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History to Law conversion

I understand that if you have a history degree you can convert it into a law degree. Hard concept to understand, thats why Im wondering if some those studying or have studied law know what it entails.

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Reply 1
You can covert any degree to a law degree, not just history.

After graduating you take the Graduate Diploma in law (the conversion course) which teaches all the core areas of law (as set my the law society/SRA). You will also be able to take some optional modules.

This is a one year course and will then give you a qualifying qualification that allows you to enter the vocational part of qualification (the LPC for solicitors, BVC for barristers).
Im also thinking about this, I don't know if its a conversion of the degree as such, there's the Graduate Diploma in Law I know you can do after any degree. I'm unsure though and was wanting to ask pretty much the same question. Thanks
Reply 3
loopykitten!
Im also thinking about this, I don't know if its a conversion of the degree as such, there's the Graduate Diploma in Law I know you can do after any degree. I'm unsure though and was wanting to ask pretty much the same question. Thanks


It's not a coversion of the degree as such. Your original degree doesn't turn into a law degree.

It's just a postgraduate conversion that contains the core areas of law and allows one to complete the academic requirements of becoming a solicitor or barrister.
Reply 4
Thanks every much for your answer
Reply 5
I'm confused, which Uni's do the GDL??
Reply 6
talk_ape
I'm confused, which Uni's do the GDL??


You can go to BPP or College of law. Or Swansea, Oxford Brookes and I think Nottingham Trent does it.
Reply 7
OMG those last two Uni's aren't very good!!
Can I not do the GDL at any good ones??
Reply 8
talk_ape
OMG those last two Uni's aren't very good!!
Can I not do the GDL at any good ones??

It doesn't work to the same standards as undergrad. :tongue:
Reply 9
LostInLaw
It doesn't work to the same standards as undergrad. :tongue:


k, but don't Law Undergrad's have to also do an 'aftercourse' before becoming a solicitor/barrister??
talk_ape
k, but don't Law Undergrad's have to also do an 'aftercourse' before becoming a solicitor/barrister??

Yup, you spend a year doing the LPC if you want to be a solicitor and the BVC if you want to be a barrister. You would still have to do one of these, the year after your GDL.
Reply 11
LostInLaw
Yup, you spend a year doing the LPC if you want to be a solicitor and the BVC if you want to be a barrister. You would still have to do one of these, the year after your GDL.


2 years wow didn't know that thanks!

do you think that an BA History, then GDL, then LPC would give me a good chance of making it as a solicitor. I only know of on person who has done this, but with BA English.
Reply 12
LostInLaw
Yup, you spend a year doing the LPC if you want to be a solicitor and the BVC if you want to be a barrister. You would still have to do one of these, the year after your GDL.


2 years wow didn't know that thanks!

do you think that an BA History, then GDL, then LPC would give me a good chance of making it as a solicitor? I only know of on person who has done this, but with BA English.
talk_ape
2 years wow didn't know that thanks!

do you think that an BA History, then GDL, then LPC would give me a good chance of making it as a solicitor? I only know of on person who has done this, but with BA English.

Yeah, as long as you get a good mark from a respectable university that would be fine.
talk_ape
I'm confused, which Uni's do the GDL??

You don't do the GDL at unis because its not an academic degree course - its a professional training-style course, so its done by institutions which offer things like solicitor/barrister/accountancy training etc.

In London, this probably means College of Law or BPP Law School - both are excellent institutions, and both are used and recommended by the top law firms.

There are also lots of other law schools you can do it at. There is one attached to Nottingham Trent, for example, but the law school is a different institution to the university (I think), and there are other law schools in Nottingham and other cities as well.

There's plenty on google, just search for "GDL"
talk_ape
2 years wow didn't know that thanks!

do you think that an BA History, then GDL, then LPC would give me a good chance of making it as a solicitor. I only know of on person who has done this, but with BA English.

Absolutely! Most law firms take something like 50% law / 50% non-law these days, and they all say that they have no bias for or against law/non-law grads. I actually think History is quite a good one, because the skill-set developed by Historians is similar to that developed by lawyers - I've certainly seen "Historian" on quite a few trainee-profiles on commercial London firms' websites
Reply 16
This is what I'm doing this year- History to Law. Be sure to consider funding as it costs a lot! I'm going to do my GDL at College of Law Manchester and that alone is £6650 for the year with LPC costing around £11,000 the following year. Just something to consider...
Reply 17
sheryl06
This is what I'm doing this year- History to Law. Be sure to consider funding as it costs a lot! I'm going to do my GDL at College of Law Manchester and that alone is £6650 for the year with LPC costing around £11,000 the following year. Just something to consider...



holy mother! how I meant to afford that!
talk_ape
holy mother! how I meant to afford that!

If you manage to secure pupillage or a training contract they will fund it - this is why its quite important to start early - start securing vacation placements long before you graduate
Reply 19
LostInLaw
Yeah, as long as you get a good mark from a respectable university that would be fine.

By a good mark you would mean a 2:1 or a 1st class ?

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