Why study this course with LJMU?
- 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 Full Time
About this course
The part time Masters 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.
The Rice-Jones Trust Scholarship
The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust was set by an individual who wanted to benefit postgraduate law students studying in the North West of England. The individual's late husband and father were both lawyers, and this inspired her to help students who show academic promise and a commitment to the legal profession, but who may not necessarily have the financial support to undertake their studies.
The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust is registered at the Charity Commission with registration number 1171890. Click here for full details. The deadline for Rice-Jones applications is 31 March 2025. Apply using this form, any queries please contact the email address in the form.
The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust Scholarship is available to applicants who have accepted a place to study on a postgraduate law course, including but not limited to the Graduate Diploma in Law, the Legal Practice Course, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, the Bar Professional Training Course or the Master’s in law.
The amount offered and purpose for which the Scholarship award is offered is at the absolute discretion of The Rice-Jones Charitable Trust and may vary per individual. A successful applicant may be in receipt of a grant of up to £20,000.
Christopher Howard, University Partnerships Director of BARBRI.
BARBRI is delighted to be collaborating with the expert team at Liverpool John Moores University on this dynamic new legal practice master’s programme. It’s been a pleasure to develop the course with LJMU and share best practice to create a comprehensive learning experience for ambitious young lawyers,
Law academics explain the LLM Legal Practice masters
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Language Development and the Impact of Deafness
15 credits
15 credits
In this module the student will learn all about the typical development of language and communication skills and how this process may be impacted by deafness. They will reflect upon the factors that have been found to help drive language development, which should help them to maximise the development of language and communication skills in the children with whom they are working.
Introduction to Audiology
15 credits
15 credits
This module enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the process of hearing, causes of hearing loss, identification of different types of deafness and interpretation of audiological information/audiograms, understanding routine paediatric audiological assessments and the use of the testboxes for testing hearing aids. In our workshop sessions you will have opportunity to explore different amplification options and develop your own skills in the management of a range of personal and educational amplification systems used to support deaf learners' access to the educational curriculum. Throughout the course of study you will come across a range of invited guest speakers who have provided pre-recorded lecture material for you to view.
Teaching Deaf Learners
15 credits
15 credits
This module examines the current educational context for children and young people who are deaf in relation to the range and type of educational provision available nationally. Students evaluate current research and data related to educational provision, practice and outcomes and apply and evaluate models of good practice and pedagogy.
The first assessed teaching placement is a major component of this module. In addition to the teaching placement, students explore and evaluate a range of provision and practice.
Students are encouraged to act as reflective practitioners and employ an experiential learning cycle to analyse and improve their own performance. Students are required to demonstrate research-informed practice and evidence the interrelationship of theory and practice within the professional context.
Developing Audiological Understanding
15 credits
15 credits
This module builds upon the audiological skills and knowledge base that students gained from completing the ‘Introduction to Audiology’ module taught in the first year. Throughout this module students learn to further interpret audiological data such as aided thresholds, microphone transparency curves in relation to assistive listening technology (ALT) and hearing aid systems, understanding the newborn hearing screen tests, administering, scoring and interpreting various assessments of functional listening skills, identifying challenges and next steps and evaluate the effectiveness and fitness for purpose of amplification provision. Students gain competences in these areas to enable them to provide effective educational advice to other professionals within an advisory or a consultancy role.
Holistic Development and the Impact of Deafness
15 credits
15 credits
This module focusses upon the holistic development of the deaf child/young person and particularly those areas of development at most potential risk from the impact of deafness. These include; the development of literacy skills, mathematical understanding, cognition and social and emotional development. You will critically evaluate the current theoretical discourses in relation to these areas of development and their application to children and young people with whom they have contact on a professional basis. You will also explore the association between deafness and other additional/complex needs and the impact of this interrelationship upon the development of the child/young person.
The topics covered in this module will be underpinned by the prior study of language development and the impact of deafness
Policy and Practice
15 credits
15 credits
This module focuses on the current legislative and advisory framework related to Special Needs and Disability and specifically to the field of Deaf Education. Students critically appraise the role and responsibilities of the Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People (QToD) and other related professionals and organisations in relation to current legislation and national guidance to develop an understanding of models of good practice. The specific legislation and national guidance governing the working practice of QToDs within different educational phases and with different groups of individuals and organisations is considered. Students critically analyse policy and working practice at an individual/school/service level and consider innovative and transformative solutions.
This module considers the advisory and legislative basis of the students’ professional practice as explored within the other modules studied within this academic year.
Language Assessment and Facilitation
15 credits
15 credits
In this module you will learn all about the process of the assessment of language and communication skills for children and young people who are deaf. We will find out about informal and standardised assessment methods and you will need to think about the relative strengths and weaknesses of different assessment procedures and approaches. We will also be exploring what you do with the results of assessments and you will learn more about target setting and programme planning (with regards to language and communication skills) and report writing.
Evidencing Outcomes
15 credits
15 credits
This module pulls together all of the preceding underpinning work in audiology, language, policy, development and placement for a summarial demonstration of outcomes that have been achieved. Students exercise critical thinking and autonomy of judgement in evidencing their systematic understandings and achievements.
Your Learning Experience
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 part time course requires 1 full day 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.
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 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.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen 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.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
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. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate UK degree or other qualification at equivalent level.
An alternative qualification may be considered for entry, subject to postgraduate programme admissions team approval.
Further information
-
DBS Requirements
Continuing enhanced DBS clearance as specified within the DBS policy (any applicant without current enhanced DBS can be processed through Mary Hare. Mary Hare will charge the student at the current fee).
-
Extra Requirements
- Two references including one from current employer.
- Signed letter from current employer in support for employee as a postgraduate student by providing mentor, study leave and funding as appropriate.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).
-
Usually, Employment history as an educational practitioner working with deaf children or young people.
International requirements
IELTS
IELTS: Applicants whose graduate study or relevant experience was undertaken in languages other than English, will need to demonstrate English language proficiency to the level of an IELTS score of at least 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in each component).
Further information
-
DBS Requirements
Continuing enhanced DBS clearance as specified within the DBS policy (any applicant without current enhanced DBS can be processed through Mary Hare. Mary Hare will charge the student at the current fee).
-
Extra Requirements
- Two references including one from current employer.
- Signed letter from current employer in support for employee as a postgraduate student by providing mentor, study leave and funding as appropriate.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).
-
Usually, Employment history as an educational practitioner working with deaf children or young people.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
LAWCABS is the official application route for this programme. Further information on the application process can be found here 
Your Law Career Starts Here | Central Applications Board .
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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.