The University of Sheffield
Prospective Postgraduates

Legal Practice Course (Diploma)

School of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences

We are a forward-thinking and innovative law school with a tradition of excellence stretching back over a hundred years. Our teaching is rated as excellent. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise places us in the top twenty research departments in our field.

About the course

1 year full time/2 years part time

This Legal Practice Course is England’s only LPC set within a prestigious research-led university. Our LPC students benefit from the internationally acclaimed academic legal research being carried out here.

Successful completion of the Legal Practice Course is compulsory if you plan to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales. It combines the study of law with practical training in legal research, interviewing and advising, writing, drafting and advocacy.

This is a hands-on course, using case studies and files based on those used in practice and incorporating performance-based assessments to hone your legal reasoning and develop skills in advocacy and client interviewing. The course has a high pass rate and a dedicated careers service to help you get the job you want.

Full time entry: apply via the Law Central Applications Board

Part time entry: apply on our School of Law website

Entry requirements

A good second class honours or above in a qualifying law degree, or equivalent undergraduate degree plus Sheffield's MA Law or any law conversion course (Common Professional Examination or Graduate Diploma in Law).

We'll also consider the appropriate level of ILEX qualification.

English language requirements for overseas students

IELTS 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).

Entry requirements for international students 

Stage 1

Core practice areas:

  • Business Law and Practice
  • Property Law and Practice
  • Litigation
  • Professional Conduct and Regulation: solicitors' accounts
  • Wills and Administration of Estates
  • Taxation

Skills:

  • Drafting
  • Writing
  • Practical legal research
  • Interviewing and advising
  • Advocacy

Stage 2

Three of the following electives:

  • Commercial Law
  • Commercial Property
  • Family Law
  • Employment Law
  • Advanced Criminal Litigation
  • Private Client
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Acquisitions and Mergers
  • Advanced Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate Finance

Fees and funding

Details of any bursaries or studentship grants for certain postgraduate programmes are advertised on our website during the winter months.

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

Any questions?

If you'd like to know more about any aspect of our courses, contact us:

E: pgradlaw@sheffield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)114 222 6770

Thomas Bird, MA Law


Prepare to succeed

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, we were ranked in the top 20, meaning our teaching is informed by the very latest research. Among our academic staff are experts known internationally for their research in many areas of legal and criminological study. Their ground-breaking research will inform your studies here.

We have research groups in a diverse range of areas including: biotechnological law and ethics, criminology, commercial law, law in its international context and law in society. You'll be drawn into the work of our research groups and be able to benefit from all the knowledge and professional contacts they can offer you.

When you come to Sheffield you won’t look back. You'll join a body of law students with a strong sense of identity and community and we’ll give you the support and encouragement you need throughout your degree. Demand for our postgraduates is high.

You'll have the opportunity to meet and engage with professional organisations with whom we have links, and our excellent careers service will be available from the moment you start your course.

Deepen your knowledge of law or criminology or train to become a solicitor.

The home of the School of Law

We're based in Bartolomé House on the main University campus. We have our own courtroom, a dedicated postgraduate computer room and quiet study areas with wi-fi where you can access the library’s online collections. Once you’re a student with us, you'll be able to access our e-resources from anywhere in the world.

Apply now

You should apply for this course via the Law Central Applications Board. Please visit their website for information on applying, guidance notes and application form.

Full time entry: apply via the Law Central Applications Board

Part time entry: apply on our School of Law website