Medicine to Law
Hey guys, hope you're all doing well!
So, I wanna study Law and become a lawyer. But IDK where to do it?!
I studied Medical Science in the UK, then decided to study Medicine in Ukraine and now Serbia (I'm set to finish in 2026). Before anyone says anything, the reason why I studied Medical Science and Medicine was not for myself. I was forced into studying Medicine
Anywho, I've always wanted to study law and I still want to
I wanna be able to do the law conversion course and I wanna do it at a reputable institution. I don't care about the country at all. I looked into the UK and US but it seems like most Universities don't conduct the conversion course. I wanna know if that's the reality or I'm being stupid and am not looking properly
If possible, I would like to do it online. Not for convenience or anything but because I have been and will be self-funding the course, and so I have to take travel and accommodation into consideration. BTW, when I say I wanna do it online, I mean the theoretical aspect. I'll go on campus for anything that is practical
Really would appreciate all the information and advice
So, I wanna study Law and become a lawyer. But IDK where to do it?!
I studied Medical Science in the UK, then decided to study Medicine in Ukraine and now Serbia (I'm set to finish in 2026). Before anyone says anything, the reason why I studied Medical Science and Medicine was not for myself. I was forced into studying Medicine
Anywho, I've always wanted to study law and I still want toI wanna be able to do the law conversion course and I wanna do it at a reputable institution. I don't care about the country at all. I looked into the UK and US but it seems like most Universities don't conduct the conversion course. I wanna know if that's the reality or I'm being stupid and am not looking properly
If possible, I would like to do it online. Not for convenience or anything but because I have been and will be self-funding the course, and so I have to take travel and accommodation into consideration. BTW, when I say I wanna do it online, I mean the theoretical aspect. I'll go on campus for anything that is practical
Really would appreciate all the information and advice
Reply 1
Hiya. Many unis in the UK have conversion courses, including St George, KCL, Uni of Law & BPP😊 i believe you have the online study option in the last two.
Reply 2
In the US, you would have to obtain a JD. That takes three years, entry to good law schools is very competitive, and the costs are high.
In the UK, it is much easier to obtain a place to study for a one year PGDL, which some places combine with an LLM, but not many of the best universities offer the PGDL. Cardiff is one that does. I don't think that any leading university offers the PGDL online.
You could also look at a two year senior status law degree, which is available at Cambridge and a few other universities, but not online as far as I know.
In the UK, if you don't have a law degree, you need a PGDL in order to take the Bar course (one year), obtain a pupillage (another year) and practise as a barrister. You can take the SQE to become a solicitor without a law degree or a PGDL, but doing so is not recommended. The grounding provided by a PGDL may assist in passing the SQE. You have to do two years of work experience, usually in the form of a training contract, to qualify as a solicitor.
Competition for pupillages and training contracts is intense.
In the US, after obtaining a JD you take the Bar examination in one or more States, usually after cramming for six weeks or so. NY and California are said to be the two hardest State Bar exams. It is also possible to take a State Bar exam if you are have a UK law degree or are qualified as a lawyer in the UK. Once you pass the Bar exam, you can be licensed to practise law without further training.
In the UK, it is much easier to obtain a place to study for a one year PGDL, which some places combine with an LLM, but not many of the best universities offer the PGDL. Cardiff is one that does. I don't think that any leading university offers the PGDL online.
You could also look at a two year senior status law degree, which is available at Cambridge and a few other universities, but not online as far as I know.
In the UK, if you don't have a law degree, you need a PGDL in order to take the Bar course (one year), obtain a pupillage (another year) and practise as a barrister. You can take the SQE to become a solicitor without a law degree or a PGDL, but doing so is not recommended. The grounding provided by a PGDL may assist in passing the SQE. You have to do two years of work experience, usually in the form of a training contract, to qualify as a solicitor.
Competition for pupillages and training contracts is intense.
In the US, after obtaining a JD you take the Bar examination in one or more States, usually after cramming for six weeks or so. NY and California are said to be the two hardest State Bar exams. It is also possible to take a State Bar exam if you are have a UK law degree or are qualified as a lawyer in the UK. Once you pass the Bar exam, you can be licensed to practise law without further training.
Reply 3
Original post
by ruby.smithHey guys, hope you're all doing well!
So, I wanna study Law and become a lawyer. But IDK where to do it?!
