LONDON, August 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

New initiative by the UK's longest established law school set to shake up the legal training sector, following a 97% graduate employment rate* 

Students who don't secure a job after nine months following graduation will be given half of their tuition fees back, The University of Law (ULaw) announced today as a demonstration of confidence in their employability results. Aimed at students enrolling on their Legal Practice Course (LPC) this September, the guarantee builds on the university's 97% graduate employability rate* and its strong links with major law firms across the country.

Addressing head-on key student concerns such as employability, graduate debt and value for money, the new direction taken by ULaw is the first of its kind in the sector and is set to revolutionise the legal training industry.

"More than just a degree, today's students want a clear return on their investment. For law graduates, this means one thing: securing a training contract or a full time job upon graduation. Our position as the preferred training provider to over 30 major law firms and our experience in training highly skilled law practitioners give us the confidence and the assurance that our graduates will be in employment within nine months," said ULaw CEO David Johnston.

As the final vocational stage for becoming a solicitor, ULaw's LPC programme was developed alongside leading firms to ensure students acquire the legal and business skills demanded by today's market place. As well as covering key elements of law practice, the course, develops commercial awareness, critical thinking, project management and the networking skills required to establish a solid career.  

According to Mr Johnston, ULaw's commitment to new postgraduates was taken following the university's success in securing more training contracts for their students than any other law college.

"We are the largest provider of LPC programmes in the UK because we fully understand what both students and employers are looking for. Our programmes not only ensure a deep level of understanding of English law, but also offer solid commercial skills that make our graduates some of the most competitive candidates in the job market," added Mr Johnston.

"If you enrol on any of our programmes, from day one you'll get access to our comprehensive career and employability support structures. In addition, our extracurricular activities, societies, networking events, and pro-bono law practice give students the opportunity to put their skills into practice while still studying, which is particularly beneficial when it comes to securing a training contract," Mr Johnston said.

*Based on known destinations, 97% of our full-time LPC students who graduated summer 2014 had secured employment within 9 months of graduation. 

Notes for Editors: 

• The Employment Promise offer is open to UK and EU students applying for ULaw's LPC programmes this September;
• 50% of tuition fees will be paid back to graduates who don't secure a training contract or full time position after 9 months following graduation;
• To qualify, applicants must meet the programme's entry requirements;
• Tuition fees for the LPC programme vary from £10,950 to £14,765, depending on the location of study.
• Full information about the ULaw Employment Promise can be found here http://www.law.ac.uk/postgraduate/employment-law-promise/

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF LAW 

The University of Law (ULaw) is the largest and longest established provider of professional legal education and training in the world with centres in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Manchester and Leeds as well as offering some courses at The University of Exeter.  Previously The College of Law, it was granted university status in November 2012.

• In 2014, more ULaw students commenced training contracts with leading global law firms than any other legal education provider.
• It is committed to the employability of its students: 97% of full time LPC students who graduated in summer 2014 had secured employment within nine months of graduation, with 91% employed in law (based on recent destination figures).
• ULaw is the chosen legal training provider for nine out of the top ten leading global law firms, and has exclusive training relationships with over 30 leading law firms, including Linklaters, Ashursts and Shearman & Sterling.
• Its LL.B law degree, focused on employability and professional legal skills was ranked joint second for satisfaction in the 2014 National Student Survey.
• In February 2015, it launched an MSc in Law, Business and Management, designed in conjunction with Linklaters.  
• All of ULaw's tutors are qualified solicitors or barristers with practice experience.
• ULaw is the only UK university which has been granted an ABS licence, allowing its students to conduct litigation and present at tribunals. It also offers the UK's largest pro-bono programme with over 3,600 opportunities for students.
• It offers an Apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Further Education Colleges as part of its mission to widen access to the legal profession, http://www.law.ac.uk/apprenticeships/.  
• For further information about ULaw please visit http://www.law.ac.uk .
• Contact: Lianne Robinson or Sarah Evans-Toyne, +44(0)20-7726-6111, theuniversityoflaw@broadgatemainland.com

SOURCE The University of Law