Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £12,440 for the course
International/EU: £18,600 for the course -
How long will I study?
1 Year
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2026
Course summary
- Develop core legal skills through live client work in our legal clinics.
- Prepare for SQE assessments with practice-focused modules.
- Work on real legal cases under the supervision of qualified solicitors.
- Choose between practical legal experience or research to suit your career goals.
- Enhance your employability with hands-on experience in diverse legal practice areas.
The LLM Legal Practice Development (SQE Preparation) course offers a dynamic blend of academic learning and real-world legal experience, supporting your journey towards qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. Our practice-focused modules are designed to reflect the expectations of legal employers and the structure of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Throughout the course, you'll integrate legal theory with practical application, developing the skills required for effective legal practice. Our tutors are experienced legal professionals and academics who bring real-world insight into the classroom.
You’ll then be able to work under supervision in legal clinics or complete a dissertation in a specialist area. You’ll develop the core legal skills you need to thrive in legal practice, while tailoring your learning to your professional goals.
You learn through:
- lectures and seminars led by legal experts
- practical workshops and tutorials
- online learning platforms and digital resources
- supervised work in legal clinics
- independent study and research
You’ll attend on-campus sessions one day per week and join live online lectures via Microsoft Teams on another day. Lecture recordings will be available to support flexibility around your working commitments or day release from law firms.
Your learning will be assessed in ways designed to mirror professional legal tasks. These include written assignments, practical exercises and exams – all aligned to build and demonstrate your competence in legal research, drafting, advocacy, client interviewing and ethical decision-making.
Key Themes
You’ll focus on legal research and writing, developing strong communication and analytical skills that are essential for legal practice. You’ll refine your advocacy and client interviewing techniques in preparation for real-world legal scenarios. We also embed ethical and professional conduct throughout the course, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the responsibilities of the profession. All learning is aligned to SQE expectations, giving you a head start as you progress towards qualification.
In the first two trimesters you’ll study practical topics such as advocacy, drafting, legal reasoning, interviewing, legal writing and research. These modules are designed to reflect the demands of SQE2 and the core competencies you’ll need for legal practice.
In your final trimester, you’ll choose between work experience or a dissertation, depending on your career goals.You can apply your learning in work experience through live client cases – in areas such as civil, commercial, criminal and family law in our Hallam Legal Advice Centre. This hands-on experience, supported by experienced legal professionals, may contribute to your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).
Or if you already have a training contract or QWE secured, you can deepen your legal expertise through a research project on a topic of your choice, supported by academic supervision.
Course-Level Support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to dedicated academic advisers for personal and professional development
- support from our Skills Centre, offering one-to-one sessions, workshops and online resources
- opportunities for formative assessments to prepare for summative evaluations
Applied learning
Work Placements
You’ll have the opportunity to work on real cases within our Hallam Legal Advice Centre and Justice Hubs, under the supervision of qualified solicitors. This experience allows you to apply your learning in practical settings, developing skills in client interaction, legal research and case management.
Live Projects
You’ll engage in live legal projects that address genuine legal issues. These give you the chance to collaborate with professionals and contribute to meaningful client outcomes – building your confidence and capability in practice.
Networking Opportunities
You’ll take part in guest lectures and workshops with legal professionals, providing valuable insights into various career paths, and helping you build professional networks within the legal sector.
Competitions
Training in mooting is available through the Law and Advocacy Society, and you’ll have opportunities to take part in both internal and external mooting competitions.
Our students also regularly take part in national negotiation and client interviewing competitions, with support and guidance from academic staff.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module Aim: This module develops the oral and written skills required for professional legal practice, with a focus on advocacy, legal drafting and case and matter analysis. Students will apply these skills in a range of legal contexts, enabling them to present legal arguments effectively and produce structured, outcome-focused legal documents that reflect professional standards.
Module Content: Students will develop and practise core professional skills necessary for solicitors, including oral and written skills, through practical exercises and contextual legal applications.
Skills developed include:
- Oral skills: advocacy
- Written skills: applied written legal skills, with a focus on legal drafting and case and matter analysis
These skills will be taught and practised within the context of key areas of professional legal practice, such as:
- Civil and criminal litigation
- Business law and practice
- Wills, probate and trusts
The module focuses on the development of skills required for effective professional legal work, through practical application in authentic scenarios. Ethical and professional considerations are embedded across all elements of the skills development.
Module Aim: This module develops the oral and written skills required for professional legal practice, with a focus on interviewing, legal research and legal writing. Students will apply these skills in a range of legal contexts, enabling them to present legal arguments effectively and produce structured, outcome-focused legal documents that reflect professional standards.
Module Content: Students will develop and practise core professional skills necessary for solicitors, including oral and written skills, through practical exercises and contextual legal applications.
Skills developed include:
- Oral skills: interviewing (including legal analysis and attendance note taking)
- Written skills: applied written legal skills, with a focus on legal research and legal writing
These skills will be taught and practised within the context of key areas of professional legal practice, such as:
- Civil and criminal litigation
- Business law and practice
- Wills, probate and trusts
The module focuses on the development of skills required for effective professional legal work, through practical application in authentic scenarios. Ethical and professional considerations are embedded across all elements of the skills development.
Elective modules
Module Aim:
The module aims to provide students with a range of transferable skills and knowledge for ethical legal professional practice and legal research.
Delivery:
Core content of this module will be delivered through workshops and practical on-site legal practice related activities through our on-campus legal advice centre and justice hubs.
Indicative content:
The module will be a detailed engagement with the principles of legal practice and will include:
Analysis of ethical legal professional practice
Development of specific solutions to facilitate successful legal professional practice
Evaluate legal research; assessing; writing and presenting research findings
Legal professional practice skills of drafting; writing; advocacy; negotiation; interviewing and dispute resolution
Critical reflective practitioner skills
Module Aim:
This module offers students the opportunity to conduct independent research on a chosen law topic. Students will be expected to undertake a thorough literature review, critically analyse relevant legal frameworks and theories, and apply appropriate research methodologies to gather and analyse data.
The module aims to develop students' research and analytical skills, as well as their ability to communicate their findings effectively. Students will receive guidance and support from their academic supervisors throughout the process and will be expected to produce a high-quality dissertation.
The module encourages students to develop expertise in a particular area of law through independent research.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a legal professional – specifically supporting progression towards qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales.
You could go on to work in:
- private legal practice
- in-house legal teams
- public sector or government legal roles
- legal charities and access to justice organisations
- regulatory, compliance or advisory roles in business
Equipment and facilities
This course prepares you for a career as a legal professional – specifically supporting progression towards qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales.
You could go on to work in:
- private legal practice
- in-house legal teams
- public sector or government legal roles
- legal charities and access to justice organisations
- regulatory, compliance or advisory roles in business
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
A 2.2 or above in a UK undergraduate degree in law or a degree in any subject plus a Graduate Diploma in Law/Common Professional Examination. We will also consider applicants with a degree in any subject plus a minimum of three years relevant professional legal experience, who may be accepted following interview. If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in both reading and writing and 5.5 in all other skills, or equivalent.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £12,440 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2026/27 is £18,600 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice (PDF, 269KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
