Advice for a non-law converter?!

Helloo,

I’m a current second year looking to go into law with a conversion. I understand a GDL is an option, but for financial reasons, it isn’t something I could afford to do. I’m more than happy to take a year out after graduation to save, but even doing this would mean I still couldn’t afford to. Either way, it isn’t an option for me immediately as a postgraduate.

I’d be interested in knowing what other conversions there are? I know BPP does an LLM LPC conversion, which also means I would get the funding a postgraduate normally gets. This will be an important factor in deciding where I go and what I do, just to be clear.

I’d love to know if ULAW do anything similar, or if there are any other universities that provide similar conversion masters.

More specifically, I’m interested in Entertainment/Music/Intellectual Property law as a specialism, so any that offer this as an optional module would be great.

Any help/links to courses/advice would be amazing. Preferably outside of London as again, my finances won’t allow me to do so. I would look should there be options for scholarships etc.

Thanks!

😊

Reply 1

Manclass98

I learnt that from 2021, there'll be a new way of actually going into law. But I know that the old route including the GDL will still also be an opportunity. I guess it's just about waiting for updates!

Also, not sure if you represent NYU on TSR, but I was also looking at the Music Business masters at Steinhardt. Would love to know more about that in terms of international applicants and how to cover the costs, etc :smile:

Reply 2

The University of Law Students

Official Rep

Original post by Manclass98

Hi,

Is your concern about taking the GDL mostly about the funding? If so, you might be interested in ULaw's MA course. This is still the GDL and therefore a qualifying law degree, but a masters version which would therefore allow you to access postgraduate funding.

I think you might be confused as to the LPC LLM. ULaw do also offer this as well as an option to study the LPC and MSc in law, business and management. However, this is not the conversion, this is the professional course you will take after completing the GDL if you want to go on to practice as a solicitor.

As to the specialisms you mention, on the GDL at ULaw there is no choice of modules (except in term 2 where you choose between Law of Organisations and an essay on a topic of your choice), but when you get to the LPC in the following year you could choose Intellectual Property as an elective :smile:

Finally, as to locations outside London ULaw has campuses across the country so hopefully there should be one in a location which is convenient to you!

Hope this was helpful, please feel free to ask me any more questions you might have about ULaw, the GDL or the LPC.

Jess
Student Ambassador at ULaw, Leeds campus

Reply 3

Manclass98

I’m still very much interested in law! I just know there are several ways to go about it - obviously different to how US universities work. A student who I went to college with over here is studying on the Music Business masters program and working within a copyright clearances company for her experience, and so I just wanted to know if you knew anything about it. No worries if not 😊

The further update’s I have received are that law firms will eventually be fading out the GDL route anyway, and I’m not particularly worried about going to London as it was never something I thought about due to the cost, etc.

But thanks for the info 😊

Reply 4

Manclass98

Original post by The University of Law Students

Hi Jess!

Thanks for the info, I actually study at Beckett University so it’s good to hear from someone closer to home!

I probably am getting myself confused 😂 both ULaw and BPP are places that I’m looking at, but they offer the same or similar courses, just with different titles.
I did have a look at the MA Law, but the requirements said I needed to have done an undergrad in law first, or is this changing?

I’ve also been looking at the SQE route too, as I know that itself will most likely be cheaper. Of course, understanding that I will still need to do a postgraduate of some kind to qualify for the SQE.

Thanks! 😊

Reply 5

Manclass98

I appreciate your advice, but law specifically as a solicitor isn’t the only thing I am interested in doing within the legal framework in the media or music industry. That’s why I asked about the course, as I have done my own research on it and just wanted an opinion from someone who had gone to NYU. No worries if you don’t feel it’s relevant.

There are plenty of GDL-like courses such as the MA law as Jess explained, and I was always aware there was courses similar, just with the funding that I needed. I won’t be going out of my way to do a GDL if I know I can’t afford to. But thanks for the help 😊

Reply 6

The University of Law Students

Official Rep

Original post by Manclass98

I hope you're enjoying your course at Beckett, and being in Leeds generally! :smile:

BPP and ULaw do offer very similar courses, and I would recommend going through both websites and attending open days/events (ULaw is currently hosting a series of virtual events and live Q&As) to see if you prefer what is on offer at one institution over the other.

For the MA Law at ULaw, you need a 2:1 in an undergraduate degree in any discipline. The MA is designed as a conversion course (like the GDL) so is not aimed at those who have already studied law.

With regards to the SQE, it will not be the case that you will have to obtain a postgraduate degree before undertaking it, but it will be a requirement to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent - the difference with this and the current system is that there will no longer be the requirement to hold a qualifying law degree (such as an LLB or GDL).

I hope this makes sense! Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Jess
Student Ambassador at ULaw, Leeds campus