The diploma in professional legal practice is suitable for students seeking to enter the professions of solicitor or advocate in Scotland. The content is determined by the national Joint Standing Committee on Legal Education, the Diploma Co-ordinating Committee and various working parties, which include representatives of all the universities and members of the legal profession. The focus is on the practical skills required in the legal profession. Students on this programme have a very full timetable in comparison with that at undergraduate level. It entails a large number of contact hours, much of the time in small seminar groups. Participation in practical class work is regarded as extremely important and attendance is expected. Failure to attend tutorials will disqualify students from sitting the final exams. By the end of this programme, students should have acquired a more sophisticated understanding and be equipped with basic skills and knowledge required for legal practice. This will include pervasive consideration of legal skills.