Virtual Sunderland Law School Talk

12th October 2020

Mr. Mather and around 30 A Level Law students across St Joseph’s and St Wilfrid’s were delighted to virtually welcome Amy Sixsmith, Senior Lecturer in Law and Programme Leader for the LLB, and David Sixsmith, Senior Lecturer in Law and Programme Leader for the LPC, at Sunderland Law School for a talk on Friday afternoon.

St Joseph’s have a long history of students attending Sunderland Law School for their degrees and the Law Department and the Law School are also developing strong links to ensure our current A Level students are as best prepared as they possibly can be for their future endeavours.

Amy and David started by explaining what the Law degree at Sunderland entails and how it is different to many other institutions’ degrees. The practical aspect of the degree is certainly something which will help students be prepared for their future dealing with clients or advocating in courts.

Amy discussed some very helpful tips for UCAS applications including not to be afraid of stating which skills students want to develop whilst at university. Students don’t have to have perfect skills in all areas to study Law and recognising where development can take place is a positive.

David explained about the Student Law Clinic, where students at the university take on real clients and advise them in the law, and also about the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination which, from Autumn 2021, needs to be taken by all aspiring solicitors. The SQE contains work experience and hundreds of scenario-based multiple choice questions but the experts at Sunderland are ready to support students through that difficult qualification.

The Law Department is extremely grateful to Amy and David for giving up their time for us and for giving us an extremely interesting insight into Law degrees and Sunderland University, helping students to make decisions about their futures.

Mr. Mather, Head of Law and Politics