LLMLLM Professional Legal Practice
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- 2 years part-time
- 1 year full-time
Why study a professional legal practice master's degree at Solent University
Embark on your journey to becoming a solicitor with full SQE 1 and 2 preparation.
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- Delivered in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice and taught by mix of professional academic staff and practising solicitors
- Make use of specialist law facilities including the University’s courtroom which offers a realistic environment for legal argument, as well as our extensive library of legal journals, case law and online materials which are an essential resource.
- We are a founding member of Southampton City Law Network, so you can make use of an extensive network of professional connections, and experience workshops and guest lectures from visiting professionals, as well as additional opportunities to explore careers within the legal profession.
- We have a vibrant student Law Society, and a Mooting Society dedicated to developing your advocacy, negotiation and public speaking skills
- With many opportunities for internships, you could gain valuable commercial experience to enhance your professional skills.
- Free legal career consultation is delivered by our careers advice service, Solent Futures, which is available to all Solent students and graduates for life, helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
- This course is eligible for a Postgraduate Master's student loan from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies (it was up to £12,167 for 2023 entry).
Course overview
This LLM in Professional Legal Practice will prepare you for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, both in terms of the functional legal knowledge needed for SQE1, and the professional legal skills you will need for SQE2.
Delivered in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice and taught by mix of professional academic staff and practising solicitors, students will be provided with everything they need to pass their SQE assessments, and to further develop their legal and professional knowledge and skills over a variety of practical and future facing topics.
The modules are designed to suit you and your SQE Preparation sessions are delivered in both traditional workshop sized groups and large group sessions. You'll also benefit from guest lectures and high levels of personalised supervision to ensure you are supported throughout your SQE journey.
As one of our LLM students you will have access to thousands of College of Legal Practices' SQE Multiple Choice Questions, multiple SQE Assessment simulations, and ‘SQE Ready Reviews’ with supervisors. Alongside this expert teaching, you will have the opportunity to study modules delivered by Solent University across topics such as Commercial Law, Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, AI, Intellectual Property Law and beyond.
You will also, of course, be a part of our Law School, meaning you will have access to tailored events such as workshops, Q&As, mock trials and mock mediations delivered by legal professionals, as well as career and networking events.
These professional development activities give you the opportunities you need to achieve your career goals and take the next steps in your professional journey
We also understand that every student’s career path is unique, and this course is designed to recognise that. With a mix of hybrid sessions and block teaching, the course will meet your needs regardless of personal circumstance, and with Solent’s and College Of Legal Practice’s industry links and careers support - this course offers more than simply SQE preparation; it offers you a bridge into the professional world.
Course features
January start available
This course has an option to start in January
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
This course is for
This course prepares you for your professional assessments on the route to becoming a solicitor. It is therefore perfectly suited to those students, both law and non-law graduates,who are aspiring to become solicitors.
What this course leads to
This course prepares you for your professional assessments on the route to becoming a solicitor. This LLM is structured to fit with the SQE assessment schedule, meaning that if you were to take their SQE assessments in term-time having completed the relevant SQE Preparation Module, you will graduate having gained an LLM and also having completed the vocational academic element of your journey to becoming a practising solicitor. A postgraduate qualification in Law will also open wider professional sector roles as well as academic roles.
- Solicitor
- Managerial and executive positions
- Legal and compliance
- Licensed conveyancer
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Law students have access to the moot court room to practice their courtroom and debating skills in a real-world environment.
Students also have access to a dedicated law collection in our Mountbatten Library, plus on- and off-campus access to a broad range of subscriber law databases, including major collections from Westlaw, Lexis Library and i-Law – providing access to law reports, legislative material, and academic journals.
