GDL at BPP or MA in Law at Bristol Uni?

Hi there,

I currently have a bit of a dilemma. I've just graduated with a 2.1 in Classics with Study Abroad from a Russell group uni and am now seriously considering a career in Law (as a solicitor more specifically). Its a bit of a turn around as for a couple of years I was sure I wanted to be a journalist so as a consequence I did not attend any law open days during my time at uni or apply for any vac schemes.

At the last minute, I applied and was accepted to study the GDL at BPP (Bristol) starting this year which I would be self-funding. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for the 21 month MA in Law at Bristol Uni :frown:

My concern is that if I were to do the GDL and then decide that I did not want to enter the legal profession or did not get a training contract or a vac scheme, It would have been a waste of time and money as the qualification does not mean much outside the legal sphere. It is also a diploma rather than a masters qualification and not from a highly ranked uni. Also from research I get the impression it is pretty much a cram fest and I don't want to learn all that information only to forget it soon after the exams.

I feel that the MA from Bristol uni, aside from looking better on a CV, would give me longer to fully appreciate and enjoy the study of law as it is spread over 2 years and there is also the option to take a specialist module. I am aware it is a more costly option but feel that itd be worth it, if it is more respected by employers, has a better careers service and more opportunities to do pro bono work etc.

I am now unsure as to whether to A) Defer my BPP place till next year and in the mean time gain some more legal work experience and apply for vacation schemes/workshops etc
B) Do the GDL at BPP this year and apply for vac schemes and TCs at the same time and just hope for the best
C) Decline offer from BPP and apply for the MA in Law at Bristol Uni to start next year, gaining work experience in the mean time.

Bit of Background:

lots of work experience (many media related though) but only one that is law related and that was back in 2005 :s-smilie:

I have a few ECs as well.
Took a year out in between my studies so am now 23 and therefore not keen to take another year out before starting the GDL or MA but will do if it gives me the best chance of obtaining a TC.

Also I have considered the 2 year graduate LLB but think the MA would be the better fit because of my age and I want to go to Bristol Uni in particular which doesn't offer this.

Any advice from people who have started the GDL without a TC or have experience of the GDL at BPP or the MA at Bristol would be much appreciated. I need to decide soon as registration for the BPP course is this week!

Thank you in advance

Reply 1

Tortious

16

Original post by Maz9

Hi there,

I currently have a bit of a dilemma. I've just graduated with a 2.1 in Classics with Study Abroad from a Russell group uni and am now seriously considering a career in Law (as a solicitor more specifically). Its a bit of a turn around as for a couple of years I was sure I wanted to be a journalist so as a consequence I did not attend any law open days during my time at uni or apply for any vac schemes.

At the last minute, I applied and was accepted to study the GDL at BPP (Bristol) starting this year which I would be self-funding. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for the 21 month MA in Law at Bristol Uni :frown:

My concern is that if I were to do the GDL and then decide that I did not want to enter the legal profession or did not get a training contract or a vac scheme, It would have been a waste of time and money as the qualification does not mean much outside the legal sphere. It is also a diploma rather than a masters qualification and not from a highly ranked uni. Also from research I get the impression it is pretty much a cram fest and I don't want to learn all that information only to forget it soon after the exams.

I feel that the MA from Bristol uni, aside from looking better on a CV, would give me longer to fully appreciate and enjoy the study of law as it is spread over 2 years and there is also the option to take a specialist module. I am aware it is a more costly option but feel that itd be worth it, if it is more respected by employers, has a better careers service and more opportunities to do pro bono work etc.

I am now unsure as to whether to A) Defer my BPP place till next year and in the mean time gain some more legal work experience and apply for vacation schemes/workshops etc
B) Do the GDL at BPP this year and apply for vac schemes and TCs at the same time and just hope for the best
C) Decline offer from BPP and apply for the MA in Law at Bristol Uni to start next year, gaining work experience in the mean time.

