Nottingham Law School | llb course | llb degree

The School of Law at the University of Nottingham is consistently ranked as one of the finest in the country, according to the polls of the Times, the Guardian and various practitioners.

Every year, with students gaining training contracts at all manner of firms from on the High Street to the likes of Clifford Chance and Linklaters, and with a number going on to the BVC in various locations, a degree in law from Nottingham is, it is fair to say, viewed as a fine academic accolade. Nottingham combines tradition and innovation, as well as academic and social commitment, in a highly enjoyable way.

The law building is set in the fine and picturesque location of University Park, the expansive green oasis in the city backdrop donated to the city and university by Jesse Boot (of Boot’s the Chemist fame).

It is a well resourced faculty, with a sizeable specialist computer room, two large lecture theatres and, next to it, as much as half a floor of the Hallward Library, the main arts library – expansive, if not aesthetically pleasing!

There are around 250 students in each year group, making the faculty one of the largest at the university. It has a large academic staff to both attend to their needs and delve heavily into the wondrous world of academic research. Many an academic at Nottingham has published articles and books on their subject.

On average there are one or two lectures every day, introducing the topics of study. The main emphasis for undergraduates, however, is the tutorials (one to two per week), which consist of an hour’s worth of discussion and debate on the various topics discussed in lectures. These take place with a tutor and usually about four or five other students.

They are regarded as very important by the School; serious preparation for them is encouraged and is indeed necessary in order to have a chance of reaching the higher grades. Hence, they are seen as the main opportunity for academic support of the undergraduate population. In fairness, one gets from them what one puts in.

The city of Nottingham has acquired a reputation for being amongst the worst cities in Britain for violent and gun-related crime. This is unfair. Nottingham is a city, the same as any other. There is crime, violence and a drug-culture. All sizeable cities have these problems in some degree or other.

But the key point so far as Nottingham is concerned is that most students stay away from the parts of the city where these issues are particular social problems, and there is a real sense of community and of ‘safety in numbers’ both on campus and in such places as Lenton and Dunkirk, the main student strongholds.

Fear of Nottingham, in my view, should not in any way put an applicant off, as it is irrational to have a fear of Nottingham any more than of London, Birmingham or Manchester, for example. In fact, the city centre itself is a plush shopping location and regional commercial capital.

If important things happen in the East Midlands in any commercial or political capacity, they tend to happen in Nottingham. The centre of town is easily located, has nearly everything one could want and is accessible by a rather fine public transport system. Those acquainted with Trent Barton buses will know what we mean!

As with all universities, the way of life is not cheap for those who rely upon limited resources in borrowed incomes. Having said that, however, the majority of students live as a result of the kindnesses of the Student Loans Company and various High Street banks through their interest-free overdraft facilities, seeming thereby to manage, just as they would anywhere else.

It should nevertheless be borne in mind that the University charges maximum tuition fees for its courses. Moreover, active social lives are not necessarily cheap, especially if one seeks to go out regularly to bars and clubs. Nonetheless, they are still certainly manageable, since there is not an exorbitant price culture as there is in such places as London, and all of the major clubs have specialist student nights with cheap prices.

In these respects, Nottingham is little different to any other university town. Getting part-time jobs is not banned, as it would be by Oxbridge, but it is not necessarily encouraged either. Many students do have part-time jobs to help alleviate financial stresses, although very few law students.

Certainly law is regarded as one of the most work and labour intensive subjects which can be studied at the university, and that is a reputation which permeates into the psyche of many a jurisprudential undergraduate!

Social life offers a lot of opportunities, with something for most tastes. From cheesy disco tunes in Oceana each Monday to the quirky student societies for campanologists and historical re-enactors. Again, it is up to the individual as to what he decides to do and how much to involve himself in the social sphere. So far as the School of Law is concerned in particular, there is a proudly active law society.

It includes under its umbrella opportunities for both internal and external mooting competitions, occasions to meet with recruiting officers from firms and Chambers and such fun occasions as the termly ‘Booze Cruises’, namely raucous events on the River Trent followed by a night out in one of the city’s clubs.

There is a careers centre on campus that provides everything you would expect from a top quality university. If you’re after interview tips, application advice or just a good old chat about your career prospects, it is a great place to go.

Although they are more than happy to help out with all applications, whether for vacation schemes, training contracts, OLPAS, qualifying courses (etc, etc, etc) you must remember the onus is always on you! They are not a crutch.