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Law and Legal Services: Information for Law and Non-Law Students

Welcome to your guide to embarking on a rewarding career in the legal sector. Whether you're just beginning your university journey or looking to refine your career aspirations, this page is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the legal sector and how to achieve your career goals.

The legal profession in the UK is renowned for its rich history, rigorous standards, and diverse opportunities. It encompasses a broad range of specialisations, from corporate law and criminal justice to human rights and environmental law. As a law professional, you will have the chance to make a tangible impact on society, uphold justice, and advocate for individuals and organisations.

In the UK, the legal sector is divided into two main branches: solicitors and barristers. Solicitors provide legal advice, prepare documents, and may represent clients in lower courts, while barristers specialise in advocacy and represent clients in higher courts.

The path to becoming a solicitor or barrister involves academic and vocational training. Typically, this includes completing a qualifying law degree or a non-law degree followed by a conversion course, passing the required professional exams, and undertaking practical training through qualifying work experience (QWE) or pupillage.

Beyond the traditional roles of solicitors and barristers, the legal sector offers a variety of other career paths. You can become a legal executive, paralegal, or chartered legal executive, each playing a crucial role in supporting legal processes and delivering justice.

We invite you to delve deeper into this guide to understand the qualifications, skills, and experiences that will help you succeed in the legal profession.

Qualification as a Solicitor: Graduates with a Qualifying Law Degree

How to qualify via the Solicitors Qualification Exams (SQE):

The route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales has recently changed. If you began your legal training after September 2021, you would need to qualify via the SQE. This involves:

  • Having a degree in any subject.
  • Passing both stages of the SQE assessment: SQE1, which tests functioning legal knowledge, and SQE2, which assesses practical legal skills.
  • Completing two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) qualifying work experience (QWE).
  • Meeting the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) character and suitability requirements.

The SQE offers a flexible approach to qualifying as a solicitor. You will need to pass SQE1 before taking SQE2 and you can complete your QWE before during or after you prepare for and take the SQE exams.

Whilst completing an SQE preparation course isn’t compulsory, it’s recommended. If you are self-funding your preparation course, you have the flexibility to choose how you prepare. Education providers offer various options, including preparation for SQE1 and SQE2 as part of a master's program, such as the LLM in Legal Practice. This option is popular among law students, especially since first-time master's students may be eligible for student finance loans, making it more accessible. Alternatively, shorter individual preparation courses for SQE1 and SQE2 are also available.

Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) can be completed in up to four different organizations, including law firms, in-house legal teams, legal clinics, and other environments where legal services are provided. The experience should involve providing legal services such as client interviewing, legal research, document drafting, and case management to be eligible for QWE.

Many larger firms still offer training contracts that satisfy the two-year QWE requirement. These firms often prefer to train candidates in their specific methods and practices. One significant advantage is that, depending on the firm’s financial capacity, they may provide financial support for trainees to undertake SQE preparation courses and assessments. Often, but not always, the firm will choose the provider and type of preparation course. Be sure to check the website of your preferred firms for confirmation and further details. We have included more information about training contracts in the ‘Finding legal work experience’ section of this website below.

For graduates who have not yet secured a training contract, a common alternative is to seek employment as a paralegal. This role contributes towards Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and facilitates the development of a professional network within the legal sector. For further details on working as a paralegal, please refer to the 'Sector Overview and Areas of Work' section below.

Transitional arrangements for the Legal Practice Course (LPC)

The LPC was the qualification route to becoming a Solicitor prior to the introduction of the SQE. Transitional arrangements are in place for those who had already started studying or training to become a solicitor when the new SQE qualification system was introduced on 1 September 2021. You have the choice of continuing to qualify through the Legal Practice Course (LPC) route until 31 December 2032 (as long as courses remain available) or to qualify via the SQE. However, it is recommended to consult with your preferred firms to understand their qualification preferences.

If you choose the LPC you will need to complete a Period of Recognised Training (PRT). However, training opportunities are becoming scarce, resulting in fewer available PRTs. Alternatively, you can complete Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) instead of a PRT, but this is only possible if you take and pass the SQE 2 assessment.

For more detailed information on the topics discussed above, please visit the following websites:

SQE:

Transitional arrangements for the LPC:

Qualification as a Solicitor: Graduates with a Non-Law degree

To qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales you will need to sit and pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is not a course, but a series of examinations taken in two stages. Watch the video below to find out more about the SQE and its different components.

 

To summarise, there are four main components to the SQE route. You must:

How to apply for law conversion and SQE courses

Under the SQE non-law graduates do not have to study a law conversion course or SQE preparation course. However, doing so will give you the best chance of passing the SQE. If you would like to apply for a conversion course you should apply in the final year of your degree. You can also apply as a graduate, in the academic year before you plan to study.