Bit of Background:

lots of work experience (many media related though) but only one that is law related and that was back in 2005 :s-smilie:

I have a few ECs as well.
Took a year out in between my studies so am now 23 and therefore not keen to take another year out before starting the GDL or MA but will do if it gives me the best chance of obtaining a TC.

Also I have considered the 2 year graduate LLB but think the MA would be the better fit because of my age and I want to go to Bristol Uni in particular which doesn't offer this.

Any advice from people who have started the GDL without a TC or have experience of the GDL at BPP or the MA at Bristol would be much appreciated. I need to decide soon as registration for the BPP course is this week!

Thank you in advance

I can't really advise on the advantages of the MA, but if you're having doubts, I'd be inclined to pull out of the GDL. As you say, it's probably not recognised outside the legal sphere, and the money that you're spending on the GDL represents a significant proportion of the course fees for the MA (so if you're paying for a course yourself then you want to be sure it's the "right" one - it'd be financially costly to undertake the other later down the line).

The other thing to bear in mind is that some firms offering training contracts not only sponsor the LPC, but also the GDL. Given that, assuming you undertook no further work experience or extra-curriculars in the next year, your chances of securing a TC now are probaby similar to your chances if you'd completed the GDL, I'd be inclined to have a go at applying for TCs and getting sponsorship for the GDL first. Even if you do have to pay for the GDL yourself, you'll know in advance that you've got a job lined up.

As for what to do in the next year, it sounds like you already know - your main difficulty is likely to be showing an interest in and commitment to a legal career. You definitely need more recent work experience; applying for vac schemes can't hurt, but also look for pro bono opportunities with the likes of Citizens Advice, since these will also give you the soft skills that you'll need in practice (and therefore make you more appealing to interviewers).

Hope this helps.

Reply 2

Maz9

OP

Original post by Tortious

I can't really advise on the advantages of the MA, but if you're having doubts, I'd be inclined to pull out of the GDL. As you say, it's probably not recognised outside the legal sphere, and the money that you're spending on the GDL represents a significant proportion of the course fees for the MA (so if you're paying for a course yourself then you want to be sure it's the "right" one - it'd be financially costly to undertake the other later down the line).

The other thing to bear in mind is that some firms offering training contracts not only sponsor the LPC, but also the GDL. Given that, assuming you undertook no further work experience or extra-curriculars in the next year, your chances of securing a TC now are probaby similar to your chances if you'd completed the GDL, I'd be inclined to have a go at applying for TCs and getting sponsorship for the GDL first. Even if you do have to pay for the GDL yourself, you'll know in advance that you've got a job lined up.

As for what to do in the next year, it sounds like you already know - your main difficulty is likely to be showing an interest in and commitment to a legal career. You definitely need more recent work experience; applying for vac schemes can't hurt, but also look for pro bono opportunities with the likes of Citizens Advice, since these will also give you the soft skills that you'll need in practice (and therefore make you more appealing to interviewers).

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Have you done the GDL or the LLB? I thought about doing work experience alongside the GDL but due to the intense nature of it am not sure if Id have much time to do anything but study. I thought maybe with some legal knowledge behind me I might be better placed to apply for TCs but I guess the application does not require any prior legal knowledge so a year out might be best.
BPP also offer the option of taking another 60 credits at the end of the course to top it up to an LLB but im not sure how much that is worth in comparison to obtained over 2 or 3 years from a traditional uni.

Id be interested to hear from people who have obtained TCs via the MA route too

Reply 3

Tortious

16

Original post by Maz9

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Have you done the GDL or the LLB? I thought about doing work experience alongside the GDL but due to the intense nature of it am not sure if Id have much time to do anything but study. I thought maybe with some legal knowledge behind me I might be better placed to apply for TCs but I guess the application does not require any prior legal knowledge so a year out might be best.
BPP also offer the option of taking another 60 credits at the end of the course to top it up to an LLB but im not sure how much that is worth in comparison to obtained over 2 or 3 years from a traditional uni.

