Student Handbook

Graduate Diploma in Law

CAMPUS DELIVERY 2015/2016

Course Leader: Laura Hughes Lancashire Law School

WE PROMOTE ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE ENABLING YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIAL We value and practise equality of opportunity, transparency and tolerance. We strive for excellence in all we do: locally regionally, nationally and internationally. We work in partnership with business, the community and other educators. We encourage and promote research innovation and creativity.

UCLan Mission statement

Supporting Diversity at UCLan

Student Charter The Student Charter has been developed by the University and the Students’ Union so that students gain the maximum from their UCLan experience. It is a two-way commitment or ‘contract’ between the University and each individual student. It acts as a means of establishing in black and white what students can expect from the University and the Union in terms of support, and in return what we expect from our students. Read the full Student Charter

UCLan recognises and values individual difference and has a public duty to promote equality and remove discrimination in relation to race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. During your time at UCLan we expect you to be able to

• experience "an integrated community based on mutual respect and tolerance where all staff and students can feel safe, valued and supported."

• contribute to creating a positive environment where discriminatory practices and discrimination no longer happen.

Please review the UCLan Equality and Diversity Policy for further information.

1. Introduction to the course

2. Structure of the course

3. Approaches to teaching and learning

4. Student support, guidance and conduct

5. Assessment

6. Course Regulations

7. The Student voice

8. Appendices

8.1 Approved programme specification

8.2 Course assessment regulations

8.3 Coursework Regulations

8.4 Seminar Regulations

9. Fee Information

Contents

Welcome to the)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) [Common Professional Examination (CPE)] at the University of Central Lancashire.

The course is taught within Lancashire Law School. In addition to the GDL course the Law School is responsible for many other courses including the LLB law degree, a full and part-time Legal Practice Course and several Masters programmes. All staff within the Law School wish you a happy and successful time with us. The GDL is approved and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

This handbook is designed both to familiarise you with the salient features of the course from the outset and also to serve as a point of reference if questions subsequently occur to you about e.g. examination regulations, addresses for the Legal Practice Course or other such matters. It cannot of course answer all the questions that you might have and your tutors are willing and keen to provide further advice wherever necessary, but it will hopefully provide you with most of the basic information you need and enable you to proceed through the course in an informed rather than confused or arbitrary way.

If you need to know any additional information, please ask, and I will do my best to help you.

Laura Laura Hughes

Course Leader

1. Introduction to the course

Welcome to the course

The aims of the GDL are to:

To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into the vocational stage of legal training to be either a solicitor or barrister

To facilitate student learning through the use of innovative teaching methods underpinned by scholarship and research and delivered within a supportive, student-

centred learning environment

To equip non-law graduates with a range of transferable academic, intellectual and legal skills and knowledge developed through contextual and critical approaches to

the acquisition of knowledge of the 'Foundations' of English Law, including its relationships with the European Union

To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into professional employment or research with a range of relevant critical-evaluative skills and aptitudes for life-long learning

that demonstrate a capacity for independent thought and initiative, self-motivation and reflection, and cooperative and responsible working

1. Learning Outcome

Students successfully completing the programme will be able to:- A. Knowledge and Understanding

A 1. Students should have knowledge of the principal features of the English legal system, including general familiarity with its institutions and procedures

A 2. Students should have knowledge and understanding both of the overall concepts, principles, rules and values, and also of particular aspects in depth of the Foundations of English Law which are: Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Equity and Trusts, Land Law, European Union Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law

A 3. Students should have an in depth knowledge and understanding of the overall concepts, principles, rules and values of one other area of law of the students own choosing beyond that offered by any of the foundation modules, as the topic for independent research.

A 4. Students should be able to demonstrate an insider’s understanding of how law fits together and operates

B. Subject Specific Skills

To be able Β 1. to identify, locate, digest and interpret both primary and secondary legal sources Β 2. to critically evaluate legal concepts and rules and to apply them in the legal analysis of

actual and hypothetical problems Β 3. to read and critically analyse large amounts of written information and to select the parts

most relevant to the issue or question being addressed. Β 4. to synthesise apparently diverse and conflicting legal authorities and policy arguments

identifying erroneous authorities and arguments and explaining reasons for rejection. Β 5. to solve legal problems by identifying and retrieving up-to-date legal information using paper

and electronic sources Β 6. to undertake effective research and solve legal problems in an area not previously studied.

C. Thinking Skills

Students should be able to show an ability to analyse, synthesise, critically judge and evaluate by C 1. Recognising and ranking items and issues in terms of relevance and importance C 2. Bringing together information and materials from a variety of different sources C 3. Producing a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic C 4. Making a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments C 5. Presenting and making reasoned choices between alternative solutions Students should be able to show an ability to learn and autonomy in learning by C 6. Acting independently in planning and undertaking tasks in areas of law which have been

studied C 7. Being able to undertake independent research in an area of law which has not previously

been studied starting from standard legal information

Learning Outcomes of the GDL:

C 8. Reflecting on their own learning and making use of feedback

D. Employability and Personal Development

Students should be:

D 1. Able to engage in academic debate in a professional manner D 2. Able to use a range of formats, mainly written, to present specialist material D 3. Able to write fluent and complex prose, using legal terminology correctly D 4. Able to read a range of complex works within and about law and to summarise their

arguments accurately D 5. Proficient in the use of word-processing; standard library and information retrieval systems,

and www resources D 6. Able to specify technological tools needed for personal support D 7. Able to work both independently and with others and to participate constructively in the

resolution of problems and clarification of issues through group discussion D 8. Able to reflect on their own learning and to seek and benefit from feedback from others

The Graduate Diploma in Law is a one year full time, two years part time, course which gives students with a non-law or overseas degree, an opportunity to convert their degree to a legal diploma. This enables students to continue on to the professional stage of legal training.

The Graduate Diploma in Law is administered by the Lancashire Law School. Course Leader The Course Leader, Laura Hughes, is responsible for the day to day running of the course.

Subject Leaders

There is a Subject Leader for each core module and for skills and the independent legal research project. Each Subject Leader ensures compliance with the GDL Outcomes. Together with other staff teaching the subject, they set and mark the subject assessments for their subject.

Academic Advisor You are assigned an Academic Advisor (who is normally the Course Leader) at the outset of the course. The Academic Advisor will endeavour to provide an approachable and sympathetic contact for her personal tutee. Academic Advisors will be expected to meet regularly with their student tutees throughout the duration of the course (such meetings must not be less than 2 a year). The Academic Advisor's functions include:-

Providing guidance according to your individual requirements. This may relate to personal difficulties, to academic matters or to wider issues such as career progression and in each case will ensure that you are fully aware of the facilities available to students through the University's Student Services Section

Providing practical direction and assistance where your academic progress is giving cause for concern.

Course Team

Course Leader / GDL Academic Advisor Laura Hughes

Room Harris 258 Direct Dial No (01772) 893941 E-mail lhughes@uclan.ac.uk (Also subject leader for Equity & Trusts)

Subject Leaders

Law of Tort Dianne Scullion Room Harris 257 Direct Dial No (01772) 893081 E-mail dscullion@uclan.ac.uk

Contract Law Emma McAndry Room Harris 257 Direct Dial No (01772) 893686 E-mail emcandry@uclan.ac.uk

Constitutional Law Ian Turner Room Harris 261 Direct Dial No (01772) 893074 E-mail idturner@uclan.ac.uk

EU Law Shaun Mills Room Harris 218 Direct Dial (01772) 893077 E-mail pscmills@uclan.ac.uk

Skills Fiona Bledge Room Harris 013 Direct Dial (01772) 893684 E-mail fbledge@uclan.ac.uk Land Law Michael Gould Room Harris 217 Direct Dial (01772) 893071 E-mail mgould1@uclan.ac.uk Criminal Law Glenn Woodroffe Room Harris 151 Direct Dial (01772) 893932 E-mail @uclan.ac.uk

GDL TEACHING TEAM

Campus Admin Services provides academic administration support for students and staff and is located at Harris Building 1st Floor and is open from 08:45 until 17:15 Monday to Thursday and until 16:00 on Fridays. The Hub can provide general assistance and advice regarding specific processes such as extenuating circumstances, extensions and appeals. Course specific information is also available via School Blackboard sites. The Hub telephone number is – 01772 891996 or 891997 The Hub email contact is: HarrisHub@uclan.ac.uk

The University expects you to use your UCLan email address and check regularly for messages from staff. If you send us email messages from other addresses they risk being filtered out as potential spam and discarded unread. You should expect to receive a reply to emails within 4 working days. You will receive emails from the GDL Administrator from time to time and sometimes academic members of staff will email the whole cohort. It is VITAL that you check your emails regularly or you may miss important information. IMPORTANT : You should also check the eNoticeboard on Blackboard DAILY for current messages.

