Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Swansea University
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Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Swansea University
Legal Practice Course (LPC)
Looking to take the next step towards becoming a solicitor?
The Legal Practice Course (LPC) is a professional practical course that develops key
skills and knowledge for a successful career in law in England and Wales. Students are
offered excellent pastoral care and support from professionally qualified staff along with
best practice guidance for personal development and training.
1 year FT (September to June)
16 hours class contact time per week on average (supplemented with an
average of 25 hours of private study per week). Taught over three days
per week
2 years PT (September to June)
8 hours class contact time per week on average (supplemented with an
average of 12.5 hours of private study per week). Taught over one day
per week
Course overview
Core Subjects
• Business Law & Practice • Course Skills • Litigation
• Property Law and Practice • Professional Conduct & Regulation
• Wills & Administration of Estates
Electives
• Business Leases • Family Law & Practice • Employment Law
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence • Advanced Commercial Law
• Advanced Criminal Law • Commercial Dispute Resolution
Entry requirements
• 2:2 degree or above in a qualifying law degree as specified by the SRA
OR
• Graduate Diploma in Law
£
Fees
2020/2021 UK/EU International
Full-time £11,950 £14,000
Part-time £5,950p/a N/A
School of Law Bursaries available
Legal Practice Course
Course Overview
Legal Practice
FundingCourse
The Swansea Legal Practice Course is a professional practical course that develops important
practice skills and confidence for a successful career in law in England and Wales. Consistently
rated as excellent by both students and external organisations in support of students, the Swansea
Legal Practice Course represents the best of innovation in professional legal education.
The Swansea LPC is known for the excellence of its pastoral care and support of students and
personal tutors provide best practice guidance for personal development and training.
Key features
Designed for Law graduates or students holding a Graduate Diploma in Law, the course is
offered on a full and part-time basis and is staffed by a dedicated team of friendly and supportive
professionals. We have dedicated LPC teaching facilities and a practitioner resource room with
full network access to extensive electronic legal practitioner resources. Students at Swansea
also have the advantage of valuable networking opportunities and work experience placements
supported and arranged by the course team.
This course is the compulsory course for those wishing to qualify as a solicitor in England and
Wales. It is taught exclusively by experienced Solicitors and Barristers who bring with them a
wealth of experience from practice.
The full-time course is taught over one year from September to June.
The part–time course is taught over two years from September to June each year.
Students at Swansea are encouraged to adopt a professional attitude, become business
focused and treat the course as a ‘dry-run’ of the first year of their training contract, with the
professional tutors adopting the roles of supervising partners within the firm of Caswell Clyne set
up by the course team. Preparation for practice takes place within a supportive and professional
environment with a key emphasis on the development of business awareness and transferable
skills.
Description
The LPC is taught in two distinct stages. Core subjects (Stage 1) and the elective subjects
(Stage 2).
Stage 1 – Core Subjects Stage 2 – Electives
Students can choose 3 of the following:
• Business Law and Practice • Business Leases
• Property Law and Practice • Family Law & Practice
• Litigation (Criminal & Civil) • Employment Law
• Wills and Administration of Estates • Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Advanced Commercial Law
In addition students will have stand-alone • Advanced Criminal Law
sessions in Professional Conduct & Regulation, • Commercial Dispute Resolution
Solicitors Accounts and Taxation. These subjects
are also taught pervasively throughout the other (It should be noted that not every elective
modules. module listed may be available every year and is
dependent on (amongst other things) at least 6
students electing to take the module)
Legal Practice Course
Course Overview
Course Skills
Legal Practice
FundingCourse
A unique feature of the Swansea LPC is that we deliver a separate skills course in addition
to the skills being delivered pervasively. Students build up a portfolio of skills in the following
areas:
• Advocacy • Drafting • Interviewing & Advising • Writing • Practical Legal Research
Entry Requirements
We welcome students holding the following qualifications:
• A 2:2 or above in a qualifying law degree (as specified by the SRA).
• Students holding a Graduate Diploma in Law.