Id be interested to hear from people who have obtained TCs via the MA route too

I did the LLB - well, for comparison to the GDL, it was a Cambridge law degree, so fairly intensive. I don't think I'd have had enough time to take weeks off for shadowing or routinely help with pro bono projects.

Legal knowledge isn't that important for TC apps, so I'd be inclined to "teach yourself" a little bit to get by. As long as you're familiar with the concepts (e.g. you know what "contract" means and have a gut feel for when one has been formed), I doubt anyone would expect a non-lawyer to be as up to speed on the law.

In terms of the BPP "60 credits" offer, I haven't read the terms and conditions but I would treat it with a pinch of salt. Bear in mind that BPP, College (University) of Law etc. are all businesses, so their primary purpose is to make money, not to educate you. One of the most controversial offers at the moment is the LPC Career Guarantee - people interpret this as being "if you don't have a TC within 6 months of completing the LPC then you get another course for free". The reality is that if you don't have a job within the "legal industry" within 6 months then you're eligible for a free course; the "legal industry" includes paralegals and people working with the law at a very junior level. As a lawyer I spoke to pointed out, it's a fairly restrictive guarantee because nobody undertakes the LPC with aspirations of becoming a paralegal; they're all looking for TCs. Consequently, I'm not sure whether a "GDL plus 60 credits" is the same as a two- or three-year LLB.

Reply 4

Maz9

OP

Original post by Tortious

I did the LLB - well, for comparison to the GDL, it was a Cambridge law degree, so fairly intensive. I don't think I'd have had enough time to take weeks off for shadowing or routinely help with pro bono projects.

Legal knowledge isn't that important for TC apps, so I'd be inclined to "teach yourself" a little bit to get by. As long as you're familiar with the concepts (e.g. you know what "contract" means and have a gut feel for when one has been formed), I doubt anyone would expect a non-lawyer to be as up to speed on the law.

In terms of the BPP "60 credits" offer, I haven't read the terms and conditions but I would treat it with a pinch of salt. Bear in mind that BPP, College (University) of Law etc. are all businesses, so their primary purpose is to make money, not to educate you. One of the most controversial offers at the moment is the LPC Career Guarantee - people interpret this as being "if you don't have a TC within 6 months of completing the LPC then you get another course for free". The reality is that if you don't have a job within the "legal industry" within 6 months then you're eligible for a free course; the "legal industry" includes paralegals and people working with the law at a very junior level. As a lawyer I spoke to pointed out, it's a fairly restrictive guarantee because nobody undertakes the LPC with aspirations of becoming a paralegal; they're all looking for TCs. Consequently, I'm not sure whether a "GDL plus 60 credits" is the same as a two- or three-year LLB.

Can you recommend any introductory books/ law related magazines I could read in preparation for applications?

Reply 5

daviezee

Original post by Maz9

BPP also offer the option of taking another 60 credits at the end of the course to top it up to an LLB but im not sure how much that is worth in comparison to obtained over 2 or 3 years from a traditional uni.

For jobs within the legal sector the top ups from BPP are worth as much as used toilet paper. It may impress some employers outside of law who are unfamiliar with BPP, however for a cereer in law you are better off getting a LLB / Masters from a distinguished university. If I was you I would do the masters at Bristol, get some legal experience and then approach firms who sponsor you for the GDL.

Reply 6

Tortious

16

Original post by Maz9

Can you recommend any introductory books/ law related magazines I could read in preparation for applications?

Dear me, that's a very good question, but also one that I'm not sure how to answer.

To my knowledge, there's no one book which provides an "introduction to law". If I had to start from somewhere, I'd identify the seven core practice areas of a qualifying law degree, pick the most useful (probably Contract and Tort, primarily) and find textbooks on Amazon for them. I'd then "Look Inside!" the textbooks to get the contents pages, and briefly run down what the book covers (i.e. "what is a contract?", "offer and acceptance", "express and implied terms", "remedies for breach" etc.).

