Portsmouth Law School | llb course | llb degree

The University Of Portsmouth School Of Law is ranked 54 in the Times Good University Guide and 42 in the Guardian University guide for 2009, placing them just below Reading and Surrey. However, they are rising each year, as are their student numbers. The Law School also launched as a separate entity this year, having formerly been part of the Department of Accounting and Law.

Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in options and activities that give them the opportunity to make a noticeable contribution to the community. This is achieved through pro-bono work, including acting as trained Citizens Advice Bureau advisors, a Street Law Project and, starting in 2008, an Innocence Project.

Portsmouth continues to develop a national reputation for their work, in particular with the Citizens Advice Bureau and clinical legal education. They were recently nominated for an Attorney General's award and although they did not win the category they were highly commended.

They have agreed with the Institute of Paralegals that all their students who complete the CAB work experience placement will be awarded Associate status of the Institute of Paralegals upon graduation. A very useful addition we think.

Portsmouth Law School has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment programme, resulting in new facilities in both the Business School and the library. There is a fairly large campus consisting of four main buildings where lectures and seminars are held.

For students who read law, there is a whole section in the library dedicated to law books, journals and articles. In 2007 a new computer suite was incorporated into Portsmouth University’s Library, adding 200 more workstations for the university.

With nineteen law staff in total, fourteen of whom are senior lecturers and a newly appointed Head of school, it is safe to say Portsmouth Law School is very well staffed. All lecturers have many years of experience within their own specific field with most having practised – and some still practising - as lawyers locally and in the capital.

There are currently approximately 475 students reading law at Portsmouth University. Sizes of lectures can range from 100 to 350 students at any one time, however seminars are noticeably smaller, with the maximum number never exceeding 15.

A weekly timetable consists of one lecture and one seminar per subject, totalling 10 hours. The university expects and recommends each student should put the same amount of hours into their self-study.

With its long history as a busy port, Portsmouth is used to welcoming people from all over the world. Portsmouth really is the gateway to Europe, with road and rail links to London, and ferries to France and Spain. The city is compact – it is built on an island after all – so you can get around easily on foot or by bike.

Students from the UK, Europe and further afield find they settle in quickly and soon feel part of the place. Because it’s easy to get around, and the cost of living is relatively low, you can spend your time and money on the things that matter – studying, making friends and enjoying all that the area has to offer.

The University quarter in the heart of the city contains stunning modern buildings along with the University’s own green space, Ravelin Park, and their award-winning Students’ Union. Most of their modern halls of residence are located in the University quarter, within a stone’s throw of the main teaching buildings.

Tuition fees for the academic year of 2008-2009 cost £3,145, varying slightly each year, with a small deduction if paid earlier than registration. Course books are – in most students’ opinion – where most of their money is spent as they are a necessity for coursework, exam revision and necessary and further reading.

Most law books range between £25 and £60, creating a deep hole in the student account. However, local bookstores have a range of promotions and reward schemes to help with the cost and there is always the popular option at the end of the year to re-sell books to students from the year below for a decent price.

There is a wide range of purpose-built, modern and well-equipped halls of residence all offering the opportunity to meet and live amongst other students from different courses, ages, cultures and backgrounds. There are ten halls, in three locations, giving nearly 3,000 hall rooms.

The halls are grouped into three bases. The three bases are, Guildhall Halls – city centre location comprising of Bateson Hall, Harry Law Hall, Margaret Rule Hall, Trafalgar Hall and James Watson Hall. Langstone Student Village, overlooking Langstone Harbour, comprises of Langstone Flats, Trust Hall and QEQM Hall. Rees and Burrell, close to Southsea seafront and comprise of Rees Hall and Burrell House.

Each halls of residence includes the following utility services; gas, electricity, water, free Broadband connection available 24 hours per day and access to 25 freeview channels.

Portsmouth boasts a range of entertainment and leisure opportunities so there is plenty to occupy everyone. Football fans are likely to be able to see their team play in the city as Portsmouth FC is currently storming the premier league.

Hampshire Cricket Club's second ground is also in city and those that love the great outdoors will enjoy the open spaces of Southsea common and the seafront – for running, cycling, blading, boarding or simply walking and relaxing.

Portsmouth boasts three main shopping areas, including a new £200 million waterside complex at Gunwharf Quays which offers over 60 designer outlet stores. This is great for students on a budget as many goods are offered at up to 70% off normal high street prices. There is also a great mix of clubs and music venues to suit the tastes of most people.

Portsmouth Law Society competes in yearly internal and national mooting competitions, with first place prize being a mini pupilage with local chambers. We do not have an outstanding record against other competing universities however we are proud to be improving all the time. We are particularly pleased to pride ourselves in our “Mooting Captains” as they worked considerably hard last year.

The Law society also arranges trips, for example to Kingston prison and court visits. Inevitably there are regular socials events – not all revolving around drinking hasting to add – as recent events include paintballing, bowling and a visit to a local indoor adventure play area. There are currently six committee members and over 100 club members. The price for joining our law society is currently £5.

With regard to the careers advice, Portsmouth Law school runs their very own law careers fair in March each year. They have also introduced an optional work experience year from 2008 in which the School of Law will assist students in finding industry placements during their study.

They run a series of library and careers workshops to help with all applications (including LPC and BVC) and Portsmouth invites guest speakers from both providers to talk to students.

In relation to the level of support the law school offers, they have a new time tabled personal tutorial system for level one and two students, whereby students meet their tutors in groups of ten every fortnight. Annual feedback from student’s show this has had a positive effect and hence will be continued.