Shoosmiths and Aston University partner with Virgin Media O2 and CILEX as part of their Pathways to Law programme
updated on 20 February 2023
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Major UK law firm Shoosmiths and Aston University in Birmingham have announced a new partnership with Virgin Media O2 and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) to support aspiring students considering a degree in law.
Aston University’s 18-month-long Pathways to Law programme was created in partnership with Shoosmiths and launched in January 2023. It was announced this week, just before the programme’s first in-person event, that they’ve gained support from Virgin Media O2 and CILEX.
Created as a response to the government’s plans to improve access to highly skilled and highly paid jobs, the programme consists of a set of guidance, information and law taster sessions that all aim to equip young people with the necessary skills to complete a degree in law.
As of January, 33 students enrolled in the programme with the hope of pursuing a legal career. Of the students registered, 24 live in or attend a school or college in ‘POLAR 4 Q1 or 2’ postcodes meaning they’re from low social economic backgrounds with low progression to higher education.
A further 26 students will be the first in their family to attend university, 19 receive free school meals, 17 receive a 16-19 bursary and three are declared refugees. As Europe’s youngest city, with 40% of its population under the age of 25, Birmingham is well-placed for programmes that encourage and facilitate greater educational equality.
The involvement from Virgin Media O2 and CILEX diversifies the programme’s current offering. The first shows students to consider a commercial, in-house legal route while CILEX provides a cost-effective vocational route to a legal qualification.
Professor Aleks Subic, vice-chancellor and chief executive at Aston University, said: “This partnership with Shoosmiths, Virgin Media O2 and CILEX will help our students achieve exceptional career pathways and social mobility outcomes."
Co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office and head of the dispute resolution and litigation team, Alex Bishop, added: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering now not only with Aston University but also with Virgin Media O2 and CILEX to provide a really enriched programme to the aspiring students.”
