University of Law and University of Leicester partnership will expand access to professional legal training
The University of Law (ULaw) and the University of Leicester are delighted to announce an exclusive strategic partnership that will bring sector-leading postgraduate legal training onto Leicester’s campus.
From September 2026, the collaboration will offer ULaw’s LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) as a full-time, in-person programme at University of Leicester. The course is designed to prepare aspiring solicitors for qualification under the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) framework. Going beyond the core SRA assessments, ULaw’s LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) equips students with advanced legal knowledge, practical skills and commercial awareness essential for a successful legal career.
In addition, ULaw’s Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) will also be delivered full-time at the University of Leicester from September 2026. This will offer a comprehensive foundation in legal training to support progression onto the SQE or Bar Practice Course (BPC).
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to strengthen professional pathways for University of Leicester students and widen participation in the legal profession. By embedding voca-tional training within a highly research-intensive law school environment, the collaboration creates an integrated academic and professional journey, allowing students to remain within their existing university community while advancing to the next stage of qualification.
For University of Leicester LLB and non-Law students, the arrangement provides direct access to ULaw’s market-leading legal education, extensive employer connections and strong focus on employability. The partnership complements Leicester’s existing academic strengths with ULaw’s specialist expertise in professional legal training.
ULaw’s law school partnership model is built around increasing accessibility to professional education. Historically, many students have had to travel or relocate to progress to the next stage of their education. Delivering programmes locally reduces financial and personal barri-ers, enabling students to remain within familiar environments and close to existing support networks. At a time when the cost of undertaking the SQE is significant, this approach repre-sents an important step toward improving access, supporting regional talent and promoting greater inclusivity within the legal profession.
Professor Peter Crisp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, ULaw, said: “We are delighted to form this strategic partnership with the University of Leicester. This collaboration reflects our contin-ued commitment to working with outstanding universities to create accessible, high-quality pathways into the legal profession.
“Through this partnership, students at University of Leicester will benefit from our extensive expertise in postgraduate legal training, gaining the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their ambitions. We look forward to working closely together to build what promis-es to be an exciting extension to University of Leicester’s Law School offering and to help shape the next generation of legal talent.”
Professor Teela Sanders, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities at the University of Leicester, said: “This collaboration brings together the best legal education and the most advanced opportunities for our students to gain the knowledge and skills they need to qualify and thrive in the legal professions. It marks the continuing upward trajectory of The University of Leicester as a centre of excellence in legal education. I am delighted that we will be working with the University of Law and look for-ward to welcoming the first cohort of students in September 2026.”