General transferable skills: University of Manchester

(Transcript of a section of the General transferable skills report, 1998)

Specific skills module or integration of skills?

Some skills taught in legal methods course but most are integrated. Information technology is taught in a university wide programme.

Manchester offers a first year module. At the heart of the module is a practical research project undertaken under the guidance of a manager in a local law firm, or other appropriate employer and supervised by the course tutors.

Work on the research projects is done in teams of two. The topic of the research project will be determined in consultation with the firm. It will normally be on a legal theme but there is the option, for students not pursuing a legal career, to undertake a project focusing on other aspects of that firm – management, recruitment, marketing etc. They are expected to write a research proposal early in the semester and at the end, submit a research report with executive summary and make a presentation of its contents to fellow students, course tutors and representatives of the firms.

To support their project work, students undertake a series of interactive management skills training sessions given by representatives of law firms and other commercial organisations. These focus on the skills necessary to complete the module successfully and, ultimately, to be effective at work. In addition, they receive input on research methods and techniques.

Not every law graduate goes into the legal profession so, although the module has a legal project as its focus, the aim is to increase the personal skills of students in ways relevant to all careers.

The involvement of outside organisations, both as project hosts and deliverers of training, is crucial to the design of the module.

As well as highlighting the career management skills that all graduates need to be effective in their working lives, the module also seeks to develop the skills necessary to apply to apply for jobs and training contracts, and to be effective at interview.

The course has a number of objectives:

• to develop an expertise in the practical application of legal knowledge and to demonstrate this through oral and written communication
• to develop the teamworking skills that are vital in every employment area
• to appreciate the need to develop other work-related and career management skills to respond to changes in the pattern of work
• to develop skills, knowledge and experience to enhance employability.

In the course of achieving these objectives, students are expected to:

• locate and use various information and source material
• carry out independent research and learn how manage a project
• develop cognitive skills – analysing, synthesising and evaluating
• develop report writing skills and presentation skills
• examine a legal issue in theory and practice
• develop generic career management skills
• gain an insight into the workings of a law practice

The module is divided into three phases; preparation for the project, implementation of the project and presentation of the project. Throughout the three phases students also attend a supporting programme of skills sessions.

Learning support

Personal tutors refer students to the central academic advisory service. There is also a support programme which is available through the period of the specific skills module. This takes the form of a surgery.

Specific skills

Communication skills are required for coursework. We also have voluntary mooting and negotiation skills competitions. Also many skills are developed through the specific skills module.

Skills are generally not assessed independently of academic assessment. The exception is IT, where students have to show a basic minimum level of competency.

Last Modified: 30 June 2010