The University of Law

Tough one. The experience of taking the course has been pretty good. But given that failing the coursework would have serious implications, the experience of being expected to complete coursework alongside continuing tuition has not been a positive experience.

I have not visited any of the sites because of the pandemic and because, as an online student, I expect to not have to need to do so. But, as mentioned earlier, the online platform is easy to use.

I joined the full-time online mode of study in February 2021 and immediately realised that, despite not being employed, I could not fit in its demands. So I switched to part-time, ending in November 2022. Even so, 28 hours of study are expected each week. This is a genuine struggle and I do wonder whether the course should be spread over a longer period.

The online platform is well organised, with work based around each workshop: preparation (usually reading and then some activities); engagement (the workshop itself, using the aforesaid activities); and consolidation afterwards. All of this is on your own, except for the workshop part. This suits me well because I don't much like working in collaboration (not a fashionable position to hold, but there we are). What doesn't suit me well is the amount of reading. Setting aside the 'additional' texts, I have not found it possible to deal with the amount of reading identified as 'essential'.

I do appreciate that a master's course will have a much wider scope than just what is needed for the end-of-module coursework assessment but, even so, for those coming to this course without a background in the private (business) corporate world and/or law, I have felt that students' knowledge and understanding could have been scaffolded in a way that built this up more helpfully.

When I fell out with the course and decided to write this review was when my first module's coursework assessment became a reality. The 23 clear days to complete this crossed with continuing teaching on the final two units of the module (so during weeks 1 and 2 of the three week assessment period). How anyone in employment could do the units and the assessment at the same time I cannot imagine and, of course, the reality is that the coursework is prioritised. I feel rather cheated about paying for two units of work that, the truth is, I cannot complete adequately, if at all, given that the stakes riding on the assesment are so high.

I have had just one tutor so far and they have been fine, clear, well-prepared and helpful. And the various support staff have also been helpful when I have contacted them. On top of that, I feel that the all-but-£10,000 fee is reasonable and the online platform, including its easy-to-use online library and databases, have proved to be good, too.

To sum up, this is a well-organised online course (bringing with it the advantage of not having to travel) with a fair fee tag. But, I think, The University of Law is cramming much too much into the duration of the course and the overlap of continuing study and coursework places unrealistic demands on its students. It's a good course. But it needs to cover less ground or to be delivered over a longer period.

There have been quite a few messages and events to support employment opportunities.

There is plenty of support in terms of groups and the disability service. I have not been given a personal tutor.