I studied Medical Science in the UK, then decided to study Medicine in Ukraine and now Serbia (I'm set to finish in 2026). Before anyone says anything, the reason why I studied Medical Science and Medicine was not for myself. I was forced into studying Medicine Anywho, I've always wanted to study law and I still want to
I wanna be able to do the law conversion course and I wanna do it at a reputable institution. I don't care about the country at all. I looked into the UK and US but it seems like most Universities don't conduct the conversion course. I wanna know if that's the reality or I'm being stupid and am not looking properly
If possible, I would like to do it online. Not for convenience or anything but because I have been and will be self-funding the course, and so I have to take travel and accommodation into consideration. BTW, when I say I wanna do it online, I mean the theoretical aspect. I'll go on campus for anything that is practical
Really would appreciate all the information and advice
So, I wanna study Law and become a lawyer. But IDK where to do it?!
I studied Medical Science in the UK, then decided to study Medicine in Ukraine and now Serbia (I'm set to finish in 2026). Before anyone says anything, the reason why I studied Medical Science and Medicine was not for myself. I was forced into studying Medicine
Anywho, I've always wanted to study law and I still want toI wanna be able to do the law conversion course and I wanna do it at a reputable institution. I don't care about the country at all. I looked into the UK and US but it seems like most Universities don't conduct the conversion course. I wanna know if that's the reality or I'm being stupid and am not looking properly
If possible, I would like to do it online. Not for convenience or anything but because I have been and will be self-funding the course, and so I have to take travel and accommodation into consideration. BTW, when I say I wanna do it online, I mean the theoretical aspect. I'll go on campus for anything that is practical
Really would appreciate all the information and advice
First of all, I just want to say it’s really brave of you to share your journey so openly, and it’s honestly inspiring that you’re now pursuing what you want to do. Switching paths after investing so much time in another field isn’t easy, but the fact that you’re still holding onto your passion for law shows real strength.
To answer your question — no, you’re not being stupid at all. A lot of people assume the law conversion route is hard to access or doesn’t exist anymore, especially with recent changes in qualification routes in the UK. But the law conversion course (usually called the PGDL or GDL) absolutely still exists, and it’s specifically designed for people like you who didn’t study law at undergraduate level. In the UK, it’s very much a recognised and reputable pathway into becoming a lawyer. There are several well-known institutions offering the PGDL, including The University of Law, BPP, and City University of London. Many of them now offer online or blended learning options, so you can study the theoretical parts remotely while attending campus for any essential practical sessions or assessments.
From what you’ve said about funding everything yourself and wanting to avoid unnecessary costs like travel and accommodation, choosing a course with a flexible online option makes complete sense. A lot of providers actually cater to students in your exact position. The University of Law, for example, has an Online Campus that offers live workshops, virtual seminars, tutor support, and a full legal community, all online. You’re not compromising on quality by choosing the online route — they’re designed to give you the same experience and qualification as someone on-campus.
As for the US, things are a bit different. They don’t have a conversion course like the UK. You’d need to do a full Juris Doctor (JD), which takes three years and usually has very limited online options. It’s also significantly more expensive. If your aim is to practise law in an English-speaking jurisdiction and you want a relatively efficient and affordable pathway, the UK is honestly your best bet.
Once you finish the PGDL, if you're aiming to become a solicitor in England and Wales, you'd go on to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Some institutions offer PGDL and SQE Prep together as a package, which can be more cost-effective. Make sure to also look into what kind of career support and networking opportunities different institutions offer — that kind of support can make a big difference when transitioning into a new field like law.
You're absolutely not alone in wanting to make this switch, and there are a lot of people who've gone through similar journeys — coming from science, medicine, even finance — and gone on to have successful careers in law. If you ever need help comparing providers or understanding the qualification route in more detail, feel free to reach out. Wishing you all the best as you take this next step for yourself — you’re making a powerful and exciting move!
Musfira
LLB
(edited 11 months ago)
Reply 4
Original post
by UniofLaw StudentHey!
First of all, I just want to say it’s really brave of you to share your journey so openly, and it’s honestly inspiring that you’re now pursuing what you want to do. Switching paths after investing so much time in another field isn’t easy, but the fact that you’re still holding onto your passion for law shows real strength.
