2025/26 entry
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1 and 2)
Why study Legal Practice (SQE 1 and 2) at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Focuses on dedicated SQE exam preparation
- Designed in conjunction with the BARBRI (the largest provider of legal learning)
- Tests your legal knowledge and skills throughout, practicing multiple choice questions set to replicate the SQE 1 exams.
- Opportunities to work with real clients and shadow solicitors in LJMU’s Legal Advice Centre
- Develops your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) portfolio
- Practical, skill-based modules to equip you for a successful legal career
- Independently research your areas of legal interest by way of dissertation
- Option to study Part Time
About this course
The Masters degree in Legal Practice (SQE 1 and 2) is designed to enhance your academic understanding of the law and to develop your practical legal skills, equipping you to undertake both components of the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE 1 and 2) in order to move towards qualifying as a solicitor.
This is a practice-based programme, building on the functioning legal knowledge required to pass the SQE 1 assessments, enabling you to engage in application and workplace simulation; as well as develop the skills and competence required for ‘day one’ of legal practice.
Our primary goal is to guide your progression toward becoming a solicitor, with a strong focus on SQE exam preparation to ensure a smooth transition into your legal career. We offer comprehensive learning materials, resources, and diagnostic testing to support both SQE1 and SQE2 exams.
The programme is developed with BARBRI, a trusted legal educator that specialises in innovative technology, having helped more than 1.4 million students and professionals succeed in achieving their legal qualification across the globe. Their approach to preparation for solicitor qualification combines ultimate flexibility and individualised learning through an intelligent online learning platform which schedules the learning content into your own Personal Study Plan (PSP).
Upon completion, you will have earned a modern LLM, started building your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) portfolio, and be well-prepared to enter the legal profession in England and Wales.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The Foundations of Legal Knowledge- SQE 1 and 2 modules closely reflect real-world legal practice. They focus on practical, 'real-life' scenarios that students are likely to encounter in their future legal careers.
Modules are structured to simulate the types of cases and legal challenges faced by solicitors, helping students develop the skills and problem-solving abilities required in practice.
For students choosing the Clinical Legal Research Project, the experience extends even further into practical application. Students will work directly with real clients, under the supervision of experienced solicitors. The legal work completed during this project may count toward the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) requirement, depending on the nature of the tasks performed and the number of hours logged. This option provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and potentially progress toward solicitor qualification while still in the academic phase of their training.
The student experience
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Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core modules
Foundations of Legal Knowledge 1 SQE 1
30 credits
This module aims to provide the knowledge, understanding and analysis of legal principles to align with the SRA's Foundations of Legal Knowledge 1. To allow students to study and undertake exercises and practice multiple choice questions which will replicate the external SQE 1 assessments.
Students will also be able to apply practical legal skills to problem questions to replicate working in a solicitors office in order to put their foundations of legal knowledge into context.
Foundations of Legal Knowledge 2 SQE 1
30 credits
This module will provide the knowledge, understanding and analysis of legal principles to align with the SRA's Foundations of Legal Knowledge 2.
Students will be able to apply practical legal skills to problem questions to replicate working in a solicitors office to put their foundations of legal knowledge into context.
Oral Skills SQE 2
30 credits
Students will be taught how to approach the oral skills of interviewing & advising and advocacy and practice them in the context of: Property Law & Practice; Wills & Administration of Estates; Dispute Resolution and Criminal Litigation.
Students will practice the different oral skills in the different areas of law required for SQE 2 assessments.
This is a preparatory module designed to give students the necessary practical skills required to undertake the external SQE 2 assessments.
Written Legal Skills SQE 2
30 credits
To provide students with the knowledge and practice in order to demonstrate the written legal skills of case matter & analysis, legal research, writing and drafting as needed by a practising solicitor in the context of Criminal Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Property Law & Practice, Wills & Administration of Estates and Business Law & Practice.
These written skills are required in order to pass the external SQE 2 assessment.
This is a preparatory module designed to give students the necessary practice skills required to undertake and pass the external SQE 2 assessment.
Optional Modules
Clinical Legal Research Project
60 credits
To provide the basis for the elements of professional conduct and clinical legal education and provide a basis for delivering legal services with appropriate supervision and reflecting upon the same.
Students will be allocated to a research project either in within the Legal Advice Centre or with a third sector organisation and will spend much of the time under supervision working with clients.
Dissertation
60 credits
This module is to enable students to design and complete a large independent legal research project.
Students will be introduced to researching at Masters level and will learn different legal research methodologies, eg doctrinal, socio-legal and comparative.
Students will learn research ethics and develop a research plan in order to construct a dissertation proposal/literature review.
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
To further personalise your learning, this Masters offers two optional pathways:
- Option one is a dissertation allowing you to independently research your specialised area of law
- Option two is the Clinical Legal Research Project, where you will work directly with real clients, under the supervision of experienced solicitors. You will provide practical legal advice, mirroring the work you'll undertake during your two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).
Teaching is delivered primarily through student centred workshops, lectures and extensive learning materials, assessments and diagnostic tools provided by BARBRI.
The full-time course requires 2 full days p/w face to face teaching (seminars and lectures) with an expectation of independent study outside of this time.
Those who opt for the Clinical Legal Research Project module will be expected to commit at least 2 days p/w over 12 weeks in the Legal Advice Centre for the duration of this module.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
The course assessments are designed to both evaluate and enhance your readiness for the SQE, while offering valuable opportunities for constructive feedback. Formative feedback is provided in all modules.
A variety of assessment methods will be deployed throughout the programme, including problem-solving exercises, practice-based projects, case studies, research-based projects, literature reviews, group presentations, group and individual reports, reflective reviews, class tests.
Testing of the legal knowledge and skills is through multiple choice questions (MCQs replicating the external SQE 1 assessments) as well as written and oral skills being demonstrated and assessed in 'real life' scenarios (replicating the external SQE 2 assessments). In addition to this students will be expected to undertake portfolios of work which will supplement these replica SQE assessments in order to put their knowledge and skills into context.
The Clinical Legal Research Project and the Dissertation are in addition to the SQE prep modules and are assessed by way of a portfolio of client based work or by way of a large piece of writing.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Anita Ellis
Programme Leader
Our masters degree emphasises the knowledge and skills essential for passing the SQE assessments, while also equipping you with the additional expertise that employers value, ensuring you're prepared for the realities of legal practice.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree in law or any undergraduate degree plus the common professional examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (or its equivalent) such as the PGCert Foundations in Law offered at LJMU.
International requirements
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IELTS
Would require a combined score of 6.5 or above (minimum 6.0 in each component)
Further information
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Extra Requirements
International students applying to study a full-time taught Masters at LJMU should check if they require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate. Contact the International Admissions Team for further information.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
LAWCABS is the official application route for this full-time programme. Further information on the application process can be found here https://www.lawcabs.ac.uk. To apply for the part-time programme you are required to complete an LJMU online application.
LAWCABS is the official application route for this programme.
Please visit lawcabs.ac.uk and search for the Liverpool John Moores Legal Practice LLM SQE 1 and 2
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.