Course Administration

Communication

External Examiner The University has appointed two External Examiners to your course who helps to ensure that the standards of your course are comparable to those provided at other higher education institutions in the UK. The name of these people and home institution can be found below. If you wish to make contact with an External Examiner, you should do this through your Course Leader and not directly. External Examiner reports will be made available to you electronically. The School will also send a sample of student coursework to the external examiners for eternal moderation purposes, once it has been marked and internally moderated by the course tutors. The sample will include work awarded the highest and the lowest marks, and work awarded marks in the middle range.

Simon Goulding, City University, Northampton Square, London. Susan Cunningham-Hill, Staffordshire University, College Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

The year begins with the Induction Session. This gives you information about the course, the law school and the university. It is essential that you attend this session in order to gain the most from your studies at UCLAN. You may feel as though you have information overload but remember that all the information will be available to you in other formats for you to revisit when necessary. Please be sure to check that you know when this session will be held.

Induction Information

Your timetable and the year planner are available separately. You can download them from Blackboard on the Common Professional Examination page.

Full time students will be expected to attend on Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 8pm. The course will run over one academic year.

Part time students are expected to attend on Tuesday and Thursday between 6pm and 9pm. The course will run over two academic years.

2. Structure of the Course

The delivery of modules to part time students will vary year on year so you should consult your individual year planner, available on Blackboard, for full details of each year’s programme of study. The full time programme is represented below. Please note that all modules are compulsory and there are no optional modules.

Modules

• Lawyers' Skills • Land Law• Contract Law• Law of Torts • Independent Legal Research Project (year

long)

CORE MODULES - Semester 1 (September to January)

• EU Law• Constitutional Law• Equity Law • Criminal Law

CORE MODULES - Semester 2 (January - June)

This will be given to you in the first week of your study. You can also access an online timetable.

This is a professional course and we are preparing you for an office environment. In addition to attending classes it is important that you spend time on independent study. The course is designed on the basis of a 45 hour week model if you are a full-time student, or a 22.5 hour week if you are part-time. Each week you will spend 2 to 3 hours per module in taught classes (2hour lecture plus a 1 hour seminar fortnightly). As a very rough guide we recommend that you spend on average a minimum of 8 hours per week on each module that you are studying. Your time will be spent primarily reading around the topics indicated by your lecturers and preparing for your seminars. Seminars are an extremely important part of the teaching and learning process. It is vital that you do the reading indicated on your lecture and seminar sheets and prepare the seminar questions. These questions are similar in style and content to those which you will be required to answer in the exam and so whilst primarily ensuring that you have understood the topic concerned and can apply the law correctly, the seminars provide an opportunity for you to practice exam technique. In addition you will be expected to spend approximately 10 – 15 hours preparing and writing coursework for each module. Finally, there will be exam revision in preparation for the final module assessment. If you feel that you have not understood a particular topic or need extra help you should talk to the module staff concerned as soon as possible.

Weekly Timetable

Expected Hours of Study

It has to be stressed that attendance on ALL the modules of the GDL are compulsory.

You will be required register at all class contact sessions and attendance is monitored through the University’s electronic attendance system, SAM. If you are unable to attend a particular session with good cause (e.g. illness) you should inform the Law School via the Harris Hub Administration service on HarrisHub@uclan.ac.uk. You can check your attendance record through MyUclan on the student portal. Your attendance will be monitored by your Course Leader/ Academic Advisor, Laura Hughes. Once you have missed two sessions without good cause, you will be required to see your Academic Advisor. You must register your attendance at each class by swiping your corporate card on the reader outside the teaching room. Each time you are asked to register your attendance in this way you must remember that the University has a responsibility to keep information up to date and that you must only confirm your own details. To swipe any one else’s card, or have someone swipe your card, would result in inaccurate records and be dishonest. Any student who is found to have done this can be disciplined under the student guide to regulations. If you are A Tier 4 student under the Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points Based System, you must attend ALL sessions and contact your Academic Advisor in the event of ANY absences at all. Uclan is obliged to report to UKVI if you fail to attend the course regularly, withdraw from the course or suspend your studies. This may affect your visa. Punctuality of attendance at sessions will also be monitored and notes will be made on your student file in the event of a persistent pattern of poor punctuality. Employers always ask for information on attendance and punctuality in reference requests. Please also note that if you have not gained the required authorisation for leave of absence, do not respond to communications from the University and if you are absent for four weeks or more, you may be deemed to have withdrawn from the course. If this is the case, then the date of withdrawal will be recorded as the last day of attendance.

Attendance Requirements

Data Protection

All of the personal information obtained from you and other

sources in connection with your studies at the University will

be held securely and will be used by the University both

during your course and after you leave the University for a

variety of purposes. These are all explained during the

enrolment process at the commencement of your studies. If

you would like a more detailed explanation of the University’s

policy on the use and disclosure of personal information,

please contact the Information Governance Officer, Clerk to

the Board Service, University of Central Lancashire, Preston,

PR1 2HE or email DPFOIA@uclan.ac.uk .

How will I be taught A variety of teaching methods will be adopted across the modules but will include lectures, seminars, workshops, moots and problem solving.

Expertise of staff Each module will be taught by 1 or 2 members of staff. As the GDL is a professional course regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Council, staff teach to a specified syllabus. Each member of staff has extensive teaching experience at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. All module materials are prepared by the module team.

Study skills The following advice is to help you organise your private study time:

• Try to find a place to work that is physically comfortable but free from distractions. • Spend two or three minutes at the beginning of each session reviewing what you are planning to

do in that session. • Aim to work for a specified length of time before taking a break. Do not try to study for too long

at once. Frequent short breaks are best. • Read through your class session notes as soon as possible after the class. Ensure that you have

understood all of the topics covered. Do any additional reading indicated by the lecturer. You should note that in class sessions lecturers intend to give you a framework of the topic only. You must do your own reading on these topics and annotate your notes accordingly.

• Additional reading should include the relevant text books, together with cases and articles indicated by the module staff.

• A considerable proportion of your independent study time will be spent preparing for seminars. You should do the reading indicated on the seminar sheet and then attempt the questions set. You should aim to go to each seminar with at least an essay plan of the relevant questions. This will ensure that you have tried to understand and correctly apply the law prior to the session. Anything that you have not understood can then be addressed in the seminar.

• WISER student support is on hand to help with study problems – you can access materials or contact them via https://portal.uclan.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_33_1

E-mail The Course Team also use Email to get in touch with students and to disseminate information. Students should check their university email regularly to ensure they are kept up-to-date with any developments. You should expect a reply to any email you send within 4 working days.

3. Approaches to teaching and learning

Extensive resources are available to support your studies provided by LIS – library and IT staff. You should take advantage of the free training sessions designed to enable you to gain the skills you need for your research and study. Information is available from the LIS website https://portal.uclan.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_25_1 or call into the library for a face-to-face discussion. The Library is open 24/7 during term time, with restricted opening hours durng vacations.

Electronic Resources

LIS also provide acces to a huge range of electronic resources – e-journals and databases, e-books, images and texts. One of your Lawyers’ Skills workshops will guide you on accessing the library resources. You should familiarise yourself with the extensive range of legal databases available on line as these are invaluable!

Learning Information Services ("LIS")

Blackboard Course and module information will be available through the Blackboard facility as additional support for your learning. You will be introduced to this in the induction period. BUT to help you get started…

Study Support

•Blackboard is an on-line managed learning environment. •This learning environment has been implemented to support and enhance your learning. •You have been allocated an area known as ‘My Blackboard’ module space. Typically when you access your own module space you will find information relating to the modules that your are currently studying including timetables, module handbook, assignment details and other supplemental material necessary for your studies, this includes access to study skills.

What is Blackboard?

•Press the return key and the Blackboard welcome page will appear2. Click on the Logon to My Blackboard link3. Type in your Blackboard user I/D but it is case-sensitive and requires capital letters to be used for your initials and the first letter of your surname.4. Type in your password in the text box provided NB your initial password is the last six digits of the barcode number on your library card.5. Click on the ‘OK’ button

How do I login to my space in Blackboard?

•In order to access from your own computer all you need is access to the World Wide Web. •Than all you need to do is follow the steps as detailed above.

Can I access Blackboard from

home?

WISER If you do want to improve your study skills then you may wish to consult WISER, the University study advice and guidance service. Wiser offers specialist advice and guidance to ALL students at the University. There are workshops on how to study more effectively and on getting help with your PDP. Access the WISER webpage here https://portal.uclan.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_25_1

Study Smarter

LIS Training Team offer a range of resources, support and training for all students at this University. In order to do well in your studies you will need to become accomplished information users. LIS offer a range of services to enable you to develop good practice and make the most of your study time.

