738 The University of Law reviews

There have been quite a few messages and events to support employment opportunities.

I joined the full-time online mode of study in February 2021 and immediately realised that, despite not being employed, I could not fit in its demands. So I switched to part-time, ending in November 2022. Even so, 28 hours of study are expected each week. This is a genuine struggle and I do wonder whether the course should be spread over a longer period. The online platform is well organised, with work based around each workshop: preparation (usually reading and then some activities); engagement (the workshop itself, using the aforesaid activities); and consolidation afterwards. All of this is on your own, except for the workshop part. This suits me well because I don't much like working in collaboration (not a fashionable position to hold, but there we are). What doesn't suit me well is the amount of reading. Setting aside the 'additional' texts, I have not found it possible to deal with the amount of reading identified as 'essential'. I do appreciate that a master's course will have a much wider scope than just what is needed for the end-of-module coursework assessment but, even so, for those coming to this course without a background in the private (business) corporate world and/or law, I have felt that students' knowledge and understanding could have been scaffolded in a way that built this up more helpfully. When I fell out with the course and decided to write this review was when my first module's coursework assessment became a reality. The 23 clear days to complete this crossed with continuing teaching on the final two units of the module (so during weeks 1 and 2 of the three week assessment period). How anyone in employment could do the units and the assessment at the same time I cannot imagine and, of course, the reality is that the coursework is prioritised. I feel rather cheated about paying for two units of work that, the truth is, I cannot complete adequately, if at all, given that the stakes riding on the assesment are so high. I have had just one tutor so far and they have been fine, clear, well-prepared and helpful. And the various support staff have also been helpful when I have contacted them. On top of that, I feel that the all-but-£10,000 fee is reasonable and the online platform, including its easy-to-use online library and databases, have proved to be good, too. To sum up, this is a well-organised online course (bringing with it the advantage of not having to travel) with a fair fee tag. But, I think, The University of Law is cramming much too much into the duration of the course and the overlap of continuing study and coursework places unrealistic demands on its students. It's a good course. But it needs to cover less ground or to be delivered over a longer period.

2

I have not visited any of the sites because of the pandemic and because, as an online student, I expect to not have to need to do so. But, as mentioned earlier, the online platform is easy to use.

There is plenty of support in terms of groups and the disability service. I have not been given a personal tutor.

Yes

Great careers service with lots of events and connections

Great lecturers, not so great admin staff

16

Terrible IT services, virtually no London accommodation services. They always put things out so late that you end up anxious about it and have not enough time to plan. Hardly any societies. Library is good though.

Good access to counselling but exams are not very sympathetic. You don’t have the ability to apply for an extension- only a concession after the exam. This means that you get no answer until it is to late as to whether your mental health will be seen as bad enough for you to submit late, which ironically will probably make your anxiety worse.

No

They supply a lot of information about graduate careers and things which could be doing after our degree.

Some classes online and some in class therefore blended learning. It’s easy to contact tutors and the teaching hours are the same as before.

20

The cleanliness depends on my housemates deficit. the facilities are good and it’s easy to get help if there is a maintenance issue.

The personal support is really good there is a lot of mental health support considering our course is quite stressful at times

No

Taught online currently. My class hours are mainly in the morning. Took a bit of an adjustment to get used to the teaching technique online. I am able to get into contact with my tutor via email

12

They have taken all the necessary measures to ensure we have all access to the materials we need and ensured our safety too

They have provided a good amount of support. They have provided programmes we can join to help out mental health and ensure our wellbeing. They provided online session to be able to open up about how we are feeling.

Yes

I am graduating my foundation year and I haven’t really used these resources but my tutor told me and the class that in the employment team there are many job opportunities as well as help for building professional CV and cover letters.

My lessons are online because of the lockdown but I enjoy all of my lessons. The teachers are amazing. They are all the time happy to help and provide support to us the students.

During the face to face lessons. The rooms were perfectly clean with necessary supplies available like hand sanitizers tools to clean desks and etc. Rooms are always bright and tidy. Library is amazing.

The university provides great support groups as well as well-being. I had emails for baking sessions and online cinema nights. I can proudly say that the environment is great and friendly. Also we have well-being team which students can go and talk to if they are experiencing hard times.

Yes

I was lucky enough to have a training contract before studying the LPC

I’m learning online and love learning from home and not having to travel in. You can email course tutors if you need help and collaborate sessions for workshops

4

The uni is good but I study from home

You have a personal tutor who checks in if you need it and you can contact them whenever

Yes

YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW BAD THEIR ONLINE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM IS. 2021 is a difficult year but the Respondus system Ulaw uses is highly inadequate for our Solicitors Account exam. Parts of my answer did not and could not save (as shown during the exam) but I was informed by the assessment team no to worry about it. After somewhat two weeks after the exam, I was told that parts of my answer DID NOT SAVE. They are now offering me to redo the exam, thanks a lot. They had already known the problem as many students have already complained about it before the exam, but they refused to do anything about it. A few other students are also experiencing this problem but they are not even replying to our emails asking for more information.

YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW BAD THEIR ONLINE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM IS. 2021 is a difficult year but the Respondus system Ulaw uses is highly inadequate for our Solicitors Account exam. Parts of my answer did not and could not save (as shown during the exam) but I was informed by the assessment team no to worry about it. After somewhat two weeks after the exam, I was told that parts of my answer DID NOT SAVE. They are now offering me to redo the exam, thanks a lot. They had already known the problem as many students have already complained about it before the exam, but they refused to do anything about it. A few other students are also experiencing this problem but they are not even replying to our emails asking for more information.

No

Loads of talks and opportunities

Online, 8 hours workshop and occasional lectures

Accessible, clean and fairly easy to hire.

They are very helpful whenever I am in need or need any help.

Yes

I have a job lined up after university. Also, the job support team are very helpful,

The transition to online learning was pretty smooth. I have the same amount of contact hours as if I was the university building.

8

Nice building in Manchester City centre, near bus and trains routes. Has a canteen inside the university that sells affordable food.

I have never accessed any of these facilities, but know they are available.

Yes

Still only in my first year and with COVID-19, there hasn’t really been much talk of job prospects, however we have a few guest speakers, speaking remotely!

Lectures are okay, they can sometimes seem really long 2 hour slots when online, however we’ve recently been using the chat function which is making it much more comfortable and easier to participate. My tutors especially have been super helpful and accommodating this year, especially recently with worries over exam season in a pandemic!

12

I love everything, the library is big enough to have lots of people in for quiet time as well as an area for group work, the cafeteria and 4th floor chill area are really nice, kind of just wish there were a few more quiet areas we could sit and work that’s not in the library

Amazing

Yes