Manchester Metropolitan University Law School (SQE)
The inside line
Manchester Law School at Manchester Metropolitan University has been providing legal education in the North West of England for over fifty years. With strong interdisciplinary links, Manchester Met covers all aspects of legal training. Study opportunities include the LLB, LLM, GDL and Bar Vocational Training plus newly developed courses to prepare students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which will ultimately replace LPC provision.
Manchester Met has a long history of educating aspiring solicitors. Courses are delivered by qualified and experienced tutors in a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By choosing to study at Manchester Met, students have full access to university benefits such as a dedicated careers service, library, student union and wellbeing support.
SQE preparation for law and non-law graduates
At Manchester Metropolitan, students can prepare for the SQE via two course routes:
• LLM Legal Practice
• LLM Graduate Legal Studies
The LLM Legal Practice (which will replace the LPC from September 2023) is for law graduates and can be completed full-time or part-time. The course offers SQE1 and SQE2 preparatory units, as well as core and other optional units that aim to support students’ future careers.
The LLM Graduate Legal Studies (equivalent to the GDL) offers a postgraduate route for non-law graduates, ensuring that they have the disciplinary foundation to continue their route into the profession. Students will study eight core foundational subjects that give a thorough grounding in the law and are closely linked to the subject matter of SQE1. The course also includes preparation for SQE1 as an optional unit.
Both courses lead to a masters qualification, meaning that eligible students can apply for postgraduate funding from the UK government.
The content of both courses has been designed to reflect the evolving legal landscape. Core units address business, technology and professional skills alongside projects directly relevant to practice roles. Additional units draw on the expertise of Manchester Law School academics in legal technology, commercial law, corporate practice, family and employment law.
Manchester Law School offers modern facilities, such as a brand-new moot court room, lecture and seminar facilities and social and study spaces. Students can gain work experience through the Pro Bono Network who work with a range of regional, national and international partners such as Support Through Court, Commercial Law Hub, Citizens Advice, Shelter and the Greater Manchester Law Centre. Time spent on some of these volunteering projects may count as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and law school staff will help to support students with registering QWE with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The law school is only a short walk away from Manchester city centre, the largest legal and professional services centre outside of London. The school has links with many firms and networks in the NorthWest including DWF, Irwin Mitchell, Manchester Young Solicitors Group and the Black Solicitors Network. These links give students access to mentorship schemes to support them throughout their studies and in their future careers.
Fees
Manchester Met’s professional LLM’s in Legal Practice and Graduate Legal Studies are priced at £11,500 for UK and Channel Island Students and £18,000 for EU and Non-EU International Students. Manchester Met alumni may be eligible for a 20% loyalty discount towards tuition fees. Eligible students who study a full LLM course can also apply for postgraduate funding from the UK government. Please refer to course pages on Manchester Met’s website for up-to-date fees and funding options.