All About Law | Training Contracts | Vacation Schemes | Law School | Law Careers

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.

The School of Law is situated in the purpose built Business School. Postgraduate teaching takes place in the Business School or in buildings close by. The School boasts excellent library facilities. Paper resources are held in a dedicated law section in the University Library. There is also an extensive range of electronic resources that can be accessed both on and off campus. In 2007 a new computer suite was incorporated into the University Library, adding 200 more workstations.

The School of Law offers a range of LLM options for both law graduates and non-law graduates. The School is currently developing new courses (LLM in Employment Law and LLM International Law) which, subject to validation early in 2009, it intends to offer in 2009-2010.

The LLM in Employment Law will build on the School’s reputation in clinical legal education by incorporating work in the School’s advice clinic into the syllabus. Students may also have the opportunity to act as advocates in Employment Tribunals.

The most popular course offered is the LLM in Corporate Governance and Law/Grad.ICSA. This course combines academic study of law and business with a sought after professional qualification as a Chartered Secretary. Graduates of this programme will qualify for graduate membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) and be entitled to use ‘LLM’ and ‘Grad.ICSA’ after their name. Qualification as a Chartered Secretary opens up a potential career at senior levels in business or the public sector.

The School also offers a flexible LLM Law that allows students to choose a range of taught and project and work-based learning options

Postgraduate teaching is conducted by experienced staff and led by the School’s professor. The School’s lectures are drawn from both practice and academia. The School has a vibrant research community, with members of staff regularly publishing their work nationally and internationally.

With its long history as a busy port, Portsmouth is used to welcoming people from all over the world. Portsmouth is a major gateway to Europe, with road and rail links to London, and ferries to France and Spain.

The University quarter in the heart of the city contains stunning modern buildings along with the University’s own green space, Ravelin Park.

Fees for our LLM course are £4300 full time and £2,200 pa part time (figure for Home/EU students for academic year 2008-2009).

Portsmouth boasts a range of entertainment and leisure opportunities. Portsmouth has a football team in the Premier League and a First Class County Cricket venue. Portsmouth is surrounded by the sea. The open spaces of Southsea Common and the seafront offer opportunities 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. There is also a great mix of clubs and music venues to suit the tastes of most people.

Portsmouth student Law Society competes in annual internal and national mooting competitions. The student Law Society also arranges trips and court visits. Postgraduate students are encouraged to join the Law Society and participate in these activities.

With regard to the careers advice, Portsmouth School of Law runs a law careers fair in March each year.

The School runs a series of library and careers workshops to help with all applications (including LPC and BVC) and Portsmouth invites guest speakers from both vocational course providers to talk to students.