Hi guys,

I would be very grateful for your views (esp. if supported). My question is the following:

How are non-law graduates who go on to undertake the GDL, and then either the BVC or LPC, perceived by prestigious UK law firms and chambers? Are they currently at a disadvantage on the job market compared to those holding a 3-year UK LLB?

Please share your views and experiences :-)

Thanks in advance.
Priyanka

It depends on your background ie. your undergraduate discipline, where you did your degree etc. Do you have work experience in another sector eg. the sciences/languages/finance etc.

Non-law graduates are certainly not frowned upon by recruiters as a sizeable amount attain TCs, but they do tend to have prestigious backgrounds, and many have language degrees.

Doesn't matter at all really. Unless you do something really silly then you'll have as good a chance as a holder of an LLB. Plus, you can focus on a subject that you have a genuine passion for, which should help you get a top classification. I know a few people who wish they'd done a GDL and a degree in a subject they love rather than study law because they want to be a lawyer.

The importance of prestige is no higher for a non-law student. You'd not stand much of a chance with a top firm if you did a law degree at a poor university.

Hi to you two, and thanks so much for your reply! :-)

@ Kerfuffle: Please explain what you mean by "attain TC"
@ Panthro: Please elaborate on "unless you do sth really silly"

Apart from that, I would like to study for a 3-year Licence en Droit (French equivalent of LLB) at a top 3 French University (Sorbonne, Assas, etc) before undertaking the GDL and either the BVC or LPC in the UK. Do you think I will stand a chance in the UK job market, against those holding a 3-year LLB?

Please help me. Thanx :-) Priyanka

I mean something silly like a degree in sociology, equine studies or psychology, especially from a poor university.

To be honest, I think that if you want to study in France and work in the UK then it might be best to qualify in France then sit a QLTT exam in England. You'll be in a stronger position than if you went for a training contract with a London firm.

Hi Panthro. Hey thanx for the prompt reply!

So, yeah I would like to study a Law degree and got accepted at both Sorbonne and Assa! Hehe. :-)

However, to qualify in France, it would be longer for me as works out as follows:
3-year Licence en droit (Equivalent LLB)
Then 2-year Masters ("Master 1 and Master 2" as it is called)
Then 18 "academic months" (ie 2 years in fact!) Ecole de Barreau (which includes 12 months french "BVC" ) and 6-months stage en cabinet d'avocat (equivalent "pupillage").

So, this is why I would prefer not to lose 4 years after my Licence, and qualify in the UK, before doing the french equivalent of QLTT.

Anyway, what did you mean by "You'll be in a stronger position than if you went for a training contract with a London firm."

Thanks

I mean that you'd find it easier to secure work as a qualified solicitor than you would to secure a training contract. It's very competitive for training contracts at the moment and, though you would be considered, very few foreign graduates end up being offered training contracts. I know most major firms would suggest qualifying elsewhere then coming over.

Plus, if you want a training contract to save you 2 years then you might find it difficult persuading a firm that you really want a career with them.

Hi. Thnx for the explanation.

Hey, do you know the case for barristers? Is it currently a disadvantage to be a barrister qualified by holding a GDL and passing the BVC, compared to those holding a UK LLB?
Thnx so much! Priyanka

TC = training contract.

Hi. Thnx for the explanation.

Hey, do you know the case for barristers? Is it currently a disadvantage to be a barrister qualified by holding a GDL and passing the BVC, compared to those holding a UK LLB?
Thnx so much! Priyanka

HI,
i m farhan raouf from Pakistan. i m an LLB graduate and now i am wondering wheter to go for gdl or LLM .
by far what i have learned is that for becoming a solicitor there is the single path of :
1:doing gdl even if u r an LLB
2: then do one year LPC if u get a training contract and then u will be equivalent to the uk LLB holders.
in this discussion a question arises that what is the benefit of doing an LLM then?
well, i think there are certain things that should be considered.
firstly there is time,money and patience required if u have decided to only practice legal career in uk. so if u have it then go for it
secondly, benefit of LLM is that u get the post work experience that i m not sure whether u get it after gdl or not but through LLM u can enhance ur chances of getting the immigration through the tier 1 scheme as u will be a post graduate then.
thirdly, if u r a gdl holder i dont think it will be much logical or easier finding a job in uk in such a big competition when there are the uk LLB's present who certainly are well acquainted with the local law.
so i think when u r not going to have a job even after gdl then go for the LLM kz it might happen that some firm may give u a job for the research purposes bcz of u being much qualified in a particular sphere of law.
u can do gdl after LLM i think for seeking a job in uk a cv with a gdl and a cv with an LLM + gdl are deffinitely two distinctive things.
so the main concern is money only and there is a famous quotation that no one finds every thing he wants but patience is required and there are advantages and disadvantages of both tracks ie gdl+lpc and llm+gdl+lpc.
but i think doing an LLM is much better as regards with immigration, getting job in such a tough profession, etc
and my last words are only have faith in God and inshAllah u ll succeed and pray that he may grant u whatever is better in ur favour.
and yah this is only a general view of mine and not a hard and fast rule but this view is based on the information provided by the sra and my own personal analysis so plz if some one doesnt agree then correct me brother bcs it will be helpul for us all
thanks farhan

Hello!
I am currently considering to enroll in an GDL after completing an LLM. I was wondering whether someone could rank the intsitutions offering this program in terms of academic standing.
Thanks in advance