Hi ibilolia,

I'll start my LLM at the LSE from September as well. I'm French and I have therefore a civil law background.
But like you, I'd like to become a lawyer in the UK. Unfortunately, a LLM isn't enough to get a training contract. But it's a very good first step.

The vast majority of British firms would insist that you have a British degree. This may not sound like excellent news, but the good news is that it is possible in the UK to do a one-year course called the Law Conversion Course (also known as the Postgraduate Diploma) or a one-year course called the Common Professional Exam.

Nevertheless, if you don't hold a British degree in law, you can apply for a Certificate of Exemption from the Common Professional Exam (or the Law conversion course) and start directly the LPC course (Legal Practice Certificate).
The LPC is taught by 3 schools in London. Those schools have links with top law firms and find you automatically a training contract.

A 2.2 class honours degree in law from a recognised overseas university is required to enter a LPC course directly (and a further specific set of guidelines of the Law Society).
I think you'd need to find out more from the Law Society (on their website or by phoning them) to know exactly what you can do to be eligible for a training contract in the UK.

Hope it helps,

Manon

Hello all!

First of all I just want to say that its great to see people having the same issues as me (I only wish i had stumbled on this site sooner!!).

I have got admission to do the LLM at LSE this September too. I just wondered, do those people who are doing their masters at LSE want to become lawyers in the UK? If so do you think its gonna help your chances significantly? I've been (slowly) writing training contract applications and as the steady stream of rejections come rolling in I'm hoping that the LLM will make a difference!

It would be nice to know your plans because I'm feeling a little lost at them moment given the 2 year gap between making the applications and starting the training contract.

Hi Girvani,

No you dont have to stick with the subjects you said you were interested in when you first applied. they give you three weeks to confirm what courses you want to take and you can take taster classes up until then.

Good luck with your decision and maybe i'll see you in september!

Sheilaa,

I think all those universities are great. the main differences as far as i know are that cambrige is excellent and the best name but you do have to spend two years studying. LSE is also a top institution but its the most expensive and the LLM program is also no longer part of the university of London LLM so you can't take advantage of interesting courses offered at the other schools which can add a little more variety to the course. UCL, Kings etc. are all part of the university of london masters thing so although you have to take two courses from that uni you can also go and do a random 'human rights and women' course at the School of Oriental and African Studies...if you want something slightly different.

Hope that helps

good luck

Is LSE no longer part of the Uni of London LLM? Well, that is disappointing - esp. given we're paying the highest fees for it! Well I wanted to go to Cambridge but to be there for 2 years is a bit of an investment. But I've been told that to join the Bar in HK you should have Oxbridge on your CV, else you have to struggle a bit more than the elitest...

Sigh. Time to toss the coin I think.

I was accepted to LSE in early February, but I am probably going to embark on a MJur in Oxford.

Hi, can anyone tell me whether LSE has any other campus other than the one in London? I mean outside of UK? Thanks! Rowena