Cameron Miranda
If you're a non-law graduate wanting to pursue a career in law, there are several law conversion courses available. These courses are designed to give you the foundational knowledge of the law needed to pursue a career in law. Conversion courses are available in various locations and universities across the country, and most can be studied part-time or full time. They are intense programmes that condense the three-year LLB course into one year if studied full-time (or two years part-time). While studying a law conversion course is no longer mandatory to become a qualified solicitor, most firms require their non-law student future trainees to complete some sort of conversion course before they embark on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Non-law graduates who want to pursue a career in law |
| Requirement | A minimum of a 2:2 in your non-law degree |
| Types of courses | PGDL, MA Law, SQE Law Essentials, LLM, GDL, LPC |
| Course content | Similar content to PGDL but with a higher level of specialisation in an area of law |
| Course duration | 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time |
| Cost | £9,000 + a year |
| Application process | Register and submit an application through the Central Applications Board (CAB) |
| Application fee | £30 |
| Application deadline | Varies by institution |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Who are law conversion courses for?
Law conversion courses are for non-law graduates who want to pursue a career in law. They are also for graduates who have a non-qualifying law degree. Persons holding other academic or vocational qualifications equivalent to a degree can also complete a law conversion course.
These courses are intense programmes that cover the foundations of legal knowledge, condensing the three-year LLB course into one year if studied full time (or two years part-time). They are designed to get you ready for future professional qualifications and practice.
If you are pursuing the SQE route to become a solicitor, a PGDL is not a requirement for those with a non-law undergraduate degree to qualify. However, some law firms may still require a formal conversion course (the PGDL or PGDL as part of an MA).
Aspiring barristers must pursue a law conversion course if their degree is in a non-law subject, their qualifying law degree was completed more than five years ago, or their degree was not a qualifying law degree.
Federal Laws: How They Influence Private Organizations
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Level Up Your Legal Writing: Techniques and Technology to Supercharge Your Skills [Connected eBook with Study Center] (Aspen Coursebook)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71A2S0ZOthL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What are the entry requirements?
Law conversion courses are designed for non-law graduates or career changers who want to pursue a career in law. They condense the academic law knowledge that you'd usually get from a three-year qualifying law degree into one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.
There are several types of law conversion courses available, including:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), formerly known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This is the traditional conversion course that provides a formal qualification demonstrating academic knowledge of the law.
- Master of Arts in Law (MA Law Conversion), which includes similar content to the PGDL but allows for further academic study in a chosen specialism of law. This also counts as a formal qualification and is eligible for funding support such as a postgraduate student loan.
- SQE Law Essentials, a short "crash course" that provides essential legal knowledge in preparation for SQE1. This course does not offer a qualification, but it is intended to improve your legal knowledge before the examinations.
Entry Requirements
To be considered for a law conversion course, you typically need a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject from a recognised UK institution (or overseas equivalent). Some courses or institutions may require a higher grade, such as a 2:1. The exact entry requirements may vary, so it is important to check with the specific course provider.
If you are applying for a full-time law conversion course in the UK, you will need to register and submit an application through the Central Applications Board (CAB). Applications for law conversion courses through the CAB open in October for the following September and cost £30. Closing dates will vary by institution, number of places, and demand. For distance learning or part-time law conversion courses, you should apply directly to the institution.
It is worth noting that while a law conversion course is not a regulatory requirement for non-law graduates before starting their SQE journey, it is strongly recommended by most leading law firms and is an entry requirement for some SQE programmes. Additionally, some law firms may require a formal conversion course, such as the PGDL, for qualification via the LPC or SQE route.
Florida State Troopers: Traffic Law Jurisdiction Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What are the different types of law conversion courses?
There are several types of law conversion courses available in the UK for non-law graduates who want to pursue a career in law. These include:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)
The PGDL, formerly known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), is the traditional conversion course that provides a formal qualification demonstrating academic knowledge of the law. It is an accelerated learning programme that condenses the three-year LLB course into one year if studied full-time or two years part-time. The course covers the foundations of legal knowledge, including English Legal System and Constitutional Law, and prepares students for future professional qualifications and practice.
MA Law (Conversion)
The MA Law conversion course contains similar content to the PGDL but allows for further academic study and specialisation in a chosen area of law. It also includes a research focus and can lead to a postgraduate student loan. This course provides a formal qualification and prepares students for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessments.
