PDF Students Programme-Demands LPC-MSC-LLM PT

Legal Practice Course (LPC) – Postgraduate Diploma in
Professional Legal Practice

LPC MSc Law Business and Management
LPC LLM Professional Legal Practice
Part-time Study from September 2020
Programme Demands Document
V1.0 – 3 February 2020

Legal Practice Course, LPC MSc & LPC LLM
Part-time Sept 2020 and Jan 2021 Programme Demands Document
Introduction
This document is produced by The University of Law for the information of prospective students. It
explains the demands of the course in order that applicants with disability support requirements can
assess their ability to undertake the course. Detailed questions about the extent of adjustments which
may be made should be addressed to the Disability Support and Inclusion Service. This document may
be made available to medical practitioners who may be asked to provide a professional judgement on
the ability of an applicant to complete the course.
The information included is an indicative guide for the part-time attendance course commencing in
September 2020 only, and the part-time online course commencing in September 2020 and January
2021. Students who enrol on the course will be subject to the course regulations in force at that time.
Details of the Legal Practice Course, LPC MSc in Law, Business and Management and LPC LL.M in
Professional Legal Practice including subject coverage and the learning environment can be found on
the University website.
Please note that students successfully completing the LPC requirements may elect for the award of a
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. Alternatively they may elect for the award of (a)
MSc in Law, Business & Management if, in addition to the LPC, they successfully complete the Law
and Business module and Case-study Project; or (b) the award of LL.M in Professional Legal Practice
if, in addition to the LPC, they successfully complete either the Law and Business module or a fourth
elective, along with a Professional Practice Research Report.
This document covers Stages 1 and 2 of the Legal Practice Course along with the additional
requirements for the MSc and LL.M awards.
Modes of Study
The part-time programmes can be studied over 22 months either by attendance on a Part-time Day,
Part-time Evening or Weekend programme, or online.
The part-time attendance programme is studied with timetabled classes, timetabled over 1 day per
week for part-time day students, 2 evenings a week for evening students, and over a 2 day study
weekend every 2 or 3 weeks for weekend students.
The part-time online programme has timetabled units with typically 2 units to complete per week.
Page 2 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Study Locations for attendance students
Programme
Birmingham
Bloomsbury
Manchester
Nottingham
Moorgate
Legal Practice Course
Liverpool
Reading
Norwich
Guilford
Chester
London
London
Exeter
Bristol
Leeds
LPC MSc in Law, Business
and Management
LPC LL.M in Professional
Legal Practice
Part-time day            
Part-time evening         
Part-time weekend         
Summary of Key Learning Outcomes
Development of the legal knowledge and skills required to commence legal practice.
Preliminary Knowledge and Skills
The Solicitors Regulation Authority expects students starting the LPC to have a basic knowledge of
Contract, Tort, Land Law, Equity and Trusts, Public Law, Criminal Law, the structure of the court
system, remedies, offences, causes of action and defences, property interests and EU law. It is
also assumed that students should be able to:
• Listen effectively
• Engage in oral discussion in a clear and concise fashion
• Record or summarise a discussion in clear and concise notes
• Write clearly and precisely with attention to grammar, structure, style, organisation,
bibliographies and citations
• Work co-operatively with others in small groups
• Extract, analyse and apply up to date law from primary sources, including case reports, primary
and delegated legislation.
All variants of the LPC are taught at master’s level, including the postgraduate diploma. The LLM and
MSc programmes are consistent with the QAA’s Category 3: professional or practice master’s degrees.
As such, “all master's degree graduates have in-depth and advanced knowledge and understanding of
their subject and/or profession, informed by current practice, scholarship and research. This will include
a critical awareness of current issues and developments in the subject and/or profession; critical skills;
knowledge of professional responsibility, integrity and ethics; and the ability to reflect on their own
progress as a learner.” QAA Characteristics Statement, Master’s Degree, September 2015, page 3.
A sufficient command of English to follow the course to a successful conclusion (overall band score of
6.5 with no component below 6.0.in the IELTS test).