Year one
Core modules
SQE 1 preperation
This Module is designed to prepare you the first of your SQE assessments; SQE 1. SQE 1 is comprised of two Functional Legal Knowledge assessments (FLK 1 and FLK 2). Students will be taught by practitioners and academics from the internationally renowned SQE training provider COLP. Using COLP’s virtual learning environment and attending occasional on-site collaborative sessions at Solent University, students will be prepared for their SQE 1 Assessments as they work through FLK 1 and FLK 2 Modules (e.g. Wills, Business Law, Criminal Law, Litigation and beyond) learning how to apply legal principles in the format SQE 1 requires. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a plethora of mock SQE 1 styled assessments on all SQE 1 FLK topics and will also receive an “SQE Ready” check in from COLP to provide updates on their SQE 1 readiness. Students will have access to COLP materials for up to 10 months after completing this Module.
SQE 2 Preparation
The Module is designed to prepare you for your SQE 2 Assessment. SQE 2 builds upon SQE 1 in that students will develop and be tested on fundamental legal skills within areas of Functional Legal Knowledge. The skills include areas such as drafting, research, interviewing, advocacy etc. These skills are tested within specific areas of knowledge developed whilst studying the SQE 1 Preparation Module (Criminal Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Property Practice, Wills and Probate, and Business Organisation). Underpinning theoreotical learning, you will find yourself engaged in drafting activities, mock mediations, mock advocacy in our Courtroom, mock interviews and so on. All designed to make you SQE 2 Ready. Again, students will have access to COLP materials for up to 10 months after completing this Module.
Commercial Law
In this module, you will be provided an introduction to English commercial law as a whole, combined with an in-depth coverage of some contemporary aspects. You will become familiar with the fundamental principles of commercial law, and you will be able to apply these principles to a wide range of transactions, centred on contracts and the usages of the market, between merchants.
Dissertation
You will learn about the processes and academic debates around doing research, planning, applying for ethics, collecting data, analysing data and writing your research project into a dissertation. You will learn how to manage the research process and understand complications and how to manage these when they arise during data collections.
Intellectual Property Law
You will focus on the UK and EU substantive law in relation to copyrights, and you will consider the impact of international and European policy on the scope of these rights in the UK. You will investigate the economic justifications for copyright protection and a comparison with the USA in addition to the Hargreaves review and its potential implications.
Internship
The specific areas of study will depend on the context of the internship. This module will allow you to enhance, and document achievements, in a range of skills and knowledge areas. Common achievements include successful team working, customer awareness, problem-solving skills, skills in literacy and communications. Enhanced skills may include conflict management, negotiation and professionalism.
Legal Risk Management, Compliance and Artificial Intelligence
You will learn the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling legal, strategic, and compliance risks of an organisation. How to reduce internal operational risks, such as fraud, and external legal risks such as lawsuits.
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
You will learn the difference and suitability of several kind of alternative to court dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, negotiation and arbitration. You will learn the strategy and tactics required for a successfully outcome.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
The course offers a range of assessment activities designed to demonstrate the acquired knowledge and skills central to each module, including traditional examinations as well as practical skills-based assessments such as report writing or individual presentation.
Learn transferable skills
This course prepares you for your professional assessments on the route to becoming a solicitor. It is therefore perfectly suited to those students, both law and non-law graduates,who are aspiring to become solicitors. You'll gain transferable skills in management, problem solving, research, advocacy, strategic thinking, communication, client handling, drafting, teamwork and ethics.
Why choose a career in professional legal practice?
Law affects almost every aspect of everyday life – and the law’s omnipresent nature is reflected in the wide variety of areas of legal practice, including rewarding specialist professions such as criminal law (police, criminology and social and probation work) or commercial law (including roles such as company secretaries, accountants, tax consultants and compliance officers).
Solent University is a founding member of the Southampton City Law Network, which promotes the interests of local law students, teachers, lawyers, and other legal professionals.
Through the law network, students have the chance to gain paid and unpaid work experience from local employers such as E3 Consulting and Lawdit Solicitors, and many law firms have Solent alumni as trainee and fully qualified solicitors, company secretaries, trademark attorneys, legal executives, licensed conveyancers and paralegals.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: : £11,500 per year
- International full-time fees: £14,500 per year
For further information please visit our tuition fees page.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Discover Solent University Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
2:2 (or higher) honours degree in any subject
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 2 years part-time
- 1 year full-time