LIS Training have developed a suite of online materials to help you throughout your studies at UCLan. They cover everything from getting started with finding books in the library and formatting your assignments quickly and easily in Word, through to literature searching strategies for your dissertation and analysing and presenting data in Excel.

Here's just a small selection of the topics available:

Clever eBook tools for smarter study Become a super smart internet searcher Find the journal you need, when you need it Top smartphone apps for studying on the go Smart search techniques to find journal articles RefWorks: The smart tool for referencing and bibliographies Presentation Smart - from notion to motion

For each topic you'll find a quick reference guide and short video demonstrations with audio.

All the materials are easily accessed in Blackboard and will start being available from mid-September

Personal Development Planning is facilitated by your Academic Advisor during your face to face sessions. In those sessions you will be invited to reflect upon your own learning, performance and / or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development.’

Your future is important to us, so to make sure that you achieve your full potential whilst at university and beyond, your course has been designed with employability learning integrated into it at every level. This is not extra to your degree, but an important part of it which will help you to show future employers just how valuable your degree is. These “Employability Essentials” take you on a journey of development that will help you to write your own personal story of your time at university:

• To begin with, you will explore your identity, your likes and dislikes, the things that are important to you and what you want to get out of life.

• Later, you will investigate a range of options including jobs and work experience, postgraduate study and self- employment,

• You will then be ready to learn how to successfully tackle the recruitment process. You will be able to record your journey using Pebblepad, the university’s e-portfolio system, which will leave you with a permanent record of all the fantastic things you have achieved during your time at UCLan.

It’s your future: take charge of it!

Careers offers a range of support for you including:- • career and employability advice and guidance • support to find work placements, internships, voluntary opportunities, part-time

employment and live projects • workshops, seminars, modules, certificates and events to develop your skills • Daily drop in service for CV checks and initial careers information. For more information

come along and visit the team (in Foster Building near the main entrance) or access our careers and employability resources via the student portal.

Personal Development Planning

Preparing for Your Career

Legal Practice Course

A central applications system operates in respect of the full-time LPC. Applications should be filled in on-line at www.lawcabs.ac.uk Instructions and advice on how to apply accompany the application form. Details of Institutions that offer the LPC are available from the Careers Centre or from the lawcabs website.

In addition a number of institutions offer a part-time LPC course, applications being made direct to the chosen institution.

The University of Central Lancashire offers the LPC on a full and part-time basis. You will obtain a deduction in fees if you have completed a course (eg, the GDL) at the Institution previously. For information you should contact:

Viv Ivins: vivins@uclan.ac.uk

You must, once you have accepted a place on the LPC, become a student member of The Law Society by making an application to them. If you fail to do this it will complicate your enrolment onto the LPC.

Bar Professional Training Course

Applications for the BPTC should be submitted on line via www.bvconline.co.uk. Information is available at the Bar Standards Board Education and Training website.

If you have any questions in relation to either the LPC or the BPTC then you should contact the Law School’s Employability Officers, Stephanie Jones or Rachel Nir.

Academic Advisor

You will be allocated a Academic Advisor on arrival and they will contact you in the first weeks of the course so that you can meet and have a chat.

They will be you first port of call if you are having any problems and they will arrange appointments with you to formally discuss your progress on the course. This will be on a number of occasions and especially when you have undertaken some of the assessments so you can discuss your results and get feedback. This feedback will, of course, be in addition to that given by subject tutors when they return your work.

Student support

There is a centralised Student and Academic Support Service which has The 'i' Student Information Centre as its first point of contact. You can obtain information on a wide range of topics including student administration such as Council Tax and letters to verify your status plus Scholarships, Counselling, Student Finance, Mentoring, Studying Abroad, Disability Advice, Independent Academic Advice, International Advice, Multi Faith Centre, Pre School Centre, Medical Centre and general life in Preston.

Students with disabilities

If you have a disability that may affect your studies, please either contact the Disability Advisory Service - disability@uclan.ac.uk - or let one of the course team know as soon as possible. With your agreement information will be passed on to the Disability Advisory Service. The University will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs and to provide appropriate support for you to complete your study successfully. Where necessary, you will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments.

Assessment arrangements for students with a disability

Arrangements are made for students who have a disability/learning difficulty for which valid supporting evidence can be made available. Contact the Disability Adviser for advice and information, disability@uclan.ac.uk .

Your personal tutor will also help with any questions you may have in relation to adjustments and will put you in touch with the Law School’s disability advisor, Hilary Chadwick. Or, she can be contacted directly on hchadwick@uclan.ac.uk.

4. Student support, guidance and conduct

Heath and Safety

As a student of the University you are responsible for the safety of yourself and for that of others around you. You must understand and follow all the regulations and safety codes necessary for a safe campus environment. Please help to keep it safe by reporting any incidents, accidents or potentially unsafe situations to a member of staff as soon as possible.

Safety assessments have been undertaken for each module of your course and you will be advised of all applicable safety codes and any specific safety issues during the induction to your course and modules. You must ensure that you understand and apply all necessary safety codes. These form an essential element of your personal development and contribute to the safety of others.

Conduct

You will be expected to abide by the Regulations for the Conduct of Students when in the University. UCLan expects you to behave in a respectful manner demonstrated by using appropriate language in class, and switching mobile phones / other devices off prior to attending classes.

If your behaviour is considered to be unacceptable, any member of academic staff is able to issue an informal oral warning and the University will support staff by invoking formal procedures where necessary. You can read more about UCLan expectations in the regulations for the Conduct of Students.

Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is the representative body for all UCLan students. The organisation exists separately from the University and is led by the elected officers of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) as well as representatives on the Students’ Council. The Students’ Union building is located at the heart of the Preston campus, and is the hub for all student activities.

Representation and campaigning for students’ rights is at the core of what we do and is encompassed by our tag line of, Making Life Better for Students. Should you wish to make a change to any aspect of your student experience, whether it be academically related or not, then the Union is where your voice can be heard, actions taken, or campaigns launched.

Your Union is also the home to a fantastic range of student-led societies, sports teams and multitudes of volunteering opportunities. You can also receive help in finding part-time work, whilst you study. Not sure where to go pop into the Opportunities Centre on the ground floor of the Students’ Union building and someone will point you in the right direction.

We hope your time at University is trouble free, but should you come into difficulties around anything from academic appeals, to issues with housing, benefits or debt, then our dedicated staff team in the Advice and Representation Centre are on hand to help. As we are independently run from the university, we can offer truly impartial advice.

More information on all these things, as well as details about all our (not-for-profit) commercial services, including our student-bar (Source) and student venue (53 Degree), can be found at http://www.uclansu.co.uk/.

The Opportunities Centre is the Union’s One Stop Shop to find employment or volunteering whilst you study. With thousands of jobs and voluntary positions advertised, agency work through the Bridge and information on over 2000 volunteer positions within the Union

All modules are assessed. You are expected to attempt all required assessments for each module for which you are registered, and to do so at the times scheduled unless authorised extensions, special arrangements for disability, or extenuating circumstances allow you to defer your assessment. Assessment Strategy Assessment on the 7 foundation modules of the GDL takes place in 3 ways –

• Seminar assessment Students must be adjudged to be either competent or non-competent in 4 out of the 6 seminars

per module

• Coursework Students must obtain a pass mark of 40% in the coursework for reach module. The coursework contributes 25% of the overall mark for each module.

• Exam Students must obtain a pass mark of 40%. Students sit exams in all 7 foundation modules. The exam contributes 75% of the overall mark for each module.

The regulations governing examinations and coursework assessments together with seminar performance are contained in Appendices to this handbook.

What follows here is a more informal explanation of the system.

Coursework

Coursework is required in all modules. The final (composite) mark is worked out on the basis of: Coursework: 25% Examination: 75%

Everyone wants to obtain the best possible mark in their assessments and you should obviously aim to do as well as you can. However, there is no point becoming obsessive about it - the important thing is to do your coursework conscientiously and to obtain a pass mark, preferably within the upper range of marks.

5. Assessment

• You must obtain a pass (40%) in both your assessment and the examination. • It is the composite mark which counts for the purposes of examination regulations,

pass/fail etc.

DO NOT copy from other students or textbooks or include unattributed quotes. Plagiarism is a disciplinary offence.

If you are unsure what amounts to plagiarism please refer to the University Academic Regulations

Notification of assignments and examination arrangements

You will be notified of deadlines for courseworks via the Year Planner, in taught sessions and via the relevant module Blackboard page. Exam arrangements will be notified via the Common Professional Examination / GDL general Blackboard space.

All coursework as due to be submitted electronically via Turnitin no later than 23.59 hrs (British time) on the submission date. The marking criteria used is laid out in the Lancashire Law School written assessment guidance document, available on the GDL Blackboard page.

