Course description
The CPE programme has become an established and widely recognised route into both branches of the legal profession. The Joint Academic Stage Board externally validates the programme, which is specifically designed to enable non-law graduates to satisfy the academic stage of the process of legal training, thereby enabling successful students to embark on a vocational training course with a view to entering the legal profession as a solicitor or barrister.
The programme covers the core modules that constitute a qualifying Law degree (and therefore exemption from the academic stage of legal training) in an accelerated one-year format.
Course Details
The CPE in Law programme seeks to cover the 'core' modules, which constitute a qualifying law degree (and therefore exemption from the Academic Stage of Legal Training) in an accelerated (one-year) format. In accordance with The Joint Academic Stage Board regulations, students will be required to undertake eight modules including the seven 'core' modules of the qualifying law degree (see below), and Evidence. Each module will be worth 20 credits and the overall programme will consist of 160 credits taken at level III.
Additionally, students will have to complete a formal induction programme lasting two weeks before the main body of the course begins. This induction programme will involve directed study and a course in English Legal Institutions and Method, and covers essential legal research skills in order to prepare students and furnish them with the basic skills that they will require for the study of law. This full-time programme is intended to run over a single academic year, with 40-50 study hours over 36 weeks, inclusive of a two week period for the formal induction course and a two week examination period at the end of each term.
Modules (all core)
* Two-week Induction
* Contract Law
* Criminal Law
* Public Law
* Tort
* European Union Law
* Land Law
* Trusts
* Evidence
Special Features
Law at Brunel University is well-established and highly rated for its published scholarship, and well known amongst law firms for its distinctive undergraduate sandwich courses. It has recently been through the University's periodic review, which is designed to ensure that high standards of teaching are maintained.
Assessment
Modules will be taught through lectures and seminars. Students will be required to read set materials in preparation for these classes. These materials will be made available either through the school, in the library or on the web. Students will be expected to discuss the material, read, engage in roleplay and to undertake research exercises.
Work undertaken in the first term will be assessed primarily through essays and in the second term, primarily by way of unseen examination papers. This should enable students to obtain feedback from teachers and appreciate what is required from written work at an advanced level before undertaking examinations. The Evidence module will be assessed by means of a long essay; this is designed to enable students to acquire and demonstrate independent learning and legal research and writing skills.
