Our degree programmes not only enable you to develop intellectually, we offer numerous opportunities to improve your employability skills.
Alongside and as part of their studies, students in the Department are encouraged to take up the many opportunities on offer to help them in their future career. Some examples of these are set out below.
All students, whatever your course have the option of taking a year out to enhance your CVs by working for a year or by volunteering for a charity. We work closely with the University's careers service to provide students with tailored assistance in identifying, applying for, and securing work placements. We have especially good links with external partners in the legal profession and criminal justice system, including regional and global law firms, prisons, and the probation service. Although ultimately it is up to the individual student to secure placements, we are with you every step of the way.
Our Law students study a compulsory Legal Skills module which introduces commercial awareness, interviewing, negotiation and presentation skills. Our students are encouraged to actively consider their career options and support is provided with networking and CV writing workshops. Students are also encouraged to obtain some relevant ‘coal face’ experience in the career areas they wish to pursue including a one week work experience with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and volunteering opportunities such as with Browns, the police and the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).
Criminology students have distinct networking events with potential employers from the criminology sector. Prior to the event students receive training on how to network appropriately. Help is provided for students to volunteer in sectors they are interested in working in following graduation such as by becoming a special constable or with PACT.
Your opportunities at Royal Holloway
Legal Advice Centre
Our student-led Legal Advice Centre at Royal Holloway, University of London opened its doors in January 2020. Students have the opportunity to work as Student Advisers under the supervision of practising solicitors.
Both students on Law or Criminology programmes can take part. Find out more here.
Mooting
Our students are given a number of mooting opportunities to hone their advocacy skills.
The student-run Law Society works closely with academic staff to run an internal mooting programme and enter into external events such as the OUP & ICCA National Mooting Competition. In 2017 our internal final was judged at the UK Supreme Court by the Supreme Court judge Lord Carnwath. Our 2018 final was judged by Judge John Price at our Bedford Square campus in central London.
Client Interviewing and Negotiation
Client interviewing and negotiation competitions are an important way of enhancing your professionalism and developing skills that are required for a career in law and outside of the law.
Our negotiation training and internal competitions are open to students on any Department of Law and Criminology programme.
In 2023 our students placed first and third in the annual Surrey Law Society Client Interviewing Competition, winning the Chris Andrews Memorial Cup and a cash prize. This competition was judged by practitioners from the Surrey Law Society.
In 2020 our team made it to the top 8 from 66 entrants in the 15th ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) International Mediation Competition held in Paris. Our students also placed first in the ADR ODR International Mediation Competition.
We have a proud record in client interviewing. In February 2019 two of our students progressed to and participated in the finals of the national Client Interviewing Competition, which is sponsored by the Law Society.
Networking Events
We hold regular networking events across the year and the flagship is held in our famous Picture Gallery in the Founders Building. This year we welcomed 20 guests from across the legal and criminal justice sectors, including representatives from large firms and chambers in London and Surrey.
Prison - University partnerships
Our department has developed a series of socially inclusive educational partnership initiatives, bringing together students from Royal Holloway and prisons in our local community.
Find out more here.
Magna Carta: Law and Criminology Gazette
We host a student-led publication called Magna Carta which features student articles, staff commentaries and interviews and more. Students can work on the Editorial Board and submit articles to have their work published. More can be found here.