Tuition Fees
For further information, visit: www.swansea.ac.uk/law/professionalcourses
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships,
bursaries and other funding opportunities, please visit:
www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships
Teaching Methods
Our teaching sessions have been designed to build confidence and essential skills in a friendly,
professional and, ultimately, rewarding environment. We teach in:
Large group sessions - similar to lectures but much more interactive.
Small group sessions - practical and transactional workshops designed to replicate the work
of a trainee solicitor in practice. Trainees effectively act for fictional clients in these sessions in
order to develop the skills and knowledge to deal with real situations that arise in practice.
Assessment Methods
Assessments are through written examinations, written assessments and live skills
assessments (advocacy and interviewing).
Written examinations are held mainly at the end of each stage of the course together with
assessments in skills. They are usually ‘open book’ and students are allowed to take into the
examination books and materials permitted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Mock examinations in Stage 1 help students prepare for final examinations, provide valuable
feedback and build confidence for the real exams.
Careers & Employability
The Swansea LPC has an established work placement programme with a high number of
students securing training contracts and paralegal positions as a result.
Legal Practice Course
Fees and Funding
Legal Practice
FundingCourse
What are the Tuition Fees?
Annual tuition fees for entry in the academic year 2020/21 are as follows:
UK/EU International
PGDip Full Time £11,950 £14,000
PGDip Part Time £5,950 N/A
The tuition fees include all manuals and course materials.
Visit www.swansea.ac.uk/law/professionalcourses for further information on course fees and how to pay or
by contacting the Finance Department on 01792 513057.
Does the School offer any bursaries to students?
Yes! If you meet the eligibility criteria for these bursaries they will automatically be applied on enrolment
and you do not have to apply.
LPC 2020/21
Swansea University LLB Graduates £2,000
Alumni of a Welsh university £1,500
Swansea University GDL alumni £2,000
Part Time Students (2019 Intake) Bursaries available for part time
students will be the same as the full time
equivalent. 50% will be paid in year 1 and
50% will be paid in year 2.
Is there any other financial help available?
Visit www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships to find out about scholarships, bursaries and other
funding opportunities available. The Money Advice & Support Office will also be able to offer guidance
(moneydoctors@swansea.ac.uk or on 01792 606699).
Can LPC fees be paid in instalments?
Yes, You can pay your course fees in full at enrolment.
Or, make three payments in instalments through the year:
Home Students International Students
Full payment at/before enrolment Full payment at/before enrolment
OR Pay in three instalments: OR Pay in three instalments:
33% - Approx. November 50% - At/before enrolment
33% - Approx. February 25% - Approx. February
34% - Approx. May 25% - Approx. May
Legal Practice Course
Fees and Funding
Legal Practice
FundingCourse
Student finance loans (students normally living in England & Wales)
(Information from Gov.uk)
Student finance loans apply to master’s qualifications only. To qualify, students need to apply for the
LLM in Legal Practice & Advanced Drafting (a 1 year full-time course, or 2 year part-time course)
covering the LPC and an additional independent learning module). Students applying for the LPC only
will not be eligible.
Overview
• You may be able to get a Postgraduate loan to help with course fees and living costs.
• You will have to repay your Postgraduate Loan at the same time as any other student loans you
have and you’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.
• You can also get extra support if you have a disability.
Find out more at: www.gov.uk/masters-loan
How to apply
Please see www.gov.uk/student-finance/apply (England) or
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/postgraduate-students (Wales)
Alternative Postgraduate Funding
If you’re not eligible for a postgraduate loan, or would prefer to continue your studies without further
borrowing, there are other funding options to consider.
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online is all about alternative sources of funding -
especially charities - which can make awards (fees, maintenance, research costs) to any student
regardless of subject, or nationality.
It contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance, and tools to help you
prepare a winning grant application. Swansea University has purchased a licence to the Guide, so you
can access it for free.
Email: alternative.funding.guide@swansea.ac.uk and we will send you an email with how to get
access to the Guide.Legal Practice Course
Work Placements
Our LPC work placement scheme runs during reading week (October) and the Easter
break. It is a great opportunity to gain some invaluable work experience as we organise a
range of placements at practices within the South Wales area.