All applications for full-time places are made through the Central Applications Board (CAB), while part-time applications go directly to course providers. 

For information on when and how to apply, as well as funding visit the CAB's frequently asked questions page.

For information about applying for law conversion courses (LPC, GDL, SQE) visit the application process page.

Find out more about the SQE

To find out more about the SQE and qualifying as a Solicitor as a non-law student visit the websites below:

The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Route - An alternative way to qualify as a Law and Non-Law Graduate

The Graduate Apprenticeship route offers an alternative to qualifying as a solicitor by combining paid work and academic study. It typically requires a degree or relevant experience. Apprentices spend around 2.5 years in a paid position with a law firm, gaining practical experience while studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The apprenticeship counts as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), and candidates must pass SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. This route allows aspiring solicitors to qualify without incurring significant tuition fees, providing a practical and financially accessible pathway into the legal profession.

For Law Graduates: The transition to a graduate solicitor apprenticeship is more seamless for those with a law degree, as their academic background covers much of the required legal knowledge. This allows them to concentrate on gaining practical experience and preparing for the SQE assessments.

For Non-Law Graduates: Additional study is needed to cover the foundational legal knowledge that law graduates already possess. This may involve completing a conversion course, like the Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), before or during the apprenticeship. Despite this, the route still offers a practical and financially accessible path to qualification.

To find out more about graduate apprenticeships see the websites below:

Qualification as a Barrister for Law and Non-Law students

For qualification as a barrister in England and Wales, after earning a qualifying law degree, you will need to complete the stages listed below to become a barrister.

It's important to note that you don't need to have studied law to pursue this career. If you studied a different subject, you'll need to obtain an additional qualification, such as a law conversion course known as the PGDL (Post Graduate Diploma in Law) or GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law). This postgraduate qualification is designed for non-law graduates or career changers seeking to enter the legal field. Once you complete the conversion course, you will be at the same stage as law graduates, and the path to becoming a barrister will be as follows:

  • Complete a Bar course known as the vocational training stage.
  • Join an Inn of Court before starting your Bar course.
  • Complete a 12-month pupillage.

Bar Course (Vocational training stage):

A Bar course is a required vocational training stage for aspiring barristers before they begin pupillage.

Various legal education providers offer these courses, and while they adhere to a common set of assessment criteria, the specific assessments can differ. The Bar Standards Board specifies the necessary elements that must be passed for aspiring barristers to be 'called to the Bar.'

Many course providers offer the option to combine the bar course with a master's degree (LLM). This can make it a more affordable option, as you may be eligible for student finance if it is your first master's degree.

To find out more and search for bar courses see websites below:

Inns of Court:

Before starting your bar course you’ll need to join one of the four inns of court. The Inns are professional membership associations for barristers in England and Wales, offering educational and social support to both barristers and student barristers. This support includes access to libraries, dining halls, and common rooms. You can only join one Inn and it’s up to you which one you join.  Additionally, the Inns provide scholarships for students pursuing the Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and the bar course.  Applications for Inns Scholarships open every year from September until early November.

The four inns of court are:

Inns of court scholarships:

General information on the Inns of court:

Pupillage:

After successfully completing your bar course, your Inn will call you to the Bar. Following this, you must complete the work-based learning component, commonly referred to as pupillage, which is the final step to becoming a fully qualified barrister. During this period, pupils work full-time under the guidance of experienced barristers, honing their vocational skills and gaining a deeper understanding of various practice areas. Pupillage typically lasts 12 months full-time.

Most chambers accept applications through the Pupillage Gateway, where the application window opens in January and closes a month later. Applicants apply one year in advance for pupillage opportunities. While all pupillage vacancies must be advertised on the Pupillage Gateway, some chambers may require direct applications with a CV and cover letter. These chambers can advertise their vacancies at any time throughout the year.

Information on pupillage: 

Where to apply:

 

Sector overview and areas of work

Law can be a competitive field, so it is important to understand what a career in this area will involve and carefully reflect on whether this is something you would be good at, and enjoy. Listed below are some sites which we would recommend you use for this research. Gaining legal experience will also be very important and we have provided suggestions for how to secure this in the section below.

Working as a Barrister

  • What barrister's do? - This page gives an overview of what Barristers do, including their practice areas and the differences between Barristers and Solicitors.
  • Barrister Job Profile - This page outlines the typical duties and responsibilities of a solicitor, the key skills required, entry routes and professional development opportunities.  
  • Key skills for Barristers - a useful list of the top skills needed to work as a barrister.

