An innovative new course offered by the University of Winchester will provide a direct pathway into the legal profession.
Thanks to a new partnership with The College of Legal Practice, the University will be running an LLM (Law Masters) which will include preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE).
The SQE is a rigorous two-part test of competency which all aspiring solicitors in England and Wales are required to pass by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
The University’s partner, the College of Legal Practice, was chosen for its high level of expertise and experience in preparing students for these external exams and giving them the skills needed to begin work in the legal profession.
Winchester’s new LLM, to be offered full-time or part-time, is aimed at applicants who have a law degree or a degree with a significant element of law.
In addition to specific preparation for the SQE, the new LLM will develop a broader understanding, and critical awareness of current legal issues and deeper insights into the relationship between Law, State and Individual.
Importantly, students studying for the LLM can apply for a post-graduate loan to cover the cost. Currently students undertaking an SQE preparation course on its own do not receive funding from Student Finance England.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, Professor Sarah Greer, said: “We are looking forward to starting this course in partnership with the College. We believe it will provide an excellent launchpad for students who wish to become solicitors. It will not only give them the skills needed to enter the profession, but a wider base of knowledge and skills to help them succeed in their careers.”
Bill Davies, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice at Winchester said: “We are delighted to be offering our students from this Autumn the opportunity to continue their legal education at Winchester.
“The Placement/Work Experience and other modules being delivered by our faculty complement the College’s modules and will give our Masters students a valuable insight into the knowledge and skills needed for today’s practitioners.
“The collaborative working approach and the wrap-around support the College gives to its students matches our own committed approach to supporting our students to succeed.”
Dr Giles Proctor, CEO of The College of Legal Practice, said: “The College is very pleased to bring our proven SQE preparation courses to Winchester and be able to offer this career pathway to their students. We have already worked very closely with the team at Winchester to set up the delivery of this programme and look forward to supporting their students.”
You can find out more details about Winchester’s LLM here.
(Dr Giles Proctor, CEO
of The College of Legal Practice and Bill Davies, Dean of the Faculty of Law,
Crime and Justice (centre) with staff and students from the Law Department at
the University of Winchester)
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The College of Legal Practice
SQE Preparation Courses
The College’s SQE preparation courses are intensive, high-quality courses that guide learners through SQE1 and SQE2 and equip students with the legal skills they need to begin work as a legal professional.
Through live individual supervision, supported by group work and a ground-breaking learning portal, our flexible courses ensure that every student can develop and perform to the best of their abilities in the SQE.
About the College
The College of Legal Practice is leading the way in preparing students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. Their online legal training programmes are designed to help candidates pass the SQE. They are an accredited, fully virtual law school based in the UK, with years of expertise in supporting students through every SQE assessment.
The College collaborates closely with partner firms and Universities, developing their SQE programmes that meets their needs. Designed for online, their courses are flexible, affordable and accessible. Their not-for-profit ethos means they keep their programmes low-cost and high-value. Taught by experienced solicitors, their learning is grounded in real-world legal practice, with expert personal supervision and support, highly rated by students. The College of Legal Practice is backed by over 50 years of experience in legal training, through their parent company, The College of Law in Australia.
University of Winchester
Founded in 1840, the University of Winchester has over 180 years of experience in teaching and academic excellence. The University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research study options across a range of subjects within health and wellbeing; sport; humanities and social sciences; business management; digital technologies; law; education and teacher training, and the arts.
The University is in the top 10 universities in the UK for graduates in employment or further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
In the 2021 University Impact Ratings compiled by Times Higher Education, the University placed second in the UK for Quality Education, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4. In the 2019 rankings, the University was placed in the top 100 universities world-wide, based on its work in sustainability and social responsibility.
Winchester Business School is a United Nations’ PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Champion, one of only six in the UK and 37 worldwide (2020-2021).