Hello!

I am in the process of finishing up my BA (Hons) in Political Science (AcadiaU, Canada) and am looking towards doing the GDL/CPE starting in Sept '08. I am interested in doing the BVC afterwards. I just have a few questions:

1. Some schools offer a 2 year post-BA LLB program. Is it worth the extra year to do this instead of the GDL/CPE? Does this make a difference when applying for the BVC?
2. What GPA (4.0 scale) would correspond to the 2.2 and 2.1 degree standing?
3. I am looking at BPP (Leeds) and Leeds Metro. Does anyone have any experience with those programs?

Any help you would be able to give would be greatly appreciated!

CH

reagrding the english grading system, the 1:1 and 2:1 designations refer to your calss ranking, generally, and not your gpa per se. I too did an undergrad BA hons in Canada but then did an LLB. is there some reason youre lokking to the UK rather than a canadian LLB?
it's very hard to compare your BA grades from canada to the UK ranking system bc, frankly, our grades in canda are inflated (i had a 4.o from a top ranked school in cda in my fourth year).
The more interesting statistic-and measure of your performance-is to compare your standing in the program to your peers. that's why doing an llb in canada is a good precurser to doing an llm in the uk bc the law school model will rank you. I've been told that if you're in the top 10 percent or so of your llb that's roughly equivalent to a first, or 1:1 in the uk.
hope this helps

CH

1. There are a number of law schools that offer 2 year LLB and there are also some universities such as Bristol that offer an MA in Legal Studies which is the equivalent to the GDL/LPC. The difference is that the GDL/CPE is a condensed introduction to the law which fulfills the Law Soc requirements whereas the LLB would be more academic allowing you to do research, write essays and study topics in more depth. The Bar unofficially is more attracted to people with a LLB or an academic law degree since it provides them with a greater ability to handle complex legal issues. People on the BVC tend to have LLB, a three year law degree shows far more dedication to the legal profession and the Bar then a one year GDL/CPE.
2. GPA and the English grading system are very different, but I have seen comparison being made. I am not sure how the Canadian GPA works but the comparisons I have seen made with the US system equate a 3.6 or above to a 2:1 and a 4.0 to a 1st. You should be aware that the Bar is very competitive and entrance to the BVC is controlled unlike the LPC. Furthermore the number of pupilages is reducing making the Bar even more competitive therefore strong acadmics are expected as standard, hence the majority of the Bar tends to be dominated by Oxbridge graduates.
3. I am not familiar with BPP Leed or Leeds Met. Although I would suggest that due to the strong need for good acadmics and reputation you may want to look into other schools such Nottingham Law School, City University in London which runs its programme with the Inns of Court Law School or even Britsol University.

I hope I haven't put you off and that the information helps.

Thank-you very much for the answers!

I am looking more towards England, rather than Canada, as it is where much of my family is from and would like to return there. From the sounds of things, the 2 year post-BA LLB may be a better idea for me, as eventually I would like to do a research LLM. I'll have to take a look around for some programs. I was looking at Leeds for more pragmatic reasons (cheaper living costs, as even though I have my British passport, I'm still considered an overseas student), but I will look more closely at the London programs.

I suppose a follow-up question then: Any recs for a post-BA LLB program?

CH