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Studying Law

Hello,

This is a post mainly for Law students/graduates.

I am a current Y12 student starting my first year of the IBDP and hoping to receive some advice on applying to study Law in the future. What did you all do during high school/sixth form to prepare applying for a Law degree? E.g. law internships, mock trials... etc.

If anyone has any responses, that would be greatly appreciated!

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by she.studies

Hello,
This is a post mainly for Law students/graduates.
I am a current Y12 student starting my first year of the IBDP and hoping to receive some advice on applying to study Law in the future. What did you all do during high school/sixth form to prepare applying for a Law degree? E.g. law internships, mock trials... etc.
If anyone has any responses, that would be greatly appreciated!

Hello @she.studies my name is Taylor and I am a 4th year LLB Law (Study Abroad) student at Lancaster Uni.

So I actually didn't study Law, whether that be an A-level or a BTEC, at college, it wasn't until my second year that I realised I had an interest in Law. My advice to you would be to just do things that show you have a genuine interest in the Law, whether that be done through reading interesting legal articles, completing free online courses that discuss the current legal landscape in the UK (or even internationally), books, podcasts, keeping up with current legal affairs and developments in the news and maybe even visiting your local Magistrates court to see how Law works in a real world scenario. It would be fantastic if you could gain some practical experience such as work experience, shadowing a barrister or an internship, but please do not just rely on this alone as they are very hard to come by and often fall through due to unforeseen circumstances (at least for me anyway haha!), getting your foot in the door can be hard, but make use of the connections you have now, whether that be through family, friends, or opportunities at college.

I hope this has helped you a little bit. I wish you all the best on this exciting adventure!

Taylor (Lancaster University Student Ambassador).

Reply 2

BarryScott2022

If you can do the National Citizen’s Mock Trial through your school/college, then I’d advise that. Debate club is a good one too.

You don’t really have to do too much, just show an interest and an ability to critically analyse. You could visit local courts and sit in on cases and discuss what you saw (obviously within parameters of confidentiality), I personally didn’t do this at A-level though. You could attend local open lectures on law if there are any. I read about law - Bingham’s Rule of Law and Letters to a Law Student were my ‘go-to’ and I discussed them it a little in my PS.

I did also have law work experience from a solicitor’s firm (which happens to be a transatlantic firm), but I only mentioned this in passing in my PS as it’s not necessary at this stage.

Reply 3

BarryScott2022

To add - MOOCs - online courses are good and usually free. I did a SpringPod Law one which is worth looking into.

Reply 4

she.studies

Original post by BarryScott2022

To add - MOOCs - online courses are good and usually free. I did a SpringPod Law one which is worth looking into.

I see! Thank you very much for the response. Just wondering - did your firm give you a reference letter? If so, how did you put it to use?

Reply 5

BarryScott2022

No reference letter, universities don’t want to see them. You don’t need work experience for a PS you can easily talk about other things like reading, law related super-curriculars as already mentioned. I was lucky to apply for and get on two schemes (without having any inside contacts), but many don’t manage it in sixth form and some students who do get them, it can be because mum or dad of someone works there, so it’s not seen as mandatory or make or break.