I'd then treat these areas as a series of questions which I should be able to answer in about a paragraph each. To research these, Google key terms and see what comes up. You'll have to use your sources relatively selectively, but some law schools occasionally upload PDFs and the like which will be fairly reliable, or you might also find "briefing documents" from law firms. These are intended to summarise recent developments in the law, and provide clients/other practitioners with a bite-sized guide to the latest changes. For instance, here is an interesting one I read recently on "accrual of a cause of action in tort" - it's too specific for what you need, but hopefully you can see the style of briefing documents and what you're looking for. (The point I actually needed, which I took away from that document, is that the cause of action accrues when the damage is suffered - no need to get bogged down in the facts of the case.)

Another site which might be worth looking at for briefing documents and general commercial awareness is Pinsent Masons' Out-Law. :smile:

Reply 7

Maz9

OP

Original post by daviezee

For jobs within the legal sector the top ups from BPP are worth as much as used toilet paper. It may impress some employers outside of law who are unfamiliar with BPP, however for a cereer in law you are better off getting a LLB / Masters from a distinguished university. If I was you I would do the masters at Bristol, get some legal experience and then approach firms who sponsor you for the GDL.

Thanks for your input. I too am rather skeptical about BPPs offer of a top up to an LLB but I figured if I later did not follow the solicitor route then at least id have a recognised law degree (of sorts :s-smilie:

). I reckon I will take this year out to gain more legal experience and then go for the Bristol MA. The MA is equivalent to the GDL so id only need to approach firms to sponsor me for the LPC. Can I ask what your background is? Did you study law as an undergrad?

Reply 8

Maz9

OP

Original post by Tortious

Dear me, that's a very good question, but also one that I'm not sure how to answer.

To my knowledge, there's no one book which provides an "introduction to law". If I had to start from somewhere, I'd identify the seven core practice areas of a qualifying law degree, pick the most useful (probably Contract and Tort, primarily) and find textbooks on Amazon for them. I'd then "Look Inside!" the textbooks to get the contents pages, and briefly run down what the book covers (i.e. "what is a contract?", "offer and acceptance", "express and implied terms", "remedies for breach" etc.).

I'd then treat these areas as a series of questions which I should be able to answer in about a paragraph each. To research these, Google key terms and see what comes up. You'll have to use your sources relatively selectively, but some law schools occasionally upload PDFs and the like which will be fairly reliable, or you might also find "briefing documents" from law firms. These are intended to summarise recent developments in the law, and provide clients/other practitioners with a bite-sized guide to the latest changes. For instance, here is an interesting one I read recently on "accrual of a cause of action in tort" - it's too specific for what you need, but hopefully you can see the style of briefing documents and what you're looking for. (The point I actually needed, which I took away from that document, is that the cause of action accrues when the damage is suffered - no need to get bogged down in the facts of the case.)

Another site which might be worth looking at for briefing documents and general commercial awareness is Pinsent Masons' Out-Law. :smile:

Thank you so much for your help Tortious! Will check these out :smile:

Reply 9

i-g-r-d

Hello, thought I'd weigh in on this thread as I'm just going into my second year of the Bristol MA, and I also studied Classics as an undergraduate.

Personally, I started the MA at 25, having absolutely no legal experience at all, and I managed to get a TC this summer at a large regional firm. Make of that what you will, I would be the first to admit that there was a huge amount of luck involved. But in my situation, I was glad to have the first year of the MA to do things like the university law clinic and attend the law fair and employer presentation evenings. Bristol does have a good reputation among employers, I think, and these things really helped me feel more confident with TC applications.

As far as the MA being more respected by employers than the GDL, and Bristol having a better careers service than BPP... Well, maybe, but actually I wouldn't be quite so sure. When I was applying for training contracts, firms hadn't really heard of the MA. Once I explained the course it was fine, and it provided a talking-point at interview, and didn't mean my applications were all automatically screened out or anything. On the other hand, a question that came up was whether I saw myself as "too academic" for a career as a commercial solicitor, having taken this pretty long route round.