There is also guaranteed work experience for all LPC students within the University’s
Legal Services Department. The Legal Services Department recruits a paralegal or
trainee solicitor from our cohort of LPC students each year.
Why complete a work placement?
Work placements provide:
• Experience of the world of work and an insight into particular careers
• The opportunity to make decisions about the career path you would like to follow
and the chance to understand some of the different career opportunities available
• The chance to develop a range of personal transferable skills
• A strong addition to your CV and relevant experiences to discuss at job interviews
• The chance to network with local professionals and gain advice on career decisions
• A valuable contribution towards your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)
Is there any funding available?
Bursaries are available and are limited to £100 per student per year. For more information
and an online application form, visit: myuni.swansea.ac.uk/employment-zoneLPC Case Studies
George Williams, CMS Legal, Bristol
After graduating with an LLB, LLM and LPC George commenced his
training contract with Machins Solicitors in Luton. The first seat of his
training contract was in the Residential Conveyancing department
followed by a position in the Family department. George is now an
Associate in the Real Estate Transactions team at CMS Legal, based
in Bristol. George says “I am grateful to Swansea University for the
training provided both at undergraduate level and on the LPC as it has
allowed me to hit the ground running in my training contract”
Tom Harris, Trainee, Dolmans Solicitors/Definitive Sports
Management and Representation
After achieving a distinction in his LPC at Swansea, Tom has gone
onto further education in Madrid, Spain. Tom is studying a master’s in
International Sports Law, where he is lectured by lawyers from FIFA,
UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is seen as the
Supreme Court for sports disputes. Tom has secured an internship with
Mark Hovell at Mills and Reeve LLP, a firm which represents top football
clubs such as Manchester City and Everton.
Kelly Thomas, Irwin Mitchell LLP
“My experience at Swansea University has been second to none.
After I completed my law degree I had no hesitation deciding to enrol
onto the Legal Practice Course at Swansea. I was privileged to be
a part of the work placement schemes that are conducted through
the School and highly recommend them to any student wanting to
participate. The teaching and support staff throughout the School are
incredible and I thank them for all of their help and encouragement
throughout my time at Swansea”.
Taibo Wang, Trainee, Zhong Lun Law Firm, London
“Studying on the Legal Practice Course at Swansea University provided
me with the essential training and legal knowledge that I need to
embark on my legal career. But it is more than just a qualification – the
LPC also equipped me with commercial awareness and professional
skills which law firms are looking for these days on top of a good legal
education.”
lpc@swansea.ac.uk | +44 (0)1792 295831
swansea.ac.uk/law/professionalcoursesUpgrade your LPC to an LLM
Upgrade your LPC at Swansea to an LLM in Legal Practice and Advanced Drafting
to gain a professional qualification and an internationally-recognised LLM master’s
qualification*
*Please note that applications for the LLM programme must be made directly to the
Central Applications Board and the upgrade is not by way of transfer from the LPC.
What does it involve?
• An additional independent learning module where you will complete
a 15,000-20,000 word project on a drafting topic of your choice
• You will need to attend three meetings with a supervisor
How much does it cost?
• 2020/21 fees (including LPC fees)
• FT £13,900 for UK/EU students and £18,750 for International students
• PT £6,950 for UK/EU students and £9,350 for International students
For more information - email Michael Draper, LLM Director:
m.j.draper@swansea.ac.ukLegal Practice Course FAQs How do I apply? Full time course Applications are made to the Central Applications Board: www.lawcabs.ac.uk Part time course Applications are made directly to the Postgraduate Admissions Office www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/application-process What are the entry requirements? We welcome applications from students holding the following qualifications: • A 2:2 degree or above in a qualifying law degree as specified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. • Students holding a Graduate Diploma in Law. What are the English language requirements? If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification such as the IELTS test with a score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component), or equivalent. What about fees and funding? Please see our attached fees and funding sheet for more information. When does the course start? The full-time course begins on September 7th and the part-time course starts on September 9th. Who can I contact for further LPC Admissions advice? Please visit www.swansea.ac.uk or email LPC@swansea.ac.uk
Contact Us
Email:
lpc@swansea.ac.uk
Visit:
swansea.ac.uk/law/professionalcourses
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