SQE Law Essentials
SQE Law Essentials is a short course that provides essential legal knowledge for the SQE1 assessment. It does not offer a qualification but is intended to enhance existing legal knowledge in preparation for the examinations. This course is suitable for those with some prior legal knowledge or experience.
LLM
The LLM is a master's degree in law, typically designed for students who have already completed an undergraduate law degree or a GDL course. However, it is possible to gain entry to an LLM without a law degree if significant legal knowledge can be demonstrated, such as through work experience. The LLM allows students to specialise in a specific area of the law, such as medical law.
It is important to note that the specific requirements and eligibility criteria for law conversion courses may vary, and it is recommended to research and compare different options before selecting a course.
Can Civilians Own the AA-12 Shotgun?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What's the difference between a PGDL and an MA Law conversion course?
If you're a non-law graduate wanting to pursue a career in law, a law conversion course can help you make the switch to legal studies. There are four main types of conversion courses available at The University of Law: the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), the MA Law (conversion), the MA Law (SQE1), and the SQE Law Essentials course.
The PGDL is a traditional conversion course that provides you with a formal qualification demonstrating your academic knowledge of the law. It is an intense programme that covers the foundations of legal knowledge, condensing a three-year LLB course into one year if studied full-time or two years part-time. The University of Law's PGDL costs £14,300 (London) and £11,500 (outside London) in 2024/25. BPP University also offers a PGDL for £14,300 (London), £11,400 (outside London), or £11,400 (online).
The MA Law (conversion) course provides the same content as the PGDL but allows further academic study into a chosen specialism of law. This course also counts as a formal qualification and is eligible for funding support, such as a postgraduate student loan. It also requires a dissertation before completion. The University of Sussex's Law MA costs £10,500 for UK students.
The MA Law (SQE1) includes the content of the PGDL and MA Law (conversion) but also prepares you for the first of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessments. This course is also a formal qualification.
The SQE Law Essentials course is a short 'crash course' in the essentials of law prior to undertaking SQE1 preparation. This course does not offer a qualification but is intended to improve your legal knowledge in preparation for the examinations. It is more suitable for those with some existing legal knowledge or experience.
How Courts Differentiate Common Law Precedents
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What are the costs and funding options?
The costs of law conversion courses vary depending on the institution and location. For example, the University of Law (ULaw) charges £14,300 for their Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) course in London and £11,500 outside of London. The University of Brighton offers a Law Conversion LLM for £10,500, while BPP University offers an eight-month PGDL course for an unspecified amount.
When it comes to funding options, there are several possibilities to consider:
- Postgraduate loans: Students can apply for a Postgraduate Master's Loan to fund their law conversion course, which can provide up to £12,471 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2024. It's important to note that this loan may not cover both fees and living expenses, so additional funding sources may be needed.
- Scholarships and bursaries: Many law schools and course providers offer scholarships and bursaries to prospective students based on academic excellence, leadership skills, passion for law, or to increase diversity in the legal sector.
- Firm sponsorship: Some law firms may offer sponsorship or maintenance grants for training contracts before or after embarking on a law conversion course.
- Inns of Court Scholarships: Partial funding may be available from the Inns of Court for qualifying pupils pursuing a law conversion.
- Government support: Depending on your location in the UK, additional support may be available from your national student funding provider or government. For example, the Welsh government has announced a non-repayable grant for courses starting before 1 August 2024, and the Scottish government has introduced a Special Support Loan of £2400 for living costs for eligible students.
Tenant Rights: Waiving Rent Control in New Jersey
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A law conversion course is a postgraduate qualification that allows non-law graduates to pursue a law career. It is a fast-track, one-year course that condenses the academic law knowledge that you would usually get from a qualifying law degree.
It depends on the route you take. Since 1 September 2021, the route to becoming a solicitor changed. Now, aspiring solicitors can have a degree in any subject as long as they also have two years of full-time qualifying work experience, pass the SQE assessments, and meet the SRA's character and suitability requirements. However, most firms still require their non-law student future trainees to complete some sort of conversion course.
The most common type of conversion course is the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), formerly known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Other options include the Master of Laws (LLM), and the MA Law (conversion).
The MA Law (conversion) provides the same content as the PGDL but allows for further academic study in a chosen specialism of law. It also counts as a formal qualification and is eligible for funding support.
To apply for a full-time law conversion course, you need to register and submit an application through the Central Applications Board (CAB). Applications open in October for the following September and cost £30.
