Law and Legal Practice (SQE)
Combine a traditional law degree with real client experience and preparation for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination 1 (SQE1).
How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to us
UCAS Code
Y54L
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
104
International students: £17,600*
UCAS Code
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
104
Course Overview
Our LLB Law and Legal Practice (SQE) degree prepares you for legal practice and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination 1 (SQE1).
Students engage with real cases in the Legal Advice Clinic, developing both legal knowledge and essential interpersonal skills valued by employers. Feedback from the industry shows that you’ll be highly valued by legal firms.
The course allows you to build strong academic and professional foundations while covering all areas assessed on SQE1, gaining insight into the law in practice. A range of optional modules allows you to customise your learning experience, aligning your studies with your specific interests and career ambitions.
The course incorporates study of the core foundational areas of law, aligned with the requirements of the Bar Standards Board. It also encompasses the full range of subjects examined in the Solicitors Regulation Authority SQE1, the external assessment required for those intending to qualify as solicitors.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
In your first year will focus on developing academic and professional legal skills, as well as exploring foundational legal areas to gain a clear understanding of the court systems and structure.
This module builds essential skills for studying and applying law and enhances your academic abilities, ensuring you excel throughout your course.
*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Develop knowledge, understanding and application of criminal law, looking at different types of offences and analysing liability.
Looking at the nature, principles and history of law within the UK constitution as well as EU law.
Understand the operation of the Anglo-Welsh system; its sources, institutions, personnel and processes, and the social and political context in which it operates.
Learn the fundamentals of contract law, the cornerstone of civil liability and the foundation for many other parts of the course, applying it through a range of scenarios.
Learn the fundamentals of the law of torts, the cornerstone of private and public tortious liability, again laying the foundations for future study throughout the course.
In your second year, you’ll undertake your first formal placement in the Legal Advice Clinic, and you will study practice-area modules that form part of the SQE assessments, and which will enable you to gain the additional experience and skills required for a successful legal career.
The optional modules are subject to change. You can see an example of optional modules provided below
Undertake a 20-week placement at the Legal Advice Clinic (LAC) for 4 hours per week, developing key legal practice skills and shadowing real client interviews.
Develop knowledge, understanding and skills around criminal procedure and criminal courts, from advising clients at the police stations through to sentencing in court.
Develop knowledge, understanding and skills around civil procedure and civil courts, including the techniques and conventions required of a presenting advocate in the context of a civil claim.
Grow your knowledge of key areas of law including taxation, solicitors accounts, wills and administration of estates, ethics, professional conduct and legal services.
Immerse yourself in the fundamentals of land law including the nature of land, titles to land, leases, co-ownership and trusts.
Explore how the tech landscape impacts legal practice, looking at AI, big data, cybersecurity and more, as well as professional and ethical issues.
Critically examine the structures, personnel, methods and substantive laws of the English Legal System and other legal systems, appreciating different legal perspectives.
Work in groups to develop a research project to educate members of a local school, charity, community group or organisation.
Examine legislative and judicial decisions and their impact on business, covering sale of goods, remedies, transfer of property, delivery, acceptance and payment.
Develop your knowledge of essential principles and how the law relates to the relationship between employers and workers, covering contracts of employment, statutory rights, wrongful and unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination at work.
In your final year, you’ll take on a more in-depth placement in the Legal Advice Clinic, gaining greater responsibility and autonomy. You will continue your study of SQE assessed practice areas and develop your areas of specialisation by choosing from optional modules such as family law in practice or private client in practice.
The optional modules are subject to change. You can see an example of optional modules provided below.
Apply knowledge to solve legal problems involving business rules and procedures, finance, corporate governance and compliance, partner authority, insolvency and more.
Work at the LAC for the equivalent of 1 day per week for 20 weeks, developing your practical skills in a legal environment under supervision but with greater autonomy.
Apply the law to complex problems involving express and implied trusts, the fiduciary relationship, trustees’ duties, powers and liability and equitable remedies.
Understand and apply the critical steps in residential and commercial property transactions incorporating freehold and leasehold land, planning, and property taxation.
Understand and apply law relating to children’s rights, child protection (family court), and children in conflict with the law (youth court).
Work through scenarios involving issues such as employment status, termination of contracts, transfer of business, whistleblowing, employment tribunals and more.
Carry out the tasks of a family law practitioner, applying legal knowledge and skills to issues such as divorce, domestic abuse, and child maintenance.
Complete a 20-week, 4-hour-per-week placement at the LAC, working on community-based projects to complement your Clinical Practice experience.
Learn and apply the principles of business acquisitions and corporate takeovers, considering issues such as due diligence, warranties and taxation.