The careers service at Bristol is very good, and as I mentioned the university does have links with a lot of law firms. However, on the MA itself, by no means is everyone applying for training contracts in the UK after their first year. Some are aiming for the bar, some are aiming for other jobs that require legal knowledge, and a hefty number are planning to practice in other jurisdictions, since the MA prepares you to do this where the GDL doesn't. With this in mind, my impression was that the careers advice at BPP and COL might have been slightly more targeted to people in your exact situation (many people do the GDL without a TC). Of course, the positive side of this is that, as you say, the MA probably does open doors to more career paths than the GDL does.

I would say that the really big advantage of the MA is that you're able to take a more academic approach to the law. This is why I don't regret doing the course, even with the extra expense, which is considerable. I have friends who went from very academic undergraduate courses to the GDL, and they found the intensity and the spoon-feeding that that necessitated pretty soul-destroying. I've actually really enjoyed my studies this year, and parts of the law that I never thought I'd be interested in have become my favourites.

Finally, coming from Classics to Law was tricky and that's another reason I'm glad I had the extra year. I'm not sure about you, OP, but most of my final modules were in literature and philosophy, and I found that law requires a much higher volume of reading. As a discipline it's also different in that, in some ways, there were "no right answers" on my first degree - on a law degree there definitely are. There is also a new style of writing essays and problem questions to get used to. The majority of my friends on the MA had studied things like politics, international relations or business as first degrees and I think they found the transition easier. It's very much do-able though!

Anyway, I hope some of this huge essay was useful! Ask or PM me with any questions if you like.

Reply 10

username1689039

Hi there, I know this a little bit of an old thread, but I'm seriously considering applying for the Bristol MA this year to start in September and would really appreciate some advice from someone whose done the course!

At the time of writing, I'm in my final semester at a very average university (non-Russell group), studying for a BA (history) in English and History and I'm on track for a 1st. I've already got offers to study for senior-status LLBs at Exeter and Nottingham.

However, the prospect of going back into undergraduate study again is a little bit of a turn off and despite both Notts and Exeter being really great cities, I'm more draw towards the city campus of Bristol and it arguably has the weightiest of reputations of the 3.

In regards to I-g-r-d's experience, you don't mention where you studied at undergraduate level and I'm just curious to know how much bearing your first degree had on your obtaining a training contract?

I'm slightly worried because I know a lot've firms ask for a 2:1 from a 'good' university I.e Russell group and hence I'm in the position where I feel I need to redeem myself somewhat.

Do you think the MA from Bristol would make up for my average previous university, or would a firm looking for LLBs as evidence of the right Kind've undergraduate study?

In other words, how much weight to you think a from would put on your first degree if you applied with the MA as your qualifying law degree? Does Bristols reputation say enough in that context?

Many thanks in advance!

Reply 11

happyinthehaze

11

I haven't read all these answers and I hope I won't offend you by this rather blunt reply (you should also know that I am ex media turned to law myself) so, the thing that springs to my mind is, how on earth did you think you wanted to be a journalist for so long and then suddenly think you want to be a lawyer afterall?

This is the mean-sounding bit - my instinct is that you should take a year out and figure things out a bit more, do some law stuff, get some experience and then decide. I say this because the instincts that make one want to become a journalist do not suddenly disappear!! Therefore I conclude that you need some more time to decide and may currently be panicking a bit by what seems like an impossible choice.

I really would do some law experience before you embark on the law route - how do you know it is for you? Law is not what you think it is. Step away from education and get some experience in a legal field and then decide. Do some research about firms, get some legal experience that will help you if you decide to go ahead and do the GDL.

For my money, if you really did decide to do the law route, do the GDL not the MA but I have to be honest, I am quite a practical type, I would never study anything for the sake of it. Also, Law is quite difficult, it won't be what you think it will be. A year out will help you decide and give you useful experience if you do decide to do law.

