Non-law conversion route options - SQE, Law MA vs. LLM - help!

Hiya,

I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Bristol doing English in my 2nd year. I want to convert to law via the new SQE route but I am keen on doing a masters with a conversion course before I try to secure any TC's that fund the SQE.

I am confused by the differences between an MA in Law and an LLM. I know one is a masters of art and one a masters of law, but which one would be best for me if I am to convert? And with the new SQE route would this be equivalent to the PGDL but with funding?
I want to do a masters mainly for practical career reasons so I feel ready to apply for TC's in a few years, and so anything I study is also government funded. (I know it isn't necessary now with the introduction of the SQE route but I feel it will give me a better chance, coming from a non-law background).

Any recommendations on the best universities for post-graduate law courses would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Doing the lpc, with a masters or without, won't make you a better candidate. Just start applying to TCs and vacation schemes now.

Hiya,

I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Bristol doing English in my 2nd year. I want to convert to law via the new SQE route but I am keen on doing a masters with a conversion course before I try to secure any TC's that fund the SQE.

I am confused by the differences between an MA in Law and an LLM. I know one is a masters of art and one a masters of law, but which one would be best for me if I am to convert? And with the new SQE route would this be equivalent to the PGDL but with funding?
I want to do a masters mainly for practical career reasons so I feel ready to apply for TC's in a few years, and so anything I study is also government funded. (I know it isn't necessary now with the introduction of the SQE route but I feel it will give me a better chance, coming from a non-law background).

Any recommendations on the best universities for post-graduate law courses would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I don't think I will be applying to any TC's that start earlier than 2025 as a non-law student, so in this time I would be able to complete a masters and build my confidence surrounding the area of law, I wouldn't necessarily be losing any time. Would you still say it's better to just not do it?

Catherine is right - basically there is a kind of post grad legal; course which is not really a normal proper masters - it is just made that to get the masters student loan funding so not an academic masters you might do after a 3 year LLB. It is a means to state funding. You only have one chance at that state funding after your first degree so don't waste it.

UoL (above) and BPP both have courses with masters (for the funding) and with law teaching and SQE courses. If you are determined not to apply for training contracts during your degree then you probably want a course which is as close to what the good big firms - City Consortium etc are putting non law graduates on - which will be for BPP the PGDL for 2 terms then 1 term SQE1 course and exam etc - there is a diagram at the bottom of this pdf which shows what those firms are putting their future trainees in for - for those with and those without an LLB. https://www.slaughterandmay.com/media/wrtioxgk/city-consortium-ccp-flyer.pdf.

If you are sure you want to be a solicitor not a barrister then UoL and BPP have masters courses. If BPP then their course with masters funding SQE training for non law graduates might be the one for you - https://www.bpp.com/courses/law/postgraduate/sqe/complete-sqe-training - click on SQE training for non law graduates on that link.

Hiya,

I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Bristol doing English in my 2nd year. I want to convert to law via the new SQE route but I am keen on doing a masters with a conversion course before I try to secure any TC's that fund the SQE.

I am confused by the differences between an MA in Law and an LLM. I know one is a masters of art and one a masters of law, but which one would be best for me if I am to convert? And with the new SQE route would this be equivalent to the PGDL but with funding?
I want to do a masters mainly for practical career reasons so I feel ready to apply for TC's in a few years, and so anything I study is also government funded. (I know it isn't necessary now with the introduction of the SQE route but I feel it will give me a better chance, coming from a non-law background).

Any recommendations on the best universities for post-graduate law courses would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hiya,

I am currently an undergraduate at the University of Bristol doing English in my 2nd year. I want to convert to law via the new SQE route but I am keen on doing a masters with a conversion course before I try to secure any TC's that fund the SQE.

I am confused by the differences between an MA in Law and an LLM. I know one is a masters of art and one a masters of law, but which one would be best for me if I am to convert? And with the new SQE route would this be equivalent to the PGDL but with funding?
I want to do a masters mainly for practical career reasons so I feel ready to apply for TC's in a few years, and so anything I study is also government funded. (I know it isn't necessary now with the introduction of the SQE route but I feel it will give me a better chance, coming from a non-law background).

Any recommendations on the best universities for post-graduate law courses would also be appreciated.

Thanks.