Our roundup aims to answer the most FAQs on Reddit. This month, we cover questions about law for non-law graduates, law conversion courses and training contracts.
By April Baniqued. Published 30 July 2024.
Here are the questions:
- Is law an option for non-law graduates?
- How long does a law conversion course take?
- How do I get a training contract?
- When should I apply for a law vacation scheme?
Is law an option for non-law graduates?
Yes, you can still go on to become a solicitor or barrister if you have a non-law undergraduate degree.
If you are interested in becoming a barrister, you will need to do a law conversion course before you can apply for our Bar Practice Course (BPC), as this will teach you the fundamentals of Black Letter Law.
If you are interested in qualifying as a solicitor, you can follow the SQE route without a law conversion, but we strongly recommend you complete one so you are best prepared and have the foundational knowledge of legal principles before doing your SQE assessments.
You can also do one or more of our SQE preparation courses before your SQE1 and SQE2 exams to help improve your chances of passing; some firms even add this as a requirement for their trainees, so remember to double-check if you’re interested in a specific firm.
Here are the conversion courses you can take with us:
You can also study these online:
Our law conversion guide break downs the entry requirements, the content and the fees of these courses.
As well as completing the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments, you’ll need complete two years’ worth of qualifying work experience (QWE). You are then ready to apply to the SRA to be admitted as a solicitor. Our May Reddit Roundup covers this process in more detail.
How long does a law conversion course take?
You can complete our conversion courses (listed above) at a pace that’s best for you. The duration differs depending on whether you want to do full-time, part-time and/or online study, and your visa status.
Our shortest course, the SQE Law Essential, which teaches you the functional legal knowledge (FLK) for SQE1, can be completed in as little as 10 weeks.
You can find the study mode options and course durations on the course pages linked above.
If you are looking to enrol for the September 2024 intake, here are the dates you need to know:
Full-time and part-time PGDL, MA Law (Conversion) and MA Law (SQE1), including online:
- Course Induction: Monday, September 16, 2024
- Course Start Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
- Last Enrolment Date (12 PM UK time): Monday, September 23, 2024
For students with different circumstances e.g. international students requiring a student route visa, check the course induction, start date, last application and enrolment dates here.
How do I get a training contract?
Training contacts can be competitive, so here are our top tips:
1. Apply early
First impressions count, especially during the application process. Don’t leave applying until the last minute. It’s not only convenient to apply early but it also shows that you are eager and prepared. Research the application dates and submit your application as soon as they open.
2. Do your industry research
Knowing the law is important, but staying updated on current commercial news is just as vital for legal interviews and assessment days. Start reading up on legal news a few months ahead to be well-prepared; an easy way to do this is to subscribe to LittleLaw for free and have the latest updates land straight in your inbox.
3. Show interest
Don’t apply to just any firm. Take the time to research different ones and consider which is of interest to you. Firms want someone who is truly invested in them. They can tell if you’re genuinely interested in your application and interview, as your enthusiasm will shine through when you’re truly passionate about the job.
4. Be authentic
Remember, firms want to get to know you so be personal. Mention your interests, your individual experiences, strengths and achievements. Doing this will make you stand out from the rest.
5. Calm the nerves
It’s normal to be nervous. Instead of memorising detailed answers to questions, plan three key points or examples for each interview subject. This way, you can naturally explain yourself, rather than having the pressure to recite your answers word-by-word. Be ready to expand on these in case you are asked to.
Also, practice makes perfect. Grab your friend, or even arrange time with your Academic Coach/lecturer or a member of the Careers Service so you can do mock interviews. This will help you familiarise yourself with the interview environment, making it feel less daunting during the real thing.
Need more tips? No worries. You can find more useful advice here.
When should I apply for a law vacation scheme?
There is no specific time to when you should start applying for vacation schemes but here are some common application deadlines to keep in mind:
- Bigger firms: Tend to have their application deadlines during Easter, Christmas or the summer of law undergraduates' penultimate year or the last year for non-law students.
- Other firms: Typically opens applications in the Autumn and have pre-Christmas deadlines for Easter and summer vacation work.
- Summer legal placements: Usually fall between January to April time.
Again, these are only rough guides. Firms may even bring an application forward if there’s a lot of applicants.
Some firms are also quite particular about when they want specific students to apply so remember to do early and consistent research - for example, they may want final-year non-law students around Easter and penultimate-year law students during the summer.
First-year students can now also apply, with more firms offering law vacation schemes and virtual work experience.
You can find more information about vacation scheme applications on the Prospects website.
For more advice, visit our SQE or employability pages which have more information.
If you’re a current student, book an appointment with our Careers Service via the MyULaw app.