Referencing The OSCOLA system of referencing is to be used, as detailed in the Lancashire Law School written assessment guidance document.

Dealing with difficulties in meeting assessment deadlines Courseworks must be submitted no later than the date on your coursework instructions. If you anticipate that you will have difficulty in meeting that deadline you must report this at the earliest possible opportunity to your Academic Advisor, Laura Hughes. Authorisation of the late submission of work requires written permission. The School with responsibility for your modules will be authorised to give permission for one extension period of between 1 and 10 working days where evidence of circumstances has been accepted and where submission within this timescale would be reasonable taking into account those circumstances Academic Regulations . To request an extension of time you should complete and submit an extension request form, with any supporting evidence, to your School office. Further information is available on the Student Portal at: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/examinations_and_awards/extenuating_circumstances.php

We aim to let you know if the extension has been granted within 1 working day of the receipt of the request If you are unable to submit work within 10 working days after the submission date due to verifiable extenuating circumstances, you may submit a case for consideration in accordance with the University’s Policies and Procedures on Extenuating Circumstances (Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook).

What if I fail my coursework?

Students who fail their coursework are given an opportunity to do another piece of coursework within 6 weeks of being notified of their failure. The maximum that students can be awarded for this piece of coursework is 40%.

If students fail this in-course re-submission they are offered one final chance to pass their coursework during the re-assessment period in August.

Before handing in your coursework

o Thoroughly proof read it

o Ensure that your name does not appear on it but that your registration number appears on each page

o Refer to the Lancashire Law School coursework guidelines (a copy of which available on Blackboard) and ensure you have complied with them.

o Submit your assessment by the time and date indicated by the module team via the electronic Turnitin ‘drop box’ on the relevant module’s Blackboard page. This is the only valid method of submission of coursework on the GDL.

Examinations Examinations in each of the seven foundation modules will be held as follows: • During the last 2 weeks of January for semester 1 modules • During the last two weeks of June for semester 2 modules The exam period will be preceded by a revision period of at least 2 weeks. During this period formal revision classes will be arranged by your tutors. You should also feel free to approach staff either individually or in groups to ask questions and seek guidance as specific queries or difficulties occur to you during your revision programme.

If you have worked conscientiously during the year and take a responsible attitude towards your revision you have nothing to fear from examinations even though it is accepted that very few people will actually enjoy them or look forward to them with pleasure. If you do feel anxious, just remember that most of your colleagues, whatever their outward demeanour, will be feeling the same and so you are not alone. Rather than bottling up your worries, chatting to friends or a member of staff, or, if the problem is really acute, to one of the Student Advisors in student services, should help you see things in perspective. If there are any personal circumstances e.g. bereavement or illness which you feel may affect your exam performance, you should inform the Course Leader and complete an extenuating circumstances form so that these can be taken into account when considering your performance at the Examination Board. The Examination Board meets in February and July and results are published a few days later. Results cannot be given over the telephone or via email. You can however access your results via the University webpages on the MyUclan area of the student portal once they have been published. Just follow the link from the University homepage. What if I fail my exam? If you do fail an exam all is not lost! You normally get an opportunity to re-sit in August. If you unfortunately fail again you get one further opportunity to re-sit the following year. If you do fail on this third attempt then no further attempts are allowed and you will have failed the GDL. What is said here, it should be emphasised, is by way of guidance only and the ultimate authority lies in the exam regulations themselves which are detailed in an Appendix and which should be consulted to ascertain the precise position.

Seminar Performance

As part of the assessment for each module, your seminar performance will be assessed on a competent/non-competent basis.

Basic Criteria

1. Degree of understanding exhibited and/or willingness to develop understanding/clarify difficulties.

2. Willingness and ability to contribute to discussion 3. Sensibility and receptiveness to views/needs of others. 4. Level of preparation exhibited.

Each of the above four criteria are commented on in turn in appendix 3. Seminar Absence You can discuss your progress in seminars with your seminar tutor at any time and, indeed, are encouraged to do so. This will give you an indication of how you are coping with the module and whether the amount and type of work that you are carrying out in preparation for the seminars is sufficient.

Each module will consist of 6 seminars and you must be adjudged competent in at least 4, to pass this element of assessment.

Failure to attend a seminar without good cause will result in your being adjudged non-competent, as will performance falling below an acceptable standard. If you miss more than 2 seminars you must submit an application for Extenuating circumstances to have the absence condoned.

A student adjudged non-competent in any seminar will be advised of the fact, and the reasons why, at the end of the seminar by the seminar tutor.

A student adjudged non-competent in seminar performance at the end of a module is required to undertake and demonstrate competency in a written assessment based on a problem similar to that encountered in seminars.

This element of assessment is independent of coursework and examination and must be passed to pass the module.

Extenuating circumstances Some students face significant events in their personal life that occur after their course has started, which have a greater impact on their students than can be solved by the use of an extension. If this applies to you, the University is ready to support you both with regard to your course and your personal wellbeing through a process called Extenuating Circumstances (see Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook ). Normally extenuating circumstances will relate to a change in your circumstances since you commenced your course, which have had a significant, adverse effect on your studies. Everyday occurrences such as colds or known conditions such as hay-fever will not qualify unless the effects are unusually severe and this is corroborated by a medical note. The University does not look sympathetically on absences or delays caused by holiday commitments or by work commitments in the case of full-time students. The normal work commitments of part-time students would not constitute an extenuating circumstance. A disability or learning difficulty does not constitute an extenuating circumstance (see Academic Regulations). Further information is available on the Student Portal at: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/examinations_and_awards/extenuating_circumstances.php You can apply for extenuating circumstances online via myUCLan. You must apply no later than 3 days after any examination or assessment submission date. Do not wait until you receive your assessment results to submit a claim. It is in your own interests to submit the claim as soon as possible. You will be expected to re-submit claims for extenuating circumstances for each semester. All evidence that is provided relating to extenuating circumstances will be treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. Supporting evidence will not be kept for longer than is necessary and will be destroyed shortly after the end of the current academic year. Further information about the submission process is available at: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/examinations_and_awards/extenuating_circumstance_submission.php In determining assessment recommendations, Assessment Boards will consider properly submitted claims from students who believe their performance has been adversely affected by extenuating circumstances. N.B. Assessment Boards are not permitted to alter individual assessment marks to take account of extenuating circumstances (Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook).

• What are they?Extenuating Circumstances

Do I need anything else? It is important to bear in mind the importance of providing evidence to support your account. Some information regarding the type of evidence required is contained within the Guidance Notes. However, if you are at all unsure please contact the Law School in the Harris Hub for advice. Remember the Extenuating Circumstances Committee can only act upon the information you provide and therefore it is extremely important for you to give as much detail as possible. It is not possible for Assessment Boards to make proper judgments without specific information. What if I want my circumstances kept confidential? Any information you submit will be treated in the strictest confidence and only disclosed to the Assessment Board. If however, you feel that your circumstances are particularly sensitive, there is a facility for you to indicate that the information is only to be disclosed to the Chair of the Assessment Board. If you need any help or guidance in relation to the submission of circumstances then please contact the Harris Hub .

Late submissions If you submit work late and unauthorised, a universal penalty will be applied in relation to your work:

• If you submit work within 5 working days following the published submission date you will obtain the minimum pass mark for that element of assessment.

• Work submitted later than 5 working days after the published submission date will be awarded a mark of 0% for that element of assessment.

Unauthorised late submission at resubmission will automatically be awarded a mark of 0% for that element of assessment

Feedback Following Assessments UCLan is committed to giving you clear, legible and informative feedback for all your assessments (Academic Regulations). You are expected to review and reflect on your feedback and learn from each experience to improve your performance as you progress though the course. It is University policy that students receive feedback on their coursework within 15 working days of handing it in. This can be done in various ways.

o Group feedback via the class session during which the lecturer will outline the strengths and weaknesses of courseworks handed in.

o As above, but delivered via Blackboard

o A completed copy of the frontsheet will be returned to students electronically with comments from the marker and indicating the mark obtained. If this is not done within the 15 working day period then it will be given to students shortly afterwards. These comments sheets can be accessed by students electronically via the Turnitin drop box where the coursework was initially submitted.

You will be provided with generic feedback for in-module formative and summative elements of assessment which contribute to a module within 15 working days of the scheduled submission or examination date. Generic feedback on end of module assessment and dissertations will be made available within 15 days of publication of results. Feedback may be oral, written, posted on a website or other.

All students are encouraged to see a member of the module team to discuss their performance. This is particularly important for students who have failed, or narrowly passed the coursework or examination.

Cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or re-presentation You are required to sign a declaration indicating that individual work submitted for an assessment is your own. If you attempt to influence the standard of the award you obtain through cheating, plagiarism or collusion, it will be considered as a serious academic and disciplinary offence as described within the Academic Regulations and the Assessment Handbook

• Cheating is any deliberate attempt to deceive and covers a range of offences described in the Assessment Handbook.

