Kara Sears
A Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is an undergraduate law degree that is recognized in England and Wales as the first step toward professional qualification. This degree enables graduates to proceed to the vocational stage of training, such as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar course. While a law degree is a common path toward becoming a solicitor or barrister, it is not the only route, and many career options are available beyond the legal profession. Graduates with a law degree can pursue various careers, including legal professionals, solicitors, lawyers, legal associate professionals, and legal secretaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Law Degree | QLD, QD, LLB, BA Law |
| Recognised by | Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) in England and Wales |
| First stage of professional qualification | Enables graduates to proceed to the vocational stage of training |
| Institutions offering qualifying law degrees | University of Cambridge, Warwick Law School, Nottingham Trent University, Queen Mary University of London, University of Hong Kong, Queen's University Belfast, School of Law (Aberdeen), University of Law, Taylor Building, Mauritius Branch Campus, HELP University College (Malaysia), Brickfields Asia College (Malaysia), School of Accounting and Management (Trinidad), White Knights Campus, Canterbury Campus, Birmingham, Leeds, London Bloomsbury, Manchester, Online |
| Subjects | Commercial Law, Critical Legal Thinking, Evidence Insurance Law, Mooting, Sports Law, English Law, Property Law, Philosophy, Economics, Ethics, Criminology, Social Policy, History |
| Skills | Reading widely and selecting important information, constructing arguments, advocacy, public speaking, attention to detail, rhetoric, time management |
| Career options | Solicitor, barrister, legal associate professional, legal secretary, banks, insurance companies, HR departments, local government, advice centres, accountancy, marketing, business |
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What You'll Learn
Become a solicitor
A Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is the first step towards becoming a solicitor. QLDs are currently recognised in England and Wales by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as the first stage of professional qualification.
Routes to Qualification
There are several routes to qualifying as a solicitor. One of the most popular routes is via university study. If you know early on that becoming a solicitor is your goal, studying for a law degree is a good option. An LLB is a Level 6 undergraduate law course, equivalent to a BA or BSc. Qualifying law degrees teach core modules that are essential for further training.
However, it is important to note that a Bachelor of Law is not the only way to qualify. Many solicitors did not study law at the undergraduate level and there are alternative routes to qualification. For example, if you study an unrelated undergraduate degree and then decide you want to pursue a career in law, you can study a postgraduate conversion course to gain the legal knowledge required.
Training
In addition to a law degree, you must complete some vocational training to be able to apply your skills in practice. To become a solicitor in England and Wales, for example, you have to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Work
If you qualify as a solicitor, you could work in various types of legal practice, including high-street solicitors' practices, which typically offer the widest caseloads covering criminal, family, probate, and business law.
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Become a barrister
If you want to become a barrister, you can take the 'traditional route' by obtaining a qualifying law degree (QLD) at university, which usually takes three years. This is also known as an LLB, or Bachelor of Laws, and is the most direct route to qualification. However, it is not the only route, and many barristers have studied other subjects before undertaking a law conversion course. If you have a degree in a non-law subject, it will take up to six years to become a barrister.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) recognises the QLD as the first stage of professional qualification in England and Wales, which enables graduates to proceed to the vocational stage of training through the Legal Practice Course (LPC). To gain the QLD, you must pass particular subjects, known as the foundations of legal knowledge, spread over several years of your degree course. From 2021, a new framework for qualification was introduced in which a Solicitors' Qualifying Examination (SQE) replaced the QLD.
After obtaining your degree, you must complete the vocational component of training by joining an Inn of Court and enrolling in a Bar training course. Upon successful completion of the vocational component, you will be 'called to the Bar' by your Inn.
Finally, to be authorised to practise as a barrister, you must undertake a period of work-based practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister, known as pupillage. Pupillage is divided into two parts: a non-practising period, usually lasting six months, and a practising period, also usually lasting six months. Obtaining a pupillage is very competitive, and you will need to achieve high grades and be able to demonstrate a strong skill set.
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Work in legal practice
A qualifying law degree is a great first step towards a career in legal practice. While it is not the only route to becoming a solicitor or barrister, it is one of the most popular ways to qualify.
Solicitor
To become a solicitor in England and Wales, you must complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). This is a recent change, as previously, qualifying law degree graduates would undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to qualify. The SQE tests legal knowledge and vocational skills.
Barrister
To work as a barrister in England and Wales, you need to undertake a Bar course, followed by a one-year training period called pupillage. If you are looking to qualify as a barrister, your degree must comply with the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Law and incorporate the study of the foundations of legal knowledge subjects.
