Law-barrister/laywer

[Jessica2005]

I want to be a lawyer and do law at university. Does anyone know if you have to do particular Gcses or Alevels and/or if you have to get particular marks. Thankyou.

[Lucrecia]

One of the common fallacies about universities is that - like state schools - all teach the same course, and thus have the same expectations of their students. That the quality of the university only differs due to the quality of the students.

The best answer I can give is that you should maybe give some thought as to what area of law you're interested in, and start researching which universities you'd actually like to attend that will cater to this. One which isn't as high up the "league table" (which is a waste of time anyway!) might be better suited to your choices and will have different requirements.

Once you've made a few choices, start researching universities through your careers service (get lots and lots of prospectus'!), and go to their websites. They should tell you what they expect- grades and preferred subjects.

Hope that helps,

L

[Lillabet]

If you want to be a lawyer then one of the most important things to note is that you will probably want to do an LLB law degree as opposed to a BA.

If you have an LLB degree - where you take and pass modules in certain core subjects which are common to all LLB courses - then you can go straight on to the Legal Practice Course (to be a solicitor) or the BVC (to be a barrister)

If you have a degree which is not an LLB even if it is in law then you would need to do a year on a conversion course after your degree before going on to the LPC or BVC. As funding is limited you are likely to be paying for this yourself.

With regards to grades etc. GCSEs you really need English Maths and Science at C or above. A lot of firms add this to their job descriptions and as there is a lot of competition you'll want to have these.

A levels. Subjects not as important as the grades. I don't know of any uni that specifies A level subjects for law. Having taught law at a university for a while I have mixed feelings about advising that you take law A level. Less than half our 1st years had this qualification and so law was always approached as if it were a new subject for everyone. Especially in the 1st term this could make some students who had taken it at A level switch off a little. I would suggest doing the subjects you are most interested in - you are likely to do better in these. Personally I would suggest you include a social science subject just to get you used to that pattern of learning and research. History, Politics, Sociology etc

[Lillabet]

Continued:

As the earlier answer advised there are universities which will take you with a wide range of grades. You are likely to find it easier to get a good job after if you go to a uni with a good reputation. Don't be snobbish about new universities. As an example both Nottingham Trent and Oxford Brookes have really excellent teaching reputations. Remember though you are committing to spend 3 years there studying one subject - pick one where you would be happy to live.

Talk to your teachers before you complete your application - you can look at the grades they think you'll get to help you choose unis that you have a good chance at getting into.

Best of luck.

[Jessica2005]

Thank you very much that is very useful!

[acw]

Hey,

I know I might be too late for this, and perhaps contradicting other people, but I hope I can add some important information here. 

 

As you may already know, in order to be a "qualifying law degree" (i.e., recognised by the Law Society as sufficient to allow you to go on to the BVC or LPC) in England and Wales, the course must cover the following modules:

 

1. EU Law
2. Contract Law
3. Tort Law
4. Land Law
5. Criminal Law
6. Public Law
7. Equity and Trusts

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/becomingasolicitor/waystoqu alify/qualifying.law#foundations

After those compulsary modules are complete, your choice of module is not always crucial (just as your choice of A level is not important in applying to uni in the first place) but by the time you get to pick options, try to focus on criminal, family or commercial matters - but remember to do what you will enjoy, and hence what you will get the highest grades in!!  (I wish I had!)

 

Secondly, if you want to be a lawyer you must now always think career career career!!  Apply to high ranking universities as this DOES matter to commercial law firms.  Also VERY important is getting involved in lots of extra curricular stuff: sport, music, drama - whatever floats your boat.  Make sure from today onwards you watch the news every day (at LEAST 3 times a week) and try to take an interest in what goes on in the world.  Be active, and have fun - but always try to think of CV points.  (This does not mean you can't go to the pub with your mates still! :-p)

 

Good luck!!!

[acw]

PS When you get to uni, start an early involvement with the careers service and stay alert as to the application processes.  Sadly also, you need to work hard for your first year grades.  Although low results are not a disaster and your final result is the crucial part, job applications will be judged according to first year grades due to the 2 year in advance recruitment cycle. 

 

PPS - If you consider the University of Manchester and have any questions, set up a new thread and try to get my attention - I will gladly help!!! :-D

[Jessica2005]

No it wasnt too late and it was very useful thank you!

[El D]

If you dont get in to do law, or have a change of heart, there is a one year conversion course available to graduates which will enable you to take th lpc, but it is quite expensive and another year . . .

[acw]

Lillabet - just a query....  If you do the BA Jurisprudence (Oxon) I think that qualifies!!  If you disagree, please tell me! :-)

 

A list of all qualifying universities was on the law society website, and there were a good few BAs on the list.  Especially those where it was Law ANDs.  E.g., Law and politics etc. 

