Professional Legal Practice

Year 1 1

You will study all mandatory modules and three from a list of options which includes Employment Practice and Advanced Civil Litigation. You will be taught by solicitors in practice and will learn through practical teaching and materials.

Year 1 Part Time

You will study two of the mandatory modules and three from a list of options which includes (amongst others) Employment Practice and Advanced Civil Litigation. You will be taught by solicitors in practice and will learn through practical teaching and materials.

Year2 Part Time

You will study the remaining mandatory modules and either one or two optional modules with a continued focus on learning in the types of work which solicitors carry out in practice.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 16 students per group, 2-3 hours per week
• Seminars - 16 students per group, 2-3 hours per week
• Tutorial - 16 students per group, 2-3 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 16 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - 16 students per group, 20 hours per course
• Independent Study - 8 hours per week
• External Visits - 16 students per group, 3 hours per course

How long is a Professional Legal Practice course?

The Professional Legal Practice course can be successfully completed between 26 weeks (1) to 2 years (part time), in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Some of our teaching staff have professional Legal and Management experience meaning that subjects are taught with a highly practical edge. All our academic staff are encouraged to work towards a Higher Education Academy Fellowship. This is a professional recognition of an individuals practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning.

Staff on this course could also include: visiting lecturers and external guest speakers from The Law Society of Scotland.

Independent Study

This is a practically based course and students will be assessed on the skills they learn in lectures seminars and workshops. Students are expected to study independently using the textbooks provided at additional cost to students and to research themselves making use of the RGU library facilities.

Assessment

The summary below indicates the assessment methods applied to the four mandatory modules studied across the course only. Other assessment methods will vary depending on which elective modules are chosen.

YEAR 1 - FULLTIME

• 1 written exam, typically for 2 hours
• 9 written assignments, including essays
• 2 reports
• 2 portfolio
• 2 - 4 set exercises
• 4 oral assessments
• 5 practical skills assessment

YEAR 1 - PART TIME

• 1 written exam, typically for 2 hours
• 3 written assignments, including essays
• 2 reports
• 2 set exercises
• 2 oral assessments
• 1 practical skills assessment

YEAR 2 - PART TIME

• 6 written assignments, including essays
• 2 portfolios
• 2 set exercises
• 2 oral assessment
• 4 practical skills assessment

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Job Prospects

By completing the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice you are completing the first step in professional education and training to become a solicitor in Scotland. The second step is to complete the 2 year legal traineeship which will allow full qualification as a solicitor in Scotland.