Focusing on tax and estate planning, wills, inheritance claims, and powers of attorney, apply the law to a range of scenarios.
Examine legislative and judicial decisions and their impact on business, covering sale of goods, remedies, transfer of property, delivery, acceptance and payment.
Develop your knowledge of essential principles and how the law relates to the relationship between employers and workers, covering contracts of employment, statutory rights, wrongful and unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination at work.
Develop your foundational knowledge, covering autonomy and consent, clinical negligence, reproduction, birth and parenthood, and end of life issues such as euthanasia and organ donation.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and assessment
You'll be taught by practising and former solicitors who are up to date with the latest legal trends and legislation. Their experience in law firms means they know exactly what employers look for and can help you develop those key skills, boosting your employability.
You'll combine legal theory with practical, hands-on learning in the Legal Advice Clinic where you'll experience firsthand how the law operates and impacts real people. You'll take part in group projects in our Hydra simulation suite and moot courtroom. Your learning is also enhanced by guest talks from industry professionals, field trips, and voluntary placements.
Your time in the Legal Advice Clinic can be used towards your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) which you need to qualify as a solicitor.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways throughout your degree, including exams, essays, presentations and moots. Practical modules focus on developing professional legal skills through activities such as drafting legal documents as well as SQE1-style multiple-choice exams to help prepare you for the format of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1).
Preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
The SQE 1 and SQE 2 examinations are the route to qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales. SQE 1 is centrally assessed over two days in the format of single best answer multiple choice questions. SQE 1 tests a candidate’s legal knowledge in core areas, this is known as Functioning Legal Knowledge.
SQE 2 is centrally assessed over several days and tests a candidate’s practical legal skills such as interviewing and advising, and case analysis.
In addition to passing SQE 1 and SQE 2, candidates must also hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject, complete two years’ worth of Qualifying Work Experience and satisfy the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.
In years 2 and 3, your formal, compulsory placements will be within our Legal Advice Clinic, where you'll work with real clients, assess and research their legal problems, and draft legal advice - all under the guidance of experienced, qualified solicitors. This hands-on experience counts towards the work experience needed to qualify as a solicitor. You can also take advantage of optional work experience opportunities, for example educating school pupils or community members about legal matters or interning with our industry partners such as Capital Law or Hugh James.
Our award-winning Legal Advice Clinic offers a unique opportunity to get invaluable practical experience with real legal clients. We provide unmatched preparation through our facilities. Use our moot courtroom to refine your court skills, and benefit from interview rooms where staff can observe your interactions and provide feedback. The Hydra simulation suite further enhances your training by allowing you to practice key decisions in diverse scenarios, offering ideal preparation for real-world legal practice.
Course Leader
Leane Barnes
Leane is a qualified solicitor, lecturer and Course Leader for the LLB Law and Legal Practice (SQE). Leane leads this undergraduate course with a focus on legal practice ensuring graduates are confident, capable and practice ready. Prior to joining the University of South Wales, Leane worked in private legal practice for many years, bringing extensive experience as a qualified solicitor into her teaching which informs her practical, skills-focused approach to learning. Leane supervises students in the Legal Advice Clinic and teaches across key modules including Property Law in Practice, Professional Conduct, Wills and Estate Planning and Private Client in Practice, supporting students to develop the knowledge and competencies required for their future legal careers.
Entry requirements
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a question104 UCAS points or above
Typical qualification requirements
A Level:
BCC.
BTEC:
BTEC Extended Diploma Distinction Merit Merit.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate:
Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and BC at A Level.
Access to HE:
Pass the Access to HE Diploma and obtain a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points..
Additional requirements include:
Please note that whilst this course does not require a DBS Check for entry, some professions will not consider candidates who have certain types of criminal convictions. Therefore, if you have a criminal conviction and you are considering a particular career path we would recommend that you check with the relevant professional body or refer to their recruitment policy to make sure that your conviction will not disadvantage you.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
International studentsPre-Sessional EnglishEnglish language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Fees and Funding
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
SQE Exam Fees
Upon successful completion of the course, students may wish to sit the external SQE exam. Students will need to book and pay for the external exams directly with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
SQE Exam Fees
Upon successful completion of the course, students may wish to sit the external SQE exam. Students will need to book and pay for the external exams directly with the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS
You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time).
-
Apply direct
Law and Legal Practice (SQE)
-
Full-time, 3 years
-
September
-
Pontypridd
-
-
Apply direct
Law and Legal Practice (SQE)
-
Part-time, 5 years
-
September
-
Pontypridd
-
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.