[I Gurn Hard]

I wasn't particularly sure where to post this, but I assumed this forum may be populated with the right people to answer my question.

I'm going to be studying English Lit at Exeter, starting this September. I previously enrolled on the Politics course but dropped out due to personal problems and decided to go back and change courses (for no particular reason - I like English Lit and Politics equally).

However, i'm concerned about my plans for the future. I'd like to do a Law conversion, as an English Lit degree is not vocational whatsoever and I am very interested in practicing law as a career. I'm not too sure which areas interest me most yet, but I plan to use my three years doing the English Lit degree to focus my mind and explore all my options.

My main concern is that I will not be able to get onto a Law conversion course, even with a good degree classification, as my degree will be seen as less relevant than, say, history, economics or politics.

I know for certain I do not have the maturity to study Law at undergraduate level, so I would prefer to study for a degree I would enjoy rather than potentially doing badly due to the more "high pressure" nature of Law at undergrad level. I do have the option to change to Law now, but i'm fairly certain it would be a mistake. I do not think I would do well enough due to my immaturity/lack of focus at the moment.

So after all that rambling, my question is: would I even be considered for a place on a law conversion course, assuming I get a 2:1 or higher in English Lit at undergraduate and undertake sufficient research/engage in relevant activities to demonstrate a sincere interest in a career in law?

Thanks in advance.

[BO'H]

the gdl is run by most providers on a for profit basis - the only qualifications required are a chequebook and a pulse. they will be delighted to take you with a decent 2:1 from exeter.

i would spend some time researching how hard it is to get a training contract though; you need to be trying to get legal work experience from the summer of your first year.

[I Gurn Hard]

(Original post by BO'H)
the gdl is run by most providers on a for profit basis - the only qualifications required are a chequebook and a pulse. they will be delighted to take you with a decent 2:1 from exeter.

i would spend some time researching how hard it is to get a training contract though; you need to be trying to get legal work experience from the summer of your first year.

Okay, that's good news. So I should focus more on preparing for the steps after the GDL rather than getting onto the GDL itself?

When you say legal work experience, would things such as getting involved in a real life case count? I suppose that's a silly question really, but my interest in law has been provoked by recent incident involving a friend. He has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of committing several heinous crimes that he has not committed. I plan to get involved as much as possible and seriously study the law relevant to his case, to perhaps help find a way to clear his name.

Obviously traditional work experience would be necessary, and I will certainly take steps to impress in that department, but do you think demonstrating past experience of working with the law as a normal citizen would be an impressive asset on a training contract application?

[BO'H]

getting on the gdl shouldn't be difficult - the barrier to entry to the legal profession is getting a training contract. you should do some research on that process.
and by all means try to help your friend - but the chances that you will develop a meaningful appreciation of criminal law and practice from self study are slim. that said, if you want to get into criminal law (which is very poorly paid btw) being able to demonstrate a prior interest can't hurt.

[simplicitysim]

Hey, I've just finished my degree in English Literature. Not interested in law myself, but I know one or two people off my course who have got onto a law conversion - subject doesn't matter. You should definitely set about getting experience though, over summer, but also maybe joining societies such as debating might also be good experience and look good on an application.

[Lamb.Bhuna]

Try to achieve a First class degree, if not, no lower than a 2.1.


Places like The College of Law and BP et cetera will be falling over themselves to get you signed up on their course.

However, in the meantime whilst doing your degree, do your research. The first thing I would advise you to do is start volunteering with your local Citizens Advice Bureau and train as an Adviser with them. No matter which area of Law you decide to go into this will help teach you many a transferable skill which you will find invaluable later (whether you pursue a career in Law or not). I would advise you to apply to local firms to see if you can get a bit of work experience (see if you can work there over the Summer-even if that means photocopying thousands of sheets of paper, manning reception for two weeks and making a 100 cups of tea just for one prison visit or Court attendance) and see if you can sit at the local Magistrates Court to see how it works. What you then need to do is apply for vacation placements too. Normally this is done in the second year of the Law degree. I don't know when you would be expected to do that. Whatever you do, plan everything. Ensure you have a schedule of what you're going to do now up until qualification and then have smaller, more short-time goals on how you're going to achieve that over the forthcoming 1-2 year(s) period. Law is a very difficult profession to make it into. There is a tremendous amount of competition. I know that only too well from my friends who have pursued this path, but some do say doing the conversion course (G.D.L.) makes you stand out. I don't know about that, but I know it's hard work. Al the best to you.

