APIIT Law School: Your Guarantee Of A High Quality, Comprehensive Legal Education

APIIT Law School was established in 2009 in collaboration with Staffordshire University Law School UK to offer an internal British LLB (Hons) Law degree. With the first intake of students set to graduate in 2012, APIIT Law School is now a vibrant, fully-fledged Law School providing students with an all-round high quality legal education, encompassing the Law degree programme itself, the teaching support, resources and facilities and enviable learning experiences on offer.

The LLB(Hons) Degree
In the first two years of the three year LLB (Hons) Law degree programme, students study the core Law modules required for the award of the British LLB (Hons) Law degree.

As APIIT Law students complete the same modules in the first two years of the Law degree as their counterparts at Staffordshire University, they can choose either to complete their whole degree at APIIT Law School or transfer to Staffordshire University at the end of Level 1 or Level 2. In 2011, five Level 2 APIIT Law students received scholarships towards completing their Law degrees at Staffordshire University.

Students completing their LLB (Hons) Law degree at APIIT Law School have the unique advantage of studying Sri Lankan Law in Level 3, as well as a range of optional modules of local and international relevance. Sri Lankan Company Law and Sri Lankan Labour Law, developed with the guidance of Sri Lankan experts, are fully accredited by Staffordshire University towards the LLB (Hons) degree as optional modules of study for APIIT Law students. An optional 'bridging programme' at the end of the degree programme will also prepare students for the Sri Lanka Law College examinations, further orienting them for legal practice in Sri Lanka.

Those students completing the degree programme in Sri Lanka who also wish to experience a taste of university life in the UK can do so by taking part in a European Union Law Summer School programme for APIIT Law School students at Staffordshire University Law School. The Summer School programme incorporates a range of extension activities such as visits to courts and the UK Parliament, offering students an invaluable opportunity to broaden their learning horizons.

The Quality Assurance Benefits of an Internal Law Degree
Staffordshire University has more than 40 years of experience in legal education and is recognised as one of the best Law Schools in the UK. Staffordshire University Law School was recently awarded top marks by the Quality Assurance Agency and the Solicitors Regulation Authority in the UK as one of the best providers of Legal Education for undergraduate, postgraduate and professional awards.

As APIIT Law students are enrolled with Staffordshire University Law School, they benefit from the same quality assurance standards. Staffordshire University Law School's International Programme Adviser visits regularly, consulting widely with students and staff to ensure that APIIT Law School's quality standards are maintained.

The quality assurance of internal degree programmes is not limited to final examinations. Rather, quality assurance takes place over the full duration of the course, encompassing all aspects such as adequacy of learning resources, competence of lecturers, quality of teaching, level of student support and effectiveness of assessment strategies. Students can therefore be assured of an all round quality learning environment and experience, at least equal to that of their counterparts studying at Staffordshire University in the UK.

The Academic Staff
APIIT Law School's highly qualified academic staff have a diversity of international and Sri Lankan qualifications and experience, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. All full-time and part-time academic staff also hold professional qualifications from Sri Lanka, the UK or Australia, with experience in the profession or industry. Each academic staff member is approved by Staffordshire University Law School to teach specific modules in the LLB(Hons) programme.

With their connections with the legal profession in Sri Lanka and international experience, APIIT Law School academic staff are able to provide students with the advice and support required to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them as APIIT Law students and future Staffordshire University graduates.

Peter Jordan, formerly of Staffordshire University, who is joining APIIT Law School in September 2011

In addition to its fulltime staff, APIIT Law School also engages part time and visiting lecturers. The panel's teaching is complemented by guest lectures by eminent practitioners and leading Sri Lankan academics on areas of their expertise. Since its inception in 2009, APIIT Law School has welcomed senior members of the judiciary and diplomatic service, and senior practitioners in both the public and private sectors to share their knowledge and experience with students on topics of relevance to their professional and personal development. These guest lectures supplement the core curriculum, providing expert and practical insights into key topics in the core curriculum. This interaction with the legal profession and wider academia contributes significantly to APIIT Law School's vibrant learning environment.

Teaching and Learning
Throughout their studies, APIIT Law School students can expect a high level of support and attention from the committed academic staff. With a friendly and accessible fulltime faculty, students are encouraged to seek extra assistance from academic staff when required.

As at Staffordshire University Law School, teaching and learning at APIIT Law School takes place through interactive lectures, small-group tutorials in which students actively participate in the learning process and workshops. To support its students in the challenge of studying for a British Law degree in Sri Lanka, APIIT Law School supplements the teaching in each module each week with an additional hour of interactive seminars in the first two years of the programme.

Erandi Dassenaike, who recently completed Level 2 of the LLB(Hons) degree programme and has been awarded a scholarship towards completing her Law degree at Staffordshire University Law School, has appreciated the extra attention on her pathway to success: "I will miss the individual attention at APIIT Law School - the extra lectures APIIT provides. It's easy to clarify doubts and the environment is relaxed."

Another special feature of the internal LLB (Hons) Law degree programme at APIIT Law School is the legal skills training programme. Recognising that studying and practising Law requires more than academic prowess, skills training workshops focus on the development of transferable skills such as problem solving, presentation skills, legal writing and research, which are essential for both the study of law and legal practice.

This emphasis on skills development permeates the Law curriculum and extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular Learning Experiences
In addition to guest lectures from eminent persons, APIIT Law School offers a range of extracurricular activities to enhance students' learning experience: An annual mock trial competition, mooting workshops and competitions and debating competitions.

APIIT Law students also have the opportunity to visit Parliament and the courts as guided learning activities, observing cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

With the establishment of the APIIT Law School Students' Law Society in 2011/2012, student-led extracurricular activities are set to expand even further.

Modern Law School Facilities
APIIT Law School's quality legal education extends to its facilities.

APIIT Law School is a purpose-built Law School with impressive infrastructure, including a modern law library, moot court, specially designed lecture theatres, small-group tutorial rooms, IT laboratories and other support facilities.

The state- of- the- art Moot Court at APIIT Law School
With a well-stocked library and access to the online databases and libraries available to students at Staffordshire University, students are supported with all the academic resources necessary for Law study and research.

APIIT Law School has a modern IT infrastructure. Computer Laboratories are well-equipped with the latest technologies and provide unlimited access to the Internet through high speed broadband and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Moot Court is a special feature of APIIT Law School, providing students with exposure to a realistic court environment. Student presentations, mock trials and mooting workshops and competitions are all held in the Moot Court.

A Rich Learning Experience in a Real University Environment
APIIT Law School does not simply offer a quality British Law degree. Students benefit from a rich learning experience in a real university environment in which students are supported in their professional and personal development. With a focus on skills development to complement academic achievement and its commitment to quality, APIIT Law School students will be prepared for whatever legal career path they may choose.