Information for new students

NLS has a vibrant and inclusive research culture with many members of staff involved in writing books, journal articles and conference presentations.

We have staff members who are leading researchers in their fields and who have global links and excellent contacts within the legal sector.

Research by members of the Law School has impact beyond the University, having been cited by courts, government bodies and NGOs. Staff have provided expert advice to governmental, legislative, regulatory and other organisations both nationally and internationally.

The main research activities are organised by our research centres and groups, which enable staff with similar research interests to consider ideas and develop joint projects, such as conferences and publications.

• Centre for Law, Emerging Technologies and Business
• Centre for Rights and Justice
• Centre for Legal Education

The Nottingham Law Journal is an annual, peer-reviewed publication featuring academic articles and critical commentary on matters of contemporary legal interest.

At NLS, we encourage students to spend some of their time studying in another country. You will have the opportunity to study in Europe, Australia, the United States or further afield with one of the study abroad programmes. Depending on your course, you can study abroad for either a semester or a year. You will benefit from both academic and personal experiences during your study exchange.

Find out more about our study abroad programmes. Please note these opportunities will be subject to Government and University policies on travel.

NLS has been running summer schools in various European cities for more than 15 years. Summer schools run for one week, are open to all NLS students, and are taught in English.

For Summer 2026, there will be an opportunity for visit Berlin – with a focus on international criminal justice including war crimes and the work of the International Criminal Court.

Summer schools are subject to Government and University travel policies.

Our students have many opportunities to develop and practice their mooting and mediation skills while studying with us.

Mooting

Mooting consists of arguing a legal problem against an opponent in front of a judge and has been a part of Law School almost as long as they have existed. Today mooting involves students producing written skeleton arguments in advance of the moot before presenting their arguments orally, as if in an appellate court. It requires students to have a detailed understanding of legal principles and an ability to apply these to specific factual circumstances. It is an indispensable skill for anyone wanting to go the Bar and is highly sought after in all legal careers. However, mooting also equips students with the transferable skills not just to be proficient lawyers and advocates, but also adept business people, presenting their points to colleagues with confidence and knowing how to argue and defend their position.

Due to these transferable skills Mooting is integrated throughout the LLB courses, with two core modules, Contract Law in year one and Criminal Law in year two assessed by moot. The most successful students also have the option to take mooting as a final year module.

Outside of modules, there are many opportunities to get involved with mooting throughout their time at NLS. The NLS Mooters Guild runs a number of internal competitions including a school-wide mooting competition and several issue specific competitions including a woman’s day moot and an international law moot. The Guild also organises for students to compete externally in a range of national and international competitions. To support students in this, the Guild runs workshops throughout the year to help students develop and practice the skills needed within mooting. Alongside this, NTSU Law Society runs successful internal mooting competitions and activities designed to assist students with their mooting skills.

Mediation and Negotiation

NLS is committed to equipping students with skills to be effective in the legal environment. Negotiation is a fundamental skill which pervades every area of the practice of law. Lawyers negotiate with or without their client present. Mediation is a process where parties to a dispute are present, with or without lawyers, and are assisted by an impartial third party (a mediator) to reach a mutually acceptable outcome through negotiation. In both negotiation and mediation, the lawyer’s skill in preparing for the negotiation and representation of their client is crucial. Our Centre for Mediation and Dispute resolution is dedicated to providing our students with the opportunities to learn and practise these skills in the form of internal competitions from which winners may enter national and international competitions.

Winners of the NLS internal competitions are awarded the Professor Miryana Nesic Memorial Prize for either Negotiation or Mediation Skills. Teams from NLS have previously won the UK Mediation Skills Competition held in the City of London and the International Commercial Mediation Competition held by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.

NLS aims to ensure the highest level of competency and understanding for its students.

In order to help achieve this, we arrange a series of lectures delivered by leading practitioners from a range of solicitors’ firms. It gives you the opportunity to see how the skills you are developing will be applied in a commercial and professional context.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and network with practitioners. Details of the individual lectures for 2025/26 will be communicated throughout the year.

NTU and NLS run many events throughout the year, including open days, seminars, lectures, and conferences.

The role of the Student Ambassador varies according to the event but it could include:

• staffing your course stand at an open event
• being prepared to talk about your experience studying with us
• helping at registration
• taking visitors on campus tours.

Ambassadors will receive training and will work alongside academic staff and members of the Marketing team.

The Student Ambassador scheme offers NTU students the opportunity to develop skills and confidence while being able to earn money by supporting these events.

Student Mentors are law students in their second or third year who have volunteered to help you settle in and find your way around NTU and NLS. They understand how you are feeling and can answer any questions you may have.

You will meet the mentors during Welcome Week and at key times throughout the year. Student Mentors offer you support, understanding, encouragement and help you become part of our Law School community.

You can help to make a difference while also developing essential skills that can support your studies and enhance your employability.

Find information about all volunteering opportunities at NTU and globally.

Students in classrooms

Students in Classrooms make a difference in local schools. As a positive role model you will support pupil attainment and character development, whilst increasing awareness of higher education and the opportunities it can offer.

Get paid to work in local schools and colleges through initiatives such as:

• Outreach Ambassadors
• Learning Advocates
• Achievement Coaches.

NTSU Law Society is the main law society here at NTU and is a frequent winner of NTSU's Society Awards! They were awarded Society of the Year in 2022 NTSU Awards and the Inclusivity Award winner in 2024 for the outstanding work done offering a range of amazing opportunities!

NTSU Law Society offers many opportunities, both academic and social, throughout the year to gain practical legal skills and access pro bono activities. NTSU Law Soc run a Buddy Scheme, provide a fortnightly Newsletter, run a Negotiation Series, and offer other exclusive opportunities in collaboration with NLS and external companies, and run independent events, like the publicly recognised ‘Women in Law Panel’! NTSU Law Soc also compete in Negotiation and Mooting competitions against other universities through Varsity and law firm events. As a society, they are incredibly social offering a range of socials, networking dinners, boat balls, trips and of course... the Law Ball! They even have their very own football team.

Don’t miss out on your chance to join NTSU’s best society, gaining an amazing sense of community, whilst also having ample opportunity to develop professionally! They aren’t your average Law Society! Check out @ntu_law_society on Instagram to see everything on offer.

Our main aim is to help you develop your understanding of commercial awareness and develop this attribute for future applications. Commercial awareness is a vital skill not just for lawyers, but for a wide range of other careers. Commercial awareness is having an understanding of how businesses and organisations work and how current affairs can have an impact on them.

The South Asian Law Society is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for South Asian law students and all others alike. It promotes cultural awareness, enhances academic and professional development, and provides valuable networking opportunities. The society aims to develop equal opportunities and is therefore open to all students with the aim of celebrating the cultural heritage and promoting cultural awareness of South Asia.

The BAME Law society aims to help network and connect with peers through networking and inspiring law related events.

Read the BAME Law society plan.

The Mooters Guild are a Student Led organisation aimed to support and develop legal advocacy skills within NLS. The Mooters Guild run advocacy workshops to support students both new and experienced in Mooting to develop and hone their advocacy skills. They also run their own mooting competitions throughout the year including the NLS Internal Mooting Competition, the International Women’s Day Moot and the Family Law Moot as well competing in numerous competitions against other Law Schools across the country.