To answer your question — no, you’re not being stupid at all. A lot of people assume the law conversion route is hard to access or doesn’t exist anymore, especially with recent changes in qualification routes in the UK. But the law conversion course (usually called the PGDL or GDL) absolutely still exists, and it’s specifically designed for people like you who didn’t study law at undergraduate level. In the UK, it’s very much a recognised and reputable pathway into becoming a lawyer. There are several well-known institutions offering the PGDL, including The University of Law, BPP, and City University of London. Many of them now offer online or blended learning options, so you can study the theoretical parts remotely while attending campus for any essential practical sessions or assessments.
From what you’ve said about funding everything yourself and wanting to avoid unnecessary costs like travel and accommodation, choosing a course with a flexible online option makes complete sense. A lot of providers actually cater to students in your exact position. The University of Law, for example, has an Online Campus that offers live workshops, virtual seminars, tutor support, and a full legal community, all online. You’re not compromising on quality by choosing the online route — they’re designed to give you the same experience and qualification as someone on-campus.
As for the US, things are a bit different. They don’t have a conversion course like the UK. You’d need to do a full Juris Doctor (JD), which takes three years and usually has very limited online options. It’s also significantly more expensive. If your aim is to practise law in an English-speaking jurisdiction and you want a relatively efficient and affordable pathway, the UK is honestly your best bet.
Once you finish the PGDL, if you're aiming to become a solicitor in England and Wales, you'd go on to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Some institutions offer PGDL and SQE Prep together as a package, which can be more cost-effective. Make sure to also look into what kind of career support and networking opportunities different institutions offer — that kind of support can make a big difference when transitioning into a new field like law.
You're absolutely not alone in wanting to make this switch, and there are a lot of people who've gone through similar journeys — coming from science, medicine, even finance — and gone on to have successful careers in law. If you ever need help comparing providers or understanding the qualification route in more detail, feel free to reach out. Wishing you all the best as you take this next step for yourself — you’re making a powerful and exciting move!
Musfira
LLB
First of all, I just want to say it’s really brave of you to share your journey so openly, and it’s honestly inspiring that you’re now pursuing what you want to do. Switching paths after investing so much time in another field isn’t easy, but the fact that you’re still holding onto your passion for law shows real strength.
To answer your question — no, you’re not being stupid at all. A lot of people assume the law conversion route is hard to access or doesn’t exist anymore, especially with recent changes in qualification routes in the UK. But the law conversion course (usually called the PGDL or GDL) absolutely still exists, and it’s specifically designed for people like you who didn’t study law at undergraduate level. In the UK, it’s very much a recognised and reputable pathway into becoming a lawyer. There are several well-known institutions offering the PGDL, including The University of Law, BPP, and City University of London. Many of them now offer online or blended learning options, so you can study the theoretical parts remotely while attending campus for any essential practical sessions or assessments.
From what you’ve said about funding everything yourself and wanting to avoid unnecessary costs like travel and accommodation, choosing a course with a flexible online option makes complete sense. A lot of providers actually cater to students in your exact position. The University of Law, for example, has an Online Campus that offers live workshops, virtual seminars, tutor support, and a full legal community, all online. You’re not compromising on quality by choosing the online route — they’re designed to give you the same experience and qualification as someone on-campus.
As for the US, things are a bit different. They don’t have a conversion course like the UK. You’d need to do a full Juris Doctor (JD), which takes three years and usually has very limited online options. It’s also significantly more expensive. If your aim is to practise law in an English-speaking jurisdiction and you want a relatively efficient and affordable pathway, the UK is honestly your best bet.
Once you finish the PGDL, if you're aiming to become a solicitor in England and Wales, you'd go on to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Some institutions offer PGDL and SQE Prep together as a package, which can be more cost-effective. Make sure to also look into what kind of career support and networking opportunities different institutions offer — that kind of support can make a big difference when transitioning into a new field like law.
You're absolutely not alone in wanting to make this switch, and there are a lot of people who've gone through similar journeys — coming from science, medicine, even finance — and gone on to have successful careers in law. If you ever need help comparing providers or understanding the qualification route in more detail, feel free to reach out. Wishing you all the best as you take this next step for yourself — you’re making a powerful and exciting move!
Musfira
LLB
OP, as you may have gathered, that post is a bit of paid marketing prepared by a bot or by someone working to a script.
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