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Career prospects

Law degrees and Law conversion courses

Discover more about qualifying Law degrees and Law conversion courses and the different types of options across the UK.

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CONTENTS

  1. Overview

  2. What are qualifying Law degrees?

  3. What are Law conversion courses and graduate qualifying Law courses?

  4. Regulation and changes from 2022/23 in England and Wales

Overview

Qualifying Law degrees and Law conversion courses include the core knowledge required for trainee lawyers. Broadly, they cover the legal essentials and teach skills such as legal research. They prepare you for the next level of vocational training for becoming a solicitor, barrister, advocate, or chartered legal executive.

Qualifying Law degrees

A qualifying Law degree (QLD) is an undergraduate degree in Law that provides the foundations of legal knowledge required for a career in law. Courses take two to four years.

Law conversion courses

If you have a degree in another subject, you can study an accelerated course that'll give you the legal knowledge needed to get to the same level as someone with an undergraduate Law degree.

There are graduate Law degree courses, which take two or more years, where you achieve a QLD. In England and Wales, intensive Law conversion courses are also available that pack all content into one or two years.

Does it matter if your first degree isn't a Law degree?

The short answer is no, as you can study a Law conversion or graduate Law course. 

Good grades in a first degree are vital – whether in Law or not. For prospective barristers or advocates, a 2:2 is the absolute minimum required (2:1 in Northern Ireland). In all cases, better grades mean a better chance of securing the in-work training you'll need to finish qualifying.

Can you become a lawyer without a degree?

If you want to become a barrister (or advocate in Scotland), you must start with a degree. It doesn't have to be a Law degree, but you will need good grades.

There are some alternatives to university courses, mainly in England, with degree-level apprenticeships available for solicitors and chartered legal executives. Chartered legal executives can also qualify via in-work training courses with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). In Scotland it’s possible for those who work in the legal sector to take the required legal exams towards becoming a solicitor before vocational training.

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What are qualifying Law degrees?

QLDs can be designated as an LLB – Latin for Bachelor of Law – or sometimes a BA or BSc if combined with another subject (such as Criminology or a language). There are full-time and part-time options, as well as distance learning. In some cases, Law degrees with foundation years are available if you don't meet the entry standards for direct undergraduate entry.

QLDs can be long courses that cost more. However, this gives you an added chance to explore several different areas of interest.

After completing a qualifying Law degree, you can start your vocational training.

Qualifying Law degrees in England and Wales

In England and Wales, Law degrees must include the seven foundations of legal knowledge, English legal systems and legal research. Each subject must be passed, and the degree completed in six years whether it’s studied full- or part-time. Courses are no longer formally approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on behalf of both the SRA and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). For more information about this change, see the bottom of this page.

Exempting Law degrees in England and Wales

Previously there were also four-year exempting Law degrees (ELDs). These combined a Law degree with the vocational Legal Practice Course (LPC) required for solicitors, or more rarely included a Bar training course needed by barristers. These qualifications were designated as a master’s degree – but you could get undergraduate student finance for all years of study.

Six universities offered the exempting Law degree: Huddersfield, Northumbria (for both solicitors and barristers), Pearson College London (validated by University of Kent), University of Central Lancashire, University of South Wales and the University of Westminster.

The introduction of the new SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) in England and Wales in 2021 brought about the end of the exempting Law degrees for anyone who hadn’t already started one on or before 31 December 2021.

Qualifying Law degrees in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, QLDs are ‘recognised Law degrees’. A list of these is available on the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) website. Included are courses in England and Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland (but not the LLB in Scots Law).

You must complete your QLD within a set period and pass all core subjects. You can then continue with vocational training if you want to become a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland.

Degrees from Queen's University, Belfast and Ulster University are approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). 

The introduction of the new SQE in 2021, means you may need to do additional training if you want to progress your legal career in England and Wales. Please see the bottom of this page for more details.

