UWTSD Launches new legal master’s pathway

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has strengthened its commitment to practice-focused legal education with the launch of a new LLM in Law and Legal Practice withSQE 1&2, delivered in collaboration with BARBRI, a global leader in legal education 

Aligning academic study with legal profession

The programme, based at UWTSD’s Swansea Law School, integrates Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation directly into a postgraduate degree, representing a significant step in aligning academic study with the evolving demands of the legal profession.

The new LLM, available to students from October 2026, embeds BARBRI’s SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses within a 12‑month full-time programme, or a part-time 2-year programme. This integrated model offers students a streamlined pathway to qualification as solicitors in England and Wales, combining intensive exam preparation with practice-focussed modules of study from the Law School.  It also offers the opportunity for students to access postgraduate student funding for their SQE preparation.

Graduates are better equipped

At its core, the programme reflects a broader shift across UK legal education, where universities are increasingly collaborating with specialist training providers to ensure graduates are better equipped for professional practice.

Students will primarily be taught by the expert team at Swansea Law School, with modules on Contemporary Legal Practice, Research Methodology, and either a dissertation or legal practice project in a specialist area of law.

BARBRI, which has decades of experience and more than 1.45 million learners worldwide, contributes its technology-enabled learning platform, which includes adaptive study plans, workshops, live sessions, performance tracking, and exam-focused coaching. 

This dual approach is designed to address a longstanding challenge in legal education: bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and professional readiness. By embedding SQE preparation directly into the LLM, UWTSD and BARBRI aim to remove duplication in study pathways and reduce the time, cost and complexity traditionally associated with qualifying as a solicitor. 

The part-time option also provides the opportunity for students to undertake Qualifying Work Experience while studying, creating additional efficiencies in terms of time and the funding of the programme. 

Christopher Howard, University Partnerships Director at BARBRI, said of the programme: “It’s been a pleasure to support the development of this programme, combining expert practical legal education from Swansea Law School and cutting-edge learning technology from BARBRI SQE Prep to provide a comprehensive education for aspiring solicitors in an outstanding university setting.” 

For UWTSD, the partnership aligns with the vision of Swansea Law School to deliver professionally relevant programmes informed by industry engagement. Dr Bronwen Williams, Academic Director of the Swansea Law School, noted: “Swansea Law School is delighted to be working with BARBRI SQE Prep to be able to deliver the LLM in Law and Legal Practice (with SQE 1&2 prep) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.” 

“The collaboration also builds on UWTSD’s wider strategy of integrating employability into its curriculum design. Swansea Law School has positioned itself as a hub for practice-oriented legal education, incorporating employer input and real-world learning opportunities across its programmes. The inclusion of BARBRI’s SQE preparation tools further reinforces this approach, equipping students with both the academic grounding and practical competencies required by modern legal employers”.

From a student perspective, the benefits are clear. Rather than pursuing an LLM followed by separate SQE preparation courses, students can complete both elements concurrently within a single programme. This integrated pathway makes the journey to qualification more efficient, accessible, and aligned with the expectations of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s SQE framework.

Equally, BARBRI’s learning platform introduces a level of personalisation and flexibility that is increasingly valued in postgraduate education. Features such as adaptive study plans and performance dashboards enable students to track their progress in real time, while access to learning coaches and exam strategy support helps ensure they are fully prepared for the demands of the SQE assessments.

The launch of the LLM at UWTSD also reflects broader trends in the legal sector, where the introduction of the SQE has prompted significant innovation in how universities and training providers collaborate. By integrating exam preparation with academic study, programmes like this aim to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also immediately capable of operating in professional environments.

For prospective students, the new LLM represents an attractive option in a competitive market. It offers the opportunity to gain a master’s qualification while simultaneously preparing for the key assessments required to qualify as a solicitor. For UWTSD and BARBRI, meanwhile, it stands as a clear example of how collaboration can drive innovation in legal education and support the next generation of legal professionals.

Further Information

Eleri Beynon

Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790