To be really honest, you never wanted to be a journalist because you have to be very driven to be a journalist, you just thought you did. So how do you know you don't just think you want to be a lawyer?

The route to law qualification is a very uphill struggle and you will be surrounded by very able (and some not very able) students competing for scant training contracts. The money is rubbish to begin with. Etc Etc.

So be sure(r) ...Hugs! :smile:

Original post by Maz9

Hi there,

I currently have a bit of a dilemma. I've just graduated with a 2.1 in Classics with Study Abroad from a Russell group uni and am now seriously considering a career in Law (as a solicitor more specifically). Its a bit of a turn around as for a couple of years I was sure I wanted to be a journalist so as a consequence I did not attend any law open days during my time at uni or apply for any vac schemes.

At the last minute, I applied and was accepted to study the GDL at BPP (Bristol) starting this year which I would be self-funding. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for the 21 month MA in Law at Bristol Uni :frown:

My concern is that if I were to do the GDL and then decide that I did not want to enter the legal profession or did not get a training contract or a vac scheme, It would have been a waste of time and money as the qualification does not mean much outside the legal sphere. It is also a diploma rather than a masters qualification and not from a highly ranked uni. Also from research I get the impression it is pretty much a cram fest and I don't want to learn all that information only to forget it soon after the exams.

I feel that the MA from Bristol uni, aside from looking better on a CV, would give me longer to fully appreciate and enjoy the study of law as it is spread over 2 years and there is also the option to take a specialist module. I am aware it is a more costly option but feel that itd be worth it, if it is more respected by employers, has a better careers service and more opportunities to do pro bono work etc.

I am now unsure as to whether to A) Defer my BPP place till next year and in the mean time gain some more legal work experience and apply for vacation schemes/workshops etc
B) Do the GDL at BPP this year and apply for vac schemes and TCs at the same time and just hope for the best
C) Decline offer from BPP and apply for the MA in Law at Bristol Uni to start next year, gaining work experience in the mean time.

Bit of Background:

lots of work experience (many media related though) but only one that is law related and that was back in 2005 :s-smilie:

I have a few ECs as well.
Took a year out in between my studies so am now 23 and therefore not keen to take another year out before starting the GDL or MA but will do if it gives me the best chance of obtaining a TC.

Also I have considered the 2 year graduate LLB but think the MA would be the better fit because of my age and I want to go to Bristol Uni in particular which doesn't offer this.

Any advice from people who have started the GDL without a TC or have experience of the GDL at BPP or the MA at Bristol would be much appreciated. I need to decide soon as registration for the BPP course is this week!

Thank you in advance

Reply 12

username1689039

Original post by J-SP

If you get a first, I think you'd be surprise at how well your current degree would help with TC applications.

But if you went on to do any of the PG courses at the unis mentioned it may help to show even more academic excellence, as well as other qualities important to the recruitment process.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thank you, that is a far more supportive response than what I was told by the Careers advice person the other day!

The reason I ask is because she continued to stress that when looking for TC's firms look at your first degree. Even if I manage a 1st, the degree is still from a very average uni and my A-levels are C's, so I want to make sure I have every advantage come TC time!

Thanks again!

Reply 13

jpearson

1

Original post by keithy-g

Hi there, I know this a little bit of an old thread, but I'm seriously considering applying for the Bristol MA this year to start in September and would really appreciate some advice from someone whose done the course!

At the time of writing, I'm in my final semester at a very average university (non-Russell group), studying for a BA (history) in English and History and I'm on track for a 1st. I've already got offers to study for senior-status LLBs at Exeter and Nottingham.

However, the prospect of going back into undergraduate study again is a little bit of a turn off and despite both Notts and Exeter being really great cities, I'm more draw towards the city campus of Bristol and it arguably has the weightiest of reputations of the 3.

In regards to I-g-r-d's experience, you don't mention where you studied at undergraduate level and I'm just curious to know how much bearing your first degree had on your obtaining a training contract?

