What degree do you need to be a lawyer UK?

Asked by: Katherine Towne  |  Last update: August 20, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (43 votes)

Becoming a lawyer via the university route requires you to complete a qualifying law degree (LLB) before taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which is set to replace the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course

Legal Practice Course
The Legal Practice Course (LPC) – also known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice – is a postgraduate course, the final educational stage for becoming a solicitor in England and Wales. The course is designed to provide a bridge between academic study and training in a law firm.
https://en.wikipedia.orgwiki › Legal_Practice_Course
(LPC) for all new entrants in September 2021, although there are transitional ...

What GCSEs do you need to become a lawyer?

What GCSEs should I take to become a lawyer? To study law, you'll need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. Courses are competitive, so you should aim for the highest grades possible.

Is it hard to become a lawyer UK?

To become a lawyer in the UK, you need to complete a university degree and several years of training. It is an academically challenging profession and highly competitive. You should also consider if this career will suit your character.

How long is a law degree UK?

Studying law in the UK

UK law students study for a total of five years. Designed to cover nearly the same content as an LLB degree in a shorter amount of time, the GDL allows non-law students to switch to law after university. Alternatively, students can complete the typical LLB (3 years) or a combined LLB (5+ years).

How long does it take to be a lawyer in the UK?

It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It will be longer if you study a different subject for your degree and decide later you want to follow a legal career.

How to become a Lawyer in the UK

26 related questions found

WHAT A levels do you need to be a lawyer?

A levels – To get on to a law degree you will usually require a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A grades needed for the most popular courses. Entry requirements range from BCC to AAA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for ABB. It is not a requirement to have A level law.

How hard is the bar exam UK?

The Bar is competitive, but it is by no means impossible. Outside of London is probably infinitely easier than within. It's impossible to quantify how hard it is though, but just take it that loads and loads of really good people struggle intensely to get pupillage!

Which uni is best for law UK?

2. Best law schools in the UK - TopUniversities Subject Ranking 2021
  • University of Oxford.
  • University of Cambridge.
  • London School of Economics and Political Science.
  • University College London (UCL)
  • King's College London.
  • University of Edinburgh.
  • Queen Mary University of London.
  • Durham University.

How much do lawyers make UK?

Salaries for newly-qualified lawyers across the rest of the UK are in the region of £27,000 to £60,000. As a newly qualified solicitor in Scotland, you can expect to be paid around £30,000 rising to £38,000, depending on your area of private practice or whether you're working in house.

Is law a good career UK?

Salary. A career within law may appeal to you because of its reputation of being a relatively well-paid and lucrative sector. However, how much you earn depends on several factors, including the type of law you practise, where you are in your career, the size of the law firm and the location.

Are lawyers rich?

Most lawyers earn more of a solid middle-class income," says Devereux. You probably will be carrying a large amount of student loan debt from law school, which is not at all ideal when you're just starting out in your career. "Make sure you only become a lawyer if you actually want to work as a lawyer.

Is being a lawyer worth it UK?

The role of a solicitor is highly valued and respected in the UK, and it can also be highly rewarding by working to achieve a successful outcome for your client or community. Excellent career progression.

How hard is a law degree?

Law School is a Heavy Workload

Earning a law degree is pretty challenging because you are supposed to do a lot of hard work. This work comprises mostly of studying and understanding complex law cases loaded with new-fangled legal terminology and unusual jargon.

What GCSEs are good for law?

A minimum of 5 GCSEs, including level 4 or C grades in maths, English and science, are typically necessary to study law at A-level.
...
Some of the most beneficial GCSEs to consider include:
  • English Language.
  • Maths.
  • Science.
  • History.
  • English Literature.
  • Geography.
  • a modern foreign language, such as French or Spanish.

Do law firms look at GCSEs?

Baker McKenzie: “As with GCSE grades, A-Level grades form part of the selection criteria for many firms. We look for around 340 UCAS points as a benchmark and use a contextualised recruitment system to understand each candidate's achievements in the context in which they have been gained.

What's the highest paid job in the UK?

According to Glassdoor salary data, the highest paying jobs in the UK are:
  • Chief Financial Officer.
  • Executive Director.
  • Chief Technology Officer.
  • Senior Leader.
  • Chief Operating Officer.
  • Chief Executive Officer.
  • Medical Manager.
  • Director.

What is the most paid job in the UK 2020?

Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in UK
  • Aircraft Controllers. ...
  • Chief Executive and Senior Officials. ...
  • Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers. ...
  • Marketing and Sales Directors. ...
  • Legal Professionals. ...
  • Information Technology and Telecommunication Directors. ...
  • Brokers. ...
  • Financial Managers and Directors.

What is the highest paying job?

The highest-paying job in the world, in a traditional sense, holds the number one spot in this article: anesthesiologist. They are also the only job listed above $300,000 a year. The list, however, does not take into account mega-CEOs like Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos, who make considerably more than that.

What subjects are needed for law?

You need to have done the following subjects as an undergraduate: 1, law (including the law of succession); 2, equity; 3, law of torts; 4, law of contracts; 5, criminal and constitutional law.

How can I study law in UK?

GDL –Graduate Diploma in Law. LPC – Law Practice Course. BPTC – Bar Professional Training Course.
...
The following documents are required to study law in UK at the postgraduate level:
  1. An Undergraduate law degree.
  2. Your grades.
  3. Language Proficiency.
  4. CV.
  5. Proof of experience (two to three years)
  6. Motivation letter.

Where can I study law in UK?

Where can I study Law in the UK?
  • University of Oxford.
  • University College London.
  • University of Cambridge.
  • London School of Economics.
  • University of Glasgow.
  • King's College London.
  • University of Durham.
  • Queen Mary, University of London.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar?

Kim Kardashian celebrated passing the “baby bar” with some cheddar bay biscuits. The reality star learned that she passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination in December 2021 while sitting in her car in front of a Red Lobster restaurant.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer?

Kardashian first announced her decision to become a lawyer in April 2019 and is currently set to take the bar exam this year.

Do UK lawyers wear wigs?

British lawyers follow the tradition of wearing head wigs, which is regarded as a symbol of power and respect for the law. In fact, not wearing a wig is perceived as an insult to the courts. British lawyers and judges wear wigs to portray their formality in the courtroom and to pay homage to legal history.