Working as a Solicitor 

  • What Lawyers do - provides an excellent overview of the legal sector, including the difference between a solicitor and a barrister. 
  • Solicitor job profile - this page outlines the typical duties and responsibilities of a solicitor, the key skills required, entry routes and professional development opportunities.  
  • Key skills for lawyers - a useful list of the key skills required to work as a solicitor.

Working in the legal sector

  • Reality check - this page outlines the costs involved in qualifying, and the level of competition when applying to work in the legal sector.
  • Facts and figures - interesting figures on various topics to aid your decision making, including salaries, number of applications per law firm and more.
  • The Legal 500 Future Lawyers - Bar Guide - Provides an in-depth look at the realities of the Bar, from pupils and junior barristers. 

Law firms and practice areas

Where you train will influence your career path, as the key practice areas, size and clients of each firm vary. Use the sites below to research different law firms and practice areas.

Chambers and practice areas

In addition to the traditional roles of solicitor and barrister, the legal sector encompasses a variety of other essential positions that contribute significantly to the field. You can explore these roles by visiting the job profiles linked below. Each profile provides an overview of typical duties and responsibilities, entry requirements, and the key skills necessary for the position.

Work experience and placements

There is a useful section on work experience in the video above, under the heading: ‘Qualification as a Solicitor: Graduates with a Non-Law degree’. We talk about QWE, the information applies to both law and non-law graduates, it would be useful to watch it before reading this section. **see 7 minutes into the video**

Work experience is essential to know if a legal career will suit your interests, skills and motivations. Some of the opportunities for work experience within the legal sector can be competitive, so use the resources in the ‘Making legal applications’ section below before you submit your application.

Please note we haven’t separated this section into Solicitor and Barrister categories because generally all forms of legal work experience are valuable regardless of your intended legal career path. However, whilst this holds true certain experiences are particularly important for each role. Solicitor-oriented paths commonly involve shadowing in firms, participating in vacation schemes, and securing training contracts. Alternatively, aspiring barristers pursue opportunities such as mini-pupillages, mooting competitions, and judge marshalling.

Details on these types of work experience and more can be found below:

Law firm open days and insight schemes

Many law firms run open days/insight days for undergraduates and graduates, both from law and non-law degrees. These involve you spending a day at a law firm, where you will usually attend talks from experienced lawyers, trainees and/or the firm’s graduate recruitment team. Open days and insight schemes are a great way to get to know a firm and build contacts. Some of these opportunities are aimed at specific year groups or non-law students/graduates. You will need to apply in order to be considered and can find details of these days on firms’ websites or by using the links below:

Informal legal experience

It’s common for students to find legal experience for the first time by speculatively approaching a firm and asking for work experience. If you use this approach, only contact law firms that do not offer a vacation scheme. This generally means approaching smaller and high-street firms.

First you will need to identify a law firm to contact. A good starting point is to use The Law Society’s Find a Solicitor tool which will help you to locate firms in your area. You can then send a speculative application for work experience.

Virtual work experience

Since the pandemic many law firms now offer virtual work experience. This is certainly no substitute for in-person experience in a firm, but it will provide you with something to add to your CV if you are unable to secure a formal vacation scheme, work experience or insight day. 

Vacation schemes

Law firms receive a high volume of applications, so it is essential to allow the time and effort to make quality applications to maximise your chances of being successful.

The following sites list many of the key deadlines but it is advisable to check with individual firms directly:

Mini Pupillage

Is a brief period of work experience and shadowing, typically lasting one to five days within a set of chambers, it is highly regarded by recruiters. You can search for a mini pupillage via Chambers Student . 

Mooting

A moot court competition simulates an appeals court hearing where participants analyse a problem, research the law, prepare written submissions, and present oral arguments. You can find out more here: Chambers Student: What is Mooting?  and gain more information about opportunities available via the University below:

Judge Marshalling 

Is a short period of shadowing a judge, usually lasting up to a week, you can find out more, including how to apply here.

Pro-bono work

Pro bono work involves providing free legal advice or representation, benefiting individuals, charities, or community groups that cannot afford legal help and do not qualify for legal aid or other funding. You can find out more about pro-bono work here. The Law school have a community law clinic providing pro-bono services where students can volunteer. This link gives ideas of wider pro – bono opportunities, across the country.

Training contracts

A training contract is a two-year, paid position where you work at a law firm or an organisation that employs solicitors. A training contract will satisfy the requirement for two years' qualifying work experience. Many firms will continue to offer training contracts under the SQE.

Work experience outside of a law firm

Gaining experience in a company's legal department can be a great addition to your CV. Read more about working as an in-house lawyer.

Law Fair

Every autumn, the Career Zone runs an annual Law Fair. The fair is open to all students, regardless of their year group or discipline – everyone is welcome. 

