The Legal Cheek View
Coventry Law School at Coventry University has been delivering legal education in the West Midlands for over fifty years, offering a variety of courses to prepare students for their future careers. Opportunities to work in various legal clinics under the supervision of qualified professionals, additional work experience options integrated into most courses, and good links with law firms provide students with valuable experiences and insights for entering the legal profession. In addition to LLB and LLM programs, Coventry Law School now offers newly developed courses specifically designed to prepare students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and CILEX Professional Qualification.
Speaking with law students at Coventry University, one second-year student, specialising in international law, shared: “I chose Coventry Uni because of the opportunities at the law school to study abroad.” Notably, it houses a Confucius Institute on the first floor of the George Eliot building, promoting bonds between law students and Chinese exchange students.
Coventry Law School emphasises its positive relationship with students and the accessible, friendly staff dedicated to supporting and guiding students through their studies. SQE courses are delivered in small groups by subject specialist tutors, actively engaged or recently involved in professional practice. Teaching methods include a mix of online content and interactive workshop sessions, which can be conducted either face-to-face or online, incorporating role plays, live case studies, simulations, and presentations.
The law school offers modern facilities such as a moot court room, lecture and seminar spaces, as well as social and study areas. The moot room provides students with the opportunity to experience a modern courtroom setting within an academic environment. An insider shared: “The mock courtroom even stores wigs and gowns, allowing students to dress up as barristers and conduct mock trials to practice their advocacy skills — it’s not just informative but also really enjoyable!”
Coventry Law School provides students with opportunities for work experience through pro-bono law clinics available at the university. Teaming up with the Central England Law Centre, the law school offers student real life legal experience across a range of law clinics. These include areas such as social and welfare law as well as a legal health clinic run in partnership with the NHS. Time spent on these volunteering projects may count towards Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), and staff overseeing them can assist students in registering this with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Coventry Law Society stands out as a popular extra-curricular option for law students. These include additional advocacy sessions, mooting competitions, negotiations, and practice bail applications. These sessions not only aid students in their coursework but also offer opportunities to develop practical legal skills outside the standard curriculum.
With study spaces in the popular Lanchester Library, both silent and collaborative, law students can also utilise the lesser-known sixth floor of the George Eliot building for focused study. Beyond the main campus, the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery’s “gorgeous café” provides a perfect spot for a quick caffeine refresh, while The Hub, located just opposite the law school, serves as a more social area for students to relax during study breaks and grab a Starbucks.