Paralegal Practice

Year 1

Each year of the programme covers two modules.

The first year lays the foundations of the necessary skills and legal knowledge for the paralegal.

The first module is Paralegal Practice and Skills. This module covers the core skills for being a paralegal. This gives employers and students immediate confidence in the ability of the paralegal to begin to deliver in their workplace. It links the skills needed for paralegal work and many of the skills needed for successful academic study (which may well be new to many of the students) are aligned.

In the programme’s second module, the rules, regulations and ethics of paralegal practice are taught as the "Professionalism Ethics and Values for Paralegal." As well as providing information on those key qualities, this will also ensure that the student can understand and manage the professional risks of paralegal practice.

Year 2

The second year deals with the parameters of the paralegal’s role and helps to build specialisation.

The third module on the programme is “Foundations of Scots Law”. This develops foundational legal knowledge. The law and the legal system are clearly an unavoidable context to the work of a paralegal and so it is necessary to have that broad understanding of that wider context.

The fourth module can be chosen from a range of options drawing on the primary specialist areas of paralegal practice in Scotland. This provides an opportunity to gain in depth knowledge in one of the primary areas of specialist work which paralegals carry out. These are Residential Conveyancing, Wills and Executries, Debt Recovery, Commercial Conveyancing and Family Law for paralegals.

Indicative Outline Syllabus

This outline syllabus is subject to change, but gives an indication of the course content.

Learning Methods

The delivery of the course is online. This draws on the Law School’s strength as a leader in the Scottish law market and wider RGU expertise in delivery of work-based learning through its graduate apprenticeship programmes.

Material will be delivered in the RGU virtual learning environment Moodle and will be a combination of live online tutorials, recorded lectures and written materials. Participation is required but support is given to facilitate this.

Assessment will aim to capture practical experience and knowledge through building legal skills and analysis drawing on fictional case studies and capturing aspects of student’s work.

How long is a Paralegal Practice course?

A Paralegal Practice course can be successfully completed part-time in 24 months. in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - whole course, 4 hours per course
• Seminars - 16 students per group, 12 hours per semester
• Webinar - whole course, 12 hours per semester
• Independent Study - 10 hours per week

Independent Study Summary

Students will be required to carry out work on their own and it is expected that employers will respect the time which this takes. Some assessments will aim to capture work-based experience and skills for the purposes of assessment. Support will be provided to students to ensure that they can succeed. 

Staff Delivering This Course

Staff involved in the course have significant experience of online law teaching and of legal practice. The course is supported by the Law Society of Scotland and relevant materials will be used to support learning where possible. 

Assessment

Each module is assessed through participation and Coursework in the form of a portfolio capturing the student's reflections on their learning as well as analysis of the module material and relevant further work, and its application to the role of a paralegal. 

The aim of the portfolio assessment is to try and capture the way students transfer what they learn into real life experience. Students can use online resources to save their work and thoughts.

Tasks will be set throughout the module, with the portfolio used to recording and capture the completion of the tasks, providing a focus for learning and discussion, and for student reflection. 

Typically are assessed:

Year 1

• 2 Portfolios

Year 2

• 2 Portfolios

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams. 

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Job Prospects

This course provides a way for students to build their knowledge and skills at the outset of their careers and for experienced paralegals to demonstrate and accredit their existing professional experience.

This would also provide a way to develop and demonstrate study skills and further develop their careers following completion.

This degree can lead to an exciting career as a paralegal across broad and more specialist legal practices.

What is needed for the CertHE Paralegal Practice

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss with the Student Admissions Service if you think you might be able to meet the requirements.

The Student Admissions Service may consider applications from candidates who do not meet our Standard Entry Requirements, but do have significant evidence of their abilities and work experience.

An applicant's employer should be supportive and, where possible, provide a workplace with learning guidance and mentoring to create a suitable workplace environment in which the student will be able to obtain the necessary experience and learning outcomes.

Applications from students with non-standard qualifications/work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Standard Entry Requirements

Employment

• All applicants should be employed in a full or part time position (minimum of 21 hours per week), relevant to their course of study
• Applicants should have at least a year's relevant work experience. This would be work in a law firm or in house legal team, or in a sufficiently analogous role such as the office function in a contracts department, housing agency or consumer advice service, as an alternative. These roles should demonstrate the development of key skills evidenced through a detailed CV as part of the application.

Student Admissions are happy to discuss and advise on any particular candidates qualifications.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.