Sheffield Review

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Name: Anonymous

Age: 21

University: Sheffield

Course title: BA Law and Criminology (used to be LLB Law and Criminology)

Year of study: 3

Studying law at Sheffield has been challenging and interesting. My studies have not only equipped me with an in depth knowledge of the law but have enhanced my writing and analytical skills. I have learnt to manage my time and to become an independent learner. I have enjoyed being taught by some of the leading experts in the legal field and have appreciated the range of modules that have been available.
(1 = Very poor, 10 = Excellent)

1. What mark would you give for the quality of lectures?

9/10
Lectures are usually well structured and presented by a speaker with the aid of a power point presentation. We get a fair amount of guest speakers. The lecturers often post the lecture slides online in advance so you can print them off beforehand to aid with note taking.

2. What is the academic support like?

9/10
Everybody gets assigned a tutor who students can go to and see if they have any problems, academic or otherwise. They are also available to contact via email and emails are responded to usually within the day. The academic staff who teach each module are also easily available to contact either via email or by appointment.

3. How would you grade the lecture and seminar venues?

8/10
Lectures are held in buildings across the campus. These are usually big enough to accommodate all students and are all equipped with projectors and screens for powerpoint presentations. Seminars are held in the law building which has recently been refurbished.

4. What rating would you give the library resources?

7/10
There are a lot of law students and so books are often in demand, especially if there is only one or two copies. However, the majority of the reading is required from one or two core text books which students are expected to buy. Also, a lot of reading is available online

5. How would you rate the availability of electronic resources?

9/10
The University has a subscription to the legal databases Westlaw and Lexus Nexus which are imperative for searching cases and legal journals. It is good that they have both types of legal search engines so that people can choose the one that suites their learning style the best. A lot of reading is posted online as well and is easily accessible from the student’s intranet account.

6. How would you rate the seminar group sizes?

9/10
The average seminar group contains around fifteen students but is sometimes less if there are less students on that particular module

7. What is the overall seminar quality like?

8/10
The majority of seminars are held by the lecturer of the module and these are usually of a good standard. They are often a good forum for students to discuss what they are learning about in more detail

8. How would you rate the quality and availability of extra-curricular legal activities (mooting, negotiating etc)?

9/10
There are moots that go on in the law school’s moot court and there is the chance to become involved in the Innocence Project.

9. How would you rate the Student law society?

6/10
You need to pay membership for this society. However, I believe they hold socials and members get money off second hand books at their book sale

10. How have you found the workload?

7/10
Students are expected to work a minimum of 36 hours a week including lectures and seminars

Total = 79/100

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