Leeds Met Law School | llb course | llb degree

Leeds Metropolitan University is one of the largest in the country, being home to over 50,000 students and over 3,000 staff. It also has 18 partner colleges with over 300,000 students between them. Leeds Metropolitan combines the old with the new in a traditional setting on Headingley campus, located 3 miles outside the city centre.

Leeds Met Law School is well established and has an ever rising reputation amongst the law firms of Leeds, offering a variety of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. They also offer the Graduate Diploma in Law and the PG Dip in Legal Practice.

The reputation of Leeds Metropolitan is also growing as the years go on. Leeds was voted “Best University Destination” by the Independent and it continues to grow and expand, attracting more and more students every year.

Leeds Law School is found at Cloth Hall Court on Quebec Street, which is part of the Civic Quarter campus and is located a short 5 minute walk through the city. It is found in the heart of Leeds’ Business district with many local legal companies in the immediate area. Students are therefore ideally located to engage and develop relationships and undertake work experience in the city.

The building is easily accessible, being only a 2 minute walk from the train station and with many bus routes running locally. Whilst on the outside Cloth Hall Court looks traditional and blends well in to the city, once through the door it is extremely modern.

Alongside, the communal area and café located on the ground floor there is computer access, whether via the terminals provided or via your own laptop on the wireless network. The lecture theatres and seminar rooms are all fitted with electronic boards to aid learning. Reports indicate that the students see this as a great addition.

For those students undertaking the LPC there is a fully equipped LPC resource room with access to computers and special tests for the exclusive use of LPC students. Leeds Law School boasts a well equipped Law Library with its own separate section. A downside to this is that it is not located on site, but at the Civic Quarter. However, it is only 5 minutes away so it is not too much of an issue.

The library is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week during term time which is a great help when there are deadlines to meet. The library is easy to navigate and with the introduction of the Library Catalogue online it is easier than ever to locate the books you are looking for. There is also a Mock Court Room within the building, a very rare facility compared to other undergraduate law departments.

The Business School, which is part of the same Faculty as the law school is moving to the Rose Bowl in Leeds City Centre in September 2009. This is a £50 million pound development which the law students will be entitled to use.

All of the feedback we have received seem to confirm that the staff are friendly and very approachable. The quality of teaching is high and students are provided with a number of workbooks to aid learning. The workload is manageable as they outline what you are supposed to learn outside the seminars and lectures in your own time, although there is no denying that the courses are demanding.

The LLB Lectures consist of up to 150 students, whilst seminars are a lot smaller with around 20 to 25 students. All staff are willing to arrange a one on one meeting with students if they want to discuss something further or are feeling a little lost. The GDL helps to familiarise students with the legal system and helps to develop the skills required.

Students are paired with local professionals, particularly popular with the students and can complete an optional dissertation on any legal topic which the course doesn’t cover along with exams and coursework. A major advantage for any student considering this course is that they are guaranteed a place on the LPC after.

Leeds is a vibrant and diverse city and many people fall in love with it upon visiting. It has something to offer everyone and with a lively student population it attracts people from all walks of life. As prospective law students will be pleased to hear, Leeds is considered to be the UK’s most important legal centre outside of London.

However, when choosing a University it is essential to love the city itself. The university campus’ are easily accessible and contrast each other greatly, with Headingley being peaceful and the Civic Quarter bustling with students and noise. Both areas are surrounded by things to do.

Headingley has become a mini student village, with cafes, pubs, bars and boutiques alive with students. The city centre has thousands of things to do. Everywhere is busy so you always feel safe if walking alone, and with the majority of students being close together in areas such as Headingley, Hyde Park and Burley there is a thriving community.

Money can often be the cause of much stress, especially when starting university. However, to help reduce this, Leeds Metropolitan has set its tuition fees at £2000, significantly lower than the national average.

Other expenditure includes the Law Society which is only £10 to join for the year. At Cloth Hall Court there is a café with a range of food and drinks, all reasonably priced. However, as it is located in the city centre there are plenty of cheaper or more expensive places to visit.

At Leeds Metropolitan all first year students are guaranteed a place in student halls. These range from £60 to £120 a week, although there is also a vast amount of student accommodation around the city starting from £50 a week. Transport is very cheap in and around the city with the majority of places being within walking distance.

Leeds Metropolitan has an exuberant social side. There is always something going on at the Students Union with frequent gigs and parties. Leeds itself is legendary for its nightlife and there is something different on every night for every taste in music, from large clubs such as Oceana and Gatecrasher to smaller bars like Revolution and Mojo.

For law students, the Student Law Society organises regular events and competitions. They plan events such as Mooting competitions, monthly nights out or trips to parliament and an annual end of year Law Ball.Leeds Met is proud to have some of the best sporting facilities in the country, therefore if sport is your hobby your in the right place.

A one-off payment of £50 secures a pass for the Sports Halls. There are many different clubs to join and various sports teams. Leeds has many successes, whether Leeds United FC, the Rhinos in the Rugby League and Leeds Carnegie in the Rugby Union. Headingley Stadium has the capacity to hold over 22,000 and is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The staff at Leeds Met encourage students on all courses to undertake as much work experience as possible and assist this to the best of their ability. There is also a project, Street Law, which is a voluntary programme that goes into places such as schools or workplaces and gives presentations on any subject of law of interest to them.

Students receive extensive support through careers workshops, providing advice on CV writing and interview techniques. The careers service at the university also offers a range of other services, such as one on one guidance and careers coaching. They are also available to advise via email and by dropping in.

The LPC students are all provided with a Professional Mentor, a local solicitor normally from one of the medium to large firms in the city. There are also representatives from the Crown Prosecution Service who assist students on finding a job after completing their studies. For these students there is also the opportunity to discuss their CV’s and covering letters with two specialist careers co-ordinators.