Qualifying Law degrees in Scotland

Scotland has a separate legal system and the fundamentals of law differ. Commonly, a trainee solicitor or advocate starts with a QLD  an LLB in Scots law.

The course takes three years full-time or four years if studied as honours. It can be studied at one of the ten universities accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. Some universities offer ‘dual degrees’ in both Scots and English law, which qualify you to practise as a solicitor in Scotland, England and Wales.

There are subjects specified by the Law Society that must be taken as part of your degree so you can progress onto vocational training. Entry to the vocational course is assessed on the grades you gain at first exam sitting. If you’re training to become an advocate, you’ll also need to study the subjects specified by the Faculty of Advocates.

Advocates and solicitors both complete the same vocational qualification and period of in-work training as a solicitor, before the path of advocates diverges.

How to apply for a qualifying Law degree

Check the degree meets the requirements of regulators: for England and Wales, contact the university; for Northern Ireland, check with the Institute of Professional Legal Studies; for Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland and Faculty of Advocates. Applications are made via UCAS.

What are Law conversion courses and graduate qualifying Law courses?

On completion of a Law conversion course, you can start your vocational training to become a solicitor, barrister or advocate, or chartered legal executive. Again, there are different systems for different countries.

Law conversion courses in England and Wales

If you’re a non-Law student, you could opt for an intensive Law conversion course or senior status or graduate LLB degree. Law conversion courses may be known as a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) or less often, CPE (Common Professional Examination). There are also PGDL/PG Dip (Postgraduate diploma) and LLM (Master's of Law) conversion courses available. 

The variety of Law conversion courses reflect the changes to legal education since autumn 2021 in England and Wales (see bottom of page).

Law conversion course

The core legal subjects are packed into a one-year intensive course, or two-years via part-time or distance learning. 

Applications for full-time GDL or Law conversion courses are via the Central Applications Board. For part-time applications, you can usually apply directly to the relevant institution. Tuition fees can range widely depending on the institution and your resident status. International students can expect to pay more.

Senior status or graduate LLB degree, or conversion LLM (Master of Law)

Two-year senior status LLB degrees are more in-depth than a one-year conversion course, but also more expensive. They include the seven core foundations of legal knowledge but also have elective modules, allowing you to explore your interests further and understand law in a socio-economic and political context.

Master’s courses include two-year qualifying Law degrees and one-year conversion courses that are open to non-Law graduates. Applications for Law conversion master’s may also be through the Central Applications Board, if for full-time study. Applications for courses designated as undergraduate courses (senior status LLBs) are submitted via UCAS. Otherwise, approach an institution directly to apply.

Funding Law conversion courses

Fees range from around £6,000 per year to the maximum tuition fee level (currently £9,250). International students can expect to pay more.

Some law firms take graduates as trainee solicitors and fund their part-time study towards a Law conversion course. However, these positions are rare and competitive. 

If you’re a prospective barrister, scholarships for a Law conversion course may be available from one of the Inns of Court. You don't need to be a member of these societies before applying. Scholarships are generally awarded on merit – good grades from a first degree are essential.

Otherwise, master’s level courses may open up the option of a postgraduate loan, depending on eligibility. You should consider this option carefully – becoming a solicitor or barrister is highly competitive, and good grades from a first degree will still be essential. Loan funding can only apply to one course of study and further vocational qualifications are required to practise law.

General entry requirements for graduates

You’ll need a minimum of 2:2 in a UK or Republic of Ireland degree. Some providers require higher grades. For Law conversion courses, providers may accept applicants with ‘equivalent means’ (e.g. training via CILEx). If you’re hoping to become a barrister you should first apply to the BSB for a Certificate of Academic Standing.

International applicants require equivalent qualifications – if you want to become a barrister, you should apply to the BSB for a Certificate of Academic Standing. You’ll also have to provide evidence of your English language ability.

