Professional Legal Practice Postgraduate Diploma

Part of Law
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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £12,500 *
International Fees £13,000 *
Alumni Discount See details
Duration 1 year

* Price per academic year

Course summary

The Professional Legal Practice Postgraduate Diploma is designed as a conversion course for non-law graduates who are seeking to transition to a career in law. You’ll learn both the law and its practical application to realistic client-based and ethical problems and situations. The course will provide you with a solid foundation to qualify either as a solicitor or a barrister, whichever profession you decide upon.

The knowledge gained on this course will allow you to progress to further study for the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination (SQE) or for a Bar Standards Board authorised barristers’ training course. You will learn the essential foundation areas of legal knowledge needed for a career in law.

You’ll be able to develop key, relevant skills in your tutorials, looking at writing, drafting, interviewing and advising, research, case and matter analysis and advocacy. You’ll be assessed by a variety of authentic assessments which include advocacy, a case study report and analysis of a legal case. These will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate that you have acquired competence in a range of essential professional legal skills in addition to understanding the substantive law.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Small, interactive group sessions allow you to benefit from individual guidance and help. These sessions mimic a live legal workplace, providing you with an opportunity to put your  knowledge of theory into practice 
  • The opportunity to undertake real client legal work under the supervision of tutors working in the Student Law Centre. The focus is on experiential learning through reflection, analysis and planning
  • Highly experienced and approachable lecturers, many of whom are qualified solicitors or barristers
  • The course is taught at Westminster Law School in the heart of London's West End, with many law firms nearby

Course structure

To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, you’ll study six core modules, honing your knowledge and skills in interactive group sessions.

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Core modules

This module will introduce you to the core legal principles underlying criminal liability, by examining the way they shape criminal law (including actus reus and mens rea, and the definition of offences and defences), as well as key rules of procedure in the lead up to and during a criminal trial.

This module looks at the structures of the legal system, the court hierarchy, precedent and statutory interpretation. It considers the regulation of legal services and the regulatory role of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority including the application of the Equality Act 2010, money laundering legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the regulation of financial services and legislation such as the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It also considers the funding options for legal services such as conditional fee arrangements and eligibility for legal aid. The module considers the structure and principle characteristics of the constitution of the UK and analyses the unique structure of the UK constitution and its impact on the exercise of governmental power and the protection of human rights. It considers the principles of administrative law and the judicial review process by which public authorities are legally accountable.

This module will introduce students to modern English contract and tort law as part of the wider law of obligations. You will explore the legal and theoretical issues that form the core of contract law and the core ideas, concepts and principles which underpin the law of tort. The module will draw out understanding of these core principles and the ability to apply them to legal problems. The module will consider the practical context in which contract and tort law operate and how disputes in relation to them may be resolved.

The module explores the concept of legal personality as applied to companies registered under the Companies Act 2006, in contrast to other business vehicles. The rules relating to companies are analysed from legal, practical, historical, economic, sociological and political perspectives. Constitutional matters and the concept of limited liability are explored. You will consider what happens behind the corporate veil, looking at the rights and duties of shareholders and directors and the management of decision making. From a financial perspective, the module considers the ways in which a company raises finance, the principles of taxation and the rules of corporate and personal insolvency. You will also develop an insight and understanding of typical business transactions and commercial contracts.

This module provides an opportunity to consider the role of equity and trusts in relation to family and commercial trusts. The module will also identify the substantive law in key areas including express trusts, purpose (public and private) trusts, trusts which arise by operation of law, the nature of trustees’ duties, the nature of fiduciary obligations, liability of third parties and consider their application to solve factual problems. The module will address the ways in which equity may intervene to mitigate the common law and the significance of equitable remedies for individuals in the context of the infringement of civil law rights and the protection of human rights. The law and practice of wills and the administration of estates will also be considered.

