In autumn 2023, Middlesex University were one of the first Universities to launch a LLM in Legal Practice offering SQE preparation. This innovative Masters programme offers progressive career-focused training to help Middlesex graduates get ahead with their career pathways to become solicitors.
The College of Legal Practice was chosen by Middlesex to offer accredited and high quality virtual teaching in two modules that prepare students for SQE1 and SQE2, the two assessment components of the new SQE pathway to qualification. The flexibility in The College of Legal Practice’s online learning and weekly schedule has allowed for this LLM in Legal Practice to be uniquely offered across two international Middlesex University law schools, in England & Dubai.
While preparing students to take the SQE exams, this innovative LLM is equipping them with those Postgraduate attributes needed to address complex legal issues both systematically and creatively, showing originality in tackling and solving legal problems, through several taught modules, as well as a research project. The tailored curriculum selected enables students to gain advanced knowledge in key areas of legal practice, such as International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration or Comparative Corporate Governance.
“Working with The College of Legal Practice on our LLM Legal Practice (SQE Pathway) has been a pleasure, from design to implementation, and continues to be a fruitful and very easy collaboration running the programme together. The College has been extremely supportive in providing information required from their end for partnership approval and validation swiftly. This resulted in successful and quick validation in June 2023, with the programme launching both in our London and Dubai campuses in September 2023. The combined experience and understanding of all involved of both postgraduate level 7 requirements and the SRA requirements for the SQE examinations has allowed us to run this programme seamlessly." Demetriou continues "The modules ran by the College for the SQE prep have been designed and delivered in a manner that allows our LLM students to feel fully supported, and the feedback we have received from them, both in terms of material and guidance, has been very positive. We are very much looking forward to working with the College on a part-time mode of our LLM SQE programme, in addition to the ongoing full time programme, from September 2024.” Daphne Demetriou, LLM Campus Programme Coordinator & Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University, Dubai.
The University’s first full-time cohort of students based across London and Dubai are now in their final term of study, and so far the feedback from students has been very positive. All students giving feedback were satisfied with the SQE1 preparation module completed in the autumn and all students said they were likely to recommend the College’s SQE preparation to others. They were particularly satisfied with their personal supervisors:
“Helen was amazing. She was very calm and assuring. She was very encouraging and caring. Helen was the perfect supervisor for me.”
“My 121 supervisor Helen was very reassuring. She supported and ensured that I'm always on track and made sure I am not nervous about the exam and encouraged me a lot. I personally feel it helps students to vent their concern about the exam and help them get reassurance that it is possible with constant effort.”
“Delighted to announce that I passed SQE1 on my first try! When preparing with COLP, it was beneficial that they mix FLK1 and FLK2 modules in the schedule right from the beginning. This ensures that you give equal attention to both. The support provided by COLP tutors is second to none and there are several opportunities to ask questions and receive feedback.” Arshiya Munir, Middlesex SQE1 prep student.
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