Overview
The Brunel Master of Laws (LLM) with Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) preparation, in partnership with BARBRI, offers you a clear pathway to becoming a UK solicitor. With BARBRI's world-leading SQE prep courses integrated into your studies, alongside exclusive access to BARBRI staff support, you'll be well-prepared for the SQE 1 exam.
Our programme is open to both law and non-law graduates, making it the perfect course choice if you're looking to switch to a legal career. Plus, if you're new to law, thanks to our special partnership with BARBRI, you’ll benefit from a 15% discount on BARBRI’s Foundations in Law course.
You'll also have the opportunity to gain practical experience through optional work placements in city law firms, boutique firms, local councils, and more, which can count towards the required two years of Qualifying Work Experience for becoming a solicitor under the current Solicitors Regulation Authority framework.
You can start your course in January or September, depending on your needs. By choosing Brunel, you'll be studying near major law firms and corporate headquarters, providing you with networking opportunities and exposure to the legal industry.
With this degree, you'll be equipped with the qualifications and expertise to excel in your legal career, making you a strong candidate for top positions in the field.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Our programme offers a Master of Laws degree with bespoke preparation for the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) Part 1. SQE Part 1 assesses 'Functional Legal Knowledge', requiring you to know substantive legal topics, apply them practically, and understand subjects relevant to legal practice, such as the Solicitors Accounts Rules and Professional Conduct Rules. Our partner, BARBRI, provides 60 credits of bespoke modules for your SQE 1 preparation, delivered remotely.
Brunel Law School provides the remaining 120 credits, including a module on the professional and ethical requirements of practicing solicitors and a selection of academic subjects across the Master of Laws pathway. You'll also complete a dissertation, gaining experience in designing and presenting a comprehensive written academic project, which complements your SQE preparation.
Compulsory
- LX5CCC - Professional Legal Skills
This module equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal practice world. You'll gain a critical and reflective perspective on the various roles, relationships, challenges, and professional opportunities within a legal environment. Additionally, you'll develop essential academic, practical, and personal skills. Topics covered include client care, legal research, the legal profession and environment, the role of witnesses, third parties and courts, and commercial awareness.
- LX5AAA - SQE 1 Preparation: Legal Practice 1
This online module is offered by BARBRI, with exclusive access to support from BARBRI staff. You'll cover essential topics such as business law and practice, dispute resolution, tort, contract, the legal systems in England and Wales, administrative and constitutional law, EU law, and legal services.
- LX5BBB - SQE 1 Preparation: Legal Practice 2
This module is delivered online by BARBRI, with access to BARBRI staff support. Students will explore key areas such as property practice, wills and estate administration, solicitor accounts, land law, trusts, and criminal law and practice.
- LX5500 - Dissertation
A 15,000 word assignment to enable you to acquire a well-developed knowledge and understanding of an area of law within the scope of your programme and to improve skills in legal research and writing
Optional
- LX5672 - Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability and ESG
The module examines and critically analyses corporate responsibility, and the requirements of Sustainability and ESG in modern business and the international dimensions of these concepts.
- LX5657 - Governance, Regulation and Compliance
This module will introduce you to the foundations of compliance in a financial institution and financial department of a corporation, while also providing a comprehensive inspection of governance and regulatory risk approaches.
- LX5673 - Intellectual Property and New Technologies
The module will address issues born from the interaction of intellectual property and the new technologies: Information Technologies (IT), the digital environment and the Internet, biotechnology. It will cover copyright protection for works belonging to Information Technology, Digital Copyright, Patent protection, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection and Blockchain.
- LX5655 - International Commercial Law
This module aims to introduce students to the general framework of international commercial law. You'll learn the law of international sale contracts and related matters, including cross-border dispute resolution, transport, and broader social concerns such as labour and corruption.
- LX5649 - International Dispute Settlement
This module focuses on the complexities of private international law in the context of commercial disputes with international elements. Students will receive advanced instruction on key aspects of private international law relevant to international commercial litigation. The module critically examines jurisdictional rules applied by courts, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and the laws governing the substance of international commercial disputes. Through this module, students will gain a deep understanding of the legal challenges and solutions in international commercial litigation.
- LX5652 - Principles of International Investment Arbitration
To provide an understanding of the law governing international investment arbitration.
