LLB Sandwich Work Placement Programme

“I participated in the 12-month LLB Sandwich Work Placement Programme, between the two years of my accelerated LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology Degree, working full time as a Litigation Caseworker for the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration Department.

This placement not only affirmed my learning but put me ahead of my contemporaries on my return to studies, as I had practised what I had learnt and developed my knowledge, which gave me a foundation of resources to implement in my final year of studies contributing to my achieving a First-Class Honours degree.”

– Samuel Wells, LLB Hons Law & Criminology (with Work Placement)

“The placement at Southgate Solicitors has been a fantastic experience in every way possible. From the beginning of the process the University, particularly Julie O’Shea, Clinical Legal Education Manager has been hugely supportive. When I first applied, I was concerned I would flounder in my interview or I wouldn’t be knowledgeable enough, but Julie helped me prepare with a mock interview as well as providing me with valuable guidance throughout the process which enabled me to secure the internship.

Throughout the placement, the Law School team held termly meetings to go over what progress was being made. We discussed any queries relating to the written assignments due each term. These provided useful opportunities to discuss what was working well and what I felt I could improve on, which in turn proved beneficial to the self-reflection necessary for the assignments.

The experience of working within a professional law firm for a full year, with the added bonus of having the support of the university, Julie and my personal tutor, Dr Sargent, has been invaluable for future work but also for the completion of my degree as it has provided new insight into the application of the taught law. I am hugely grateful to the faculty for organising and managing this experience.”

– Rosie Sparkes, Full-time LLB Law and Criminology (with Work Placement)

Who can apply?

Placements are open to all full-time LLB students who satisfy employer eligibility.

Which organisations offer year placement opportunities?

Students are invited to apply for year placement opportunities with Southgate Solicitors, a family law private practice or the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration Department.

What type of roles are offered?

Home Office: Litigation Caseworker – a full time paid position with the Appeals Litigation & Administrative Review department in West London.

Southgate Solicitors: Legal Intern – a full time paid position with Southgate Solicitors family law firm

How do you apply?

By personal statement and CV together with Personal Tutor recommendation.

What support is provided with the application process?

Students are supported by the Clinical Legal Education Manager to plan personal statements and CV along with mock interviews. Additional 1-1 support is provided by the Careers and Employability team. Interviews are conducted independently of the University by the employer.

How is the placement year coordinated?

The Clinical Legal Education Manager and Personal Tutor meet with the student and employer line manager regularly to discuss professional development progress and to provide feedback. Students are encouraged to monitor and record their progress by completing reflective accounts in the Placement Logbook Journal each term with the help of the team and line manager. The University team and employer completes a reference report at the end of the placement year.

What type of work is the student expected to undertake?

Work experience will vary according to the needs of the organisation. Students may expect to work on a range of casework covering competences: pre-action communications; assessing claims, policies, case management meetings, drafting pleadings and supporting senior counsel/legal team.

How is the placement year assessed?

Students complete termly coursework assignments whilst on placement. On return to university students prepare a detailed critical presentation applying practice experience and knowledge of a subject discipline that has a connection with the work placement.

How useful is the placement year?

This type of placement experience can give you a range of transferable skills that all employers and recruiters are looking for (problem solving, communication and team work etc) along with valuable practice experience in a designated field of law.