how to do a law conversion course

To be eligible for the law conversion courses a student must have an undergraduate degree from a UK institution or its equivalent in any discipline with a minimum of a 2.2 classification or its equivalent. It is also generally mandatory to provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Full Answer

How long does a law conversion course take to complete?

Full-time, these law conversion courses fit a three-year qualifying law degree into one year. When studied part-time, these courses span two years. Do I need to do a law conversion course if I want to become a solicitor?

What are the different types of law conversion courses?

There are two main options when it comes to conversion courses. The common professional examination (CPE) and the graduate diploma in law (GDL). Both courses broadly offer the same content as they are aimed at equipping you with the knowledge to start a career in law.

What can you do with an LLB conversion course?

Law degrees hold a considerable gravitas in both professional sectors and educational institutions. Studying a conversion course in law is the first step for graduates without a law undergraduate degree. Once you complete the course, you can train to become a solicitor or barrister. You can also advise businesses on legal issues.

What is the GDL (law conversion course)?

The GDL, otherwise known as the Law Conversion Course, is a postgraduate law conversion course for non-law graduates who want to pursue a legal career. Also known as the Common Professional Examination or CPE, the Graduate Diploma in Law is a year-long intensive course for students who have graduated with a non-law degree subject.

How long is a law conversion course UK?

one-yearThe Graduate Diploma in Law, known more widely as the GDL, is a one-year full time law conversion course (or two years part time) which brings students up to date with the knowledge they need to become a lawyer. The course may also be referred to as the Common Professional Exam (CPE).

Is a conversion course hard?

Essentially, you'll be condensing three years worth of LLB course content into just ten months, so yes, the conversion course is likely to be difficult! Passing it takes huge commitment and academic talent, so graduating with the qualification is a great achievement.

Are conversion courses respected?

Many employers find a conversion course student more attractive than someone with only a first degree. They are considered more mature and focused about what they want to do. Leaving work to return to studying demonstrates your enthusiasm for that new occupation."

Can you do a law conversion course at Oxford?

Although the GDL is the most popular law conversion course, you can also do a condensed version of the 3 year LLB with a 'Senior Status', which is offered at Oxford.

How long is a law conversion course?

Law conversion course The core legal subjects are packed into a one-year intensive course, or two-years via part-time or distance learning. Applications for full-time GDL or Law conversion courses are via the Central Applications Board.

Is LLB or GDL better?

You might consider the LLB if you want a less intensive academic experience and would like extra time to apply for vacation schemes and training contracts. The benefit of the GDL is its shorter timeframe - it enables you to complete the course in half the time and save considerably on costs.

How does a conversion course work?

A conversion course is a programme of study that trains a graduate in a new subject and (usually) prepares them for a specific profession. These are often (but not always) Masters-level courses. However, many are shorter than a full Masters, with a greater focus on practical training in place of a dissertation.

Is it worth doing a law degree UK?

Why study law? A law degree is a great qualification to obtain employment – law graduates have the 6th highest employment rate - and bear in mind up to 60% of all law graduates chose to use their law degree to gain jobs other than in the legal profession.

Can you do LLM after GDL?

What do I need to be eligible? You'll need to have an LLB (undergraduate law degree) or an equivalent approved by your course providers. If you're a non-law graduate, you'll have to have completed the GDL (law conversion course) before you take on an LLM.

What LNAT score do I need for Oxford?

For example, Oxford's LNAT data for 2021/2022 reveals that the average score for candidates accepted onto an applicable Law course was 28.25. Generally speaking, if you received a score of 27 or above, you'd be likely to exceed the average for successful applicants to the LNAT universities.

Do you have to do LPC after GDL?

The GDL is a one-year course which non-law graduates aiming for a career as a solicitor must take before doing the obligatory Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Can you be a solicitor and barrister at the same time?

Have you trained to become a solicitor and had a change of heart? Don't despair – solicitors can become barristers if this is the route you wish to take.

Is a conversion course a masters?

A conversion course is a programme of study that trains a graduate in a new subject and (usually) prepares them for a specific profession. These are often (but not always) Masters-level courses. However, many are shorter than a full Masters, with a greater focus on practical training in place of a dissertation.

What is masters in computer science?

Academics. The Master of Computer Science (MCS) is a degree program that includes advanced coursework in artificial intelligence, databases, interactive computing, software engineering, scientific computing, and high-performance computing.

What is covered in a law conversion course?

The Graduate Diploma in Law provides non-law graduates with a solid understanding of all the fundamental aspects of legal theory. It’s the foundation of your legal knowledge and the first step in your legal career.

Will I be a qualified lawyer after a law conversion course?

The Graduate Diploma in Law is a fast-tracked law degree; your first step into a legal career. However, just as undergraduates in law aren’t able to immediately go into practising law, completion of the GDL does not grant you the ability to practise law immediately.

How much does a law conversion course cost?

The £20.00 you pay to the Central Applications Board is just the first cost in your journey to converting to becoming a lawyer.

Will I be at a disadvantage over law graduates?

There’s no reason that someone from a non-law degree should be subject to any sort of discrimination or disadvantage just because they studied a non-law undergraduate course.

Who can convert to become a lawyer?

