CONVERSION IN LAW - LLM

Next Date: September

Why choose this program ?

This course allows non-law graduates wanting to enter the legal profession the opportunity to gain a strong understanding of the foundational principles of the law in England and Wales and go onto further study to become a solicitor or barrister. To achieve this, the course has been designed to align with the subjects that you will need to study further to successfully undertake the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE), while also meeting the requirements of the Bar Standards Board in the Bar Qualification Manual for Conversion Courses. Studying at Birmingham City University (BCU) offers a diverse and practise-based learning opportunity for you to develop your legal education in a modern environment within an exciting city. While we are rooted in Birmingham, as a university we aim to be reaching far beyond.

The Law is wide and varied, and our teaching reflects that. Therefore, when you study with us, you can develop your knowledge on a wide range of topics. Assessments are designed to be realistic and applicable to future careers, including a range of different assessment types to suit a range of preference of learning styles.

Creating an excellent learning experience for you is our priority, both within our department and the wider University. As part of this, we concentrate on delivering outstanding teaching from staff who are either experienced in research or practice, so that you receive a 'hands on' approach to become confident, creative, resilient and responsible as you progress towards your preferred career.

This is demonstrated throughout our commitment to clinical legal education, with our Law Clinic offering numerous volunteer opportunities. We are incredibly proud of our distinctive Law Clinic which offers you the ability to engage with real-world briefs and clients while you study in multiple areas of Law including Immigration Law and Welfare Clinics. Our close alliances with the Citizens Advice Bureau and Support Through Court means you have a wide range of choice to ensure that you are experiencing multiple different forms of Law and practise. The skills you gain within our Law Clinic allow you to practice your skills and techniques, before beginning to practice.

We know that even from your first day, you'll be thinking about the next step after you graduate so employability has been embedded throughout the degree to support all career aspirations. You are also encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities to support your learning, with student societies such as the highly successful Mooting & Debating Society. Furthermore, you will have the ability to engage with the wider Birmingham legal community through our connections with the Birmingham Law Society, the largest regional law society in the UK and engage in the various networking events organised throughout your university experience.
What's covered in this course?

Our law course covers a broad and diverse range of topics, reflecting the complexity of the legal field. You'll gain practical knowledge across multiple areas, supported by assessments designed to mirror real-world legal practice. We offer varied assessment formats to suit different learning styles and career goals.

The core modules in Semesters 1 and 2 cover the Foundations of Legal Knowledge, alongside the Advanced Skills module which is a combination of support for transition into Masters study, as well as support for students for the LLM element of the course – Dissertation or Law Clinic.

The LLM Conversion in Law aims to prepare students for the next stage of their legal training by providing the essential education on the law that is the foundation of their further training either for the solicitor or barrister route.
As part of the University¿s 2030 strategy to ¿Develop the Talent of Tomorrow¿, the LLM Conversion in Law course embeds the Employability Framework into its core curriculum to ensure all students engage with key employability pillars.

The course also integrates transferable skills aligned with the newly revalidated LLB, informed by Careers+ and employer feedback, and endorsed by the Law Advisory Board. This ensures students develop skills relevant to the future workforce through learning, teaching, and assessment.

To support career readiness, the Law School collaborates with Careers+, Employer Engagement, and Graduate Outcomes Teams to deliver events, mentoring, and volunteering opportunities. Newsletters and a dedicated virtual learning site provide law students with career resources and updates.

Strategic partnerships have expanded through initiatives like the 2024 Law & Social Sciences Careers Fair, featuring employers such as the Ministry of Justice, West Midlands Police, and leading law firms. LLM students will have full access to opportunities like this throughout the academic year.