Berwin Leighton Paisner has joined forces with the University of Law (ULaw) to launch a new course that will be taken by all future trainees at the firm.

The launch comes eight years after the firm developed its own legal practice course (LPC).

The new course – called the LL.M+ in International Legal Practice – incorporates the LPC and is tailored around the principle practice areas on which BLP focuses. It also has a stronger international element than the LPC, launched in 2006.

BLP started developing the new course in autumn last year and chose ULaw as its partner following an open tender process.

The LL.M+ requires students to complete five electives, rather than the normal three, which cover six practice areas. These include: advanced property; acquisitions; public companies & equity finance; advanced litigation (including international arbitration); and bank & debt finance. All the electives have a strong international focus.

The LL.M+ comes into effect in September 2014. Students will complete their first elective during the first term and the remaining four in the second term. They will then write a dissertation on one of the electives before qualifying with a Masters degree.

Partner and trainee principal at BLP Anthony Lennox (pictured) said: "With both BLP and the legal market changing, we thought it was about time to have a look at the existing course, update it and further align it to our business. The LL.M+ means students can hit the ground running and have a better chance of getting a job on qualification.

"We took on board feedback from past students sought input from across the firm, as well as other providers throughout the tendering process and think the new course will maximise the development of lawyers at BLP. They are the future of the firm and their training is extremely important to us."

BLP typically takes up to 45 trainees a year across its 11 offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

In December Allen & Overy joined up with BPP Law School to launch its own business-focused LPC.

The magic circle firm's LPC takes effect from January 2015 and will include a series of business modules that will be taught both online and in face-to-face classes. Upon completion students will receive an MA (LPC with Business) qualification.