Anyone with an undergraduate, or Bachelor’s, degree can apply to join the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) in England or Wales.

How does the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) change the GDL?

In 2021, a new ‘super-exam’, the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) will be introduced to the legal qualification process.

How long is the bar training course?

The Bar Professional Training Course is required for anyone wishing to become a barrister. It’s a year-long, full-time vocational course taken after the completion of your GDL, although six BPTC providers allow for part-time study across two years.

How many months is a law degree?

The course fits approximately 18 months' worth of content from a three-year law degree into one-year full time or two years part time.

When will the solicitors qualification be available in 2021?

Aspiring solicitors starting a degree in September 2021 will study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which will effectively replace the GDL and Legal Practice Course (LPC).

How far in advance do law firms recruit?

Some law firm's sponsor their future trainees' studies and this will mean looking at the law firms that recruit two years in advance.

Does the University of Law offer a scholarship?

The University of Law also offer a variety of postgraduate law scholarships including the Business and Law First Scholarship worth £5,000, the Choose Law Scholarship, which includes full-fee awards and the Career Changer Scholarship. You need to check with an individual institution to see what it offers.

Why Study a Conversion Course?

Law as a career has the ability to improve the lives of others. Law degrees hold a considerable gravitas in both professional sectors and educational institutions. Studying a conversion course in law is the first step for graduates without a law undergraduate degree.

How long is a law school course?

These courses are typically one year full time (two years part time or distance) and prepare you for further studies in law. Following the course this will either be the legal practice course (LPC) or the Bar professional training course (BPTC).

What does the course involve?

The GDL will include seven core foundation modules. These will be common across all GDL / CPE courses regardless of the course provider. The foundation modules will usually be:

What is mooting in law?

What is mooting? Mooting is kind of like debating. It involves the presentation and discussion of an hypothetical legal issue. Excitingly, it will be performed in a court like setting. Yes there will be an opposing counsel and even a judge.

Can a law firm sponsor a GDL?

If you already work at a law firm and are thinking of studying a GDL then it is worth discussing with your employer to see if this can be funded. Alternatively some law firms will sponsor future employees, so it is worth looking out for these opportunities.

Is 2:2 a good degree?

There is a lot of course material to learn. However, if you have been able to achieve at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree this should not pose a problem. Of course good time management skills are essential.

Is it worth looking at the structure of a course?

If you’re struggling to choose between a few courses then it is worth looking at the structure of the course. The way it is delivered can vary between universities.

How long does it take to become a barrister?

To become a barrister, you will have to complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). This is a one-year, practical course which helps to provide the training specific to a junior barrister. You will then have to complete a pupilage – a work placement which lasts twelve months.

What is the difference between a GDL and an LLM?

The difference between a GDL and an LLM is essentially your career aspirations. If you want to be a lawyer (a solicitor or a barrister) then you need to either complete a bachelor’s degree in law or have studied another subject at undergraduate level and completed the GDP. If you want to specialize in the legal area of the subject you have studied ...

Can solicitors deal with conveyancing?

Alternatively, solicitors can deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills and other legal matters. The path you decide is right for you will influence what you do next.

Can you get funding for a law conversion? Helena Kudiabor Helena Kudiabor

Qualifying to become a lawyer if you didn’t study law as an undergraduate can be a very expensive process, given you have to pay for the cost of your undergraduate degree, the cost of the GDL and the cost of the LPC (Legal Practice Course). Each of these courses cost around £9, 000 + a year, not including maintenance expenses.

How long is a law conversion course? Natasha Jones Natasha Jones

Non-law graduates who want to pursue a career in law can do so with a law conversion course. Here, we explore the courses on offer and how long they take to complete.

Tell me more about law conversions

Law conversion courses are for people with an undergraduate degree in a non-law subject. They give aspiring lawyers the chance to study the seven foundations of legal knowledge:

Do I need to do a law conversion course if I want to become a solicitor?

Traditionally, aspiring solicitors have been required to take a law conversion course if they had not studied a qualifying law degree. For aspiring solicitors applying for either a qualifying law degree or a law conversion course after 1 September 2021, this is no longer the case.

Do I need to do a law conversion course if I want to become a barrister?

If you studied a non-law subject at undergraduate level and you want to become a barrister, then yes, it is still a requirement to do a law conversion covering the seven foundation subjects.

Is the law conversion course competitive?

For most law schools, as long as you can pay the fees (and have a 2.2 or above) you should have a place. I say this only anecdotally, but I’ve never heard of anyone be rejected from a law school upon applying for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

What does the law conversion course consist of?

The GDL has seven core modules and most courses also teach two or three other modules, covering research and an essay of a topic outside the curriculum, a piece of coursework, and introductory tests on the English legal system.

What is the secret of a high-pace course?

The little known secret is that the material taught is rarely complicated or difficult; it’s more a case of quantity.

Is the conversion course jam packed?

As jam-packed as the conversion course is, it still only scratches the surface of law. You’ve got the LPC or BPTC to look forward to next…

Is GDL a dead cert?

With the G DL, because it’s so broad, it’s a dead cert that you’ll find a few modules or topics which aren’t as stimulating as you’d like. But the most important thing is to keep an open mind and work through everything you’re set.