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Studying law at Sheffield Hallam offers a unique blend of academic excellence and hands-on experience. You’ll gain invaluable real-world exposure by working on live cases in our Legal Service Clinic and Hubs, under the guidance of award-winning legal experts. Our strong ties with leading national and international law firms provide excellent placement opportunities, ensuring you graduate with the practical skills and experience needed for a successful legal career.
Make a Real Impact
At Sheffield Hallam, we are deeply committed to social justice. Through initiatives like the Legal Service Clinic and Refugee Rights Hub, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver life-changing legal support to individuals who need it most. This hands-on experience not only enhances your practical legal skills but also deepens your understanding of legal ethics and professional responsibility. Engaging in pro bono work builds confidence, problem-solving abilities, and a strong sense of purpose—key qualities for excelling in the legal field and beyond.
Our law program is designed to bridge theory with practice, ensuring you develop critical thinking, advocacy, and negotiation skills essential for modern legal professionals. Whether you aspire to become a solicitor, barrister, or work in other areas of law and justice, Sheffield Hallam provides the resources, mentorship, and real-world experience to help you achieve your ambitions.
a. Research Experience Summer Internships
SHU provides supervised research internships during the summer, allowing students to engage in hands-on academic research across various legal topics. These internships enhance subject knowledge and research skills, aiding in informed decisions about postgraduate studies. Huzzle
b. Integrated Clinical Academic Programme
This programme offers interns academically supervised experiences in clinical academic research environments, equipping them with practical skills to undertake research projects. Sheffield Hallam University+2Sheffield Hallam University+2Sheffield Hallam University+2
🏛️ Legal Clinics & Pro Bono Work
a. Hallam Legal Advice Centre
An integral part of SHU's law degree programme, this centre allows students to work on real civil law cases, prison law cases, and criminal appeals under the supervision of qualified solicitors. It provides free, independent, and confidential legal services to the university community and the public. Sheffield Hallam University
🧠 Mooting & Mock Trials
While specific details on mooting and mock trials at SHU are not provided in the available information, law schools typically offer such activities to develop students' advocacy skills. Engaging in these simulations can enhance public speaking and legal reasoning abilities.
💼 Internships and Work Placements
a. Law in Practice Module
A flagship final-year module where students undertake one-day-a-week placements in various legal settings, including law firms, local authorities, in-house legal departments, and charities. These placements cover diverse practice areas, providing practical experience and networking opportunities. Sheffield Hallam University
b. Summer Internship Programmes
SHU students have access to paid summer internships, such as those offered by the British Business Bank's Legal and Governance Team, providing practical experience in legal settings. LinkedIn
📁 Final-Year Legal Project / Dissertation
While specific details are not provided, undergraduate law programmes typically include a dissertation or research project component, allowing students to explore legal issues in depth and develop research and analytical skills.
⚖️ Legal Career Pathways:
Solicitor: Graduates can progress to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, supported by Sheffield's focus on practical legal skills and professional preparation.
Barrister: Students aiming to become barristers can take a Bar Training Course (BTC) and apply for pupillage.
Other legal roles include paralegal, legal assistant, caseworker, or court clerk.
📚 Further Study Options:
Postgraduate qualifications such as an LLM (e.g., International Human Rights Law, Business Law)
PhD in Law for those interested in academic or policy-related careers
Courses in criminology, international relations, or business
💼 Careers Beyond Law:
Public sector roles in civil service, local government, or legal aid
Compliance and risk management in financial or corporate sectors
Advocacy and policy work with NGOs, charities, or international bodies
Opportunities in media, human resources, or education
🧠 Transferable Skills Developed:
Legal research, analysis, and drafting
Verbal advocacy and negotiation
Ethical reasoning and problem-solving
Teamwork, leadership, and communication
Law graduates can specialise through an LLM or postgraduate studies in fields like International Law, Human Rights Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, Cyber Law, Tax Law, Health Law, and Maritime Law. Interdisciplinary options include an MBA, MPP, IR, Criminology, or Human Rights, expanding career opportunities.Applied Learning – The course focuses on real-world challenges, equipping students with practical legal skills and knowledge.Work Placements – Students can undertake a year-long placement with major law firms, public defenders, and justice projects, gaining valuable industry experience.Live Projects – Opportunities to work on real cases alongside legal professionals help students develop hands-on legal skills.Social Justice Initiatives – Students engage in legal aid projects, including refugee family reunification, miscarriage of justice cases, and court helpdesks.Networking Opportunities – Students can build professional connections through law fairs, panel events, alumni mentoring, and industry networking sessions.Field Trips – Students visit prestigious legal institutions, such as the Royal Courts of Justice, and participate in international justice projects in Lesotho and Auschwitz.Competitions – Training in mooting, negotiation, and legal interviewing prepares students for national and international competitions.Expert Faculty – Courses are led by experienced legal researchers and professionals, including solicitors and barristers.Comprehensive Course Support – Academic advisors, skills centers, and employability teams help students succeed in their studies and careers.Global Legal Perspective – The course includes international placements, global case studies, and projects addressing justice issues worldwide.Solicitor – Requires passing the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and a two-year Qualifying Work Experience (QWE)Barrister – Requires completing the Bar Course (BTC/BPC) and a one-year pupillage in chambersLegal Executive – Qualify via CILEx (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives)Paralegal – Assisting lawyers without full solicitor/barrister qualificationJudge – Requires years of legal practice before applying to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC)Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Lawyer – Prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the governmentIn-House Legal Counsel – Providing legal advice to businesses banks or NGOsGovernment Legal Service (GLS) Lawyer – Advising UK government departmentsHuman Rights Lawyer – Specializing in cases related to justice equality and freedomCriminal Lawyer – Defending or prosecuting in criminal casesCorporate Lawyer – Handling mergers & acquisitions and company law mattersIntellectual Property Lawyer – Advising on trademarks patents and copyrightsFamily Lawyer – Specializing in divorce or child custody and domestic disputesEmployment Lawyer – Advising on workplace disputes and contractsImmigration Lawyer – Helping clients with visas or asylum and citizenship issuesReal Estate Lawyer – Handling property transactions and disputes
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Sheffield Hallam University
