Studying with us - Liverpool Law School

Your course – Teaching, learning & assessment

What are the dates for my course this year?

Teaching is due to commence on Monday 22 September 2025. Most years this is broken into two 12 weeks semesters, each followed by an assessment period. These are also broken up by our Christmas and Easter breaks.

More information on Term Dates.

What does an average week normally look like?

Timetables for each student can be different depending on the modules you are taking.

You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face teaching in group lectures and small class sessions, tutorials and seminars, which are supplemented by opportunities to get one-to-one guidance from academic staff during their weekly ‘open office’ hours. These will be supported by active learning tasks such as MCQs for which you should also set time aside. Most importantly you should expect to spend approximately 10 hours each week engaging in independent study. This is a key element of your Law degree and will include seminar preparation, time completing your assessments as well as independent research.

How are my modules assessed?

Methods of assessment differ depending on the module. Throughout your degree programme you will be required to undertake various assessments such as written coursework (including essays, blogs and research reports), exams, group work and presentations.

All module assessment types are listed in the module choice guides, any updates to the way that modules are assessed will be updated in these guides.

When will I find out about my modules and pick modules?

Clare Kelly will send out a link to a google form for you to select modules in August. We will also be running a zoom session beforehand for any questions you may have. Module selection deadlines will be set and communicated to you once available modules options are confirmed.

In some instances, modules are subject to change depending on the demand for each module and academic availability during that academic year.

Careers, employability and the Law Clinic

What additional opportunities are available for law students?

There are lots of exciting opportunities on offer for students studying at The Liverpool Law School. Enhancing employability is one of our key aims and we provide a range of opportunities for students to develop their transferrable skills.

The Liverpool Law Clinic offers students the opportunity to complete a module developing important practical skills in a professional environment, whilst gaining credits which contribute towards their degree. During a Clinic module, students work on real legal cases under the supervision of a qualified lawyer, researching a client’s problem and drafting a detailed legal advice letter or other legal documents.The Clinic works to the highest of professional standards; students and staff have won national awards for their work

Mooting and negotiation competitions give our students the opportunity to apply their skills in a practical way. With mooting, for example, two legal teams compete in presenting a legal argument and the winner is not the team who would win the legal point, but the team who presented their argument well, answered questions accurately and addressed the court correctly. The formative rounds are judged by a member of staff and the finals are judged by practising barristers or judges. These competitions are a fun way for students to develop their presentation skills and to test out their research skills on a new area of law. Placements in a legal firm or chambers are often offered as prizes to members of the winning team.

What services does the Careers and Employability Team offer?

The Law School provides information on a range of placement opportunities, typically offering student the chance to spend 2-3 weeks during the summer break working within an international law firm or alongside in-house lawyers in major commercial companies. Students applying for placements are supported in preparing their applications by the Careers and Employability Service. Many local firms of solicitors and barristers chambers offer placements to winners of student competitions such as moots. In addition, participating in the Law School professional mentoring scheme often leads to an offer of a legal placement.

Are there visits and events to support Careers and Employability for students?

Yes, the Law School holds a dedicated events series, for all Law students to attend. These events/talks take place throughout the academic year during teaching weeks. All of these events will be publicised to students via our various communication outlets across the school and wider University.

Will I be able to take part in practical legal experiences, such as the Law Clinic this year?

The Law Clinic is a key part of the Law School and there are opportunities available to students who both volunteer or choose the Law Clinic as a module. The work of the Law Clinic is an essential asset for those whom it supports, particularly in times of difficulty, so we ensure the work of the Law Clinic continues for our community, as much as for our students.

For more about the Law Clinic, head to the Law Clinic web pages.

There will also be a range of other experiences that we will ensure are available to students wherever feasible, and these will be advertised throughout the year through the Department and the Careers and Employability team.

What kind of links do you have with members of the legal profession?

Members of the local profession are actively involved in the Liverpool Law School, participating in student-led activities including professional networking sessions, supporting pro-bono activities and the mooting competition. For individual students, we offer a professional mentoring scheme, where students are assigned to a local barrister or solicitor who will act as their mentor. The mentor will provide careers advice and assistance to their mentees on a personal and individual basis. Many of our students who have participated in the scheme have been offered work experience and placement opportunities as a result of taking part.