 

Sorry to be picky, but I didn't want Jessica to be put off a certain university on the basis of not entirely accurate information!

[Lillabet]

The core modules that acw listed are those that you need to pass to gain an LLB in law as opposed to a BA. As I mentioned in my earlier answer there are degrees where you might not automatically cover these so you do need to check.

In almost all degrees your final grade is made up from your second and third year results. This includes law degrees. As such in a lot of degrees all that is important in the first year is to pass. In law you are likely to be taking at least some of your core modules in your first year. When you apply for the LPC or BVC they will want to know what you got in these modules so you need to do more than just pass in the first year even though it is unlikely to affect your degree mark!

The point acw made about getting involved is also good. But you don't need to restrict yourself to law based societies though of course these are good. Employers want well rounded employees. A 1st class degree with nothing else on the CV just shows that you can spend 3 years in a law library. A 2:1 with lots of activities and a part time job still shows academic ability but also social and communication skills as well as time management etc. Obviously a 1st plus activities is the ideal combination.

[Lillabet]

I stand by my comments when it comes to picking a uni. Yes you want one that has a good reputation and wanting higher grades will usually reflect that. But whilst some unis have a good reputation for everything - such as Oxbridge - there are those that have excellent reputations for law that are higher than their standing in the overall league tables. University of Kent at Canterbury is a good example of this along with the two ex polys I mentioned above. Law firms know which these are. Plus if you did decide to do something other than become a lawyer a good law degree is a helpful thing to have.

Also you do want somewhere you'll be happy. Manchester - where acw seems to be studying has a good reputation and is a city centre uni. Kent has an equal reputation and is a campus based, more rural place. You are likely to enjoy living in one environment more than the other. You know which suits you and this should  be part of your choice.

Go to the open days and ask questions, look at the accomodation. Find one where you like the place and you have the ability to meet the entrance requirements and you're well on your way. Good luck again!

[acw]

Hey,

Lillabet you clearly know a LOT about all of this.  But please don't say the thing about "just passing" first year law.  I was told that.  So I went out, had a great time, and got a load of 40%s.  I got GRILLED at training contract and vac scheme interviews about the results and told that I would not have got to interview but for an excellent performance on the rest of the form.  The application process for vac schemes (summer internships) starts when you only have your first year results, and those from Xmas of your second year.  I just wanted to warn Jessica, and anyone else reading this, that 40%s might get you a degree, but not necessarily a job at the end. 

 

My information is just coming from the Law Society - the full list of qualifying degrees is up there. 

 

Yes, it is quite correct that when I said "High ranking", I meant in the law tables.  And yes, I rather hoped Jessica would make her choice based on more than that!

 

Yeah - I'm at Manchester doing an LLM in Law and Economics. 

 

Anyway - I think we agree Lillabet - please don't think I'm being rude.  I really don't mean to be! :-)

[Lillabet]

Oh and acw. My advice was correct in the first place. As I said, if you take a BA then you don't have the core modules. You then need to do the CPE conversion course even if your first degree was in law, or partly so. There are plenty of solicitors and barristers who have done this and as I said it is an option - but a costly one.

It used to be very common for firms to hire during your first degree and sponsor you for the LPC or BVC and through your training. Some still do. However as there are more law graduates than there are jobs many save their money and hire after the LPC /BVC and let the students pay for that! Consequently there has been a fall in the numbers of lawyers who take first degrees in non law subjects and therefore need to take the CPE ( Common Professional Exam conversion course)

There is one exception to this which is Oxbridge which for historical reasons awards only BAs even though the qualifying modules are there. To all intents and purposes this counts as an LLB. Think of Oxbridge as the exception that proves the rule.

[Lillabet]

acw, I too think we are agreeing. Please check what I said. In terms of your DEGREE mark you just need to pass your first year. But in terms of being a lawyer the core module marks in the first year count so you need to do a lot more. My point was that the 'you just need to pass' theory was false for law

The core modules make a degree an LLB qualifying degree. It is possible that some will call it a BA if it is a joint honours one but you need to look for the LLB qualifying modules. This information will be in the UCAS guide and it will say if the degree counts as an LLB - Jessica needs to look for this if she doesn't want to do the CPE.

Following my law degree I worked as student advisor and tutor whilst completing my PhD in law. The advice I have given here is the same as we gave via the careers service and to students who visited on open days etc.

[Jessica2005]

Thank you all very much its all been very useful! Sorry to be boring and give you all *** but it was very good! Any extra information would also be greatly apprieciated.

[hinnasalam]

What subjects for GCSE do I take if i want to be a lawyer?