students will be staffing the Legal Advice Centre working on site or in collaboration with external stakeholders and community groups (e.g. Support Through Court). They will prepare advice and/or public legal information and support.
Students will demonstrate skills in client interviewing, advocacy/persuasive oral communication, case matter and analysis, legal research and drafting.
Optional modules
Mooting
10 credits
Allows students to develop an understanding of advocacy and mooting to be able to argue in court. This module covers:
- Correct and appropriate ways to address a court
- Understand legal grounds of appeal
- Correct ways to cite judgments and other legal material
- Hierarchy of law reports
- Public speaking
- Mooting skills
- Skeleton arguments
Business Organisations
10 credits
To provide an introduction to ways in which businesses are set up and managed. Students will evaluate the different forms of business models and compare and contrast.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
The programme is run both full-time and part-time, full-time over 1 year and part-time over 2 years. The programme commences on Thursday 7 September 2023 for both part-time and full-time students. Full-time students will then attend on Mondays and Wednesdays and part-time students on Wednesdays in the first year and Mondays in their second year.
Full time study:
Three semesters, for the first two semesters will be 12 hours of teaching over 2 days per week. The third semester consists of the Legal Clinic Research Project undertaken over the summer from May to August 2024.
Part time study:
In year 1 - two semesters, 6 hours teaching on one day per week.
In year 2 - two semesters of 6 hours teaching on one day per week. Then a third semester, which consists of the Legal Clinic Research Project undertaken over the summer from May to August 2025.
Teaching methods
There will be a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical exercises (some being online).
Applied learning
The Legal Clinic Research Project will be set in the School’s Legal Advice Centre.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
You will be assesses via examinations including MCQs ( multiple choice questions), as appropriate. There will be some skills-based assessments such as in Mooting and Advocacy which will involve student presentations.
Course tutors
Anita Ellis
Head of Professional Legal Studies
Anita Ellis
Head of Professional Legal Studies
Anita is programme leader for both current LLM in Law and Practice, and Legal Practice Course (LPC). Taught at LJMU for over 20 years. Qualified solicitor in Property and Probate related areas of practice. Research interests in Succession law.
Seeing students come onto the programme with no background in law at all and see how they develop in order to go on and become amazing practitioners whether as solicitors or barristers.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Usually a minimum of a 2nd class honours degree in any discipline.
Non-standard applications are welcome along with international students.
IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.
View country specific entry requirements
Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the majority of postgraduate courses using our online application form. You should complete the form thoroughly and provide a detailed personal statement which reflects your suitability and aptitude for the programme.
Important dates.
The deadline for full-time applications (made via the central Applications Board) is Sunday 20 August 2023. Part-time applications must be made through the LJMU online application form. The deadline for part-time applications is Friday 25 August 2023.
The programme starts on Thursday 7 September 2023.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.