This module will introduce you to the principles and concepts of modern English (and Welsh) land (and property) law. You will explore the legal framework of registered and unregistered land, the estates and interest in land (distinguishing between law and equity), the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, the landlord and tenant statutory framework, the law relating to mortgages, the creation and protection of easements and freehold covenants, the distinction between leases and licences, an overview of leasehold covenants, the devolution of estates and interests in express co-ownership and the creation of a constructive trust and quantification of land in implied co-ownership. The module will also consider the process of residential and commercial conveyancing.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open evenings

Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Learn from our graduates

Many of our alumni become student mentors, regularly contributing to the Legal Skills Academy and helping current students achieve their goals and prepare for legal careers. 

Specialist workshops and events

We run specialist careers and subject events, designed to support the curriculum, benefit students, and provide networking opportunities. 

Practise in a real-world environment

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your legal skills at the Westminster Law School Legal Advice Clinic, giving you valuable experience to prepare you for your career.

Industry Links

Westminster Law School and its student law societies provide a series of career and subject-specialist workshops and events throughout the academic year. These are designed to support your academic knowledge by giving insight into the expectations of employers at interviews and in the workplace. Alumni panels provide the opportunity to network with industry professionals.

Recent guests and organisations include:

  • Goldsmiths Chambers
  • Government Legal Profession
  • Jo Sidhu QC
  • Kingsley Napley LLP
  • Sir Richard Arnold
  • SEO London
  • Sheridans
  • Tuckers Solicitors

Graduate Employers

Westminster Law School is committed to developing employable graduates by ensuring that career development skills are embedded in this course. Previous graduates from Westminster Law School have gone on to work for employers including:

  • Teacher Stern LLP
  • Connect Managed Services (UK)
  • UCFB College of Football Business Ltd.
  • Watson Thomas Solicitors
  • Russell-Cooke Solicitors

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:

  • Solicitor
  • Barrister
  • Arbitrator
  • Commercial or family law mediator
  • Asset manager
  • Banking and finance lawyer

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities. 

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

Westminster Employability Award

Course Leader

Course Team

You'll be taught by an experienced and skilled teaching team drawn from both research and vocational backgrounds, which reflect the diverse nature of the provision within Westminster Law School. Because of the dual nature of the course, being both vocational and academic study, your student experience is enriched as our lecturers bring expertise in a variety of areas to their teaching on the course.

Why study this course?

Greater student focus

Lectures are taught in small, interactive group sessions, allowing you to benefit from individual guidance and help.

Taught by experts

You'll be taught by academics and practitioners, experts in the field, and with a passion for supporting students from diverse backgrounds.

Industry insight

Attend workshops addressed by industry leaders, which in the past have included Accutrainee Limited, Bristows LLP, Devonshires Solicitors LLP, and Government Legal Profession, to name a few.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a related discipline including Law, Social Science. Applicants without the standard qualifications who have significant professional experience in the relevant field or related professional qualifications may be considered.

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

  • the application process
  • what you need to apply
  • deadlines for applications

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a related discipline including Law, Social Science. Applicants without the standard qualifications who have significant professional experience in the relevant field or related professional qualifications may be considered.

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

  • the application process
  • what you need to apply
  • deadlines for applications

More information

Learn new skills

Volunteer and gain new skills

We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.

Get extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £12,500 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).

Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what you tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £13,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.

Find out more about funding for international students.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what you tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you’ll be taught

Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
23%77%
Scheduled hoursIndependent study

How you’ll be assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Written exams: end of semester exams
  • Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
  • Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Year
1
72%6%22%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2022/23

Research groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

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Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Little Titchfield Street is the home of Westminster Law School and, as part of our Regent Campus, benefits from a central London location. The facilities include a full-size mock courtroom, high-tech learning spaces, a pro-bono clinic and a 382-seat lecture theatre.

Our Regent Campus is made up of three locations – 309 Regent Street, Little Titchfield Street and Wells Street, all of which are just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street.

For more details, visit our Little Titchfield Street page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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