The skills you'll learn on our Professional Legal Practice LLM
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduced a new pathway to becoming a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. At Surrey, on our new Professional Legal Practice (SQE Pathway) LLM, we'll prepare you for the SQE as well as develop the valuable legal skills you'll need to last your entire legal career.
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) comprises two distinct parts (SQE1 and SQE2), along with a period of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), both of which aspiring solicitors need to complete successfully in order to be deemed competent to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales. This new route was introduced so that every aspiring solicitor meets the same consistent, high standards at the point they become a solicitor.
At Surrey, we intend to navigate these changes by equipping you not only with preparation for the SQE but also with valuable legal skills essential for your entire legal career through our brand new Professional Legal Practice (SQE Pathway) LLM.
The SQE1 consists of a series of multiple-choice tests designed to evaluate proficiency in functioning legal knowledge (FLK) across 12 distinct subject areas. This examination comprises two parts: FLK1 and FLK2, which are administered over two separate days. SQE1 is a single-best-answer multiple-choice test, and some sample questions are available here. The SQE2 evaluates practical legal skills across five key areas through both oral and written assessments.
Surrey’s new LLM programme will provide you with the tools to prepare for the SQE1 exams whilst also introducing you to the practical legal skills upon which the SQE2 assessments will be based.
Our carefully tailored LLM modules are integrated with an online SQE1 learning resource which is embedded within our virtual learning environment, SurreyLearn. This resource contains substantive materials on all SQE1 topics, along with practice questions and mock examinations.
Knowing the value of face-to-learning, the embedded online resources will be complemented by interactive classroom-based workshops, where you will apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios and interact with practising legal professionals. The workshop exercises are designed to help you learn and develop valuable skills such as client interviewing, contract and dispute negotiation, advocacy, legal writing, drafting, and research.
As a LLM student, you will benefit from the strong clinical focus that characterises teaching in the Law School. This includes opportunities during the year-long module on Legal Professional Environment and Regulation which integrate clinical experiences and courtroom observations with academic theories and debate.
You’ll also be able to take advantage of Surrey’s commendable reputation for employability and careers support. Practical law-related employability skills are embedded into the academic curriculum and you’ll have access to award-winning employability services. Our brand new LLM aims to help you not just qualify as a solicitor but to be a better lawyer – right from day one! With our new Professional Legal Practice (SQE Pathway) LLM, it truly is more than a masters!