Support services

What support is available at the School of Law and Social Justice?

The School of Law and Social Justice has a dedicated support team based within the Student Experience team who can provide a wide range of support during your studies. The Learning, Teaching and Support Officers are your first point of contact if you need any support.

They can help to assess what support you need and put you in contact with the relevant central teams who specialise in different areas. They can also help students to gain further academic support if it is required, any extenuating circumstances, exam extensions and more.

What support services does the University offer?

Whether you are new to our University community or returning for another year of study, we know it can be a stressful time. The University’s Student Services team offer comprehensive support to all students across a number of areas including:

Student Welfare Advice and Guidance
Counselling Service
Mental Health Advisory Service
Advice and Guidance
Disability Advice and Guidance
International Advice and Guidance
Money Advice and Guidance

If you would rather talk to a fellow student, our Peer Mentoring programme connects students with a student mentor - for guidance, support or just someone to chat with.

Extra-curricular opportunities

What kinds of societies are available to join within my Department?

Alongside the huge range of clubs and societies across the University, there are a number of societies specific to Law subjects, which students may want to join. These help students show a genuine interest in their subject, gain useful contacts within the industry and explore topics and issues in greater depth beyond the curriculum.

In Law, there are a number of societies that reflect some of the common interest areas and career paths, these include:

For more information on the societies available at the university head to The Guild’s website. They are all student led and, if there is a new society that doesn’t already exist, you can set your up with support from the Guild.

Will I be able to get a part-time job whilst studying?

At Liverpool we recognise that part-time work is an increasingly essential part of student life and do our best to help you fit work around your studies.

Legally you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week, though the University recommends that you work no more than 15.

As well as sourcing part-time work yourself, Careers and Employability also advertise local job vacancies - both inside and outside academia. Visit the Careers and Employability pages for more information.

Opportunities after graduating

What type of jobs can I apply for after graduating?

Studying law doesn't mean you have to become a solicitor or barrister; many options beyond the legal profession will be open to you as a Law degree from the University of Liverpool demonstrates a strong set of transferrable skills which are highly valuable in a number of different industries.

Job options directly related to your degree include:

Barrister
Barristers’ clerk
Chartered legal executive
Licenced conveyancer
Paralegal
Solicitor
Trademark Attorney

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Academia
Advice worker
Border Force Officer
Civil service
Detective
Human resources
Government officer
Mediator
Tax advisor
Trading standards officer

Our awarding winning Careers and Employability team offer a diverse programme of opportunities to our students. Throughout their degree programme, students are offered expert advice from a specialist Law Careers Advisor. Students can take advantage of tailored workshops on all aspects of legal careers, including how to secure a training contract, application form clinics, mock interviews and Solicitors Qualification Examination/Bar Professional Training Course workshops. We also hold an annual Law Careers Fair, which offers students an excellent opportunity to explore their career options, network with potential employers, seek work experience and receive advice from industry professionals.

What can I do with my Law degree?

A law degree covers the foundation subjects that are required for entry in the legal profession. But the understanding of legal implications and obligations, combined with the ability to apply this knowledge in practice, is valuable in many parts of the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The range of skills that a law degree provides includes:

Research skills using a range of sources, including verbal questioning
Evaluation skills and the ability to interpret and explain the complex information clearly
Analytical skills
Reasoning and critical judgment skills
The ability to formulate sound arguments
Lateral thinking and problem solving skills
The ability to write concisely
Confident and persuasive oral communication skills
Attention to detail and the ability to draft formal documents with precision

How does work experience help and what opportunities are available?

Employers value work experience as it can help to demonstrate that you have the skills they are looking for. Work experience that's directly related to the legal profession includes carrying out a mini-pupillage. This involves work experience and shadowing that lasts for one week in a set of chambers. Details of this can be found at the Pupillage Gateway. You can also search for law vacation placements in solicitors' firms.

You could also try Judge Marshalling, a form of work experience that allows a participant to accompany a judge at a particular court for a short period of time. The opportunity to marshal a judge in court for a few days is generally available for any university law students wishing to learn about trial processes and advocacy skills through watching barristers or solicitors in action.

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