Disability Support Agreements
The University has a dedicated Disability Support and Inclusion Service to assist students in accessing
the programme. To utilise the Disability Support and Inclusion Service medical evidence ideally should
be provided prior to starting to ensure adjustments are put in place promptly. On receipt of the medical
evidence the Disability Support and Inclusion Service will create an individual Disability Support
Agreement detailing the course and exam adjustments. These are then communicated to tutors and
assessments officers to implement the adjustments.
The University is able to provide diagnostic assessments with an Educational Psychologist for students
suspecting a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) for example: Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, and
Dyscalculia. The student will incur a small contribution fee of £75. Once completed the Disability Support
and Inclusion Service can put in place a Disability Support Agreement detailing the relevant adjustments
to the course and assessments.
We provide Skills4Study Campus access via our interactive learning environment, ELITE, this service is
available for all students. We are not, at this time, offering one-to-one SpLD specific tutoring. However
Disabled Student Allowance funding should be sought if a Specialist Study Skills Tutor is required. The
Disability Support and Inclusion Service can advise you on how to obtain DSA, we recommend you
apply as soon as possible. If you are eligible you can apply for Disabled Student’s Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas.
For more information please visit our the disability micro-site http://www.law.ac.uk/disabilitysupport-
service/ or contact disabilitysupportservice@law.ac.uk
Pre-Course Demands
All of the part-time courses require some compulsory preparation prior to commencement of the course
(i.e. prior to induction day) as there are 3 workshops during the induction week for day and evening
students (In contrast to the usual two workshops) and 5 workshops and induction for weekend students.
Online students need to prepare 3 units. The pre-course preparation will take between 20 – 30 hours. The
course materials are made available on the VLE four weeks prior to induction. Students may also wish to
refresh their knowledge of the law, and multiple choice tests to assist with this are provided on the VLE a
month before induction.
Learning Environment – Attendance Mode
 7 modules required by the SRA (4 core areas plus 3 electives), plus 2 additional modules studied by
those wanting a master’s award.
 Students start off studying 2 modules. Master’s students continue studying 2 modules at a time
throughout the course, whereas postgraduate diploma students have a period in year 1 when they
only study 1 module.

 Preparation for workshop sessions of up to 14.5 hours per week, including research writing, drafting
and preparation of advice. This can also include lecture content and other media which is recorded
and available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (‘VLE’).
 Engagement in workshop sessions of up to 24 students, facilitated by a tutor, two hours in length.
 Occasional live lecture sessions, including interactivity, of up to 180 students, one hour in length.
 Consolidation of up to 2 hours following each workshop.
 Test and Feedback exercises are available as part of your preparation and/or consolidation via the VLE.
Students are expected to participate fully in all workshop activities and lectures and carry out independent
learning and preparation as directed.
Learning Environment – Online Mode
 7 modules required by the SRA (4 core areas plus 3 electives), plus 2 additional modules studied by
those wanting a master’s award.
 Students start off studying 2 modules. Master’s students continue studying 2 modules at a time
throughout the course, whereas postgraduate diploma students have a period in year 1 when they
only study 1 module.
 The Online learning environment is predominately asynchronous, meaning that students will study in
their own time to a series of deadlines that correspond to the weeks in which parallel events occur on
the attendance course.
 There are occasional real-time online tutor sessions (equivalent to the occasional live lecture sessions
for the attendance version); however the majority of the learning is through online tools and reading.
 The Units are delivered on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (‘VLE’) and in a staged
format – Prepare (including automated feedback on any preparatory task for the Unit); Engage
(which will involve a variety of learning tools, including working with other students online to produce
documentation) and Consolidate, containing important supplementary exercises. All stages can and
will include reading and online tutorial content (not live; staged structures) and other media which is
recorded and available on the VLE.
 Occasional live lecture sessions, including interactivity, of up to 180 students, one hour in length.
 Test and Feedback exercises are available as part of the preparation and/or consolidation via the VLE.
Students are expected to participate fully in all Engage activities and carry out independent learning and
preparation as directed.

Attendance requirements
Part-time Day – 22 months

 The programme runs from mid-September 2020 to June 2022 (Note: if doing the LPC MSc or
LPC LLM, assessments will continue into July 2022)
 Stage 1 of the LPC, which consists of the core modules, runs from September to March each
year. Stage 2, which consists of electives, runs from March to June
 You must attend at the relevant University campus one day per week in teaching weeks, and for
your scheduled examinations / assessments in exam weeks. Note that exams and assessments
will require attendance on additional weekdays to your normal day in campus, and may
occasionally occur on a Saturday. Attendance is not required during holiday or revision weeks.
 The average student day consists of two workshops
 In a standard week you will have two workshops
 In induction week you will need to attend for two days, rather than the usual one
 Students will, from time to time, have additional sessions such as lectures and skills practices
which will not normally exceed one hour
 Attendance at all workshops is compulsory.
The indicative week for the Part-time Day programme, over 22 months is as follows:
Learning format Hours