Legal Practice
With a qualifying law degree, you could work in various types of legal practice. For example, as a solicitor, you could work in a high-street solicitor's practice, typically offering a wide range of caseloads covering criminal, family, probate, and business law. You could also work for a top UK law firm. As a barrister, you will likely be self-employed and work as a tenant in a set of chambers. Alternatively, you could seek employment with organisations like the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Other Options
If you are interested in practising law outside the UK, be aware that the process to qualify as a lawyer varies from country to country. A qualifying law degree from a UK university, such as a BA in Law, is an internationally respected degree and can provide excellent preparation for the critical thinking required of a lawyer. However, further steps may be necessary to qualify in a particular jurisdiction.
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Work in a non-legal profession
A law degree is a great academic qualification that provides you with a wide range of transferable skills and knowledge. These skills can be applied in a variety of non-legal professions, allowing you to explore diverse career paths and industries. Here are some options for working in a non-legal profession with a qualifying law degree:
Consulting and Advisory Roles
Your legal knowledge and analytical skills can be highly valuable in consulting roles. You can work as a management consultant, providing objective advice to organizations on improving productivity, fostering strategic partnerships, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Your understanding of the law will enable businesses to make informed decisions, minimize legal challenges, and drive sustainable growth.
Human Resources (HR) and Recruitment
The HR departments of large firms or organizations are potential employers for law degree holders. In HR, you can advise on employment law, recruitment, and employee relations. Additionally, legal recruiters are highly sought-after professionals. They help employers find legal talent, develop relationships with employers, research potential candidates, and determine their qualifications.
Finance and Accounting
The financial sector offers roles such as financial advisors, financial analysts, or certified public accountants (CPAs). A background in law can be beneficial in these roles, as it helps in understanding regulations, tax laws, and providing strategic recommendations to clients.
Compliance Officers
As a compliance officer, you can ensure that organizations follow regulations and laws. You will develop and implement compliance programs to prevent legal issues and protect the organization from potential legal pitfalls.
Journalism and Content Creation
Law degrees provide excellent training for journalism. You can work as a legal journalist, covering legal news and providing insights to the public. Additionally, your writing and research skills can be leveraged in content creation roles, such as legal writing or blogging.
Remember, these are just a few examples, and a law degree can open doors to various other non-legal professions, including marketing, business development, and even lobbying. The key is to identify your interests, build relevant experience, and leverage the transferable skills gained from your law degree.
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Study a Master of Laws
A Master of Laws (M.L. or LL.M.) is a postgraduate academic degree pursued by those holding an undergraduate academic law degree, a professional law degree, or an undergraduate degree in another subject. While it is not a mandatory requirement for qualification, an LL.M. allows students to study a particular area of law in more depth. The program is taught in English and spans a period of two years, requiring students to write a thesis on a proposed topic.
Most full-time on-campus courses take one academic year to complete, while part-time courses may be spread over multiple years and are increasingly available online. Part-time online courses can take between two and five years to complete. LL.M. programs are usually only open to students who have first obtained a degree in law, typically an LL.B. However, in some cases, students with an undergraduate degree in another subject may be admitted.
In many jurisdictions, the LL.M. is an advanced professional degree for those already admitted to legal practice. For example, in Germany, the LL.M. is an advanced legal qualification of a supplementary nature, often undertaken directly following the "first state examination," which constitutes the first stage of official German legal training. Some LL.M. programs, particularly in the United States and China, focus on teaching foreign lawyers the basic legal principles of the host country.
In Europe, LL.M. programs in European law are popular, often referred to as LL.M. Eur (Master of European Law). Institutions in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium offer LL.M. programs taught in English, with some programs allowing students to study an additional language.
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Frequently asked questions
A Qualifying Law Degree is an undergraduate law degree currently recognised in England and Wales by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA). It is the first step towards becoming a solicitor or barrister.
There are two main types of QLDs: the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and the Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law). Both degrees cover core modules essential for further training.
A QLD is the first step towards becoming a solicitor or barrister. To become a solicitor, you must complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). To work as a barrister, you need to undertake a Bar course followed by a one-year training period called pupillage. Outside the legal profession, employers include banks, insurance companies, HR departments, local government, and advice centres.
QLD programmes are offered at various institutions, including the School of Law in Aberdeen, Queen Mary University of London, and the University of Warwick. The University of Cambridge also offers a BA in Law, which is an internationally respected degree that can provide excellent preparation for a career in law.
If you started your QLD before September 2021, you may choose to qualify under the previous system until 2032. Under the new framework, you must complete an undergraduate degree in any subject or gain equivalent experience and write two SQEs.
