Law at OU

You also may want to take a look at this:

http://d1d1tdqerevjwu.cloudfront.net/resources/2013/What_is_a_good_university.pdf
and
http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media/177918/bar_barometer_nov_2012.pdf

Law is becoming an increasingly difficult profession to get into, there are simply too many people wanting to become solicitors or barristers. Going to uni is your best bet, the traditional route. Doing an OU course will almost guarantee that you will not be successful. If people from top ranking unis get rejected on the BPTC course and gaining pupillage, you will even more so.If you can, then go to a good university and study Law. In England, chambers are mostly looking for Oxford, Cambridge and Durham etc students as shown in those above reports. Only the best of the best can study the Law and of course, become a barrister. It is much more difficult to become a Barrister than a solicitor and the rejection rates for pupillage 1 in 6 I think.

I don't think you will find any lawyer who did an OU course in Law or any chambers or firms wanting to accept an OU graduate over an Oxford Law graduate. Be realistic- the world of Law is ferocious.

No matter what anyone says, the university you go to to study Law DOES matter. If you look at the kind of firm you want to work in, look at the RECENT solicitors (not the older ones) and see where they graduated from. You will see that they are most likely to be from the top universities etc.

Legal aid is little more than benefits for lawyers who already seem to do alright what with the protectionist measures which restrict competition as seen in this thread.
I think we can manage with a few less yobs getting off with petty crime.

In answer your point:

1. OU course is NOT legitimate: http://www.sra.org.uk/students/courses/qualifying-law-degree-providers.page (you will see that the Open University is not listed)

Here is a list of basic requirements for barristers:http://www.prospects.ac.uk/barrister_entry_requirements.htm (and of course you will see that you need a qualifying degree, same for solicitors)

And here: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/law/undergraduate/what-is-a-qualifying-law-degree

Hello everyone

Am new to this and am sorry if this has been posted already , but I'm thinking of doing a Law degree at the OU , am 23 , been out of education since 18 , working in travel , but recently done jury service, got to spend time with barristers in court , speaking to them and etc, and its inspired me to work in Law, help represent people and prove their innocence or guilt, etc.

However I've got no Law background, i'm just worried that because I have no law background I may find it difficult and not understand anything

Can anyone who is doing Law at the OU help me out , tell me what its like and etc ??

Thanks in advance
Waqqy

There are plenty of universities which welcome mature students- providing that they have the academic ability. My view may be restricted but at least it is realistic. Law is only getting more popular and more fierce, even after training, you are not guaranteed a job. And finding training is no easy feat- especially for someone who does not hold a legitimate degree from a a well-known uni. Ask any lawyer, they will only tell you the same.

Only the best people can be a lawyers, and law firms will be questioning your ability to become a lawyer if you don't have an excellent academic background. And in the world of Law, having an excellent academic background means a 2:1 or a first class degree from a highly-ranked established university. There are very, very few lawyers who don't hold such an achievement today. And virtually all aspiring lawyers who actually have a chance of making it will be in the same position. So why disadvantage yourself? Why aim for a coveted and fierce job when you are most likely wasting time and money?

Being a barrister is not suitable for the run of the mill person who suddenly wants to become a lawyer because litigation seems fascinating.

Actually my view is only realistic. I have done my research into what it takes to study and get a career in Law. I have spoken to various solicitors, law students and top barristers and asked for their honest and reliable advice.

I registered to join this forum just to say what has been said above.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the path that the LAW SOCIETY has advised for me is correct. As they are the governing body, I will take their lead.

I wish all well with their studies but will refuse to be advised and guided by a condescending and patronising 17 year old who has born their own opinion based on a Google search and NOT through hard work and personal research.

One would also like to point out that ambitions are for all and not just for children. To spend so much time trying to dash those hopes and aspirations of many, I find nothing short of selfish and quite possibly the actions of one whom may have been born with a silver spoon......

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Hi Waqqy,

I have a first in Laws from the OU which is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) as recognised by the Bar Council and the Law Society and am guaranteed a place on the LPC with the College of Law which is the professional qualification for solicitors. So long as you get a 2.1 you would be fine.

Try to ignore the buffoon on here who seems to think he knows about the law but cannot understand that A levels are not an issue - solicitors and barristers are made by their legal education and training not what they did at 17 years old.

There are many practicing solicitors and barristers with OU LLB (Hons) degrees and this is a great route if you cannot afford to go full time. You get up to 6 years I believe to complete the course.

Good luck and don't let the trolls get you down!

*Waves hands in the air* I am a RECENT solicitor. I have an OU Law degree.

The truth is that nobody really took much interest in where I got my degree, they were more concerned that I had passed the LPC.

I accept that there still exists some snobbery within legal circles and that to some being 23 with a degree from Oxford will be the only way to go but the truth is that the profession as a whole is becoming more accessible and those old fashioned views are increasingly challenged.

It really is possible for people to succeed just as easily with an OU law degree as it is with any other law degree.

Hey I am starting LLB with the OU in October :-)

One more thing, the fact that you can't spell or type properly says something. Excellent written skills is one of the most important things for those who want to study Law and practise law, as well as speaking and advocacy skills. If you cannot use basic english and grammar, you are screwed. Most people who want to become a barrister have A*/A in their A-level English- a subject which unis like. And people who are recruiting barristers also look at your A-levels to see how intelligent you are.

Hey I am starting LLB with the OU in October :-)

In answer your point:

1. OU course is NOT legitimate: http://www.sra.org.uk/students/courses/qualifying-law-degree-providers.page (you will see that the Open University is not listed)

Here is a list of basic requirements for barristers:http://www.prospects.ac.uk/barrister_entry_requirements.htm (and of course you will see that you need a qualifying degree, same for solicitors)

And here: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/law/undergraduate/what-is-a-qualifying-law-degree

Hi Waqqy,

I have a first in Laws from the OU which is a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) as recognised by the Bar Council and the Law Society and am guaranteed a place on the LPC with the College of Law which is the professional qualification for solicitors. So long as you get a 2.1 you would be fine.

Try to ignore the buffoon on here who seems to think he knows about the law but cannot understand that A levels are not an issue - solicitors and barristers are made by their legal education and training not what they did at 17 years old.

There are many practicing solicitors and barristers with OU LLB (Hons) degrees and this is a great route if you cannot afford to go full time. You get up to 6 years I believe to complete the course.

Good luck and don't let the trolls get you down!