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If you have a non-law degree

Graduate Diploma in Law

(also known as the Common Professional Exam - CPE)

Based on a 3 year non-law degree

Date Action Sources of Information 
At any opportunity Seek work experience with general/high street firms or mini-pupillages with chambers For chambers: www.pupillages.com or www.doctorjob.com/law

For smaller firms: The Law Society's Directory of Solicitors and Barristers www.solicitors-online.com 
From your 2nd year onward Research different employers/areas of legal practice

These books contain articles about different areas of law:
From November onwards in your 2nd/3rd year at university Apply for paid vacation work schemes with larger, especially commercial, firms

Apply for mini-pupillages

 Vacation placements with law firms:
At the start of your final year at university Apply for places on full-time course CPE (GDL) Central Applications Board
www.lawcabs.ac.uk 
Jan onward of your final university year Look out for any ‘year early’1 pupillages and apply www.pupillages.com or the Pupillages & Awards Handbook
January – March of final year Apply to Inns for GDL scholarship awards
April-August of your final year Apply for Training Contracts (if seeking to work in firms recruiting 2 years in advance)

 1“Year early” pupillage – sometimes called “Deferred” pupillage – referrer to pupillage that can be secured a year earlier than normal, usually about 2-2½ years before it is due to start