SQE 1 Preparation Course PGDip
- Level(s) of Study: Professional
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: 6 months Full-time / 12 months Distance learning
- Study Mode(s): Distance learning / Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
-
Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
-
100% of NTU's research submitted to the Law Unit of Assessment was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of research impact (REF 2021).
Why choose this course?
Passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) 1 is the first step in your route to qualifying as a solicitor, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice is designed to prepare you for this.
You should choose this course if you want a course that only prepares you for SQE 1.
- All our SQE preparation courses carry awards and are taught at Masters level.
- This course provides you with everything you need to have the best opportunity to pass SQE whilst also developing the professional skills that really matter to employers.
- You will be taught by our outstanding teaching team, all of whom are experienced legal professionals who will provide you with excellent and personalised teaching in a dynamic and interactive teaching environment.
- Our tutors will work with you to develop your essential legal skills whilst also preparing you for an assessment in which you will draw on your existing substantive legal knowledge and learn how to blend it with procedure to solve practical legal problems.
- Opportunities for further practice and test the legal skills you are acquiring through mooting, negotiation, interviewing competitions to enhance your CV.
- The option of full-time or distance learning study modes gives you the flexibility to earn while you learn and work alongside your studies.
- If you start on this course and subsequently decide you want to do a Masters qualification, either with SQE 2 preparation or just SQE 1 preparation, then you have the option to transfer to the LLM Professional Legal Practice: SQE 1 Preparation Course or the LLM Advanced Professional Legal Practice: SQE 1 and SQE 2 Preparation Course (with appropriate fee adjustments).
If you are not sure this is the right course for you, email us and one of our expert tutors will get in touch with you.
Find out more about our other SQE preparation courses.
Why study at Nottingham Law School?
- We offer a multi-award-winning pro bono programme, including NLS Legal for the local community.
- You will be taught in small groups by supportive teaching staff.
- We offer excellent career support, through our dedicated Employability team.
- Every student will take part in career enhancing opportunities during the course
- All our staff are experienced lawyers and you will benefit from their practical knowledge. Also, you will benefit from our visiting lecturers.
- You will have a dedicated personal tutor. We get to know our students and support and encourage you in both your studies and in your employment applications at the start of your legal career.
- Studying with Nottingham Law School means that you have all the facilities a large Law School can offer plus the advantages of studying within a university environment which offers an outstanding library, IT, support, sports, language and student union services.
- NTU is 3rd for number of PGT students studying Law (Latest HESA data 2021/22)
What you’ll study
You will study the six subject areas which constitute SQE 1’s Functioning Legal Knowledge Assessments, integrating substantive law with procedural law and ethics.
Prior to enrolling on the course, you will receive revision materials containing key principles of law applicable to the practice areas to be studied in this course and to be tested in SQE 1. These are the key principles that you have already studied in your law degree or other equivalent recognised course. These materials are intended to help you revise these principles. Whilst there is no face to face teaching of these key principles of law, you will be required to test your knowledge and understanding of them throughout the course by undertaking a number of MCQs and to build upon this using the resources provided.
As this course is at level 7, the course is designed to build upon the knowledge and understanding of the law and skills that have been gained at undergraduate level. This is achieved through the use of realistic case studies relating to the law and procedure in the context of Dispute Resolution, Property Law and Practice, Business Law and Practice, Criminal Law and Practice and Wills and the Administration of Estates and Trusts.
- Principles of Professional Conduct, Public and Administrative Law and Solicitors’ Accounts and the Legal Systems of England and Wales;
- Dispute Resolution in Contract and Tort;
- Business Law and Practice;
- Wills and the Administration of Estates and Trusts;
- Criminal Law and Practice;
- Property Practice
How you’re taught
All teaching will be on campus with face to face teaching; there is no option to attend seminars and workshops online.
The course and curriculum are designed to ensure a progressive and integrated approach to the acquisition of knowledge and skills, to enable you to undertake the SQE1 SRA centralised assessment.
The SQE 1 preparation modules are delivered through an initial series of lectures in each subject area to enable a student to develop relevant basic knowledge and understanding in each of the module areas. The lectures act as a stimulus to encourage involvement in the relevant knowledge and understanding and to develop independent learning skills.
You will also participate in regular two hour-long weekly workshops that are linked to the lectures which build on students’ prior knowledge and understanding of the law in a practical context. These workshops do not repeat the content covered in the lectures but provide an opportunity to test knowledge and understanding and to develop skills through student focussed debate and discussion, problem-solving, reasoned application of the relevant law, and analysis, synthesis and evaluation of each individual’s own learning. Workshops require independent planning, research and reflection and facilitate the development of communication skills. Tutor feedback provided in these workshops then provides a platform for consolidation, continued progress and improvement.
