[iamjeeoh]

I am curious as to what's the best route to take if anyone wants to be a barrister? Opinions people

[tans8701]

a degree in optometry

[OMGWTFBBQ]

Media Studies and Equestrian Studies Joint Honours.

They won't consider either one on its own.

[Mechie]

(Original post by tans8701)
a degree in optometry

So they can see all the best arguments to put forward?

I think it would be Law

[tans8701]

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
So they can see all the best arguments to put forward?

I think it would be Law

well the OP seems slightly unsure so this should help him find clarity

[iamjeeoh]

You're all so amazingly helpful... -__-

[Mechie]

(Original post by iamjeeoh)
You're all so amazingly helpful... -__-

Hey, I've given you proper advice! I think Law would be the best choice.

[iamjeeoh]

(Original post by davidmarsh01)
Hey, I've given you proper advice! I think Law would be the best choice.

LOL so sorry. Just the rest of them seemed to take the mick a little. Thanks though.

[xmarilynx]

If you already know you definitely want to be a barrister and don't have a strong passion for any other subject, then Law would be the logical and most direct route. While you can become a barrister with a degree in a different subject, the GDL isn't free Law would also open more doors sooner in terms of mini-pupillages, mooting etc.

[cambio wechsel]

Counter-intutively, the degree which will maxmise your chances of becoming a barrister perhaps won't be law, which says something different from suggesting that other degrees are somehow a better preparation. Anyone seeking pupillage will have received/be receiving an appropriate training in the law, such that a degree in something else might lend an extra something that your rival candidates don't have. That something else won't be History or English but should have to be in a subject which (a) confers a specialist knowledge or skill-set importantly distinct from that offered by a degree in Law, i.e. it is likely to be outside the humanities, and (b) is more or less directly related to a niche specialisation in the law. If you look at the potted histories of the barristers in chambers, you'll see that most have degrees in law/history/politics etc., but that there will likely be someone who has a degree (and often some working experience) in financial accounting or engineering or even medicine. While the barristers with the more orthodox backgrounds outnumber these 20 or 30 to one, what you don't see are the law graduate non-barristers who are now solicitors or have left the law entirely because they couldn't get pupillage. I would imagine that percentage hiring rates for 'interesting background' barristers are rather higher than for 'standard route' candidates, and as well that those first can carve out a very lucrative niche career in areas where they are unsual for their understanding both the law itself and the particular sphere of activity to which it's being applied.

[Kigreg]

Depends what kind of Barrister you would like to be, for example if you're going to do EU Law you should do International relations and a language. All depends on what type of law you want to do!

[iamjeeoh]

(Original post by Kigreg)
Depends what kind of Barrister you would like to be, for example if you're going to do EU Law you should do International relations and a language. All depends on what type of law you want to do!

Mostly likely criminal law or family law. They're the areas which I find really interesting.

[Kigreg]

Well for family law, just do a regular law degree, for criminal law you could do a criminology degree, which is easier than a law degree and you can just convert at the end to law school.

[iamjeeoh]

(Original post by Kigreg)
Well for family law, just do a regular law degree, for criminal law you could do a criminology degree, which is easier than a law degree and you can just convert at the end to law school.

How do you know this?

[Kigreg]

My grandparents and parents are all lawyers. It's one humerous Christmas party I'll have you know.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Norton1]

(Original post by Kigreg)
My grandparents and parents are all lawyers. It's one humerous Christmas party I'll have you know.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

All of my relatives work in the health service.

We have really humerus Christmas parties. (Not really though)

[thegodofgod]

(Original post by Norton1)
All of my relatives work in the health service.

We have really humerus Christmas parties. (Not really though)

Good one

Spoiler:

Show

I need to get out more

OP: You'd be surprised at what you could do. For example, I just found out a couple of days ago that medical graduates are considered very highly when it comes to Investment Banking.

And of course, doing a couple of Foreign Languages modules (French / German most likely) will be beneficial too...

Best of luck