Fees and key information

Course type
Postgraduate
Entry requirements
This course is subject to validation
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Why study this course?

This Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice is a Level 7 course, which can be studied full-time for one semester or part-time across two semesters. It is designed for law graduates who want to have the best possible preparation for Part One of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1). 

The course is designed to meet the diverse needs of our students who wish to qualify as solicitors. It will not only provide you with the practical legal knowledge you need to supplement your degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), it will also prepare you for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) examination, which will take you towards your goal of becoming a qualified solicitor.

The SQE assessments, comprising Part One (SQE 1) and Part Two (SQE 2), are integral to qualifying as a solicitor. The Legal Practice (SQE 1) PG Cert course can help you prepare to pass SQE 1, but you will also need to pass SQE 2, have a degree or equivalent qualification/experience, complete two years of qualifying work experience and meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s character and suitability requirements.

If you are a UK student, our flexible timetable means you can study either during the day (on campus) or in the evening (online) or by any workable combination of the two – whatever suits your work commitments and lifestyle. If you are an international student, you can study online in the evenings (UK time).

Whichever method of study you adopt, you will have live workshop sessions with highly qualified legal practitioners, who will be able to guide you through the intricacies of the SQE syllabus and enable you to hone in on the techniques needed to pass the rigorous SQE 1 examination.

You will study two modules (each worth 30 credits), which exactly match the Solicitors Regulation Authority syllabuses for Functioning Legal Knowledge, as assessed through the SQE 1 examination.

In addition to preparing you for the SQE 1 exam, if you pass the University examinations, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice (worth 60 Level 7 credits). You may then top that up to a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice by taking our SQE 2 preparation course (worth an additional 60 Level 7 credits) and to a full Legal Practice LLM degree by taking a dissertation module (worth an additional 60 Level 7 credits). 

You will also have the opportunity to go beyond the SQE syllabus by engaging with the experiential extracurricular activities within our Guildhall School of Business and Law, including our prestigious mooting competition, the final of which is often judged by Lord Reed PSC. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with our Pro Bono Legal Advice Clinic, which can earn you up to six months of qualifying work experience (QWE). This would contribute to the two years of full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience required by candidates looking to qualify through the SQE route.

Classes are delivered live by our expert team of experienced solicitors and senior academics through a combination of lectures, workshops, interactive seminars, one-to-one supervision and directed self-study. You will be encouraged to read from specified case law, practitioners’ textbooks and legal journals, as well as having the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues and practical problem solving.?  

You will be provided with online and printed learning materials to ensure you have the resources you need to succeed. You'll also have 24/7 access to our vast online library, including Westlaw and Lexis+. If you study on campus you will also have access to our expansive Learning Centre on Holloway Road. 

As well as having access to our wide range of student services such as our Careers and Employability team and Disabilities and Dyslexia Service, you will have an individual personal tutor who can provide you with advice and support. The academic mentor for law and your module tutors will also be happy to assist you throughout your studies.

Legal Practice SQE1 USPs

Gain the knowledge you will need for Part One of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, taking you one step closer to becoming a qualified solicitor

A flexible timetable

As a UK student, you can choose to study during the day (on campus), in the evening (online) or a combination of the two

Gain practical experience

Our Pro Bono Legal Advice Clinic can provide you with up to six months of the qualifying work experience required to qualify as a solicitor through the SQE route

Course details

You will be required to have:

  • an undergraduate UK law degree with at least a 2:2 classification or a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) from a UK university (with a Grade Point Average of at least 50%)

If you do not have a law degree or the Graduate Diploma in Law, both courses are available to study at the University, including our one-year Graduate Law top-up LLB (Hons) for anyone with a good undergraduate degree in any subject.

English language requirements

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Student visa (previously Tier 4) you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. This course requires you to meet our standard requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.

The Legal Practice (SQE 1) PG Cert?course will be assessed by multiple choice tests. This assessment method exactly mirrors the multiple-choice format of the Functioning Legal Knowledge assessments run by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ensuring you are well-prepared for the professional examination.

This Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice course is specifically aimed at students who wish to qualify as solicitors, although the knowledge gained throughout the course would benefit anyone working either within the legal or business sectors in any capacity.

Please note, in addition to?the?tuition fee there?may be additional costs for things like?equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees.

Additionally, there may be other activities that?are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but?which?you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips).?The?costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and?the?fees set out?above?and will be notified when?the?activity is being?arranged.

How to apply

Use the apply button to begin your application.

If you require a Student visa and wish to study a postgraduate course on a part-time basis, please read our how to apply information for international students to ensure you have all the details you need about the application process.

When to apply

You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.

To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.

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