• Plagiarism describes copying from the works of another person without suitably attributing the published or unpublished works of others. This means that all quotes, ideas, opinions, music and images should be acknowledged and referenced within your assignments.

• Collusion is an attempt to deceive the examiners by disguising the true authorship of an assignment by copying, or imitating in close detail another student’s work - this includes with the other student’s consent and also when 2 or more students divide the elements of an assignment amongst themselves and copy one another’s answers. It does not include the normal situation in which you learn from your peers and share ideas, as this generates the knowledge and understanding necessary for each individual to independently undertake an assignment; nor should it be confused with group work on an assignment which is specifically authorised in the assignment brief.

• Re-presentation is an attempt to gain credit twice for the same piece of work.

There is an online guide on how to avoid plagiarism and also on how to use the electronic ‘Turnitin’ system available on the LLS page on Blackboard.

The process of investigation and penalties which will be applied can be reviewed in the Assessment Handbook. If an allegation is found to be proven then the appropriate penalty will be implemented: In the case of a single offence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation:

• the penalty will be 0% for the element of assessment, and an overall fail for the module. • the plagiarised element of assessment must be resubmitted to the required standard

and the mark for the module following resubmission will be restricted to the minimum pass mark ie 40%.

• when it is detected for the first time on a resubmission for an already failed module, no further resubmission for the module will be permitted, and the appropriate fail grade will be awarded.

In the event of a repeat offence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation (irrespective of whether the repeat offence involves the same form of unfair means) on the same or any other module within the course:

• the appropriate penalty will be 0% for the module with no opportunity for re-assessment. This penalty does not preclude you being able to retake the module in a subsequent year.

The penalties will apply if you transfer from one UCLan course to another during your period of study and module credits gained on the former course are transferred to the current course. Contact the Students’ Union Advice and Representation Centre by emailing: suadvice@uclan.ac.uk for support and guidance.

Appeals Against Assessment Board Decisions If you consider that you have a reason to appeal against an assessment board decision, please bear in mind that your reasons must fall within the grounds specified in the Academic Regulations : Section I. You cannot appeal simply because you disagree with the mark given. The specified grounds for appeal are:

1. that an Assessment Board has given insufficient weight to extenuating circumstances; 2. that the student’s academic performance has been adversely affected by extenuating

circumstances which the student has, for good reason, been unable to make known to the Assessment Board;

3. that there has been a material administrative error at a stage of the examining process, or that some material irregularities have occurred;

4. that the assessment procedure and/or examinations have not been conducted in accordance with the approved regulations.

If you want to appeal, then you must do so within 14 days of your results being published. The onus is on you to find out your results and submit your appeal on time. Contact the Students’ Union Advice and Representation Centre by emailing suadvice@uclan.ac.uk for support and advice.

Course requirements This course is governed by the Joint Academic Stage Board on behalf of both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Council. You should refer to the GDL Assessment Regulations for the full details of this course.

Classification of Awards A student passes the Common Professional Examination and qualifies for the award of a Graduate Diploma in Law who passes either at the first attempt or, at a referred or resit examination, those modules which the student is required by the Joint Academic Stage Board to take. (ie normally eight modules but less than eight where a student is entitled to exemptions as approved by the Joint Academic Stage Board).

A student shall be awarded a distinction where: (i) He/she has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND

(ii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70%

6. Course Regulations

A student may be awarded a distinction where: (i) He/she has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt, without any

subject being compensated, AND (i) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70% in at least 50% of the subjects

counting towards the final award; AND (ii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 67%; AND (iii) the examination board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a distinction.

A student will be awarded a Commendation where:

(i) He/she has passed all assessment at the first attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND

(ii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in the assessments

A student may be awarded a Commendation where: (iv) He/she has passed all elements of the assessment at the first attempt, without any

subject being compensated, AND (v) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 58% AND (vi) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in at least 50% of the subjects

counting towards the final award AND (vii) the examination board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a

commendation.

You can play an important part in the process of improving the quality of this course through the feedback you give. In addition to the ongoing discussion with the course team throughout the year, there are a range of mechanisms for you to feedback about your experience of teaching and learning. We aim to respond to your feedback and let you know of our plans for improvement. The Students’ Union can support you in voicing your opinion, provide ongoing advice and support, and encourage your involvement in all feedback opportunities. They will be requesting that you complete the National Student Survey (during semester 2 for students in their second year of part time study) or the UCLan Student Survey (all other students). The Students’ Union and University work closely together to ensure that the student voice is heard in all matters of student-life. We encourage students to provide constructive feedback throughout their time at university, through course reps, surveys and any other appropriate means,

7. Student Voice

The Union’s Student Affairs Committee (SAC), members of Students’ Council and School Presidents each have particular representative responsibilities, and are involved with decision making committees as high as the University Board. Therefore it is very important students engage with the democratic processes of the Students’ Union and elect the students they see as most able to represent them.

Course Representatives and School Presidents A course representative is a student who represents their fellow students’ views and opinions to the course team, school, university and students’ union. Course representatives work proactively and diplomatically to improve the academic and non-academic experiences of students. The role of a course representative is extremely beneficial to both students on your course and the university. It enables students to have ownership of their student experience and voice their opinions and share positive practice with the course team, primarily the Student Staff Liaison Committee Meetings (see below). Course representatives will be elected every year either in April or September. Alongside receiving recognition, support and respect being a course representative is a great opportunity to enhance your employability skills. If you are interested in becoming a course representative and wish to find out more about the role visit the Students’ Union website or by emailing: coursereps@uclan.ac.uk.

School Presidents, meanwhile, are annually elected representatives who voice the opinions of students within each school. They communicate and engage with students in their school to gain feedback and work in partnership with senior management to create positive change. They are also trained to support and signpost course representatives where needed. If you wish to find out who is your School President or more about the role visit the Students’ Union website or email: coursereps@uclan.ac.uk

Student Staff Liaison Committee Meetings (SSLC) The purpose of a SSLC meeting is to provide the opportunity for course representatives to feedback to staff about the course, the overall student experience and to inform developments which will improve future courses. These meetings are normally scheduled once per semester. Your Course Leader will facilitate the meetings using Guidelines and provide a record of the meeting with any decisions and / or responses made and / or actions taken as a result of the discussions held. The meetings include discussion of items forwarded by course representatives, normally related to the following agenda items (dependent on time of year). The course team encourage student feedback in all areas and recognise that additional items for discussion may also be raised at the meeting • Update on actions completed since the last meeting • Feedback about the previous year – discussion of external examiner’s report; outcomes of

National /UCLan student surveys. • Review of enrolment / induction experience; • Course organisation and management (from each individual year group, and the course overall); • Experience of modules - teaching, assessment, feedback;

• Experience of academic support which may include e.g. Personal Development Planning, Academic Advisor arrangements and The Card;

• Other aspects of University life relevant to student experience e.g. resources, IT, library; • Any other issues raised by students or staff. You will be notified of when SSLCs take place via email by your programme administrator. Normally 2 student representatives per cohort are requested, if more students put their name forward an election will be held to determine who the representatives will be.

Module Questionnaires Module questionnaires provide one of the most important means for you to express your opinion about your teaching and learning experience. They capture feedback on your experience within each module and inform staff about where improvements could be made. In the Law School we issue informal mid-module feedback forms so we can address any concerns or feedback on issues of concern whilst the module is on-going. Responses to questionnaires should normally be fed back to students within one week.

