Skills Programme
Skills in Practice Award (SiPA)
The Skills in Practice Award (SiPA)
This Warwick Award Pathway enables students to develop and evidence their readiness for legal practice, and employment more generally. Participation in activities carries Warwick Award Core Skill Points (CSP). Some also carry external accreditation (denoted with * in the chart below). Click on the activities below to find out more.
Please set an alert using the 'Notify' button at the top right of this page to ensure you are kept up to date with new activities.
Activities are divided into skills categories which map to the competences expected by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, and which are also highly transferable to other professions.
How to achieve the SiPA award:
All law students are enrolled on the SiPA award where you will find more information about achieving the award, and how it contributes to the Warwick Award. In short, students need to:
- Achieve 10 core skills points across at least two of the skills categories.
- Complete a reflection on your activities and the skills you have developed.
How to achieve a Warwick Award.
All Points achieved undertaking SiPA activities also contribute to the Warwick Award.
Undergraduates will obtain a Silver Warwick Award with 30 Core Skill points and Gold Silver Award with 60 Core Skill points. Postgraduates and exchange students will receive a full Warwick Award with 20 Core Skill points.
Further Core Skills points can be obtained from your modules, paid employment and voluntary work along with many other activities - find out more here.
The SiPA team are always looking for new activities for SiPA and so do contact the SiPA leads, and , if you have suggestions for things to include.
The SiPA team can help develop your idea and secure Warwick Award accreditation.
Careers Support
Information, advice and guidance.
Explore, develop and implement career plans that are meaningful for you.
Skill category 1: Ethics and Values
Legal Ethics and Professionalism
Online (synchronous)
Two hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 2: Ethics and Values
Property Law: Managing a house purchase (post-completion)*
Bridging the gap between land law study and post-completion practice
Six hours
This online course is usually £300 + VAT but is delivered free to Warwick students.
3 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Negotiation skills*
Online (synchronous)
Three hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award) and external accreditationSkill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Introduction to Mediation*
Online (synchronous)
Two hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award) and external accreditation
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Acting as a Mediation Rep*
Online (synchronous)
Three hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award) and external accreditation
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Mooting practice and skills
In-person workshop
Two hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Westlaw and Lexis+ Legal Database Training*
Online workshops or self-paced course
1.5 hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award) per Database and external accreditation
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Client
Interviewing
In-person workshop
Two hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Advocacy
In-person workshop
Two hours
Led by Bar Soc
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 2: Practical Legal skills
Understanding Site Visits
In-person workshop
1.5 hours
with 30 mins Q&A,
Skill category 3: Working with others
Active Bystander Training
In person
Four hours
2 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 3: Working with others
Strong Working Relationships: How to Manage Conflict
Online (synchronous)
Two hours
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 3: Working with others
Intercultural Awareness
In-person workshops and/or online courses
1 CSP (Warwick Award) per workshop/course
Skill category 3: Working with others
Student Law Society Activities
Skill category 3: Working with others
Warwickshire Law Society Activities
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
Foundations in Racial Equity
Covers individual/collective roles in promoting a culture
of inclusion, equity, and justice at Warwick and beyond
Two hours self-paced online course
2 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
How to be sustainable
Climate literacy course
Two options: self-paced online Classic course with follow-on optional in-person Gold workshop
3 CSP (Warwick Award) for Classic course and additional 1 CSP (Warwick Award) for attendance at Gold workshop
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
Understanding Wellbeing
Self-paced online module aims to provide you with a safe space and a helping-hand to beginning or continuing your own wellbeing journey.
Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards available
HEAR Accredited
2-7 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
Self Awareness course
Self-paced online course to guide your self-reflection and self-awareness.
1 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
Thrive
In-person workshop
Find out about available university-wide courses.
3 CSP (Warwick Award)
Skill category 4: Management of self and practice
Critical Thinking skills
Asynchronous online course
Find out how to develop your critical thinking skills
2 CSP (Warwick Award)