I'm slightly worried because I know a lot've firms ask for a 2:1 from a 'good' university I.e Russell group and hence I'm in the position where I feel I need to redeem myself somewhat.

Do you think the MA from Bristol would make up for my average previous university, or would a firm looking for LLBs as evidence of the right Kind've undergraduate study?

In other words, how much weight to you think a from would put on your first degree if you applied with the MA as your qualifying law degree? Does Bristols reputation say enough in that context?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi! I recently graduated from the Bristol MA. I received a few vac scheme offers as well as a couple TC offers from top City firms and will be starting at a Silver Circle firm this September. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the programme/uni/job prospects if you want to PM me!

Original post by keithy-g

Hi there, I know this a little bit of an old thread, but I'm seriously considering applying for the Bristol MA this year to start in September and would really appreciate some advice from someone whose done the course!

At the time of writing, I'm in my final semester at a very average university (non-Russell group), studying for a BA (history) in English and History and I'm on track for a 1st. I've already got offers to study for senior-status LLBs at Exeter and Nottingham.

However, the prospect of going back into undergraduate study again is a little bit of a turn off and despite both Notts and Exeter being really great cities, I'm more draw towards the city campus of Bristol and it arguably has the weightiest of reputations of the 3.

In regards to I-g-r-d's experience, you don't mention where you studied at undergraduate level and I'm just curious to know how much bearing your first degree had on your obtaining a training contract?

I'm slightly worried because I know a lot've firms ask for a 2:1 from a 'good' university I.e Russell group and hence I'm in the position where I feel I need to redeem myself somewhat.

Do you think the MA from Bristol would make up for my average previous university, or would a firm looking for LLBs as evidence of the right Kind've undergraduate study?

In other words, how much weight to you think a from would put on your first degree if you applied with the MA as your qualifying law degree? Does Bristols reputation say enough in that context?

Many thanks in advance!

HI Keithy-g,

I know you are considering Bristol University, however have you looked at any other provider?

BPP Law School LPC is the first choice of many leading law firms and 38 exclusively send their trainees to study with us. This means we have great links with these firms which helps you network and find out what firms are looking for throughout the application process.

We also offer an MA (LPC with Business) - offering you the opportunity to study the LPC alongside 2 business focused modules - and are that confident that you will secure legal work within 6 months of graduating, we guarantee you'll get a training contract or you can study a qualification worth up to £16,500, free.

If you come along to one of our upcoming LPC Open Evenings and bring your CV, you can speak with one of our experienced Careers Consultants and they can offer frank advice as to what you should do next.

I hope this helps with your query! Please get in touch if you have any further questions.

Thanks
Lucy

Reply 15

username1689039

Original post by jpearson

Hi! I recently graduated from the Bristol MA. I received a few vac scheme offers as well as a couple TC offers from top City firms and will be starting at a Silver Circle firm this September. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the programme/uni/job prospects if you want to PM me!

Hi, many thanks for your response jpearson! Congratulations regarding September too, that sounds like a great result! Yeah, I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind answering?

1. How much more challenging would you say the MA was compared to undergraduate study? Obviously it's taught at Masters-level, so it'll undoubtedly tougher, but how does that translate into the kind of material and the depth to which you're asked to study and since it still covers the 7-core modules to make it a QLD?

2. I don't know about yourself, but as I've already mentioned, my current University is nothing particularly special (mentioning no names so as to not cause offence). When you were going for vac schemes and TC's, how much emphasis did firms place on your undergraduate degree compared to the Bristol MA? I hate to place emphasis on 'labels', but I'm trying to scope how much importance firms place in the place you studied for your undergrad degree. The person who very kindly replied above, says that provided you get a great mark from an average university, employers are more inclined to see beyond that. It's kind've obvious really, but I'd appreciate your take on it as a second opinion!

3. By any chance, did you choose Banking Law or one of the Human Rights classes as your elective module in the second year? As I think those would be my two-favorites. If so, how did you find them?

Many thanks again, its really appreciated!