Complaints The University recognises that there may be occasions when you have cause for complaint about the service you have received, when this happens, the complaints procedure is intended to provide an accessible, fair and straightforward system which ensures as effective, prompt and appropriate response. Click on this link for more information Complaints Procedure.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

2. Awarding Institution / Body

University of Central Lancashire

3. Teaching Institution

UCLan Preston UCLan Cyprus#

4. University Department/Centre

Lancashire Law School

5. External Accreditation

Bar Standards Board Solicitors Regulation Authority

6. Title of Final Award

Graduate Diploma in Law

7. Modes of Attendance offered

Full Time/Part Time# Full Time/Part Time by Distance Learning # approved for UCLan Cyprus to operate full/ part time and block delivery

8. UCAS Code

N/A

9. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)

Law (2007)

10. Other external influences

Joint Statement of the Solicitor's Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Council QAA Benchmark for Law (2007)

11. Date of production/revision of this form

January 2015

Appendix 1:Programme Specification

12. Aims of the Programme

• To equip non-law graduates with a range of transferable academic, intellectual and legal skills and knowledge developed through contextual and critical approaches to the acquisition of knowledge of the 'Foundations' of English Law, including its relationships with the European Union

• To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into professional employment or research with a range of relevant critical-evaluative skills and aptitudes for life-long learning that demonstrate a capacity for independent thought and initiative, self-motivation and reflection, and cooperative and responsible working

• To facilitate entry of non-law graduates into the vocational stage of legal training to be either a solicitor or barrister

• To facilitate student learning through the use of innovative teaching methods underpinned by scholarship and research and delivered within a supportive, student-centred learning environment

13. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. Knowledge and Understanding A1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principal features of the English legal system, including its institutions and procedures A2. Explain the key concepts, principles, rules and values which underpin the Foundations of English Law, viz., Constitutional Law, Contract Law, Equity and Trusts, Land Law, European Union Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law A3. Demonstrate an extended critical understanding through an independent research project of the concepts, principles, rules and values of an area of law of the students own choosing. A4. Demonstrate how legal concepts and principles inter-relate as a system of rules and both inform and affect the development of one another. Teaching and Learning Methods Campus delivery will include a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, seminars, moots, workshops, discussion forums, guest lectures, problem-based learning, case-study analysis, experiential learning, role plays, hypotheses, interactive technologies, and research exercises. E-learn Delivery will include module handbooks setting out framework knowledge, recommended reading lists of primary and secondary sources, virtual seminars, power point presentations, interactive workbooks, on-line discussion threads in Blackboard, tutor guidance, remote synchronous and asynchronous group and individual discussion of pre-prepared questions, and use of a virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) to access (through upload and download) all teaching, assessment, discussion and learning support materials Assessment methods Unseen examinations, mooting, oral performance, group/individual presentation, workshop research exercises, case analysis, virtual-quizzes, interactive questions, case reviews, portfolios, poster presentations, portfolios, PDP diaries, and extended essays. B. Subject-specific skills B1. Identify, locate, apply and interpret both primary and secondary legal sources

B2. Evaluate legal concepts and rules in the analysis of legal problems B3. Assimilate and analyse written information and to select the parts of most relevance to an issue or question under consideration B4 Synthesise diverse and conflicting legal authorities and policy arguments, identifying erroneous arguments and explaining and exploring reasons for such views B5.Solve legal problems by identifying and retrieving up-to-date legal information using paper and electronic sources B6.Undertake effective research and solve legal problems in areas of law not previously studied. Teaching and Learning Methods Campus delivery will include a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, seminars, moots, workshops, discussion forums, guest lectures, problem-based learning, case-study analysis, experiential learning, role plays, hypotheses, interactive technologies, and research exercises. E-learn Delivery will include module handbooks setting out framework knowledge, recommended reading lists of primary and secondary sources, virtual seminars, power point presentations, interactive workbooks, on-line discussion threads in Blackboard, tutor guidance, remote synchronous and asynchronous group and individual discussion of pre-prepared questions, and use of a virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) to access (through upload and download) all teaching, assessment, discussion and learning support materials Assessment methods Unseen examinations, mooting, oral performance, group/individual presentation, workshop research exercises, case analysis, virtual-quizzes, interactive questions, case reviews, portfolios, poster presentations, portfolios, PDP diaries, and extended essays. C. Thinking Skills Students should be able to show an ability to analyse, synthesise, critically judge and evaluate by C1. Recognising and ranking items and issues in terms of relevance and importance C2. Synthesising information and materials from a variety of different sources C3. Evaluating relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic C4. Presenting critical judgements of the merits of particular arguments C5. Presenting, and making reasoned choices between, alternative solutions C6. Planning and undertaking tasks in areas of law which have been studied C7. Undertaking independent research in novel areas of law C8. Reflecting on learning and making use of feedback to improve learning Teaching and Learning Methods Campus delivery will include a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, seminars, moots, workshops, discussion forums, guest lectures, problem-based learning, case-study analysis, experiential learning, role plays, hypotheses, interactive technologies, and research exercises. E-learn Delivery will include module handbooks setting out framework knowledge, recommended reading lists of primary and secondary sources, virtual seminars, power point presentations, interactive workbooks, on-line discussion threads in Blackboard, tutor guidance, remote synchronous and asynchronous group and individual discussion of pre-prepared questions, and use of a virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) to

access (through upload and download) all teaching, assessment, discussion and learning support materials

Assessment methods Unseen examinations, mooting, oral performance, group/individual presentation, workshop research exercises, case analysis, virtual-quizzes, interactive questions, case reviews, portfolios, poster presentations, portfolios, PDP diaries, and extended essays. D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development Students should be able to: D1. Engage in academic debate in a professional manner D2. Use a range of formats, mainly written, to present specialist material D3. Write fluent and complex prose, using legal terminology correctly D4. Read a range of complex works within and about law and to summarise their arguments accurately D5. word-process written work and presentations and access and retrieve legal information from both physical and electronic library and data-base sources D6. Select appropriate technological tools required for personal support D7. Work both independently and with others and to participate constructively in the resolution of problems and clarification of issues through group discussion D8. Reflect on their own learning and to seek and benefit from feedback from others Teaching and Learning Methods

. Campus delivery will include a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, seminars, moots, workshops, discussion forums, guest lectures, problem-based learning, case-study analysis, experiential learning, role plays, hypotheses, interactive technologies, and research exercises. E-learn Delivery will include module handbooks setting out framework knowledge, recommended reading lists of primary and secondary sources, virtual seminars, power point presentations, interactive workbooks, on-line discussion threads in Blackboard, tutor guidance, remote synchronous and asynchronous group and individual discussion of pre-prepared questions, and use of a virtual learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) to access (through upload and download) all teaching, assessment, discussion and learning support materials Assessment methods

Unseen examinations, mooting, oral performance, group/individual presentation, workshop research exercises, case analysis, virtual-quizzes, interactive questions, case reviews, portfolios, poster presentations, portfolios, PDP diaries, and extended essays.

13. Programme Structures* 14. Awards and Credits* Level Module

Code Module Title Credit

rating Level 6 LA 3093

LA 3095 LA 3090 LA 3094 LA 3096 LA 3092 LA 3091 LA 3097

Constitutional Law Contract Law Criminal Law Foundations of European Union Law Equity and Trusts Land Law Tort Law Independent Legal Research Project

20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10

Graduate Diploma in Law Requires successful completion of 160 credits, 150 being at Level 6 and 10 at Level 5.

Level 5 LA 2080 Lawyers Skills 10 15. Personal Development Planning

• Students are introduced to PDP during their induction and given a PDP folder which includes several exercises for students to complete to increase self awareness of their own skills, qualities, attitudes and capabilities as well as developing their skills of reflection

• Students are assigned to a Academic Advisor to provide guidance in all areas of PDP • Students have an initial meeting with their Academic Advisor during induction week • Students are expected to have contact with their Academic Advisor to review their

progress during the two PDP weeks identified in the academic timetable • Students are given comprehensive written feedback on their formative courseworks in

order to assist in identifying their strengths and weaknesses and the need and direction for change

• Students are given a careers talk during their induction and are encouraged to liaise with the School careers advisor and the University careers in order to aid them in planning for their career progression and development

16. Admissions criteria The admissions policy for this course is conducted within the terms of reference and the aims and objectives of the University’s Mission and Equal Opportunities Statements and the University’s Admissions Policy and Code of Practice. All students must have either an undergraduate degree from a UK institution or a Certificate of Academic Standing from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board. In particular admissions will be conducted within the following criteria, although no one criterion will predominate: 1. Past academic performance or achievement 2. Any individual circumstances indicated to the School

3. The School’s preference for a mixed and balanced cohort 4. Evidence of a commitment to complete the GDL

In appropriate circumstances the School will call applicants for interview where it is thought necessary that further information might be required to assess the student’s ability to meet the above criteria. For overseas applicants whose first language is not English or who have received higher education where the medium of instruction is not English, the language requirement is IELTS 6.5, or equivalent qualification.

17. Key sources of information about the programme • CAB website: www.lawcabs.ac.uk • University website: www.uclan.ac.uk/law • UoM Enterprise Limited website: http://www.uomtrust.ac.mu/index.php/uom-

enterprise • University prospectus • Factsheet • Lancashire Law School, Harris Building, Corporation Street, Preston, PR1 2HE.

Tel: 01772 893929 Email: erbamford@uclan.ac.uk

18. Curriculum Skills Map Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed

Level Module Code Module Title

Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O)

Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills

Other skills relevant to

employability and personal development

A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1-5 C6 C7 C8 D1-4 D5 D6 D7 D8

LEVE

L 6

LA3093 Constitutional Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3095 Contract Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3090 Criminal Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3094 European Union Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3096 Equity and Trusts COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3092 Land Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X LA3091 Tort Law COMP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

LA3097 Independent Legal Research Project COMP X X X

X X X X X X X X X

X

X

LEV

EL 5

LA2080

Lawyers Skills COMP X X X

X

X X X X

X X X

Note: Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks

ASSESSMENT

ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS

General and Interpretation 8.1 These regulations for the Common Professional Examination are incorporated

into the Academic Regulations for the University of Central Lancashire and are also subject to any relevant regulations of the Joint Academic Stage Board in force from time to time. In the event of any conflict, the regulations of the Joint Academic Stage Board are to prevail over these regulations and specific provisions in these regulations shall take priority over University Regulations.