Independent learning and preparation for Workshops and 17.5
consolidation following workshops
Test and Feedback Exercises 1

Workshop sessions 4
Total 22.5
Part-time Evening – 22 months

 You must attend at the relevant University campus two evenings per week in teaching weeks,
and for your scheduled examinations / assessments in exam weeks. Note that exams and
assessments will require attendance during the day on weekdays and Saturdays. Attendance is
not required during holiday or revision weeks.
 The average study evening consists of one workshop

 In a standard week you will have two workshops

 Induction week will require some daytime attendance in addition to your usual evenings
The indicative week for the Part-time Evening programme, over 22 months is as follows:

Independent learning and preparation for Workshops and 17.5

Workshop sessions 4
Total 22.5
Part-time Weekend – 22 months

 You must attend at the relevant University campus for approximately 13 study weekends each
year, and for your scheduled examinations / assessments in exam weeks. Note that exams and
assessments will require attendance during the day on weekdays and Saturdays. Attendance is
not required during holiday or revision weeks.
 The average study weekend runs from 0900 to 1730 on Saturday and Sunday. There are two
weekends (including induction) which also require attendance on a Friday
 In a standard study weekend you will have four workshops. There are occasional weekends with
five workshops

For a standard study weekend, it is anticipated that you would, on average, spend approximately 45
hours preparing and attending, broken down as follows:

Independent learning and preparation for Workshops and 35

Workshop sessions 8
Total 45
Study weekends take place every two to three weeks. This table shows the amount of work
required for the average weekend, including preparation, attendance and consolidation
Part-time Online – September Start

 If any physical attendance is required of Online students for learning, notice will be given and
support arrangements made for those still unable to attend. The course delivery is Online and
intended to be Online and therefore any attendance requirement for learning will be rare if
required at all.
 Online students may attend, if they wish, for Employability events and Library access although
there is no obligation to do so.
 Online involvement in all “Engage” tasks is compulsory.
 Physical attendance at invigilated examinations and assessments is compulsory.
Part-time Online - January Start

 The programme runs from early January 2021 to mid-October 2023 (Note: if doing the LPC MSc
or LPC LLM, assessments will continue until early November 2023).
 Stage 1 of the LPC, which consists of the core modules, runs from January to July each year.
Stage 2, which consists of electives, runs from July to October
 If any physical attendance is required of Online students for learning, notice will be given and
support arrangements made for those still unable to attend. The course delivery is Online and
intended to be Online and therefore any attendance requirement for learning will be rare if
required at all.

 Online students may attend, if they wish, for Employability events and Library access although
there is no obligation to do so.
 Online involvement in all “Engage” tasks is compulsory.
 Physical attendance at invigilated examinations and assessments is compulsory.
The indicative week on the online programme is as follows:

Independent learning and preparation for, and consolidation 19.5
following, Engage activities
Engage activities (asynchronous, to weekly deadlines) 2
Total 22.5
Assessment Demands
A summary of the assessment schedule for this programme is explained below.

If appropriate medical evidence is accepted, we may be able to re-schedule assessments to avoid more
than one on any one day. As part of the University’s commitment to an inclusive learning environment,
we anticipate the needs of our students and design the coursework tasks to have sufficient time for most
students, this includes students with SpLDs. A SpLD is generally not considered a sole justification for
granting coursework extensions and coursework extensions are only granted in exceptional, evidenced
circumstances.
The University operates a fit to sit policy, which means that students who attend an assessment are
deeming themselves to be fit to sit that assessment. It is therefore not possible to submit a concession
application for impaired performance for an assessment that has been sat, unless there was a
procedural defect in the conduct of the assessment.
Assessment Adjustments
The Disability Support and Inclusion Service can offer a range of adjustments on a case by case basis.
The following adjustments are not normally made but can be considered in exceptional, evidenced
circumstances which is assessed via the Disability Advisory Group.
 Replacing examinations taken under supervised conditions with takeaway assessments /
courseworks;
 Splitting examinations into shorter units such that a different paper is taken from the rest of the
cohort.
 Changing closed book to open book exams

If you have any queries regarding support or adjustments whilst studying at the University of Law please
contact the Disability Support and Inclusion Service on disabilitysupportservice@law.ac.uk or
01483216657
Time limits
Irrespective of any adjustments made, in order successfully to complete the LPC, LPC MSc and LPC
LLM, all students are required under the regulations to pass all elements of the course within 5 years
of the date of the first assessment.

