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Plymouth University has around 30,000 students and has developed considerably over the past few years. The university library has been extended and the Roland Levinsky building houses a growing art department. As a successful university, Plymouth is eager to develop the law department.

The Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) transferred to Plymouth from Exeter University in 2006/7 bringing with it a good reputation and strong lecturing team.

Having these courses available at Plymouth make the university even more appealing as for many wishing to study the LPC or GDL would have needed to find an alternative provider and possibly have to move away.

The university library contains a law section on the 2nd floor close to a computer suite. There are several computer suites across campus and various private and group study rooms.

Lectures for the law degree and GDL are spread across several buildings within the main university campus. In comparison, the LPC lectures are all confined to the Cookworthy building. The main advantage of this is you never have to go far as there are so many books to carry on the LPC!

Also, within the building there is a post graduate common room and several graduate computer rooms where free printing is available. Unlike at undergraduate level, all text books are provided for the LPC.

Lecturers are friendly and approachable. They are willing to discuss grades and provide constructive criticism. The LPC is completely different to the undergraduate law degree. It is a postgraduate course which lasts a year. It is very intense and good organisational skills are needed to cope with the numerous lectures, preparing for workshops and keeping to date with the reading that is required.

As with all other providers, the Plymouth LPC focuses on the three coure subjects; Business Law and Practice, Property Law and practice and Litigation. With regard to electives, Plymouth offers commercial law, commercial leases, employment, family, housing & welfare, insurance, private acquisitions and private client law. As from this year, the University of Plymouth will also be offering the new sytle LPC.

The university is a few minutes from the city centre and new shopping mall, Drake Circus. It is also fairly central to clubs and pubs, cinemas, theatres, swimming pools and the ice skating rink. The university has its own gym and squash courts which are both inexpensive to join.

There is also a gym, chaplaincy and crèche on campus. Plymouth pavilions plays host to Plymouth Raiders basketball team, a variety of bands and gigs, and also acts as one of the university’s examination halls.

The university is opposite the various booksellers, Plymouth Library and the Museum. The university is about a 5/10 minutes walk from the Barbican, one of the oldest, historical parts of Plymouth. The Barbican is also home to Plymouth Gin.

Apart from the historical points of interest there are jazz and blues bars, dance classes, many restaurants and places to eat, and the National Marine Aquarium on the Barbican. It must not go without mention, Plymouth Hoe and the iconic lighthouse - a wonderful place to be on a sunny day.

Plymouth University currently offer a 10% discount to students having successfully completed a degree at Plymouth (and a classification 2:1 or above) and wish to study a post graduate course. A £2000 Saltram Scholarship is available for the LPC which dramatically reduces the course fee. The fees for the Plymouth LPC stand at £6,950 for EU students and £7,250 for international students.

The university is near the train station which can be as close as a 3 minute walk away depending on where you are on campus. The bus station is also close.

As for somewhere to live, North Hill is “student central” and houses many students who attend the university. Private accommodation is a matter of minutes away from the university and various bars and restaurants always provide competitive prices.

The majority of first year students stay in halls. This gives an opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships, an important part of the uni experience and essential if you are new to the area. It is notable that a non-refundable “reservation fee” of £250 is needed if staying in halls.

The student union is home to cheap drinks and various themed nights. It has also been known for a bus to operate from the student union, taking students to the town centre. The university has strong links with numerous clubs and pubs such as C103 and Walk About. Due to these links many promotions and discounts regularly circulate. There are multiple places to eat on campus, all competitively priced. Loafers do great sandwiches!

There are lots of societies to join and things to get involved in there are numerous law and non-law groups offering a wide range of social activities.

The Student law society is great to get involved with. It facilitates the opportunity to meet various legal professionals and form stronger bonds with peers. There is an annual cheese and wine evening and various trips and events. There is also a mooting competition which takes place every year. This is great fun and many get involved. It also awards a prize! The society membership is reasonably priced as they are not a profit based organisation.

Over the past year, the university has formed strong links with the Junior Lawyers Division which focus on networking between those qualification and employment. Events include a quiz night, annual ball and pay day drinks. Membership was free to students last year.

During the third year of undergraduate study there is an opportunity to undertake a work experience module either as well or instead of a dissertation. This enables you to complete a work experience placement and reflect upon strengths, weaknesses and future goals. To secure any job in law after study, work experience is an essential factor.

Every year a Law Fair is organised by the careers department. This is attended by a variety of local lawyers and provides the opportunity for students to make contacts and network. It is also a perfect chance to ask questions regarding future careers and a chance to secure work experience. In addition, the University of Plymouth also arrange mentoring and work experience with local firms in the South West.