University of Sunderland

Legal Practice (LPC)

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

**£7,200 discounted rate for Sunderland students

The Legal Practice Course is the second stage of your career path to becoming a solicitor, once you have obtained your qualifying law degree. It covers your transition from a graduate student at the University to a lawyer-in-training.

The National College of Legal Training (NCLT) delivers a full-time and part-time, weekend-study LPC at The University of Sunderland*.

NCLT is a collaborative partnership between CLT, the leading trainer for lawyers and UWE, the University of the West of England, so you can be confident that law firms recognise the value of our courses.

Our LPC is not only excellent rated, but also highly affordable. What's more you can study locally at the University of Sunderland and benefit from their excellent facilities and student support. Our aim is to ensure that your student experience is the best, listening to your needs and giving you personal support throughout your study and when you qualify.

[Top]

Course Content

Our LPC allows you to study flexibly, with lectures taking place two days a week (Friday/Saturday) over 12 months for the full-time course, and 11 weekend study sessions per year (over two years) for the part-time course.

The programme

Stage 1

Our broad based Stage 1 will provide a sound foundation for your career in law. The course is integrated, so that you practice your legal skills in the context of other subjects, just as you will when you are a solicitor.

Core Practice areas

• Business Law and Practice
• Civil and Criminal Litigation
• Property Law and Practice

Course Skills

• Interviewing and Advising
• Practical Legal Research
• Writing
• Drafting and Advocacy

Additional Areas

• Solicitors' Accounts
• Professional Conduct and Regulation
• Wills and Administration of Estates
• Taxation

Stage 2

To complete Stage 2, you will study three vocational elective subjects. We offer you a choice of 15 subjects - one of the widest selections of any LPC provider, allowing you to pursue a specialist careers path or keep your options open. The course for each subject is made up of 8 study units, one of which is dedicated to revision.

The content of the full-time and part-time course is identical, but they are structured differently. Find out more by visiting www.nclt.org.uk.

[Top]

Entry Requirements

You will usually need:

• Applicants must have a recognised Law degree or the CPE/Graduate Diploma in Law (unless they have an exemption)
• You must possess a Certificate of Student Enrolment and a Certificate of Completion of the Academic Stage of Training from the SRA at the beginning of the course

[Top]

Fees and Finance

Interest free payment plans are available and can be spread over ten manageable payments a year. There is also a low deposit of just £200 to secure your place on the course.

For more information about course fees, visit www.nclt.org.uk

[Top]

Teaching and Assessment

The primary objective of the LPC is to prepare you for your training contract. Study is practice based, allowing you to gain an understanding of many common legal transactions and procedures. Workshops are taught in small groups, with a 30 minute review session to allow in-depth feedback.

You will be given lots of opportunities through role play to practice legal skills, such as interviewing and negotiation. Outside of classes you will work individually and with other members of your group on preparatory tasks and exercises to consolidate your learning.

There will be additional support through the use of our e-learning delivery system - 'Blackboard'. This will give you the opportunity to test your progress regularly through self-test questions and exercises with instant feedback.

How you are assessed:

Most assessments are written (open book) but there are also oral skills assessments - the nature of most assessments is largely determined by the SRA, but we do offer student options about when to take their assessments.

[Top]

Career Opportunities

Whether you aspire to work in a City Practice, Commercial Practice, High Street Firm or a Niche Practice, our LPC provides an excellent foundation to start your career in law.

By taking your LPC at the University of Sunderland, you will benefit from access to specialist careers tutors and a dedicated legal careers advisor.  There are regular talks and presentations, providing invaluable advice from those who work in legal practice.

[Top]

Supplemental Information

NCLT host a number of presentations throughout the year, where students have the opportunity to find out more about our courses and meet the team. To register you interest in attending one of these events, please call 0121 362 7529 or email nclt@nclt.com

Students from our 2009 Cohort commented:

"Good value for money; friendly, supportive lecturers; accessible." Laura Sinclair

"The very best institution to study the LPC." Elroy Turner

"Friendly and supportive staff, good programme." Rachael Cole

[Top]

Facilities

As a student of the Faculty of Business and Law, you will have access to some of the best learning support facilities in the higher education sector.

Our libraries provide computers, printing, photocopying, and inter-library loans. Sunderland also has an extensive electronic library collection, which means you can access much of the information you need online.

You will also benefit from access to over 500 computer workstations of the David Goldman Informatics Centre which offers the latest software packages - open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[Top]

Related Courses

• LLM Criminal Law and Procedure
• Law - LLB (Single Honours)
• Law - Combined Subjects (Dual and Minor)
• Law (Foundation)
• LLM Human Rights

[Top]