E-learning activities will be fully integrated and are designed to encourage interaction with learning, further improve independent learning skills and to provide opportunities to confirm understanding. In particular, students will be given a considerable number of formative assessments based on Multiple Choice Questions at the beginning and throughout the course.
As the programme progresses, you will be expected to demonstrate greater independence in your planning, preparation, research and reflection to exhibit increased autonomy in your learning and develop the ability to self-assess performance and respond incrementally to feedback provided.
Weekend commitments for distance learning students
All teaching will be on campus with face to face teaching on each teaching weekend; there is no option to attend seminars and workshops online.
For students studying the distance learning version of the course, seminars will take place over five weekends. Innovative and engaging learning resources are provided between the teaching weekends.
Careers and employability
We have a dedicated Employability team who will support you in your search for Qualifying Work Experience and other opportunities.
At Nottingham Law School we don't view our courses in isolation. We ensure we provide the support required to give you the best possible start to your legal career:
- Our Employability team provide seminars with advice about applications and interview techniques.
- We will review your applications and formulate individual career plans. We also provide a practical interview preparation service.
- We provide a mentoring scheme with trainees from local law firms to provide support and guidance and a personal view of what to expect from life in the profession.
- Employability and commercial awareness are given appropriate focus, which provides a true bridge into practice.
- We maintain regular contact with firms specialising in all areas of law.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
Students who enrol on this course will normally be required to have a 2:2 from their law degree or have acquired the equivalent knowledge of the key principles of law through a recognised course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact Nottingham Law School.
Students who enrol on this course will normally be required to have a 2:2 from their law degree or have acquired the equivalent knowledge of the key principles of law through a recognised course.
English language requirements
For students whose first language is not English there is currently a requirement that they have IELTS academic test grade of 6.5 with minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact Nottingham Law School.
Fees and funding
Home fees for 2023 entry (2024 fees to be confirmed)
| Study mode | Home fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time (6 months) | £4,700 |
| Distance learning (12 months) | £4,700 |
Discounts available for 2023 entry (2024 discounts to be confirmed)
| Postgraduate Taught Award Discount | £425 |
| Professional Courses Alumni Discount | £425 |
| University of Nottingham / Lincoln fee discount | £300 |
Discounts are applicable to applications for 2023 entry only. More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the NLS funding page.
Scholarships available
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Nottingham Law School is also delighted to offer a number of competitive professional courses scholarships that are worth up to half the value of your tuition fee:
- Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence – for students who can demonstrate a commitment to and achievement of excellence in their academic background and in other areas such as work and personal life.
- Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement – for students who have overcome significant challenges in their social, personal or educational lives.
More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarships page.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
International / EU fees for 2023 entry (2024 fees to be confirmed)
| Study mode | International / EU fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time (6 months) | £4,700 |
| Distance learning (12 months) | £4,700 |
Discounts available (2024 discounts to be confirmed)
| Postgraduate Taught Award Discount | £425 |
| Professional Courses Alumni Discount | £425 |
| University of Nottingham / Lincoln fee discount | £300 |
Discounts are applicable to applications for 2023 entry only. More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the NLS funding page.
Scholarships available
We offer prestigious scholarships to new international students holding offers to study on eligible courses at the University.
Nottingham Law School is also delighted to offer a number of competitive professional courses scholarships that are worth up to half the value of your tuition fee:
- Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Academic Excellence – for students who can demonstrate a commitment to and achievement of excellence in their academic background and in other areas such as work and personal life.
- Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement – for students who have overcome significant challenges in their social, personal or educational lives.
More details, including terms and conditions, can be found on the Nottingham Law School’s Professional Courses Scholarships page.
For information on how to pay your fees to the University please visit our international fee payment page.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
How to apply
Applications for this course are made online via the Central Applications Board. For further information on application you can also contact the Central Applications Board at: applications@lawcabs.ac.uk
Application closing date
Please note this course can reach its maximum capacity prior to the course start date, which will result in early closure. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide. Here you’ll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact our Admissions Team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Good luck with your application!
Applications for this course are made online via the Central Applications Board. For further information on application you can also contact the Central Applications Board at: applications@lawcabs.ac.uk
For advice on applying for a visa please visit our visa information page
For advice on how to write a good personal statement please visit our personal statement page.
Application closing date
Please note this course can reach its maximum capacity prior to the course start date, which will result in early closure. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.