The University of Sheffield has signed an agreement with the University of Law (ULaw) to take over the delivery of its postgraduate vocational law courses.
The partnership, which was proposed in June, will bring ULaw’s graduate diploma in law and legal practice course provision to Sheffield from September, led by the dean of ULaw’s Leeds campus, Matthew Tomlinson.
ULaw will also roll out a solicitors qualifying examination.
ULaw is offering more than £2 million in scholarships and bursaries for its students this year and in addition will be offering up to 10 Campus Dean’s Awards specifically for Sheffield.
New courses starting in January will be offered by ULaw in 2021, meaning students will have more flexibility and choice. Courses commencing in January are likely to include the full-time graduate diploma in law and legal practice course, and the part-time, day or weekend legal practice course.
The partnership will enable the University of Sheffield’s School of Law to focus on its research-led teaching in criminology and law, with ULaw providing specialist education for postgraduate students in Sheffield who are looking to qualify as solicitors.
Professor Graham Gee, head of the University of Sheffield’s School of Law, said: “This partnership with The University of Law marks an exciting development for the University of Sheffield at a time of changing qualification routes for solicitors.”
“It 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 world-leading research-led teaching in criminology and law. We are particularly excited about new opportunities to work jointly with the University of Law on employability initiatives that will give our students a head start as they prepare for the legal marketplace.”
Tomlinson said: “The University of Sheffield has run very successful 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.”
