Prepare with a placement
Placements are a fantastic opportunity for you to put theory into practice. It's a chance to step out of the lecture theatre into a real-world environment to get experience and a sneak peek into your future career.
Typical placement options
10-week placement
You will be required to spend at least three days per week for 10 weeks on your work experience placement in an approved environment. It is open to those studying LLB Law full-time and LLB Law with Business.
Sandwich placement
You will be required to spend at least 36 weeks on your work experience placement extending up to a maximum of one year. It is open to all undergraduate students (LLB Law Sandwich students will automatically be enrolled).
I am on a placement year at a law firm as a Legal Assistant in the Litigation Department. My role enables me to put what I have learnt into practice. Within my first month, I attended court, sat in conferences with Counsel, attended multiple meetings and learnt skills such as document drafting, interacting with clients, and how to take new enquiries. No day is the same, but there is always something new to learn. I encourage anybody thinking of doing a placement to go for it!
Rumbidzai Mavera, LLB (Hons) Law Sandwich
The benefits of a placement
Undertaking a placement can help you stand out to employers by highlighting your competency across many key skills:
- Negotiation
- Drafting
- Reporting and analysis
- Written presentation
- Oral presentation
- Time management
- Communication
- Professionalism in the workplace
- Confidence
Finding a placement
You’ll search and apply for a suitable placement just like any other job. Whether you find your opportunity through MyEmployability or source one independently, your placement is designed to help you gain valuable, hands-on experience in a field that interests you.
Frequently asked questions
Typical tasks that you would be expected to do will depend on your workplace. If you are based at a law firm you may work on active client files, draft witness statements, court forms, instruct barristers, prepare trial bundles and speak and communicate with clients.
Past placement students have gained experience in law firms, in-house legal teams (e.g. in local government), barristers’ chambers and the Court Service.
Students are also encouraged to consider placement opportunities outside of the legal sector, in areas such as human resources, banking and finance. As well as helping you to get 'workplace ready', these opportunities offer valuable insights into the kinds of goals and challenges that businesses seek legal counsel on.
You will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee for the sandwich year. Students can secure funding for this through Student Finance England.
During your placement, you will get support from your supervisor in the workplace as well as an allocated tutor who will visit you during your placement. They will be on hand to answer any queries you may have.
You will have the opportunity to attend a timetabled pre-placement session which will focus on the practical side of the placement search as well as preparing for life during your placement. You will also get help from the Employability Team who will provide support on applications and interviews.
Once your course starts, you will be able to access MyEmployability - where you will find more information, including more information on Sandwich placements.
You can also contact the Employability team if you need any help.
Other opportunities
NLS Legal
Learn more about the opportunities available at NLS Legal, our award-winning teaching law firm right on campus, and the only of its kind in the UK.
Learn about NLS Legal opportunitiesSupport Through Court
Read more about the opportunities available at Support Through Court, a service for people who can’t access legal aid and are facing court alone.
Learn about Support Through Court opportunitiesAll Nottingham Law School students have access to the MyEmployability online portal, offering graduate opportunities, vacancies, career resources, and access to a huge range of employers and organisations, all looking to recruit NTU students and graduates.