Changing to a career in law?
If you’ve started your career in another field, but think that a legal career might be for you, you’re not alone. Every year, many people successfully make the transition to a legal career from a vast variety of backgrounds.
No law degree?
The first thing to be aware of is that, although you will almost certainly need a degree to become a solicitor or barrister, it doesn’t have to be a law degree. The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is specifically designed to give non-law graduates the legal skills and expertise required to move to the next stage of postgraduate legal training.
The benefits of experience
Law firms and barristers’ chambers will vary in their attitude towards applicants who have had previous careers, but many welcome the broad experience non-law graduates can bring to the profession. And experience in certain industry sectors can be particularly popular with larger law firms – examples include engineering, surveying, construction, accountancy, finance, banking, shipping, insurance, medical, pharmaceutical and IT. But above all, firms will be looking at your academic and career achievements, your aptitude for law and your commitment to a legal career.
Part-time study for flexibility
Many people wanting to change to a career in law find that part-time study is the answer. It allows them to build the legal skills required while continuing to meet existing work or other commitments. It’s also a great opportunity to meet and share experiences with fellow aspiring lawyers juggling work and study.
Part-time courses tend to cover the same material as the equivalent full-time course, but spread over a longer time period with less contact hours where you are required to attend college. The final qualifications are exactly equal to the full-time versions.
At The College of Law, our part-time Graduate Diploma in Law is studied over two years, with the option to choose evening, day or weekend study to suit your availability. We also offer a part-time Legal Practice Course (for aspiring solicitors) and Bar Vocational Course (for aspiring barristers).
However, there are some important issues to consider before opting for part-time legal study. It will take you longer to complete your legal training – four years to complete both the GDL and the LPC or BVC, compared to two years of full-time study. And if you’re planning to combine part-time study with full-time or part-time work, this will inevitably impact on your free time.
If you want to become a solicitor, it may be possible to combine part-time study with part-time work towards your training contract. This is known as a part-time study training contract.