Graduate qualifying Law courses in Northern Ireland

If you’re a non-Law graduate, you can take a two-year senior status or master’s Law degree in Northern Ireland, or otherwise a ‘recognised Law degree’ from elsewhere in the UK. These include some two-year senior status qualifying Law degrees and Law conversion courses.

In addition, the Law of Evidence is required if you wish to train as a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland. This can be taken as a separate exam with the Institute for Professional Legal Studies, based at Queen’s University Belfast.

A list of recognised Law degrees is found on the IPLS website. The IPLS manages all professional training for barristers and solicitors in Northern Ireland.

Fees for courses vary depending on the type and length of course. The two-year MLaw at Queen’s University is £8,150 per year (2022–23), with the option of a postgraduate loan depending on eligibility. Fees for international students are higher. 

Once completed, the next stage is vocational training for both solicitors and barristers at the IPLS. Entry to the vocational course for barristers requires a minimum of 2:1 in a degree.

Courses and contracts in Scotland

Scotland has a separate legal system and therefore the fundamentals of law differ. You must take exams in the subjects specified by the Law Society to continue onto the vocational qualification. Non-Law graduates can take an accelerated Scots Law degree. Those working in the legal sector can complete a ‘pre-PEAT training contract’.

After these courses, advocates and solicitors complete the same vocational qualification and a period of in-work training as a solicitor. Then the path of advocates diverges.

Graduate qualifying Law courses in Scotland

The two-year accelerated degree in Scots Law can be studied for at a provider accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. Currently offered by nine institutions, it leads to an ordinary degree in Scots Law. There are also graduate-entry degrees in Scots and English law.

Subjects specified by the Law Society must be taken as part of the degree to progress onto vocational training, assessed on the grades gained at first exam sitting. Advocates also require subjects specified by the Faculty of Advocates.

Entry requires a 2:2 or 2:1 from a first degree and you can apply via UCAS for full-time courses. Fees are liable if you take the LLB as a second degree. Scholarships may be available.

Pre-PEAT training contracts

If you work in the legal sector you may be able to enter a three-year 'pre-PEAT training contract' with a Scottish solicitor. This may be an option if you wish to become a solicitor but can’t attend university for any reason. However, it can be a more challenging as you have to balance work and studies.

The training lasts three years where you study while working in a solicitor’s office. The contract must cover a range of prescribed areas and include the Work Based Learning Module set by the Law Society. During the training contract you complete coursework and professional exams. You can then continue to vocational study.

The Law Society doesn't help candidates source pre-PEAT training contracts, but it can help with information and guidance.

Regulation and changes from 2022/23 in England and Wales

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standards Board (BSB) have moved to a new system where they no longer formally approve Law degrees and graduate Law courses.

For students starting their studies in 2022/23, the requirements to become a solicitor have changed, with a new two-stage Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). For this pathway, as a trainee solicitor, you’ll need: 

  • A degree in any subject, or equivalent qualification
  • To pass the SQE 1 and SQE 2 examinations 
  • Two years’ qualifying work experience 
  • To pass the SRA's character and suitability requirements

The SQE will sit outside the academic system and will be run by Kaplan. It’s therefore a good idea to check with universities how their undergraduate courses might help prepare you for the SQEs.  

Although the academic requirement for an SQE is a degree in any subject,  Law degrees will help prepare prospective solicitors for the new SQE exams and may also include the in-work experience mentioned above. 

Universities and several other providers also run SQE-preparation courses for both Law and non-Law graduates to prepare for the two SQE exams.  

Non-Law graduates no longer require a Graduate Diploma in Law but most current legal training providers are continuing to offer a Law conversion course – which would still be required for prospective barristers – followed by separate SQE preparation for solicitor trainees. BARBRI is the exception. 

Find out more about the SQE on our page on how to become a solicitor

If you’re a prospective barrister, a qualification covering the seven foundations of legal knowledge will still be required, whether in a Law degree or non-Law degree followed by further graduate or postgraduate study. 

The Bar Standards Board is also reviewing their vocational training – see our page on how to become a barrister.

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