Nottingham Law School offers 'innovative' new Bar course

Nottingham Law School has innovated its Bar professional training course (BPTC) by offering students a new route that includes a masters (LLM) qualification as part of the one-year course.

To gain the LLM, students must complete a dissertation or undertake practical legal work experience, giving them the opportunity to engage with real cases and gain qualifications, practical knowledge and insight essential to employers.

Helen Hudson, head of post graduate professional programmes at the law school, said: 'In a changing legal education environment it's important that we review and innovate our courses to meet the needs of students and employers.

'We gathered feedback from a number of sources which indicated that students consider the ability to acquire an LLM alongside their studies for the BPTC very attractive.

'The course provides students with an internationally recognised qualification and gives them an enhanced insight into the law and the legal profession.'

Students can undertake pro bono activity through Nottingham's Legal Advice Centre (LAC), work for the Citizens Advice Bureau, or 'carry out placements within a professional legal setting,' explained Hudson.

Nottingham Law School is currently the only provider offering a one-year LLM BPTC, which also aligns with its LLM legal practice course to help those students who wish to cross qualify.

Ian Fox, course leader of the school's BPTC, added: 'This course is of value to a range of domestic and international students who aspire to either a career within the legal services sector or a career where legal knowledge and skills will be valued.'

Nottingham Law School is no stranger to innovative teaching. Last year the school announced that the LAC had been granted alternative business structure (ABS) status by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, turning it into a 'teaching law firm'.

The licence gives students the opportunity to work in a fully regulated organisation as part of their studies, replicating the professional environment and working practices of an external law firm.