Student societies

If you are a current student consider joining the University's Law Society which is open to both law and non-law students. They provide employability opportunities for students wanting to pursue both the solicitor and barrister routes. Other groups which may be of interest include

Building commercial awareness

Commercial awareness is essential for legal sector applications and interviews, whether you're aiming to become a solicitor or barrister. It enables professionals to understand and anticipate clients' needs, to provide valuable advice. This requires knowing how law firms or chambers operate as businesses, including their work and clients. Even if you’re not applying to a commercial law firm or chambers, demonstrating commercial awareness is still important in your applications.

Use the links below to develop your commercial awareness:

Consider subscribing to the following free newsletters:

  • Non-Billable - sent thrice weekly, this newsletter will help you to keep on top of the most important stories in the legal industry.
  • Little Law newsletter - written by a commercial lawyer in London, this weekly newsletter helps aspiring lawyers keep their commercial awareness up to date.

Further ways to build your commercial awareness:

There are also a number of useful episodes relating to law careers which will improve your commercial awareness over on the Career Zone podcast. A few example episodes can be found below:

Making legal applications

Careers in the legal sector are popular, therefore organisations receive a high volume of applications, so it is essential to allow the time and effort to make quality applications  to maximise your chances of being successful. Each organisation will have its own requirements, so just like with any role, you need to be clear on what these are before you start working on an application. Use the resources below to ensure your create a strong application

  • Application Hub - excellent site with various articles to help you make your applications stand out. 
  • Making successful applications - some useful points to bear in mind before you apply.
  • Targetjobs Law - find articles on topics including how to build a strong law CV and application towards the bottom of this page. 
  • Watson Glaser test - this is a psychometric test used by some law firms. For free practice tests visit, Graduates First  and AllAboutLaw Watson Glaser. You can also find free test samples on each of these sites; JobTestPrep, The Lawyer Portal and Assessment Day. 
  • How to make a successful pupillage application  - This site gives a good overview of how to make an application, deadlines, completing the application form and how to stand out.
  • What are employers in the Law sector looking for? - although this episode of the Career Zone podcast was recorded in December 2021, it covers a lot of relevant tips for students applying to the legal sector.
  • You can get feedback on a CV, application and/or cover letter by booking an appointment with Career Zone. If you are a non-law student, see details of how to do so here. If you are a law student all appointments are self-book, please see instructions of how to book below:

    • Log into Handshake, go to Career Centre (left hand side), Appointments, Book an Appointment, Law School Guidance, and choose the relevant appointment type. Search on both Rachel Gaunt and Tess Read to see full availability. At any one-time we only open appointment slots roughly two weeks ahead of the current date, so there are always more becoming available.

      If you haven’t activated your Handshake account yet you can find out how to do so here.

  • For more general advice on CVs, cover letters, applications and interviews, visit our Help with pages. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

  • Aspiring Solicitors - their primary aim is to increase diversity in the legal profession.  
  • Black Lawyers Directory - includes Black Letter Law publication, which showcases the achievements of Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities within the legal profession. Also provides networking, training and much more.
  • Discuss Programme - aimed at students from lower socioeconomic groups who are interested in commercial law. The programme is open to students from any discipline in their first year or second year of a four year course at any university. 
  • The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme - scholarship programme designed to address key barriers to the solicitors’ profession faced by those from less advantaged backgrounds.
  • Grow Mentoring – registered charity aiming to advance social mobility, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
  • AllAboutLaw mini pupillages support with funding - Information about support with funding for mini pupillages.
  • Bridging the bar   are committed to increasing the equality of access to opportunities within the legal profession across all underrepresented groups. They focus on how to help diverse candidates achieve pupillage through their academy.
  • Speed mooting founded by Criminal Barrister John Dove, this is a speed mooting and advocacy club aiming to increase diversity and inclusion in mooting.
  • Diversity Access Schemes - lists many diversity and access schemes.
  • Supporting Equality and Diversity - we have pulled together information and advice on common equality and diversity issues you may face, sources of support and positive employers and programmes they offer.

 

Working in Law Internationally

Whether you are an international student seeking legal opportunities in the UK or your home country, or a home student aiming to work in law internationally, this section offers resources to help you explore these options in greater detail.

The following websites will be useful in explaining how to qualify as a Solicitor or Barrister in the UK as an International Student

If you are already qualified as a solicitor in a different jurisdiction this will give you more information about how to apply for admission in England and Wales

Below you will find the Bar Standards Board information on how to transfer to the UK Bar if you are already a qualified legal professional in another jurisdiction.

If you are interested in working abroad the following websites will give you more information.

The following Career Zone pages are particularly useful for international students.

The website below is a job search portal for international students in the UK who are currently on a Student Visa. Student Circus as a service ensures that it only posts full-time jobs from companies that have a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship license.

Useful websites