Summary of Assessment Demands
The following tables provide an indication of the duration, style, timing and number of assessments.
Part-time courses starting in September 2020 (attendance and online) and January 2021 (online)
Informal Assessments (formative assessment)

There are a number of formative assessments which ensure that students can get meaningful feedback
ahead of their summative assessments. There are half length mock exams for the core practice areas (a
total of 2 hours per subject) which are completed at home in week 5 of the module. In addition, students
complete a practice legal writing exercise in the first 3 weeks of the course, and have 45 minute practice
assessments for the oral skills of interviewing and advocacy.
Formal Assessments (summative assessments):

There is a range of different assessment methods. The tables below cover exams, coursework and oral
assessments.
LPC (Postgraduate Diploma in Professional legal Practice
Year One:
Examinations Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

duration of intake Intake
assessments
 Business Law and Closed-book Early March, as part of Late June/ early July,
Practice examination made up a two week period of as part of a two week
of Multiple Choice assessments. (N.B. for period of assessments.
Questions - 1 hour each subject, both (N.B. for each subject,
Plus examinations are both examinations are
Open-book usually scheduled to usually scheduled to
examination made up take place on the same take place on the same
of written questions day). day).
based on short case
study scenarios – 3
hours
 Wills and Open-book Mid-December/early Mid-April, as part of a

Administration of examination of Multiple January, as part of a one week period of
Estates Choice Questions two week period of assessments
assessments
1 hour


assessments
 Elective Open-book Mid-June, as part of a Late Sept/early Oct, as

examination including two week assessment part of a two week
Multiple Choice period assessment period
Questions and written
questions based on
short case study
scenarios
3 hours
Take Away Timed Number, Style and Timing – September Timing –January
Assessment Duration intake Intake
 Practical Legal Take away Late October / March alongside

Research assessment done over November alongside teaching
two weeks teaching
Estimated time to
complete : 6 - 8 hours
 Legal Writing 24 hour real time take March – part of a two June – part of a two
away assessment week assessment week assessment
period period
Estimated time to

Oral Assessments Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

assessments
 Interviewing and Closed book 30 Mid-December/ early Late March /early-April

Advising minute oral January during a two during a one week
assessment week assessment assessment period
period.
Year Two:

assessments
 Real Estate Closed-book March, as part of a two Late June/ early July, as
 Dispute Resolution examination made up week period of part of a two week
of Multiple Choice assessments period of assessments.
Questions - 1 hour.
(N.B. the two (N.B. for each subject,
Plus examinations for each both examinations are
Open-book subject are usually usually scheduled to
examination made scheduled to take place take place on the same
up of written on the same day). day).
questions based on
short case study
scenarios – 3 hours
 Professional Open-book examination March, as part of a two Late June/ early July, as
Conduct and of Multiple Choice week period of part of a two week
Regulation Questions assessments period of assessments
2 hours
 Solicitors’ Accounts Closed-book Mid-December/early Mid-April, as part of a

examination, including January, as part of a one week period of
Multiple Choice two week period of assessments.
Questions assessments.
2 hours


assessments
 Electives Open-book Mid-June, as part of a Late Sept/early Oct, as

examination including two week assessment part of a two week
Multiple Choice period assessment period
Questions and written
questions based on
short case study
scenarios
3 hours
Take-Away Timed Number and Duration Timing – September Timing –January Intake
Assessments intake
 Drafting 24 hour real time take March – part of a two Late June/ early July, as
away assessment week assessment part of a two week period
Estimated time to period of assessments
Oral Assessments Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

assessments
 Advocacy Closed book 30 Feb/March as part of a Late June/ early July,

minute oral three week as part of a three
assessment for two assessment period week period of
students. assessments
Advocacy is assessed
by way of a contested
two party hearing with
a student representing
each party.

