Gavin Howe
To become a lawyer in the UK, you'll need to complete an undergraduate law degree, which typically takes three years of full-time study. This is usually the first step towards a career in law, providing a solid foundation of legal knowledge. Following your undergraduate degree, you can pursue further qualifications and training, such as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The entire process of becoming a fully qualified lawyer in the UK typically involves multiple stages and can take several years, depending on your chosen path.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration of a law degree in the UK | 3 years if studied full-time |
| 2 years for an accelerated course | |
| 3, 4 or 6 years for online courses | |
| Duration of a master's degree in law | 2 years |
| Qualifying Law Degree | Yes |
| Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) | 2 years |
| Qualifying as a solicitor | Pass Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) |
| Qualifying as a barrister | Pass Bar Practice Course (BPC) |
| Qualifying as an advocate | 21 months of training with a solicitor + 9 months unpaid traineeship with an experienced advocate |
| Qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland | Pass Diploma in Legal Practice + 2-year traineeship with a law firm |
| Conversion course for non-law graduates | Common Professional Examination (CPE) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) |
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What You'll Learn
- Law degree length: three years full-time, with part-time options available
- Apprenticeship: two-year apprenticeship with a lawyer/firm after graduation
- Qualifying as a solicitor: requires the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, two years of work experience, and Solicitors Regulation Authority approval
- Qualifying as a barrister: requires the Bar Practice Course, and a year of training in chambers
- Conversion courses: non-law graduates can take one-year conversion courses, or longer for more distinguished qualifications
Law degree length: three years full-time, with part-time options available
In the UK, a bachelor's degree in law is the basic undergraduate course for aspiring legal professionals. Typically, a law degree in the UK runs for three years if studied full-time. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the University of Law offers a two-year accelerated Law LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree for students who can dedicate extra time to their studies. Additionally, their online Law LLB's allow students to complete their studies over three, four, or six years, depending on their preferences and circumstances.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree in law, aspiring lawyers in the UK can pursue various career paths, such as becoming a solicitor or barrister. Each path has its own unique requirements and qualifications. For instance, prospective solicitors in England and Wales must complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which typically lasts one year and includes a traineeship at a law firm. On the other hand, aspiring barristers must first apply to one of the four Inns of Court and complete the one-year Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), followed by a year of training in a set of barristers' chambers, known as pupillage.
It is important to note that the legal education system in the UK differs between Scotland and the rest of the country. In Scotland, universities like Dundee, Glasgow, and Strathclyde offer dual-qualifying degrees in English/Northern Irish Law and Scots Law. Aberdeen also provides a "Law with English Law" course that teaches both legal systems. The requirements for becoming a lawyer in England and Wales and Northern Ireland differ slightly depending on whether an individual plans to become a solicitor or barrister. Additionally, Scottish solicitors and advocates may need further courses and examinations to practise in the rest of the United Kingdom.
While a bachelor's degree in law is a common path for aspiring lawyers in the UK, it is not the only route. Some individuals may choose to pursue a non-law degree and then complete a law conversion course, such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) or the Common Professional Examination (CPE). These conversion courses enable graduates from diverse academic backgrounds to gain the necessary legal knowledge and qualifications for a career in law.
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Apprenticeship: two-year apprenticeship with a lawyer/firm after graduation
A law degree in the UK typically takes three years to complete if studied full-time. However, there are some exceptions. For example, the University of Law offers a two-year accelerated LLB degree, while their online LLB's allow students to complete their studies over three, four, or six years. The University of London also offers a similar range of three to six years for their LLB degree.
After graduating with a law degree, you will need to complete a two-year apprenticeship with a lawyer or firm before becoming a fully licensed lawyer. This route is a popular choice as the government and your employer fund all study and training costs. Graduate apprenticeships are open to graduates from any subject discipline, although a conversion course may be required for non-law degrees. Graduate apprenticeship training programmes generally last between two and three years.
The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a six-year, Level 7 apprenticeship programme aimed at post-A-level students, paralegals, and chartered legal executives. The period of study is reduced for those progressing from other legal apprenticeships. Apprentices must pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to qualify as solicitors. Level 7 apprenticeships usually take between five and six years to complete, although previous legal training can reduce this duration.
Leading law firms in the UK offer Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships, with vacancies usually advertised from November of the preceding year. Apprenticeships typically begin in September, although start dates vary. Law apprenticeships enable aspiring legal professionals to earn while they learn, gaining qualifications without the financial burden of legal education.
