Pathways to Law
About Pathways to Law
Pathways to Law is an innovative and ambitious programme running at seven universities across the UK, and offers a wealth of opportunities to school/college students wishing to enter the legal profession. The North-West Pathways to Law programme is delivered by the University of Manchester, and provides ongoing support to its students during Years 12 and 13, through a structured series of information, advice and guidance sessions.
The aim is to encourage and support young people in applying to study Law at university and we will be supporting pupils through a variety of activities. These activities will include, UCAS application advice sessions, careers days, parents information sessions, mentoring from current University of Manchester Law students along with local legal professionals and organised Legal work placements, all of which will increase a student’s chances of being successful in their applications to study Law.
Pathways to Law began at the University of Edinburgh, where it has been running successfully since 2001. Thanks to generous funding from The College of Law and The Sutton Trust, it is now a national programme running at seven universities around the country. The University of Manchester is pleased to be involved in the project, delivering the programme to students in the North West.
Entry Criteria
We will be looking for Year 11 applicants who:
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will achieve mostly A*, A and B grades at GCSE
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will commence AS studies in Year 12 in September 2012
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have an interest in studying law and/or law as a career
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have little or no family history of higher education
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are enthusiastic and willing to commit to the programme
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are studying at a state school in the North West
Please visit the Pathways to Law website for further information.
If you would also like a School Visit from a member of staff from the School of Law to discuss the Pathways to Law programme, please contact us on the email address below.
How to Apply
To apply for the September 2012 intake please visit the Pathways to Law website.
Pathways to Law Sessions
The programme for the Pathways to Law sessions will normally include the following:
Introductory Event
Pathways Students and their parents attend a session at the University of Manchester to learn more about the programme, the study of law and university finance.
Life in the Legal Profession
The Pathways students attend a day long event at the University of Manchester which will give them an insight into careers within law. Local solicitors and barristers from assist with this event by running workshops for the students.
Work Placements
All Pathways students will complete work experience placements with local firms.
Mock Trial
Local Solicitors and Barristers perfom a mock criminal trial for the Pathways students. The students become the jury and deliver their verdicts.
London Law Firm Visit
The students were taken to London Law Firms for an insight into the workings of a big city firm.
National Event
The students attend a 3 day event held at the University of Warwick along with students from the cohorts of the 4 other universities involved in Pathways to Law.
UCAS Advice Sessions
The students attend a session at the University of Manchester about how to complete a UCAS form and how to maximise their chances of being accepted at University.
The College of Law Visits
The students will be taken to The College of Law in Chester to find out about the LPC and BPTC courses.
Middle Temple Visit
The students will be taken to the Middle Temple Inn of Court to discover more about a career as barrister.
Insight to Law Day
The students spend the day at the University of Manchester. They will attend lectures and seminars and be introduced to the academic study of law.
E-Mentoring
All Pathways to Law students are paired with a current undergraduate student as a mentor. The mentoring is carried out on a system created and managed by The Brightside Trust.
Graduation
The students attend a ceremony on completion of the programme. They will be presented with a certificate by a prominate member of the legal profession.
How can local firms/chambers help?
We are currently looking to organise work placements with local Lawyers and mentoring from qualified solicitors and barristers, to provide our Pathways students with an insight into working as a Legal Professional. If you can help, please contact us.
Contact
For further information please email us on pathways-law@manchester.ac.uk or call on 0161 2750858.