What do I need to know about the postgraduate law courses? In brief, this is the compulsory
How much longer will it take to qualify if I choose a non- law undergraduate degree? It only takes one year longer to
Have all lawyers been to private school and Oxbridge? No. Most firms and chambers
Is the role of lawyers essentially the same in all law firms and chambers? No. Take solicitors’ firms –
vocational stage that must be completed before you do either the training contract (solicitor) or pupillage (barrister). The LPC and the BPTC are usually one- year courses, but each can be done two years part time, or by distance learning. Many providers around the country offer the courses, including our sponsor, Nottingham Law School. Alternatively, CILEx offers a Graduate Fast Track Diploma.
qualify if you study a degree other than law. After graduating, you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law, a one-year course covering all the key parts of an undergraduate law degree, before progressing onto the LPC or BPTC.
fully understand the benefits of a representative workforce, which means recruiting the best candidates regardless of background. These days, most go further by establishing their own diversity policies to ensure that they provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people whatever their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, socioeconomic background and so on. That said, different firms and chambers do have different personalities and it’s important to find one that suits you – a compelling reason to attend law fairs, open days and get work experience.
the work and lifestyle that you would experience in a large City firm and a small high-street practice are completely different. And it’s the same with a London- based commercial barristers’ chambers and a small regional crime chambers. It’s therefore vitally important that you find out which type and size of practice would suit you, by doing work experience and speaking to people in the profession. Only by getting first-hand experience and speaking to those in the know can you really start to get a feel for the kind of work that you think would appeal and that you would be good at.
Are postgraduate law courses expensive? Do I have to pay for them myself? The total cost of qualifying
as a solicitor or barrister is not to be underestimated. Over and above the £9,250 per year that you are likely to have to pay for your undergraduate degree, you will have to pay as much as £11,650, £16,750 or £19,400 (plus living costs) for, respectively, each of the GDL, LPC and BPTC in 2019-20. And unlike undergraduate and master’s degrees, postgraduate loans are unavailable for the GDL, LPC and BPTC. For this reason, it’s best to have a training contract or pupillage before embarking on any of the courses – many large firms/chambers offer sponsorship (usually covering course fees and maintenance grant) to their future trainees/pupils. At the very least, you’ll have a job at the end of all the study. Bank loans are usually the preferred option for those who self-fund. For more detailed funding advice, look at the ‘Finances’ section on LawCareers.Net.
I keep hearing about the new SQE: what is it and how will it affect me? The Solicitors Regulation
How can my careers service help me? Your school or university careers service is a key resource.
How can I find out more? There’s lots of information out there about careers in law. Pick up a copy of this
Authority (SRA) plans to introduce the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) in 2021, which will replace the GDL and LPC as the exam that all solicitors will need to pass in order to qualify. The idea is to ensure that all qualified solicitors are of the same high standard, regardless of which route (ie, university, equivalent means or apprenticeship) they take to get there. Unlike the GDL and LPC, the SQE is not a course but a series of exams, which are divided into two stages. Universities and law schools are currently developing new courses to prepare students for the SQE. There is still uncertainty around its implementation, including potential new SQE preparation courses, affordability and quality of training. Anyone who commences a law degree, GDL or LPC before September 2021 can qualify through the old system. Take a look at our SQE page on LawCareers.Net for the latest information as we find out more.
Some advisers specialise in the legal sector and can help check through work placement and training contract/pupillage applications (or speculative CVs and letters, if you’re trying to secure informal work experience). Some also have contacts at local law firms and chambers, so might even be able to help you set up some work shadowing.
year’s The LawCareers.Net Handbook or our companion publication, The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020 , from your careers service or a law fair (held at universities in autumn). Fairs are also a great place to speak to recruiters and current trainees/pupils. In addition, check out LawCareers.Net for news, advice, features and interviews. Further reading Got a question not answered here? Go to the Oracle page on www.lawcareers.net to find out if it has come up before. Alternatively, email the Oracle direct at oracle@lawcareers.net for a personalised response to your question.
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