- LX5678 - Regulating Digital Markets and Online Platforms
This module explores the global regulation of digital markets and online platforms, such as search engines and social networks. It examines the limitations of traditional legal frameworks in addressing the challenges posed by digital technologies and discusses initial regulatory attempts and controversies. Students will study key regulatory initiatives, including the EU's Digital Markets Act, the US's Anti-Discrimination Act, and the UK's Digital Markets Unit. The module prepares students for the growing demand for digital regulation expertise through interactive lectures, guest speakers from various career paths, and practical assessments, equipping them with the skills needed to excel in an international and digitised workforce.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Upon finishing the programme, you’ll be equipped with a solid foundation in professionalism and be well-prepared for the SQE 1 exam. Through your chosen modules and the rigor of your dissertation, you'll develop specialised knowledge within the legal sector. If you're a practicing lawyer outside the UK, this degree with SQE 1 preparation is your first step towards qualifying as a UK solicitor.
Plus, as a graduate, you can continue with SQE 2 preparation through BARBRI and access exclusive alumni discounts, saving you money as you progress in your legal career. You’ll benefit from a 15% discount on the BARBRI SQE 2 prep course, or, if you opt for the standalone BARBRI prep courses, you’ll receive a 15% discount on the SQE 1 and SQE 2 prep courses. This means you'll be well-equipped for the legal field, with the qualifications and expertise to stand out in the competitive job market.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in Law or a related subject (International Relations, Political Science, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Business and Management).
- Other related subjects and qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/6 entry
International
£22,320 full-time
£11,160 part-time
£1,385 placement year
UK
£14,435 full-time
£7,215 part-time
£1,385 placement year
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
The BARBRI SQE 1 preparation part of your course will be studied entirely online. You'll have exclusive access to BARBRI staff support, ensuring you get the help you need whenever you need it.
For Brunel LLM modules, you'll be taught by experts in your field, providing you with the latest knowledge and sector insights. You'll have the opportunity to interact and engage with academics and fellow students throughout your programme, fostering a collaborative and enriching learning environment. This means you'll be well-prepared for your future career, equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
BARBRI SQE 1 preparation will be fully accessed online with exclusive access to BARBRI staff support. Brunel modules alongside Brunel learning and teaching will be delivered in person on campus.
Your programme will consist of a variety of learning and studying activities, including lectures and seminars which will be delivered in person on campus. These will be supported by a number of online learning and studying activities when appropriate to provide a rich and dynamic experience. At LLM level, students will study four 15 credit modules each term for two terms across the academic year.
Each module will have on average eight two-hour in person contact time per week in seminars, workshops or lectures. After the end of the taught part of the programme, there is the dissertation. All students will also have the opportunity to seek guidance during the feedback and consultation hours of their lecturers (2, 1-hour slots every week).
Additionally, students can seek support in individual meetings with their personal tutors, both on campus and online. There will also be regular cohort meetings and student society events, at both programme and departmental levels.
All lectures, seminars, and other social activities will occur in person on the Brunel campus. Online activities will be used to support your learning when appropriate. It is expected that students will regularly attend these events as sustained engagement with a learning community is a central dimension of the Brunel experience.
All resources will be available through the virtual learning environment of Brunel and BARBRI.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Brunel has a strong research status. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) rated the majority (72.7%) of our research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent. Our research was rated 58th globally for research impact. This robust culture provides a dynamic space for students to learn and contribute to current knowledge.
Your LLM modules will be delivered through seminars, with two hours of teaching per module a week alongside your own self-directed study.
You’ll also learn through:
- Research centre activities and research trips
- Contributing to newsletters
- Making oral presentations
- Attending law film screenings
- Participating in debating events and reading group sessions.
You'll receive your timetable in advance of the course starting.
If you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
You'll be assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, and exams, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your skills and knowledge. Before your assessment periods, you'll receive plenty of guidance and support to help you prepare effectively. After the assessments and once the results are published, you'll benefit from both general and personalised feedback to help you improve and succeed.
Modules designed to support SQE preparation will also include mock multiple-choice question exams, replicating the actual SQE 1 exam. This means you'll be well-prepared and confident when you come to take the real SQE Part 1 exam.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