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Qualifying as a solicitor: requires the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, two years of work experience, and Solicitors Regulation Authority approval
To qualify as a solicitor in the UK, you need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), gain two years of work experience, and seek approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
The SQE is a centralised assessment consisting of two exams. The first assesses legal knowledge and skills, and the second focuses on practical legal skills. The SQE is a new route to becoming a solicitor, with the first assessments taking place in 2021. It is designed to ensure all solicitors meet a consistent standard of knowledge and skills.
The two years of work experience is known as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). This can be completed at up to four separate organisations, including law firms, in-house legal teams, or authorised legal tech companies. Candidates can gain experience throughout their education, including summer work placements or work as a paralegal, as long as it is signed off by a solicitor as meeting SRA requirements. There is no minimum length of time for placements, and the work experience does not need to be completed in one block directly before qualifying.
Once the SQE has been passed and the QWE completed, individuals can apply to the SRA to be admitted as solicitors. The SRA is the regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales, and it sets the standards and regulations that solicitors must adhere to. The SRA will assess the candidate's character and suitability to practise as a solicitor, and ensure they have met all the requirements for qualification.
The process for becoming a solicitor in Scotland is slightly different. After obtaining a qualifying law degree or completing a conversion course, students must complete the Diploma in Legal Practice, which trains them on the practical elements of being a lawyer. They then undertake a two-year traineeship with a law firm before being admitted as full members of the Law Society of Scotland. Scottish solicitors are only entitled to practise in the lower courts of Scotland and must complete further courses and examinations to practise in the rest of the United Kingdom.
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Qualifying as a barrister: requires the Bar Practice Course, and a year of training in chambers
Qualifying as a barrister in the UK is a multi-stage process. The first stage is the academic stage, which requires an undergraduate law degree or any non-law degree plus a graduate law conversion course. The minimum undergraduate requirement is a 2:2, but a 2:1 is often needed in practice.
The second stage is the vocational stage, which requires a postgraduate Bar course. The University of Law's Bar Practice Course (BPC), for example, involves face-to-face learning with tutors and participation in mock trials in real courtrooms with judges and senior barristers.
The third stage is the pupillage or work-based stage, which involves one year of training as a pupil barrister in a set of barristers' chambers or another organisation. During this year, the first six months are spent shadowing a senior barrister, and the second six months are spent working on cases as a junior. This year of training is known as a 'pupillage', which is like a paid apprenticeship. To become a self-employed barrister, you would then apply for tenancy in chambers after completing your pupillage. Alternatively, you could apply for a permanent position with an organisation as an employed barrister.
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Conversion courses: non-law graduates can take one-year conversion courses, or longer for more distinguished qualifications
In the UK, a law degree typically takes three years to complete if studied full-time. However, non-law graduates interested in pursuing a career in law can take advantage of conversion courses, which provide a pathway to becoming a solicitor or barrister.
There are several conversion courses available for non-law graduates in the UK. One option is the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which is being phased out and replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is a centralised assessment consisting of two exams. While the GDL is still available due to transitional arrangements, new law conversion courses such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and MA Law are becoming more common. These courses provide non-law graduates with the necessary qualifications to pursue a career in law, such as becoming a solicitor or barrister.
The PGDL is a popular choice for non-law graduates, offering flexible study programmes that can be tailored to individual needs. It covers SQE1, LLM, and BPC, providing a solid foundation for a career in law. The University of Law, for example, offers a full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PgDL) and a Master of Arts in Law (MA Law Conversion) course.
Another option for non-law graduates is the one-year conversion courses known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or the GDL. These courses are available in England and Wales and provide an alternative to the full-length LL.B. degree course. Additionally, some institutions offer two-year conversion courses that usually lead to more distinguished qualifications, such as a master's degree. These longer conversion courses may be a better option for those seeking a more in-depth understanding of the law or wishing to pursue more specialised careers in the legal field.
In Scotland, the process to convert to law is different. The equivalent of the GDL is the Graduate Entry LLB/Accelerated LLB, which takes two years. This course fits approximately 18 months' worth of content from a three-year law degree into a compressed timeframe. It includes seven core modules and an eighth subject chosen by the institution or the student. Students typically have around 45 hours of lectures, tutorials, and self-study each week, culminating in a three-hour final exam for each subject.
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Frequently asked questions
A law degree in the UK typically takes three years to complete if studied full-time.
Yes, some universities offer accelerated two-year programmes for students who can dedicate extra time to their studies. There are also online programmes that allow students to complete their studies over four or six years.
To study law in the UK, you typically need a Level 3 qualification, such as A Levels or a BTEC. While specific subjects are not required, academic subjects like English, Maths, History, or Science can be beneficial for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