“The Board of Examiners” means the Assessment Board established in accordance with the University Regulations and shall comprise: (a) the Head of Lancashire Law School (Chair) (b) the external examiners (as approved by the University and the Joint

Academic Stage Board) (c) members of the academic staff of the University involved as teachers,

tutors, examiners or assessors of students on the course (d) any representative of the Joint Academic Stage Board appointed by the

Joint Academic Stage Board (e) the Executive Dean of the Faculty (ex officio) (f) other members as may be approved by the Joint Academic Stage Board

or specifically. “The Common Professional Examination” means the examination recognised by the Council of the Inns of Court or The Law Society as satisfying the academic stage of training; “The Joint Academic Stage Board” means the Board established by the Council of the Inns of Court and The Law Society to govern the Common Professional Examination and to validate and monitor courses of study leading to that examination;

Appendix 2:Assessment Regulations

The provisions of the Interpretation Act 1978 apply to these regulations. Words and phrases not expressly defined in these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, bear the same meaning as in the Joint Academic Stage Board's General Regulations.

Conditions of Enrolment and of Examination 8.2 Students are enrolled on the Common Professional Examination course on the

understanding that:-

(a) They have already carried out any prescribed reading in that area of English Legal Method and English Legal Institutions.

(b) They have a sufficient command of written and spoken English to follow

the course. A student is not eligible to sit the written examinations at the end of the course, or thereafter: (a) without a satisfactory knowledge or ability in English Legal Method and

English Legal Institutions: or (b) if attendance, submission of work or tutorial performance is deemed

unsatisfactory by the Board of Examiners.

8.3 A student will normally be advised by the Course Leader in advance of the examinations if that student's eligibility to take the examination is at risk under paragraph 8.2 above but the student will not be prevented from actually taking the examination since the final decision as to eligibility is that of the Board of Examiners. A student who decides not to take the examinations as a result of proper advice from the Course Leader or who takes the examinations but is subsequently deemed not to have been eligible to take them by the Board of Examiners shall be deemed to have failed those examinations.

8.4 (a) A student will be assessed in each module. LA3080 Criminal Law Examination & Coursework & (e_)Seminar

Performance

LA3081 Tort Law Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA3082 Land Law Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA3083 Constitutional Law Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA3084 Foundations of European Community Law

Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA3085 Contract Law Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA3086 Equity & Trusts Examination & Coursework & (e-)Seminar Performance

LA2080 Lawyers Skills Coursework on moot topic previously undertaken in class session and English Legal System

LA3087 Independent Legal Research Project

5,000 word dissertation

(b) In borderline cases only and at the discretion of the Board of Examiners

the Board of Examiners, in addition to the normally prescribed methods of assessment, may examine a student orally, normally in one module only. As a result of the oral examination the Board of Examiners may increase the mark obtained otherwise but normally by not more than 5%.

(c) The pass mark in each module is normally 40%.

(d) A student must normally obtain a pass in each component of

assessment for each module. The Board of Examiners, exceptionally and at its discretion, may allow a student’s overall performance to compensate for failure in any one component, either coursework or an examination, provided that the mark obtained in the failed component, is not less than 35%. Compensation may be allowed once only throughout the entire duration of the programme, whether full-time or part-time

(e) For modules requiring coursework, the weighting of the marks for the

written examination and for the coursework for the purposes of the final marks for a module is 75/25.

Result of Examination

8.5 A student passes the Common Professional Examination and qualifies for the

award of a Graduate Diploma in Law who passes either at the first attempt or, at a referred or resit examination, those modules which the student is required by the Joint Academic Stage Board to take. (ie normally eight modules but less than eight where a student is entitled to exemptions as approved by the Joint Academic Stage Board).

8.6 (a) A student shall be awarded a distinction where

(i) He/she has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND

(ii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70% (b) A student may be awarded a distinction where

(ii) He/she has passed all elements of the assessments at the first attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND

(viii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 70% in at least 50% of the subjects counting towards the final award; AND

(ix) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 67%; AND (x) the examination board considers that it is not inappropriate to award a

distinction.

8.7 (a) A student will be awarded a Commendation where

(i) He/she has passed all assessment at the first attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND

(ii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in the assessments

(b) A student may be awarded a Commendation where

(xi) He/she has passed all elements of the assessment at the first

attempt, without any subject being compensated, AND (xii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 58% AND (xiii) He/she has obtained an overall average of at least 60% in at

least 50% of the subjects counting towards the final award AND (xiv) the examination board considers that it is not inappropriate to

award a commendation. Candidates Unsuccessful at First Attempt 8.8. In the event of failure students shall be reassessed only in those components of

assessment within a subject which they have failed. 8.9 A referred student who has obtained a pass in a coursework element of his

assessment is not required to submit new coursework nor is one who has passed the examination element but failed the coursework required to pass the examination.

Failed Candidates 8.10 (a) A student who fails the examination at the first attempt may be allowed

to resit the examination normally in the following August or September.

(b) A student who fails the examination at the second attempt may, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, be allowed to resit the examination on one further occasion only.

(c) The Board of Examiners may impose on a student permitted to resit

under this regulation requirements regarding attendance and the submission of written work, compliance with which will be a prerequisite of the permission to resit.

(d) A part-time student who fails to pass all the modules at the end of the

first year may proceed to the second year of the course while re-taking any failed modules.

(e) This regulation is subject to regulations 8.11 and 8.12

Maximum Number of Attempts 8.11 Subject to regulation 8.12 below, no student may sit the Common Professional

Examination in any module on more than three occasions. A sitting of the examination at any institution counts for this purpose, but an attempt which is not completed for sufficient cause does not.

8.12 If a student fails an assessment element or elements three times then such a

student will have failed the GDL programme. No fourth attempt will be allowed. It will be for the Board of Examiners to determine entirely at their discretion if a student has mitigating circumstances which are considered satisfactory by that Board of Examiners to allow a first sitting, further sitting or deferral within the three sittings allowed.

Aegrotat 8.13 An aegrotat pass is not permitted on the Graduate Diploma in Law General 8.14 (a) If in exceptional circumstances the Board of Examiners is satisfied that

any of Regulations 8.4 to 8.13 operated unfairly in relation to any student, the Board may take such decision as appears to the Board to be necessary to achieve the fair operation of the system of assessment prescribed by these Regulations.

(b) Notice of any decision of the Board of Examiners under paragraph (a),

and of the exceptional circumstances of the decision, must be given to the Common Professional Examination Board by the Chairman of the Board of Examiners.

Time Period for Completion of the Common Professional Examination 8.15 Unless there are exceptional circumstances, a student is required to complete

a Common Professional Examination in a period of either:

(a) no more than three years from the date on which he/she commences a one year Common Professional Examination course; or

(b) no more than four years from the date on which he/she commences two year Common Professional Examination course.

Permission to extend these time periods will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and must be agreed, in advance, with the Joint Academic Stage Board.

Cheating and Plagiarism 8.16 (a) A candidate who is shown to have cheated in any coursework or

examination fails the Common Professional Examination and is not permitted to take the Common Professional Examination on any future occasion.

“Cheating” consists of using or possessing for possible use materials not provided or authorised by the institution, copying or attempting to copy the work of any other candidate or taking or attempting to take any other step likely to afford the candidate an unfair advantage over other candidates.

(b) A student who is shown to have committed plagiarism in any piece of work for assessment will receive a mark of zero for that piece of work.

(c) The procedure under the regulations of the University will apply in

determining whether or not an allegation of cheating or plagiarism which is not admitted has been proven.

Appeals 8.17 These assessment regulations are subject to the appeals procedure of the

University. Copies of Regulations 8.18 A copy of these regulations and any approved scheme must be given to each

student on the course on enrolment or as soon as practicable thereafter. Re-sits 8.19 Where a student is required to resit coursework and/or examinations the mark

to be awarded for the module overall will be no greater than 40%. This does not apply to first sitters.

1. All staff should note that students should be given at least three weeks’ notice of the

question/problem for the assessment and the date on which it is to be submitted. 2. Students are not permitted to submit more than one piece of coursework on a specified

submission date. This means that only one piece of coursework may be submitted on a specified submission date e.g. if a submission date of 17th November is prescribed the student must choose whether to submit a coursework in land law, criminal law or tort law on that date. A coursework in each of the modules must be submitted on different dates.

