GDL
Hi,
I'm currently a Second year Politics & IR student and am considering doing either a GDL or a docterate after my studies. I've been told that I need to make that decision soonish, which in my opinion is rediculously early. Yet I was wondering if anyone who has gone done these routes can shine some light on what to do, if its any good etc etc
thank you in advance for any information....
I'm currently a Second year Politics & IR student and am considering doing either a GDL or a docterate after my studies. I've been told that I need to make that decision soonish, which in my opinion is rediculously early. Yet I was wondering if anyone who has gone done these routes can shine some light on what to do, if its any good etc etc
thank you in advance for any information....
With the GDL the first deadline is early February. HOWEVER, in reality there are many, many providers of this course and as such you stand an extremely high chance of getting onto the course anything up to a week before it begins in September.
As to whether it is any good or worth it - usually it's not seen as a particularly fun year but is a necessary means to an end.
If you are interested in becoming a commercial or corporate solicitor in a medium or larger law firm, these firms will hire students 2 years in advance. So if you wanted to begin in 2013, you'd apply in 2011. This means they can pay for your GDL. As such, it's probably better to aim to secure a job BEFORE you do the GDL, as then they will be paying for it instead of you.
But in order to get a job, you're going to need to be looking at getting a hefty amount of work experience. If this is the case, you need to start looking at getting some as soon as the Easter holidays, as law firms interview all the way through from January to September.
Alternatively if this is definitely something you end up wanting to do, take a year out, clear your thoughts, and get some sustained legal or commercial work experience during the time, instead of rushing straight into the GDL.
This is probably more information than you need, and only looks at one particular (though often popular) route into a legal career however.
As to whether it is any good or worth it - usually it's not seen as a particularly fun year but is a necessary means to an end.
If you are interested in becoming a commercial or corporate solicitor in a medium or larger law firm, these firms will hire students 2 years in advance. So if you wanted to begin in 2013, you'd apply in 2011. This means they can pay for your GDL. As such, it's probably better to aim to secure a job BEFORE you do the GDL, as then they will be paying for it instead of you.
But in order to get a job, you're going to need to be looking at getting a hefty amount of work experience. If this is the case, you need to start looking at getting some as soon as the Easter holidays, as law firms interview all the way through from January to September.
Alternatively if this is definitely something you end up wanting to do, take a year out, clear your thoughts, and get some sustained legal or commercial work experience during the time, instead of rushing straight into the GDL.
This is probably more information than you need, and only looks at one particular (though often popular) route into a legal career however.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- What is the difference between the GDL/PGDL and the LLM?
- Gdl scholarships 2022 (help page )
- Is bsc business with law from QMUL a good degree?
- GDL vs 'LLM' ... or GDL + LLM vs 'MA' Law
- do u need a law degree for top law firms?
- Can you do the GDL or equivalent if you have a master’s degree?
- Going into GDL after one year of undergraduate
- Politics degree then Law GDL
- Magic circle law firm without a law degree from a russel group
- international Relations and a GDL ?
- can i convert a history degree into a law degree
- GDL Study Tips
- GDL - University of Law, Birkbeck or City University of London
- Inquiry
- GDL: how difficult? Useful by itself?
- Which uni should I pick for my GDL?
- BPP GDL: Tips and Advice
- My interests - thoughts?
- PPE then law conversion??
- LLB Law at City, University of London
