Becoming A Law Lecturer: A Guide For England

Becoming a law lecturer in England is a challenging and rewarding career path. In the UK, a law lecturer is a full-time role that requires a degree in law and some experience practising as a barrister or solicitor. A passion for teaching future legal professionals is also essential. Lecturer positions are usually advertised by universities in the late summer or early fall, a year in advance of the starting date. Prospective lecturers should keep an eye on university postings and be prepared to apply for roles that suit their expertise and interests. Lecturer roles often start at the entry level, with new lecturers teaching one or two electives in their area of expertise, as well as foundational courses. Over time, lecturers gain more flexibility and job security, as well as the ability to tailor their courses.

There are also many online resources to help you find lecturer jobs in law and other legal fields, as well as advice on how to optimise your CV and prepare for interviews.

Qualifications: You'll need a degree in law

To become a law lecturer in England, you will need a degree in law. This is a mandatory requirement for those seeking to educate future barristers and solicitors in the UK. While prior experience as a legal practitioner is beneficial, it is not always necessary. However, a passion for teaching is essential.

In England, a law degree is typically a three-year undergraduate programme, which can be pursued as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Bachelor of Science (BSc). The LLB is a specialised law degree, while the BA and BSc offer modules in law alongside other subjects. It is important to note that the BA in Law is not a qualifying law degree, and individuals intending to practice law may need to take a conversion course, such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

When choosing an undergraduate law degree, it is advisable to select a programme that is approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB), especially if you plan to become a practising lawyer. Additionally, some universities may require specific A-level subjects or grades, and it is recommended to choose subjects that develop research, analysis, and communication skills.

Following the completion of your law degree, you may consider gaining practical experience as a barrister or solicitor. This experience can enhance your understanding of the legal field and improve your teaching capabilities.

Obtaining a law degree is the crucial first step towards becoming a law lecturer in England. It provides you with the necessary qualifications and knowledge to embark on a career in legal education.

Experience: Gain experience as a barrister or solicitor

To become a law lecturer in the UK, you will need some experience as a practising barrister or solicitor. Lecturers are expected to dedicate their careers to educating future barristers and solicitors full-time.

In the UK, a lecturer in law teaches full-time at a university and is usually an entry-level position. Lecturers often teach one or two electives in their area of expertise but spend most of their time on foundational courses. With each year of service, lecturers generally gain more flexibility, job security, and the ability to tailor their courses.

To become a barrister or solicitor, you will need to complete a degree and several years of training. This includes gaining A-level qualifications or an equivalent Law Foundation, completing an undergraduate degree, and doing a Legal Practice Course (LPC).

The undergraduate degree takes three years (or four in Scotland) and can be a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Law. The LLB is a Qualifying Law Degree, while the BA in Law is not. This means that with a BA in Law, you will likely need to take a conversion course (the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)) before applying for the LPC.

After completing your degree and the LPC, the final step to becoming a qualified lawyer is to gain practical experience with a law training contract. This involves spending two years at a law firm, during which you will also complete the Professional Skills Course, a series of specialist training modules.

To summarise, gaining experience as a barrister or solicitor in the UK involves the following steps:

• Gain A-level qualifications or an equivalent Law Foundation.
• Complete an undergraduate degree (LLB, BA, or BSc in Law).
• Do a Legal Practice Course (LPC).
• Gain practical experience with a two-year law training contract, which includes completing the Professional Skills Course.

By following these steps, you can gain the necessary experience as a practising barrister or solicitor to become a law lecturer in England.

Job postings: Watch for postings in late summer or early fall

Job Postings for Law Lecturers in England: Timing and Locations to Watch

Job postings for law lecturer positions in England typically occur throughout the year, but there tends to be an increase in opportunities during the late summer and early fall seasons. Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding job postings and locations to watch:

• Timing: Late summer and early fall are prime seasons for academic hiring. Universities and colleges often advertise new lecturer positions during this period, as they prepare for the upcoming academic year. Keep an eye out for postings from August through October.
• Locations:

• London: The University of Law, King's College London, and the University of West London are known to advertise lecturer positions in law.
• Birmingham: This city has a high volume of law lecturer postings, with roles advertised at Cadbury College Sixth Form and the University of Law.
• Leeds: Leeds is another hotspot for law lecturer jobs, with vacancies posted at the University of Central Lancashire and the University of Reading.
• Manchester: Opportunities for law lecturers can be found in Manchester, with postings at Eden Brown Education and other educational institutions.
• Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh frequently posts lecturer positions, particularly in areas like medical law, international economic law, and law in the globalised Muslim world.

Online Platforms:

• LinkedIn: A simple job search on LinkedIn for "Lecturer of Law jobs in the United Kingdom" yields over 160 results, with postings from universities and colleges across England. Set up job alerts to be notified when new postings go live.
• Jobs.ac.uk: This website advertises law lecturer positions in UK universities and international institutions. It is worth creating job alerts and checking this platform regularly.

• Specialisations: Law lecturer positions can vary in their specialisations. Keep an eye out for postings that align with your specific area of legal expertise, such as business law, intellectual property law, criminology, or medical law.
• Early Applications: Many job postings for law lecturers encourage early applications. Being proactive and applying promptly can increase your chances of securing an interview.

Location: The process differs in the UK and US/Canada

The process of becoming a law lecturer differs significantly between the UK and North America. In the UK, a law degree, some experience as a practising barrister or solicitor, and a passion for teaching are the main requirements to become a law lecturer. The job is typically full-time, and lecturers are dedicated to educating future barristers and solicitors. In contrast, the North American model, including the US and Canada, usually requires significant prior experience, often at a national level, and even then, lecturer positions are often only available on a part-time basis. Lecturers in the US and Canada are usually established working experts who teach advanced students for a few hours a week alongside their legal practice.

In the UK and Ireland, lecturer positions are usually advertised by universities in late summer or early fall, a year in advance of the position starting. Prospective lecturers should keep an eye on university postings and apply for suitable jobs. Lecturers usually start as entry-level professors, teaching one or two electives in their area of expertise and foundational courses. Each year of service typically brings more flexibility, job security, and the ability to tailor courses.

In the US and Canada, law schools rarely advertise lecturer positions externally, and often, schools will directly contact experts in the field about potential professor positions. However, networking with law school deans at legal events and fundraisers can increase the chances of being considered for a position. Additionally, it is possible to contact schools directly about lecture positions, but a course proposal and an explanation of how your expertise aligns with the law school's mission are usually required.

Job title: In the US/Canada, the role is called a professor

In the US and Canada, the role of a law lecturer is called a professor or assistant professor. This position is usually part-time and is filled by working experts in the field of law who dedicate a few hours a week to teaching advanced students. To become a law professor in these countries, you generally need significant prior experience and recognition in your field. Law schools often directly contact experts they desire for these positions, and they are rarely posted externally. However, networking with law school deans and reaching out to schools with a course proposal and an explanation of how your expertise aligns with the school's mission can be ways to get your foot in the door.

Frequently asked questions