Additional assessments for master’s students
MSc in Law, Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

Business and duration of intake Intake
Management assessments
 Law and Business 3000 word takeaway Assessment made Assessment made
(taught module) assessment available in mid-March available in mid-July
completed over of year 1, handed in in of year 1, handed in in
approximately 5 weeks late April of year 1 late August
 Case study report 3000 word research Students can write Students can write
(research module) report their report throughout their report throughout
plus year 2. Report and year 2. Report and
500 word reflective reflective statement reflective statement
statement submitted at end of submitted at end of
plus exams in June of year exams in October of
20 minute oral 2 year 2
assessment Oral assessment Oral assessment
during June / July in during October /
the 3 weeks following November in the 3
submission weeks following
submission
LLM in Professional Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

Legal Practice duration of intake Intake
assessments
EITHER
 Law and Business 3000 word takeaway Assessment made Assessment made
(taught module) assessment available in mid-March available in mid-July
completed over of year 1, handed in in of year 1, handed in in
approximately 5 weeks late April of year 1 late August
Assessment made
available in mid-March
of year 1, handed in in
late April of year 1

LLM in Professional Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

Legal Practice duration of intake Intake
assessments
OR Open-book
examination including Mid-June, as part of a Late Sept/early Oct, as
 Additional Elective Multiple Choice three week assessment part of a three week
Subject Questions and written period assessment period
questions based on
short case study
scenarios
3 hours
June of year 1, as part

of a two week period of
assessments
 Professional 3000 word research Students can write Students can write
Practice Research report their report throughout their report throughout
Report plus year 2. Report and year 2. Report and
(research module) 500 word reflective reflective statement reflective statement
statement submitted at end of submitted at end of
plus exams in June of year exams in October of
20 minute oral 2 year 2
assessment Oral assessment Oral assessment
during June / July in during October /
Students can write the 3 weeks following November in the 3
their report throughout submission weeks following
year 2. Report and submission
reflective statement
submitted at end of
exams in June of year
2
Oral assessment
during June / July in
the 3 weeks following
submission

Number of Assessments across both years
PgDip students
12 x examinations
3 x coursework
2 x oral assessments
MSc students
12 x examinations
5 x coursework
LLM students
12 x examinations (13 if choose a 4th elective)
4 x coursework (5 if choose Law and Business)
Potential Resit Assessments:
Resit Assessments Number, style and duration of assessments

(if required)
Students may elect All resits will generally be in the form of the original assessment,
which, if any, resit but the University reserves the right to transfer resit students
assessments they onto the assessment method used by current students when
undertake at each changes are made.
assessment period so
long as all are
successfully completed
within 5 years from the
date of the first
assessment undertaken
on the course.

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Legal Practice Course (LPC) – Postgraduate Diploma in

Professional Legal Practice

Part-time Study from September 2020

Programme Demands Document

V1.0 – 3 February 2020

Page 2 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Study Locations for attendance students

Summary of Key Learning Outcomes

Preliminary Knowledge and Skills

Page 3 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Disability Support Agreements

Learning Environment – Attendance Mode

Page 4 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Learning Environment – Online Mode

Page 5 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Part-time Day – 22 months

Learning format Hours

Test and Feedback Exercises 1

Part-time Evening – 22 months

Page 6 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

 In a standard week you will have two workshops

Learning format Hours

Test and Feedback Exercises 1

Part-time Weekend – 22 months

Page 7 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Learning format Hours

Test and Feedback Exercises 2

Part-time Online – September Start

Part-time Online - January Start

Page 8 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

The indicative week on the online programme is as follows:

Learning format Hours

A summary of the assessment schedule for this programme is explained below.

Page 9 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Page 10 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Summary of Assessment Demands

Informal Assessments (formative assessment)

Formal Assessments (summative assessments):

LPC (Postgraduate Diploma in Professional legal Practice

Examinations Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Wills and Open-book Mid-December/early Mid-April, as part of a

Page 11 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Examinations Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Elective Open-book Mid-June, as part of a Late Sept/early Oct, as

 Practical Legal Take away Late October / March alongside

Page 12 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Oral Assessments Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Interviewing and Closed book 30 Mid-December/ early Late March /early-April

Examinations Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Solicitors’ Accounts Closed-book Mid-December/early Mid-April, as part of a

Page 13 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Examinations Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Electives Open-book Mid-June, as part of a Late Sept/early Oct, as

Oral Assessments Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

 Advocacy Closed book 30 Feb/March as part of a Late June/ early July,

Page 14 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

Additional assessments for master’s students

MSc in Law, Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

LLM in Professional Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

Page 15 of 17 © The University of Law 2020

LLM in Professional Number, style and Timing – September Timing –January

June of year 1, as part

Page 16 of 17 © The University of Law 2020