Reply 16

TurboCretin

20

Original post by Maz9

Hi there,

I currently have a bit of a dilemma. I've just graduated with a 2.1 in Classics with Study Abroad from a Russell group uni and am now seriously considering a career in Law (as a solicitor more specifically). Its a bit of a turn around as for a couple of years I was sure I wanted to be a journalist so as a consequence I did not attend any law open days during my time at uni or apply for any vac schemes.

At the last minute, I applied and was accepted to study the GDL at BPP (Bristol) starting this year which I would be self-funding. Unfortunately I missed the deadline for the 21 month MA in Law at Bristol Uni :frown:

My concern is that if I were to do the GDL and then decide that I did not want to enter the legal profession or did not get a training contract or a vac scheme, It would have been a waste of time and money as the qualification does not mean much outside the legal sphere. It is also a diploma rather than a masters qualification and not from a highly ranked uni. Also from research I get the impression it is pretty much a cram fest and I don't want to learn all that information only to forget it soon after the exams.

I feel that the MA from Bristol uni, aside from looking better on a CV, would give me longer to fully appreciate and enjoy the study of law as it is spread over 2 years and there is also the option to take a specialist module. I am aware it is a more costly option but feel that itd be worth it, if it is more respected by employers, has a better careers service and more opportunities to do pro bono work etc.

I am now unsure as to whether to A) Defer my BPP place till next year and in the mean time gain some more legal work experience and apply for vacation schemes/workshops etc
B) Do the GDL at BPP this year and apply for vac schemes and TCs at the same time and just hope for the best
C) Decline offer from BPP and apply for the MA in Law at Bristol Uni to start next year, gaining work experience in the mean time.

Bit of Background:

lots of work experience (many media related though) but only one that is law related and that was back in 2005 :s-smilie:

I have a few ECs as well.
Took a year out in between my studies so am now 23 and therefore not keen to take another year out before starting the GDL or MA but will do if it gives me the best chance of obtaining a TC.

Also I have considered the 2 year graduate LLB but think the MA would be the better fit because of my age and I want to go to Bristol Uni in particular which doesn't offer this.

Any advice from people who have started the GDL without a TC or have experience of the GDL at BPP or the MA at Bristol would be much appreciated. I need to decide soon as registration for the BPP course is this week!

Thank you in advance

Hello. I studied on the Bristol MA in Law (EDIT: and also have a TC!!11!).

The careers service is shocking: expect nothing from them. Myself and another student set up a lot of careers-focused activities for law students though the law society, because the careers service was actually doing more harm than anything.

The UBLC (the law soc) is one of the best in the country, and receives a lot of funding from law firms, as well as giving a lot of first-hand exposure to these firms. There are a lot of opportunities to bolster your CV through the UBLC, so this is a plus compared to BPP. BPP does have a law soc I believe, but it is nothing compared to one run by a 'proper' university. That said, I hear that LPC providers' careers services are a fair bit better than Bristol's.

The MA will give you scant advantage over GDL applicants academically speaking, and firms will not fund it. If you love law, the MA may be a good option, but it is a very tough course. Nobody has got a distinction on it in the last three years (although a fair few have averaged over 70% in their modules). It is an academic risk to take the MA, especially if you already have a clean academic record (which, based on what you say about your degree, you probably have).

I don't know what you have in terms of legal/life experience, but given your circumstances I would only do the MA if you don't think that you would get a TC without the extra-curricular opportunities that Bristol offers. You may very well be able to get a firm to fund you through your GDL if you wait.

Obviously lots of factors at play here, so I'm happy to discuss further if there is additional info you would like. For what it's worth, I don't regret doing the MA as it gave me a lot of extra-curricular stuff which my CV was sorely lacking when I finished my undergrad degree. I too had the hedgey mindset of 'what if firms don't hire me? I don't want a useless diploma on my hands'. The most obvious solution to that is to apply for TCs now and hope a firm picks you up before you do the GDL, but your ability to bag a TC now will depend heavily on what you have on paper aside from academics.