The University of Law (ULaw) has agreed in principle to take over delivery of the University of Sheffield’s existing postgraduate vocational law courses.
If approved, ULaw will deliver the graduate diploma in law and legal practice course on behalf of the University of Sheffield, as well as roll out a solicitors qualifying examination.
A transfer of the existing postgraduate vocational law courses would enable the University of Sheffield’s School of Law to focus on its research-led teaching in criminology and law, and ULaw, with the delivery of its postgraduate vocational law courses, to provide specialist education for postgraduate students in Sheffield who are looking to qualify as solicitors.
The move would see the Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLE) at the University of Sheffield transfer to ULaw from September, to be led by the dean of ULaw’s Leeds campus, Matthew Tomlinson.
The partnership would also see some University of Sheffield CPLE staff transfer to ULaw.
Commenting on the partnership, Tomlinson said: “The University of Sheffield has run very successful and well established graduate diploma in law and legal practice course programmes for more than 20 years, so it will be a privilege for us to work with the team in Sheffield to really drive the university’s offering forwards.”
“The Yorkshire legal scene is full of incredible talent and growing at a fantastic rate, so we’re excited to see what the future has in store.”
Professor Andrea Nollent, vice chancellor and chief executive of ULaw, said: “The University of Sheffield is a highly respected Russell Group university and we are delighted at the prospect of a partnership between the University of Sheffield and Ulaw. Sheffield is a fantastic city, with a vibrant and thriving legal sector, and is home to several significant firms and local talent that we are eager to help develop with this partnership.”
“This would be our sixth partnership with leading UK universities including the University of Exeter, University of Reading, University of Liverpool, the University of East Anglia in Norwich and the University of Chester Law School. We are continuing to strengthen our position as the outstanding legal education provider across England and Wales, and ensuring those students looking to qualify in law now have a greater opportunity to do so with us.”
Professor Graham Gee, head of the University of Sheffield’s School of Law, said: “We’re pleased to be consulting our students and staff about a potential future collaboration with The University of Law, which could offer us an exciting new way to adapt to changing qualification routes for solicitors.”
“If agreed, this collaboration will allow our students who aspire to a career as a solicitor to receive expert vocational teaching and specialist employability support from the University of Law, while enabling the university’s School of Law to focus on our excellent research-led teaching in criminology and law. Any collaboration will have to work in the interest of our students, respect their rights and our duties under our Student Protection Plan, to ensure our students get the very best in legal training.”