3. All pieces of assessed work are to be marked by staff and returned to the

student within three working weeks of submission. All marks and comments should be contained on a pro-forma document, one copy of which should be returned to the student, and one copy of which should be handed to the course leader. Members of staff should also keep a copy of this pro-forma for their own records.

4. The mark for an assessment should be a mark out of 100%.

5. The normal word limit for assessment will be 1,500 words.

6. Students must submit their coursework electronically via Turniitn no later than 23.59hours (British time) on the submission date. Students must keep a copy of all submitted coursework.

7. Where a student fails an assessment (under 40%) he or she can resubmit the

assessment on one occasion only within six weeks of being notified of the failure. Whatever mark is obtained on the resubmission, the recorded mark for final assessment purposes will not exceed 40%.

8. Failure to submit the coursework on the due date will result in a zero mark being

recorded unless a medical certificate or evidence of other good cause is provided to the module tutor. In the event of no medical certificate or good cause, the student can only redeem the zero mark by submitting the coursework within 5 days of the date on which it was originally due. The coursework will then be marked but will be subject to a maximum mark of 40%. Coursework submitted more than 5 days late without good cause will fail.

9. Where following the summer Examination Board a candidate is required to submit/resubmit coursework during the summer, the mark to be awarded on the resit coursework will not exceed 40%.

Appendix 3:Coursework Regulations

10. It is expected that coursework will be word-processed. Double line spacing and font size 12 must be used. All case names should be in italics and the work must be fully referenced

Introduction Assessment of your performance in oral discussions with other students and a member of staff may be new to you. It is an important part of your assessment in most courses and it is important that you are aware of what is expected from you. If you do not understand anything, feel free to talk to your seminar tutor about how they assess performance in seminars. You should not feel anxious about the form of assessment as it is developmental in nature and is designed to help and encourage you both in the development of understanding of the course module matter, and in your oral communication and interpersonal skills. Your seminar performance will be assessed on a competent/non-competent basis. Each module will consist of 6 seminars and you must be adjudged competent in at least 4 to pass this element. Failure to attend a seminar without good cause will result in your being adjudged non-competent as will performance below an acceptable standard. This element of assessment is independent of coursework and examination and must be passed to pass the module. A student adjudged non-competent in seminar -performance at the end of a module is required to undertake and demonstrate competency in an oral assessment based on a problem similar to that encountered in seminars. It should be stressed here, that, given the developmental nature of the assessment and the fact that seminars are primarily intended to be part of the learning process, contributions or questions which acknowledge that you do not fully understand a particular point or case, but which are designed to enable you or the group as a whole to clarify such an issue, are equally valued with contributions that attempt to portray a complete understanding of a particular point. Basic Criteria Applied to: Understanding, Applying, Researching and Communicating

These banding criteria are for information only. A grading of Competent / Not Competent only will be used with no mark given. STUDENTS MUST BE ASSESSED AS COMPETENT IN 4 OUT OF 6 SEMINARS PER MODULE

Outstanding Distinction

An exemplary and profound handling of the question with performance which would be first-class at a much higher level than that of the assessment level. A high level of intellectual rigour and insight will be demonstrated.

Seminar Assessment Guidelines

Excellent Distinction

1st class performance at a level higher than that of the assessment level (i.e. a distinction at Masters level)

Very good Distinction

A very good handling of the question with both a broad and deep grasp of the issues. Discussion is coherent, well evidenced and well argued. The presence of marginal inaccuracies should not preclude a distinction mark.

Commendation A good handling of the question in a largely accurate manner with limited significant errors or omissions. Discussion contains material relevant to the question. There is familiarity with a range of appropriate sources and, at the top of the boundary, evaluation of the more complex issues.

Good pass A competent knowledge and understanding of the issue(s) in the question in a broadly competent manner. The required learning outcomes will be adequately met. The student will show some awareness of the main sources. There is an attempt to identify and select relevant materials.

Basic pass

Some basic relevant knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Discussion may be mostly descriptive and may be supported by some relevant sources. The discussion will meet the required learning outcomes at a threshold level only. Mistakes should not prevent an answer qualifying for a pass. The discussion may miss key points, contain important inaccuracies and make assertions not supported by authority or evidence.

High fail Marginal / weak

Demonstrates limited knowledge and/or understanding.

Very weak Fail

Demonstrates very limited knowledge and understanding

Low fail Demonstrates almost no relevant knowledge and understanding

Tuition fees:

Your tuition fees include:

• Scheduled course tuition, academic, technical and administrative support, use of course equipment and facilities.

• Course related induction activities. • Placement year academic support (where the course includes a placement year). • Course assessment and awards. • Access to the university’s library and online resources, including on-campus wifi,

networked and remote access to the university’s virtual learning environment, • Use of the university’s estate and resources for scheduled activities and learning

support • Dissertation, project and/or thesis printing and binding where the submission of

printed and bound documents is a requirement for assessment of the module. • Use of the university’s technical equipment and materials identified by the course

teaching team as essential for the completion of the course. • The extra items listed against your course in Table One below.

Table One Course

Additional items included in the tuition fees for your course

MLaw Bachelor of Laws/LL.B degrees

Stipulated core text books or practitioner resource books

MLaw (years 3 and 4 only) Printing allowance Bachelor of Laws/LL.B degrees MLaw

Galleries of Justice visit in year one

The items listed in Table Two are optional and the costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Table Two Course

Optional items which may be offered and which are NOT included in the tuition fees for your course. Places may be limited

Estimated costs

Bachelor of Laws/LL.B degrees MLaw

Leadership development trip to Cyprus

Subsidised cost £100-£150

Bachelor of Laws/LL.B degrees MLaw

Visit to European Institutions Visit to Slavery Museum Visit to Auschwitz Placement year abroad additional costs (on top of living costs)

Subsidised cost £300-£400 Subsidised cost £20 £350-400 £500-£3000 (depending on location & travel costs – ERASMUS or international study grant funding may be available to help with some costs for some destinations)

Total £1,270-£3,970

Living costs:

Living costs are not included in your tuition fees. You will need to budget for these separately. Below is an indication of some typical living costs, but everyone is different and you are strongly advised to plan your own budget.

Typical items Estimated weekly costs lower range

Estimated weekly costs higher range

Accommodation: University Halls of Residence based on a 42 week contract. Private Halls of Residence (Living at home may reduce your accommodation costs)

£79.03 £70 (£0)

£107.83 £110

Food £20 £30 Internet connection (free wifi on campus, in university halls of residence and in some private accommodation)

£0 £12

Toiletries/Laundry £5 £15 Gas/electricity/water (included within university halls of residence costs and some private accommodation – check your contract)

£0 £20

Printing, copying, stationery. £2.50 £10 Travel expenses (varies by method & distance travelled e.g. on foot, bicycle, bus, train or car. If using bus or train check travel card / season ticket rates for savings). University halls of residence and a good selection of private accommodation are situated on campus or a short walk from campus.

£0 £40

Mobile phone or landline £2.50 £10 Books £5 £10 Leisure £5 £25 Total per week £110 £282 Total for 42 weeks (typical halls of residence contract)

£4,620 £11,844

Total for 52 weeks £5,720 £14,664

You may also need to budget for ‘one off’ or irregular costs

Typical items Notes Bedding From £20 Clothes Costs vary depending on your needs TV licence £145.50 per year Insurances Costs vary depending on your needs. Computer/laptop/telephone You will have access to University computers or laptops for your

studies or you may have your own you wish to bring. If you are acquiring one to come to university the cost varies depending on model and whether it is new or refurbished.

Furniture, crockery etc. Furnished accommodation may include all your needs. Check your accommodation to see what is included.

Additional costs.

The costs below are incurred by some but not all students and are not included within the Tuition Fees.

Optional items – all courses Estimated costs Travel to course related work placements, work experience, voluntary work, or site visits (for example costs of petrol, business level motor insurance cover, taxis, train fares, bus fares etc.).

Variable depending on the distance travelled and the method of transport chosen.

Library fines & charges Avoid these by returning on time or renewing books!

On time £0.00 0-8 days overdue £0.10-0.50 per day 9+ days overdue £0.50-£1.00 per day 40+ days replacement cost and administrative charges/account suspension

Costs of obtaining medical or other evidence to support applications for extenuating circumstance applications relating to assessments.

For example a medical certificate may cost from £10.

Fees for arranging and invigilating course examination(s) off campus are payable by the student (Note this only applies where permitted by course regulations and approved by course leaders)

£300

Printing of electronic books, journals etc. You are strongly recommended to access these electronically.

Estimated £0.10 per copy sheet

Printing of reports, course materials and other course documents, which have been supplied or are available electronically or in hard copy in the library.

Estimated £0.10 per copy sheet