If you're a law graduate focused on building a career as a solicitor, the University of Bolton's Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice is ideal. Our highly experienced team will support you in developing the legal knowledge and skills required for the Solicitors Qualification Examination assessments. We'll help you learn to apply fundamental legal principles and gain the essential legal and interpersonal skills that underpin practice as a solicitor.

Key information

Award:

PgDip

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

12 months

Location:

University of Bolton

Start date:

29/01/2024

Course Details

The main aim of the University of Bolton's PgDip Legal Practice is to support you in developing the skills and knowledge required for the Solicitors Regulation Authority's suite of Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) assessments. We offer outstanding facilities for legal learning and excellent opportunities for work experience that support you in gaining the high-level professional and transferable skills and attributes needed for career success. Our expert team will guide you in building a systematic and critical understanding of complex legal, economic, cultural, ethical and political issues that will enhance your legal problem-solving skills.

What is the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE)?

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a centralised assessment that forms part of a new route towards becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. It is administered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Introduced in September 2021, the SQE route will eventually replace the route known as the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Why study the PgDip Legal Practice at the University of Bolton?

This Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) Legal Practice course at the University of Bolton will prepare you for the SRA's centralised SQE assessments. It's suitable if you're a law graduate or have completed a law conversion course.

Our School of Law team features barristers, solicitors and solicitor advocates. We are dedicated to supporting you through your legal education and preparing you for success as a fully qualified solicitor. This course covers the full spectrum of knowledge and skills required for the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments – please see this page's Teaching and Assessment section for more information.

We also have a full-service Legal Advice Centre where you'll be able to work alongside our legal professionals to build confidence, skills and hours towards your required qualifying work experience (QWE).

In addition, as a student with the School of Law, you'll benefit from access to the full range of support services offered by the University of Bolton, including:

Academic support to assist you in developing your skills in expressing legal concepts
Careers guidance through our experienced career progression team
Employment support from our employability team, who work to provide opportunities for our students to enter legal work if required.

Highlights

Our mission is to develop innovative, rewarding and career-focused training.
You can join our vibrant, focused and supportive community of legal scholars working towards the SQE and recognition as a solicitor.
The School of Law's dedicated and well-qualified team deliver teaching and supervision, drawing on their professional experience as qualified solicitors, barristers and solicitor advocates.
The University of Bolton's excellent libraries, 24/7 IT facilities, WiFi and learning areas are freely available for your use.
You'll have access to a research and study skills module to support your academic skills development.
The programme is designed to run alongside your work commitments, allowing you to earn while you learn.

Key Features

This PgDip Legal Practice course offers you the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of legal practice to prepare you for the SQE assessments set by the SRA.
Our expert team will support you in developing broader legal thinking. The ability to view legal problems from different angles can reveal new insights, helping to advance your career in the legal sector.
Our teaching team offers specialist knowledge of the legal sector, underpinned by their first-hand experience working in legal practice.
Course materials are available online, allowing you to prepare work in advance and ensuring that in-class learning is highly interactive.
At the School of Law, we regularly review our courses to ensure we offer our students the best possible education and opportunities. An industry advisory board that brings together representatives from legal practice, the judiciary and the legal sector supports this process, ensuring our courses reflect the needs of employers and the wider legal industry.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.

You should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in law or another relevant subject (or a comparable qualification from a UK or overseas institution).
If you don't possess the above qualifications but have substantial managerial or employment experience equivalent to a degree, we'll be happy to consider your application. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis and be dependent on experience and interview.
You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is a single, rigorous assessment for all aspiring solicitors.

There are four stages to becoming a solicitor by the SQE route. Firstly, you must gain a degree (or equivalent). Since you're here, you've probably already completed this step.

Next, you must pass the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. This PgDip Legal Practice course offered by the School of Law at the University of Bolton supports you in achieving this.

Alongside successfully completing your SQE assessments, you'll need to undertake a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) in a qualifying legal role. Studying this course will also help you prepare for the QWE, as the knowledge and skills you'll develop are essential for practice. You may also be able to gain experience towards your QWE by assisting in our in-house Legal Advice Centre.

Lastly, you must meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements when submitting your application to become a solicitor.

While working towards this PgDip, you'll have the option of transferring to the LLM Legal Practice offered by the University of Bolton. However, if you would prefer to take a break from studying before working towards a master's degree, you'll have the option to study the LLM Law (Legal Practice) top-up after completing this PgDip.

What can I do with this qualification?

While studying towards your SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, you'll likely wish to undertake QWE towards becoming a qualified solicitor. If you qualify as a solicitor, you'll have direct contact with clients, with the broadest caseload coming from high street practices, which cover criminal, family, probate and business law. Opportunities are available in private practice, in public sector bodies such as local authorities and the Government, and the in-house legal departments of companies.

As a graduate with sound legal knowledge, you'll also be able to find employment in areas such as human resources, business and finance. Alternatively, you may wish to continue your studies to the master's or doctoral level.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate. Some possibilities include:

Immigration
Police
Trading standards
Investment banking
Tax advice/inspection
Teaching and education
International aid/development
Human resources
Health and safety
Probation/social work
Accountancy
Political research
Charity and advice work
Recruitment
Stockbroker
Marketing

Course fees

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £9,000 for the academic year 2023/24.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £13,200 for the academic year 2023/24.

Useful information

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-2025 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:

You should have to hand:

Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference

Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.

Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.

If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions@bolton.ac.uk

Apply online: University of Bolton Solicitors Qualifying Examination (Postgraduate Diploma) - 29 January 2024

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

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English Language Qualifications

Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below? (The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application) E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is submitted for a prompt response and offer.

Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate

These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course

Test	Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)	Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator	Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 80 with the following component scores: Reading – 18 Writing – 17 Listening – 17 Speaking - 20 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores: Reading – 20 Writing – 19 Listening – 19 Speaking 21 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores: Reading – 23 Writing – 24 Listening – 22 Speaking 22
Pearson Versant	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Overall score of 55 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Overall score of 60 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 ISE II –Distinction in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 ISE III – Pass in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C/C3 (20 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B/B3 (37 points)
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade D/D2 (46 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade C/C2 (66 points)
IGCSE English as a First language (for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language (for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 170 points with no component below 160 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 180 points with no component below 170 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 5 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language	Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 70% Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 80%

Acceptable European qualifications

English component must be obtained within the last 4 years

Country	Qualification
Austria	Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium	Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria	Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia	Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus	Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic	Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark	Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia	Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland	Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France	Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany	Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece	Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary	Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy	Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia	Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania	Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta	Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova	Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands	Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway	Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland	Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal	Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania	Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia	Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia	Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain	Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden	Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland	Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine	Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10

Acceptable International Regional qualifications

Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course

Country	Qualification	Grade
Bahamas	General Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Botswana	General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level	Grade C/4 in English
Brunei	Cambridge O Level	Grade C6 in English
Cameroon	GCE O level	Grade C in English
Hong Kong	HKCEE	Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong	HKDSE	Grade 4 in English
Kenya	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Malaysia	Malaysian 1119	Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore	Singapore Cambridge O Level	Grade C6 in English
South Africa	South Africa National Senior Certificate	Grade 5 in English
Tanzania	Certificate of Secondary Education	Grade C in English
Uganda	Certificate of Education	Grade 6
Zambia	Zambia School Certificate	Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe	General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level	Grade C in English
	Caribbean Examination Council	General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana	WAEC/NECO	Grade C6 in English

I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.

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Thank you for your interest

Please secure an approved English language qualification and then apply for the next intake.

Question

Have you ever received a visa refusal for entry into the UK or any other country?

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Thank you for your interest

Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk

Your Funding

Do you have full funding in place to cover your full tuition fees and living costs as required by UKVI? Please click here for more information.

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Unfortunately we will be unable to continue with your application.

Question

Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements? (Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)

You may also refer to the following pages for information about International Qualifications equivalency: https://www.bolton.ac.uk/international/your-country-entry-requirements/

For further assistance with international qualifications equivalency (paid service) – please refer to the ECCTIS website (previously known as NARIC): https://ecctis.com/Qualifications/FindTheServiceForYou.aspx

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Unfortunately we will be unable to proceed with your application as all entry requirements must be met.

Final Terms & Conditions

Please read the following:

I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents. (We also have Branch Offices in Africa, South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia who fully manage applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.

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Apply Online

The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.

How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:

Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit www.ucas.com.

Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email international@bolton.ac.uk

Apply online: University of Bolton Solicitors Qualifying Examination (Postgraduate Diploma) - 29 January 2024

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The PgDip Legal Practice will be delivered using a wide range of materials, all designed to give you the very best start. These will include e-lectures, face-to-face workshops and the chance to learn and develop your skills within the University's Legal Advice Centre. Core textbooks and guided learning materials will support your studies.

While the major focus of this course is to prepare you to take the SRA's centralised SQE assessments at an external test centre, the PgDip Legal Practice is a stand-alone qualification. You'll need to commit to a considerable amount of personal study to succeed, engaging in background reading, online activities, preparation for sessions, and completing assessment work. To gain the PgDip Legal Practice award you'll need to complete the University's assessments, which typically include written coursework, project work, oral assessments and portfolios. We'll provide feedback to help you learn what you have done well and where you need to improve.

Initially, teaching and learning will focus on preparing you to sit the SQE1 assessments. These two multiple-choice question papers will test your Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK), including ethics and professional conduct. Using realistic client-based scenarios and ethical problems and situations, these exams will assess your application of law in the following areas:

FLK1 – Business Law and Practice; Dispute Resolution; Contract; Tort; Legal System of England and Wales; Constitutional and Administrative Law and EU Law and Legal Services.

FLK 2 – Property Practice; Wills and the Administration of Estates; Solicitors Accounts; Land Law; Trusts; Criminal Law and Practice.

Our expert team will also support you in learning the practical skills required for the SQE2 legal skills assessments. You'll be tested for the six professional legal skills: interviewing, advocacy (known as SQE2 oral), case and matter analysis, legal research, legal drafting and legal writing (known as SQE2 written). These assessments will also test your negotiation, ethics and professionalism.

SQE2 is conducted in the context of five legal practice areas: business law, civil litigation, criminal litigation, property practice, and wills and the administration of estates.

Please visit https://sqe.sra.org.uk/ for full details of the SRA's assessment and exam arrangements.

Our team will support you as you learn and revise all required knowledge and skills. We'll also help you gain postgraduate-level study and lifelong learning skills.

We use a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Applied Legal Practice - FLK1
Applied Legal Practice - FLK2
Applied Legal Practice - SQE2

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 75%, Practical exams 25%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 77%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.