Chloe Osae studied the LPC with an MSc in Law, Business and Management on weekends at our Sheffield partner campus. Here, she shares how studying part-time has given her the flexibility to pursue her dream career.
Written by April Baniqued. Published 4 February 2026.
My ambition is to become a qualified solicitor in the UK. The Legal Practice Course (LPC) with the Master’s in Law, Business & Management allowed me to combine the academic stage of solicitor qualification with more depth around the business element of law. Having previously loved economics, I was eager to study modules that combined economic and legal concepts together.
I chose to study the LPC MSc part-time on the weekend because I work a full-time job, Monday-Friday. My financial situation is heavily dependent on my ability to work full-time - if there wasn’t a part time option, I don’t think I would have been able to complete the course. It also wouldn’t have been possible for me to work full-time and study full-time successfully.
A typical week in my life is quite busy. I work 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, study after work on three of those days and then attend in-person workshops at the Diamond library on Saturdays from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 10am-3pm.
Tuesday is one of my chosen study days, so by way of example:
- I go to work 9am-5pm
- I give myself an hour break after work to eat, rest or take a nap, depending on my mood
- I study between 7/7:30pm to 10:30/11pm.
These study sessions comprise of either reflecting on topics from previous workshops or prepping for upcoming workshops. If I need a break from studying, I give myself 15 minutes for law firm research or application prep, which helps keep me motivated.
Some weeks, events can come up unexpectedly and swallow my evening study time, which affects my entire study schedule. Whilst I’ve stayed committed to attending every single workshop, this can sometimes feel like a challenge because I’m not always prepared for the class.
Flexibility is important because it removes an entry barrier to certain courses and, subsequently, certain careers. Offering flexible education allows more people to approach and fulfil their career goals in the time that best suits them. I believe that this suitability brings me great confidence and assurance that I can indeed reach my goals. Being a part-time student doesn’t make me feel less than full-time students on my course; it simply reminds me that, although the destination is the same, my journey looks slightly different.
I chose to study at The University of Law after attending an Open Day at the Nottingham campus. The staff were people I could see myself speaking with about course and career matters, as well as any issues or concerns I might have in the future. Studying the LPC is a great task in itself and I was looking for a university that would ensure complete support throughout the duration of the course.
I was also glad when I saw the University’s dedication to providing a vast range of employment opportunities for their students. Ultimately, I chose ULaw because I felt I would be wholly supported whilst on, and even after studying, the course. I was excited to engage in all the opportunities they could provide for me.
My top tip for getting the most out of flexible learning is to still think and act like a full-time student. You might have a different learning schedule, but I’ve found that when I speak to my lecturers, have study groups, share resources and speak with my fellow students about career goals, everything seems much less daunting.
For anyone considering whether to study full-time or part-time with the University, my first piece of advice would be to think deeply about your commitments. Being mentally and physically healthy is the best way to fuel continued success on a course like the LPC. Weigh up the options for the available study modes and think about which one will give you the most peace during the course; otherwise you might end up underestimating the intensity of the course and feel it hit you like a truck.
Not everything will be perfect, but having confidence in how you study will take a great burden off your back during the course.
One thing I love about the University is their teaching style. Everything is laid out in a clear and understandable way. There’s also a way to track everything you’re learning and handling; from resources and tutorial videos, to lectures and workshop examples. If I feel overwhelmed after a workshop, I find it very useful to go on to ELITE, the virtual learning environment, and go through all the prep tasks for a topic. If I’ve missed anything out, I can easily spot the gap in my knowledge and that makes me very confident that I’ll do well on my course.
I am determined to begin my career as a solicitor by obtaining a training contract with a UK law firm. After a few years, I would like to return to Ghana to become a qualified lawyer there and eventually establish my own boutique law firm.
Learn more about our wide range of flexible study options or see how other students, like Amy, have balanced commitments with learning on our blog.
