Solicitors Qualification training provider

The Department of Law & Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University is a large successful

department which has diversified over the past 5 years and brings the University additional

funding in terms of its research and contract work both nationally and internationally which

in turn has improved the REF Unit of Assessment 20 results significantly. The diversification

and subsequent growth is as a direct result of the successful creation of the International

Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice ("HKC").

The University has identified the Law subject area as a pillar subject providing further

resources and support in order to significantly increase undergraduate numbers.

Opportunities

We have a number of strategic priorities that derive directly from a tailored law portfolio

which utilises the HKC brand and the creation of a law school in the new Institute of Law &

Justice. Central to this strategy is the creation of a new LLM postgraduate course (Solicitors

Qualifying Examination "SQE" part 1 & 2) to provide "a cradle to qualification" for students

who want to become solicitors.

Our aim is to create a new suite of postgraduate professional qualifications that will enhance

the refreshed undergraduate portfolio which has been revalidated and is due to roll out in

September 2025. We want to provide a range of 1 and 2 year pathways as well as an LLM law

conversion course with SQE.

We will run the LLM course from our main campus in Sheffield but there is scope to offer this

course from September 2026 from our new London campus. We intend to offer this course

to three specific markets of students - law graduates (from SHU or elsewhere), non-law

graduates (from SHU or elsewhere) and international students (practising lawyers wanting

to practice in the UK).

We require a supplier to provide the SQE preparation training elements which will form part

of the LLM Solicitors Qualification Examination.

The requirement is for a supplier to provide:

• Professional training via an online system which students can access independently
• A readily accessible online support service for system issues
• Professional support for students for academic issues relating to the training provided
• Involvement in a review of the Sheffield Hallam University course design and be involved in

the development of the other law modules provided by SHU which form the LLM award.

Requirements

Online system

The University requires an easily accessible, easy to use, reliable, SaaS system via which

students can receive training and support. University staff would like to be able to access the

system for monitoring purposes but expect the successful supplier to be responsible for all

software resources used by the application.

We would expect the successful supplier to be able to offer access to the training via a wide

variety of devices (e.g. PC, laptop, IoS and android) and that the system would be updated

regularly.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENT - You must meet the requirements of the Public Sector Bodies

(Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 which states you

must make your website or mobile app more accessible by making it 'perceivable, operable,

understandable and robust'. You need to include and update an accessibility statement on

your website.

Curriculum Model

We require delivery of a curriculum which comprehensively covers all the requirements for

SQE 1 & 2 and fully prepares students for the relevant examinations.

Experience & Success

We require a provider with the highest level of experience & success within the HE sector.

Staff Expertise

The University requires a provider with staff who have the highest and most relevant skills

and expertise to contribute towards the opportunities described above and enhance the

reputation of the University.

International Students

The University requires evidence of experience in enrolling and teaching a wide range of

international students.

Student support

We require a comprehensive offering of support from qualified & experienced staff in relation

to the SQE1 & 2 courses you will be delivering.

Our students will require:

• Academic support
• System use / course support (how to get the best out of the system and curriculum model)
• Pastoral care in relation to struggles or concerns with course content
• Specialist advice relating to the diverse needs of the student(s)

EEDI (Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)

Sheffield Hallam University is committed to advancing equality of opportunity, experiences

and outcomes; ensuring that students and staff realise their full potential. This is reflected

through the University's civic ambitions, with equality, diversity and inclusion acting as a key

enablers to the University's strategy, Transforming Lives. The University's Equality

Objectives (2021-24) demonstrate our commitment to EEDI.

www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-values/… ↗

Standards & Compliance

The University wishes to contract with a provider who complies with all service-related

standards and has robust quality assurance policies and procedures in place.

Collaborative Opportunities

We would like to explore opportunities with the selected provider, to collaborate on the

provision of additional student courses.

Out of Scope

• The award of the qualification of LLM SQE.
• Participation in the delivery of any of the Sheffield Hallam University law modules that form

part of the LLM award.

• The assessment of the Solicitors Qualification Examination Part 1 or Part 2 as this is

delivered by the Solicitors Regulation Authority's approved assessor.

• The process of entering the students into the Solicitors Qualification Examination Part 1 or

Part 2 this remains the responsibility of the individual students and they bear the cost of the

examination fees.

The University reserves the right to make any award that may result from this Invitation to

Tender, on a single supplier award basis, or not at all, at its sole discretion.