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Legal Career / Study advice

I have a 2:1 from LSE in International Relations obtained 4 years ago. I've since had 3 years of paralegal working experience, but I feel like I've hit the ceiling without a qualification and in my last interview that's basically what they hinted at in the feedback.

So here I am out of work during this mess of a year and figure now is the time to get qualified, which I've always wanted to do but I was just putting it off as I was enjoying working life. I have an offer to do the GDL online with University of Law starting in Sept, but I'm also looking at doing a 2-year LLB with City, Leeds or Exeter.

Does anyone know if it's worth the extra time/money to do the 2-year LLB? The only reason I'm considering it is because with that and an LLM I could have more international leverage, e.g. if I ever wanted to work in New York or Canada, but I'm thinking it's a lot of time and money to waste just to leave open doors I may never use. On the other hand, if the 2-year LLB gives me even more employer leverage in the UK then I'd say it's definitely worth it - opinions? From what I've read so far the consensus seems to be it doesn't confer any advantage over the GDL.

Let's say I do the GDL - is it unusual to be starting a GDL without a TC lined up? How likely is it I'd be offered one mid-way through the GDL? This GDL offer I have is probably the last opportunity for me to ever do the GDL/LPC route ... apparently after this year it all changes, so I have to factor that in as well.

Thank you for any insight.
You will probably never work abroad

Doing the GDL without a TC is the norm. The vast majority of non-law students do not get a TC before they finish their degree (particularly those at non-top unis!)

Employers won't care about the 2 year law degree, especially given that you're not doing it at Oxbridge. Do you think you'll enjoy law?

I've seen people say that the 2 year LLB is a good way to buy time but as an experience paralegal you can probably just do the GDL and spend the other year working and making money rather than wasting your life at Exeter
Reply 2
Original post by EU Yakov
You will probably never work abroad

Doing the GDL without a TC is the norm. The vast majority of non-law students do not get a TC before they finish their degree (particularly those at non-top unis!)

Employers won't care about the 2 year law degree, especially given that you're not doing it at Oxbridge. Do you think you'll enjoy law?

I've seen people say that the 2 year LLB is a good way to buy time but as an experience paralegal you can probably just do the GDL and spend the other year working and making money rather than wasting your life at Exeter


Yes I suppose with the experience I have the 2 year LLB just doesn't make sense. I do think I'd enjoy it and with the experience I have as a paralegal I kind of know what to expect (the good the bad and the ugly) so I feel more confident going into practice.

Thanks for your input!
Original post by jco19
I have a 2:1 from LSE in International Relations obtained 4 years ago. I've since had 3 years of paralegal working experience, but I feel like I've hit the ceiling without a qualification and in my last interview that's basically what they hinted at in the feedback.

So here I am out of work during this mess of a year and figure now is the time to get qualified, which I've always wanted to do but I was just putting it off as I was enjoying working life. I have an offer to do the GDL online with University of Law starting in Sept, but I'm also looking at doing a 2-year LLB with City, Leeds or Exeter.

Does anyone know if it's worth the extra time/money to do the 2-year LLB? The only reason I'm considering it is because with that and an LLM I could have more international leverage, e.g. if I ever wanted to work in New York or Canada, but I'm thinking it's a lot of time and money to waste just to leave open doors I may never use. On the other hand, if the 2-year LLB gives me even more employer leverage in the UK then I'd say it's definitely worth it - opinions? From what I've read so far the consensus seems to be it doesn't confer any advantage over the GDL.

Let's say I do the GDL - is it unusual to be starting a GDL without a TC lined up? How likely is it I'd be offered one mid-way through the GDL? This GDL offer I have is probably the last opportunity for me to ever do the GDL/LPC route ... apparently after this year it all changes, so I have to factor that in as well.

Thank you for any insight.

Have you thought about the type of law or legal job you want to do or are likely to be able to get? Would that not significantly inform your choice?
Reply 4
Original post by Grizwuld
Have you thought about the type of law or legal job you want to do or are likely to be able to get? Would that not significantly inform your choice?

I have and that's another reason the 2 year LLB is appealing because in the 2nd year I can specialise more by focusing on my area of experience. City offers the choice of up to 6 electives in the 2nd year which is apparently really good for a 2 year course.

But I just don't know if it makes any difference because I've already had some practical experience, so it's basically loads of money to spend on courses in a 2nd year when I could already have a TC lined up. Hence leaning towards the GDL.
Original post by jco19
I have and that's another reason the 2 year LLB is appealing because in the 2nd year I can specialise more by focusing on my area of experience. City offers the choice of up to 6 electives in the 2nd year which is apparently really good for a 2 year course.

But I just don't know if it makes any difference because I've already had some practical experience, so it's basically loads of money to spend on courses in a 2nd year when I could already have a TC lined up. Hence leaning towards the GDL.

doing these optional courses won't help you*

*most of them probably won't be in commercial law either
Original post by jco19
I have a 2:1 from LSE in International Relations obtained 4 years ago. I've since had 3 years of paralegal working experience, but I feel like I've hit the ceiling without a qualification and in my last interview that's basically what they hinted at in the feedback.

So here I am out of work during this mess of a year and figure now is the time to get qualified, which I've always wanted to do but I was just putting it off as I was enjoying working life. I have an offer to do the GDL online with University of Law starting in Sept, but I'm also looking at doing a 2-year LLB with City, Leeds or Exeter.

Does anyone know if it's worth the extra time/money to do the 2-year LLB? The only reason I'm considering it is because with that and an LLM I could have more international leverage, e.g. if I ever wanted to work in New York or Canada, but I'm thinking it's a lot of time and money to waste just to leave open doors I may never use. On the other hand, if the 2-year LLB gives me even more employer leverage in the UK then I'd say it's definitely worth it - opinions? From what I've read so far the consensus seems to be it doesn't confer any advantage over the GDL.

Let's say I do the GDL - is it unusual to be starting a GDL without a TC lined up? How likely is it I'd be offered one mid-way through the GDL? This GDL offer I have is probably the last opportunity for me to ever do the GDL/LPC route ... apparently after this year it all changes, so I have to factor that in as well.

Thank you for any insight.

A 2 year LLB costs more and doesn’t really give you a significant advantage over candidates who have the GDL. It’s really only worth doing if you want to study law as an academic discipline.

If you have 3 years experience of working as a paralegal then you can clearly find another position as a paralegal. Sometimes, the feedback you receive after a job rejection isn’t always true or accurate. It might be that they thought you were good too but just liked another candidate more. So, they’ll say anything just so they can give you feedback.

Do the GDL if you want to move into a higher position and get a training contract. If you are happy to remain as a paralegal then there are other paralegal qualifications you can do that are cheaper than the GDL or LLB. The Cilex Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice is one option open to you. A lot of people who have never done Cilex will tell you it’s a useless qualification and firms don’t value this. This couldn’t be further from the truth especially considering many judges possess Cilex qualifications.

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