What uni do I go to for a career in law as a non-law graduate

I want to do be a solicitor. I'm going to study BA Philosopy and Politics and then do a law conversion after.

What unis should I apply to? I want to get into a Magic Circle or Silver Circle law firm. However, when I look at like University rankings for employability in law the results are all relevant to the quality of the law department at the Unis, and I won't be doing a law degree when I apply for UCAS this year. How do I choose my five options? Should I look at rankings by subject (Philosophy and Politics) or will law firms not care? Idk I just need to know what unis are prestigious and respected!

Oh and no London unis sorryyy

Current first option is Durham (although the collegiate system is scaring me so much because I'd freak out if I don't get my top choice) and then Warwick. I'm using Durham for two of my options (one being Philosophy) - bad idea? I rlly wanna go so thought I'd maximise my chances. I'm thinking Manchester as an insurance? Is Leeds good? Is Nottingham and Exeter? Out of those 3 what would be the best?

Thank you, any help is appreciated!!!

Reply 1

y.ab

Furthermore...

Is York good? Also idek how I'd go about looking at best unis for Philosophy and Politics cause I can only see rankings for each department not for the joint honours and the results are different.

Reply 2

UoL Students

Official Rep

Original post

by y.ab

I want to do be a solicitor. I'm going to study BA Philosopy and Politics and then do a law conversion after.
What unis should I apply to? I want to get into a Magic Circle or Silver Circle law firm. However, when I look at like University rankings for employability in law the results are all relevant to the quality of the law department at the Unis, and I won't be doing a law degree when I apply for UCAS this year. How do I choose my five options? Should I look at rankings by subject (Philosophy and Politics) or will law firms not care? Idk I just need to know what unis are prestigious and respected!
Oh and no London unis sorryyy
Current first option is Durham (although the collegiate system is scaring me so much because I'd freak out if I don't get my top choice) and then Warwick. I'm using Durham for two of my options (one being Philosophy) - bad idea? I rlly wanna go so thought I'd maximise my chances. I'm thinking Manchester as an insurance? Is Leeds good? Is Nottingham and Exeter? Out of those 3 what would be the best?
Thank you, any help is appreciated!!!

Hello @ya.ab

It sounds like you have strong aspirations to be a solicitor which is great!

As someone who has gone through the application stages for commercial law firms and managed to secure a TC with Magic Circle firm, I would definitely say that the prestige of the university doesn't play a significant role. Law firms look for motivation for a career in law as well as transferable skills that students have gained from work experience (legal or non-legal). Your application will be assessed based on you as an individual rather than where you have studied.

Therefore, I recommend picking the university that you can see yourself living at and enjoying the most! Go to their Open Days and find out what you can get involved in. At Leicester, I got really involved in the Law Society, the Legal Advice Clinic and even created my own society. I also got a part-time job through my university. These were the experiences that I was bringing up and talking about in my assessment centre and online application! If you visit the Open Days of the universities you mentioned you can see which one suits you the most!

I hope that provides a useful insight!

Claire
Law LLB Student

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 3

Mr Tangle

My tort tutor has worked at a few universities before ending up having to teach me and my even more annoying tute partner, and says that university rankings should win the Booker Prize. Newspapers should put them on the same page as the cartoons. What grades you on? Is Oxbridge an option? I blagged my way into Oxford (I've been told I'm too thick for Cambridge or UCL), but if I hadn't got into Oxford I fancied Warwick or Exeter after going to open days at those two. I didn't apply to Durham cos it struck me as a sort of fakey Oxbridge with fakey colleges full of people who didn't get in at their first choice.

Reply 4

UniofLawstudent3

Official Rep

Original post

by y.ab

I want to do be a solicitor. I'm going to study BA Philosopy and Politics and then do a law conversion after.
What unis should I apply to? I want to get into a Magic Circle or Silver Circle law firm. However, when I look at like University rankings for employability in law the results are all relevant to the quality of the law department at the Unis, and I won't be doing a law degree when I apply for UCAS this year. How do I choose my five options? Should I look at rankings by subject (Philosophy and Politics) or will law firms not care? Idk I just need to know what unis are prestigious and respected!
Oh and no London unis sorryyy
Current first option is Durham (although the collegiate system is scaring me so much because I'd freak out if I don't get my top choice) and then Warwick. I'm using Durham for two of my options (one being Philosophy) - bad idea? I rlly wanna go so thought I'd maximise my chances. I'm thinking Manchester as an insurance? Is Leeds good? Is Nottingham and Exeter? Out of those 3 what would be the best?
Thank you, any help is appreciated!!!

Hello,

As a non-law student, an important thing for you to focus on is demonstrating your motivations for pursuing a legal career. This can be done at all of the universities you have listed if you are proactive! Have a look at their law societies and any careers events they run in partnership with law firms (e.g. law fairs, talks). A university which has a good employability service can help point you in the direction of opportunities which will boost your chances of success in training contract applications. Any opportunities to get involved in pro bono legal advice would also be very helpful. This can be supplemented with events run outside your university (through e.g. Legal Cheek, AllAboutLaw).

I would also recommend choosing the university you think you would enjoy attending the most! Look at the type of campus they have, the modules you would be able to study on your course and any other interests you have which you could pursue there. I have always found it much easier to excel academically when I love the topics I am studying and my environment.

I hope this is helpful!
Layla

Reply 5

McGinger