Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Course Overview

Northumbria’s LPC provides vocational training across a range of subjects and skills, enabling you to apply your legal knowledge in a practical context. Our highly regarded course is approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as a training route, and offers flexible learning options to allow you to choose a specialism that is right for you. Our LPC course therefore offers you the chance to study the areas of law you are most interested in, whilst preparing you to become a solicitor.

While studying on Northumbria’s Legal Practice Diploma you will receive tailored careers support to enhance your employability. The programme provides an excellent foundation for practice that will bridge your experience of academic law, from your undergraduate law degree or GDL, with the demands that will be made of you on entering legal practice.

Northumbria University works in partnership with Citizens Advice Newcastle and Support Through Court, legal charities providing advice, assistance and/or support to individuals and promoting access to justice. You will have the opportunity, subject to successful application, to volunteer with these organisations to develop your legal skills, enhance your employability and assist individuals with advice, assistance and/or support. You may also have the opportunity to work in Northumbria University’s multi-award winning Student Law Office (subject to available places), where you will provide legal advice to members of the public under the supervision of qualified solicitors/barristers.

Your Future

We run an excellent careers programme with law specific careers events held throughout the year, including employer presentations and workshops. Specialist career professionals from our Graduate Futures team provide 1-2-1 careers information, advice and guidance to support you at each stage of your career planning.

This quality support includes assistance with developing your networking skills, enhancing your job search skills and providing feedback on your CV and job applications. The programme teaching staff have previous practice experience in a range of practice areas and are happy to speak with you/share their experiences of working in local and national law firms.

We also offer a Law School Practice Interview Scheme - every student can make an appointment with a member of staff to do a practice interview and receive feedback prior to a graduate interview. Our central careers support provides a dedicated student employability hub that provides law students with access to job vacancies, automated CV checking software, interview simulator experience, a psychometric testing platform and a variety of additional resources to help you plan and manage your legal career. You can also participate in employability workshops and attend our annual Careers Fair.

We offer an Employability Learning Fund to support those from Widening Participation (WP) student groups. The aim of the scheme is to provide funds to further support WP students with employment opportunities. Additional employability support may be available and more details can be provided on request.

Applicants should normally have: A Qualifying Law Degree awarded at a minimum of a 2:2 honours, or a GDL qualification, both awarded less than 7 years ago. Relevant professional qualifications or suitable experience will also be considered.