I have a friend who is Australian and has completed an Australian Undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics as an Arts degree. He would like to work in London as a lawyer. Rather then doing a JD in Australia or a LLB in the UK that will take him 3 years. He is considering studying at the College of Law in London and doing a GDL and LLM which combined will take two years. He is wondering what his chances would be of getting recruited by Allen & Overy or Norton Rose or a likewise international firm providing he maintains his GPA. Would his chances be affected by not having a LLB.

I doubt he'd be successful - a two-year LLB at a good UK law school would be more fruitful.

I would have to agree that an LLB would be the best option. However, I think that narrowing his view to only the likes of Allen & Overy and Norton Rose is a bit unrealistic, if I am honest.

I have met a few people who have succeeded in gaining training contracts at both of those firms, but they have first class law degrees from top 10 UK universities. He should, perhaps, start looking at his options rather than narrowing his sights on the two firms - they are, after all, exceptionally competitive.

It is possible that your friend could achieve the same success through GDL and LPC; however, he must take into consideration the fact that a large number of the international law firms such as A&O and Norton Rose have their own specific LPC programmes. If your friend is using the LPC to gain an LLB from the likes of College of Law, then he will not have completed the firm-specific LPC programmes that are required by the very firms that he is seeking to apply for.

I hope this helps.

Hi there! Saw your post and agree with some of the advice already given on this thread. Your friend can also speak to our Admissions Team, who would be happy to talk through any options - he can call on 01483 216000 or e-mail admissions@lawcol.co.uk.

We also recommend that your friend starts applying for training contracts as soon as possible, as the firm will dictate where he should study the GDL/LPC. The firm is also likely to sponsor him on the course if he is successful in gaining the training contract. It's worth noting that if your friend completes the LPC at The College of Law, he can earn 60 credits and be a third of the way to gaining an LL.M.

Hope this helps - please let us know if you have any queries!

The College of Law