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non law degree, interested in becoming a barrister

Y13, will be going into uni this sept. Currently holding STEM offers for imperial and UCL. What should I do this summer to prepare for my legal career?

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

Congrats on your offers!

There is no need to do anything at present. If you have free time, you could read one or two books about legal topics. But you might as well wait until you are nearing the end of your degree to do that.

You are not likely to obtain a mini-pupillage until you are doing the PGDL, simply because of insufficient places.

Good luck and have fun at university.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

PS: No harm joining the Law Soc at UCL if you go there. I do not know if Imperial has a Law Soc. It doesn't teach law.

Reply 3

IcyFonduee

Original post by grandmasterx

Y13, will be going into uni this sept. Currently holding STEM offers for imperial and UCL. What should I do this summer to prepare for my legal career?

It is so cool that you will be studying STEM. I am a law student also interested in becoming a barrister. Even though you’re pursuing a STEM degree, there are still several things you can do to prepare for a career as a barrister:

Legal Research: Start reading up on legal topics that interest you. Look into the basics of the law, legal systems, and different areas of law. I prefer podcasts, and legal blogs, so that can be a good start.

Work Experience: Try to secure work experience, internships, and/ or mini-pupillages, even if it’s just shadowing. This will help you understand the reality of the legal profession and build useful contacts for networking.

Public Speaking & Advocacy: As a barrister, strong communication skills are very important. Consider joining a debating club, Law Society or taking part in public speaking events to practice these skills. This will help you feel more comfortable speaking in front of others and improve your persuasion techniques.

Prepare for the GDL: After your degree, if you still want to pursue law, you must take the GDL. When the time gets closer, start to familiarise yourself with the GDL’s structure and subjects to see what you will be studying.

Networking: Attend events, webinars, or conferences related to the legal profession. Networking with law professionals, can provide you with invaluable insights and help you get advice tailored to your journey.

Understand the Bar Course: Learn about the BPTC and what it involves. It’s important to know the steps after your GDL, such as pupillage, and how to prepare for them.

Develop Analytical Skills: Legal careers require strong analytical thinking. Your STEM background will be an asset in this, so you could enhance these transferable skills by solving legal problems or studying cases.

Imperial and UCL are great universities and they will offer career development and mentoring opportunities! I hope this all helps and congratulations for obtaining your offers :smile:

Reply 4

UniofLaw Student

Official Rep

Original post by grandmasterx

Y13, will be going into uni this sept. Currently holding STEM offers for imperial and UCL. What should I do this summer to prepare for my legal career?

Hi there,

It's great that you're already thinking about preparing for a legal career, even before starting university! Since you're coming from a STEM background but are interested in becoming a barrister, this summer is a great time to start building foundational legal knowledge and getting relevant experience.

Have you considered gaining some legal work experience? Mini-pupillages, court visits, or even marshalling a judge can give you valuable insights into advocacy and the legal profession. Many chambers and legal organisations offer online events or open days, which can be a good way to start networking.

Are you planning to develop your debating and public speaking skills? Barristers rely on strong advocacy, so getting involved in mooting, debating competitions, or even volunteering for roles that require public speaking can be a great advantage. If your university has a mooting or debating society, you could look into their activities now and plan to join in September.

Have you looked into the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Bar course requirements? Since you’re taking a non-law degree, understanding the conversion process early will help you plan ahead. You might also want to explore Inns of Court scholarships, which can help fund your training in the future.

Finally, reading about the legal profession can be useful. Books like The Secret Barrister or Letters to a Law Student can give you a better understanding of the career. Keeping up with legal news through The Lawyer or The Times Law section will also help you stay informed.

Enjoy your summer and best of luck with your journey to the Bar!