Who knows whether you will even want to do the G.D.L. in 3-4 years time or how much the profession will change.

Take care.

[Lamb.Bhuna]

And try to see if you can join the Mooting Society at Uni. If you enjoy that, you will probably enjoy Law. If your Uni has a Law Advice Clinic try to join that and attend Careers Fairs and Law Fairs at Uni. Go see your Careers Adviser at Uni. and find out if there is anything specific which they offer like a mentor from a local Law firm or anything like that which you can take avantage of. I don't know if these are things that only the Law students could take advantage of, but it's certainly worth a go!

[I Gurn Hard]

(Original post by Lamb.Bhuna)
And try to see if you can join the Mooting Society at Uni. If you enjoy that, you will probably enjoy Law. If your Uni has a Law Advice Clinic try to join that and attend Careers Fairs and Law Fairs at Uni. Go see your Careers Adviser at Uni. and find out if there is anything specific which they offer like a mentor from a local Law firm or anything like that which you can take avantage of. I don't know if these are things that only the Law students could take advantage of, but it's certainly worth a go!

When I was in first year (before changing courses) I joined the debating society and ended up signing up to the NAMDA novice tournament on a whim, competed against all the other top unis and was placed 36 out of 160 entrants - I was incredibly surprised and over the moon, since I felt like I was doing embarrassingly badly in the heats. I'll definitely be following that up again when I return, it was a great laugh. I love how during the debate one person may be mocking you and making you look like a complete fool in a room full of people, yet straight after the heat they drop their guard and you can end up shaking their hand and having a pleasant chat about the weather

I'm fairly sure Exeter has a mooting society, so i'll look into that too. Sadly, Exeter actually limits how many societies you can join. I think it was 5 last year. I wasted two of my spots on the "Beats and Bass Society" and something else ridiculous, before realising I could have just asked other people where the events were taking place. I was rather naive back then; I think I assumed each society was a sort of mysterious exclusive club, where you are barred from entry unless you have the membership emblem proudly emblazoned onto your lapels and are well rehearsed in the secret password.

Rambling on a bit now, but thanks for all the excellent advice, it's all been very helpful. One quick question: the CAB volunteering you suggested; can that be performed remotely, or do you have to go to a place of work and meet people face to face? I don't mind either way, but I was under the impression that the CAB conducts the majority of it's client contact through the internet/phone these days.

[I Gurn Hard]

(Original post by Lamb.Bhuna)
Law is a very difficult profession to make it into. There is a tremendous amount of competition.

Just wanted to add, i'm not overly ambitious, so i'm not hell-bent on becoming a top city lawyer or anything - the lifestyle isn't for me anyway. I like to think realistically so I know i'll probably be passed over for jobs in preference of the Oxbridge/Warwick/Durham crowd anyway. However, having some sort of usable law qualification will probably ensure greater career progression potential and a better wage overall than if I enter the job market with my English Lit degree

I imagine I'd be happy even in the bottom echelons of the world of law (although as you so correctly said, who's to know what i'll want to do in 3 years time?) I'll definitely collect a good repertoire of work experience though, as it can't hurt my chances for any career, plus it will keep me busy.

[Tortious]

(Original post by I Gurn Hard)
Thanks for all the excellent advice, it's all been very helpful. One quick question: the CAB volunteering you suggested; can that be performed remotely, or do you have to go to a place of work and meet people face to face? I don't mind either way, but I was under the impression that the CAB conducts the majority of it's client contact through the internet/phone these days.

A few things - apologies for the brevity but I'm almost late for work!

1) I'm not sure your friend's case would be an appropriate "starting point" - you won't be able to play much of a role because you don't know where to look for the relevant statutes, or have access to the necessary resources. (For instance, where's the law of evidence written down?)

2) No - the CAB is more like a GP's surgery; the phone's mainly used for making appointments. If given the option, become an Adviser rather than a Gateway Assessor - it takes longer to train, but it's more interesting, I'd say.

Any more questions, feel free to quote/PM. I'm going into third year law and have been with the CAB for about a year now.