Postgraduate training
Facilities Not all courses and institutions offer the same level of facilities, resources, support and class sizes. Some institutions include books and materials, while at others these are additional costs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you get for your money. Housing/living costs London is an expensive city, while the rest of the country is (mostly) cheaper. This should be factored in when you consider how much you will be paying for the course. Location If you study somewhere near home, you can live there and save on costs. If you are keen to move elsewhere, first work out whether you are likely to be happy there – a preliminary visit is a good idea. The Bar courses and LPC/ SQE are usually completed in a year, which is a manageable amount of time wherever you are, but be sure to consider the factors that are important to you. Funding There’s no denying that the routes to qualifying as a solicitor or barrister are expensive if you are self-funding. There’s more on your financial options in the next section.
LLM A master’s degree in law is a popular option as the profession grows more competitive and students seek to add an extra edge to their CVs. The LLM is a way of developing your expertise in a niche area of the law, but it is unlikely to make the difference that secures you a training contract or pupillage. This is especially so if you see an LLM as the way around a low undergraduate degree mark in order to get a training contract/pupillage. Few law firms/chambers will take account of an LLM if your undergraduate result falls below their entry requirement and you have no genuine mitigating circumstances. In marketing your LLM to potential employers, you can point out that you have not only gained a thorough knowledge of a particular area of law or legal practice, but also improved your communication and research skills. Our advice for LLMs is to use the same principles for selecting a course as you would at undergraduate level. What to look for in a postgraduate provider You have a wide range of choice when it comes to the postgraduate law courses. Whether you are about to do the GDL, LPC/ SQE or a Bar course, several factors should guide which law schools you apply to. Those of you with the easiest choice have already secured a training contract or pupillage, and your future firm/chambers will have specified the provider that you should attend. It is also possible that your prospective firm/ chambers is paying your fees, in which case you don’t have to worry too much about the financial considerations. Teaching quality Some courses have better teachers and teaching methods than others. The SRA continually monitors course quality and rates LPC courses on areas including teaching, learning and the curriculum, assessment, and support for students.
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