What was that? You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer? How does that work? No doubt these are the questions running through your mind upon hearing that statement, but it is actually true, many successful lawyers didn’t actually start out with a law degree.
So How Does that Work?
It’s actually quite a simple process. Students can convert any undergraduate degree into a legal one by studying a one-year law conversion course. The two most commonly used conversions are the graduate diploma in law (GDL) and the common professional examination (CPE). These courses can be quite intense as they bring non-law students up to speed with law graduates within the space of a year. This requires some self-discipline and a lot of hard work so make sure that a career in law is want you really want to do.
There are 7 foundation topics that are compulsory to the conversion degree; Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, Public Law, Land Law, Law of Equity & Trusts and Law of the European Union.
Once you have completed the course, you will be eligible for entry onto the legal practice course (LPC) or Bar professional training course or (BPTC).
All this may change however with the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) in 2020 but in this instance, we’ll have to wait and see.
But Will Law Firms Ignore Me Because it’s “Not a Proper Law Degree?”
The answer is a resounding no on all fronts. Many law firms agree that much of a lawyers’ knowledge of the subject comes from the actual work involved and time invested into the profession.
Many firms see a background in subjects other than law as a potential bonus in the industry. For example, someone with a History degree will have impeccable research skills which are transferrable to law. A Math degree would help a solicitor looking to work in the tax and financial law sectors just as a Language degree would help an international law firm that deals in many countries.
Any Extra tips?
Aside from your degree, whatever it may be in, it is important to show that you really want to work in this industry. Whereas a law degree student can show their desire to be a lawyer through their choice of studies, a non-law graduate will need to put that little extra in to show employers that this is the job for them.
The best way to generally get this is through work experience or a placement with a firm, visiting open days, talks and presentations are all invaluable ways to show people you are very interested in a legal career. You can also network to open up further opportunities to improve and develop your interest in law.
In summary, getting into law either directly or indirectly is a competitive business, if this is really what you want to do you need to go for it, work hard and take all the opportunities that come your way. If you’re not a law graduate, think about how your degree can be applied to law and make that stand out.
