Hello Everyone,
As an international student, the hiring process for law firms and international organizations in the UK is something of a mystery. Can anyone with knowledge please describe:
(1) what opportunities exist for international LLM students; and
(2) what the hiring process is like.
Thanks in advance to anyone with knowledge. I hope that this will become a forum to discuss all aspects of the UK/LLM job search, so feel free to post additional questions or post on related issues.
Post-Oxbridge Job Search Discussion
Posted Mar 25, 2009 00:37
0
Hello Everyone,
As an international student, the hiring process for law firms and international organizations in the UK is something of a mystery. Can anyone with knowledge please describe:
(1) what opportunities exist for international LLM students; and
(2) what the hiring process is like.
Thanks in advance to anyone with knowledge. I hope that this will become a forum to discuss all aspects of the UK/LLM job search, so feel free to post additional questions or post on related issues.
As an international student, the hiring process for law firms and international organizations in the UK is something of a mystery. Can anyone with knowledge please describe:
(1) what opportunities exist for international LLM students; and
(2) what the hiring process is like.
Thanks in advance to anyone with knowledge. I hope that this will become a forum to discuss all aspects of the UK/LLM job search, so feel free to post additional questions or post on related issues.
Inactive User
Posted Mar 25, 2009 05:06
0
With the current situation...almost impossible (unless you know someone).
If for LPC graduates and also graduates with a 1st class in law is difficult I would imagine that for an LLM graduate from even Oxford or Cambridge it would be even more difficult.
Firms are laying off hundreds of people everyday, so I do think that now is the worst time to look for a position in the UK or anywhere really.
The profession is incredibly inclusive and now with the recession it becomes more and more closed...
With the current situation...almost impossible (unless you know someone).
If for LPC graduates and also graduates with a 1st class in law is difficult I would imagine that for an LLM graduate from even Oxford or Cambridge it would be even more difficult.
Firms are laying off hundreds of people everyday, so I do think that now is the worst time to look for a position in the UK or anywhere really.
The profession is incredibly inclusive and now with the recession it becomes more and more closed...
If for LPC graduates and also graduates with a 1st class in law is difficult I would imagine that for an LLM graduate from even Oxford or Cambridge it would be even more difficult.
Firms are laying off hundreds of people everyday, so I do think that now is the worst time to look for a position in the UK or anywhere really.
The profession is incredibly inclusive and now with the recession it becomes more and more closed...
Posted Mar 25, 2009 10:03
0
I confirm...very difficult times. I have just been made redundant in the UK. Tough times and multiply the difficulty ten fold for foreigners...
I confirm...very difficult times. I have just been made redundant in the UK. Tough times and multiply the difficulty ten fold for foreigners...
Posted Mar 25, 2009 10:40
0
Just to add, with a UK LLM you wont be qualified to do anything in legal wise in the UK. I'm not sure of the full story but unless you can get some sort of exemption for the Law Society, you'll need to go through GDL/CPE and LPC before finding a training contract.
To be quite frank, although I'm sure reems of international students aim at coming to the UK and becoming lawyers, I imagine it is incredibly difficult. Not only is law completely oversubscribed at undergraduate level, but loads of other graduates decide to convert over when they realise that a 2:1 in economics/history/politics has little use in the wider world so there are many home students who have vocational law training but no relevant job. While I'd imagine that there will be the odd person who has transfered over from Australia or the US, possibly within the same firm, I've read a blog on here by an Indian that basically says that it isn't even worth thinking about trying to start up as a lawyer n the UK- might be worth a read! Sorry to bring bad news!
Just to add, with a UK LLM you wont be qualified to do anything in legal wise in the UK. I'm not sure of the full story but unless you can get some sort of exemption for the Law Society, you'll need to go through GDL/CPE and LPC before finding a training contract.
To be quite frank, although I'm sure reems of international students aim at coming to the UK and becoming lawyers, I imagine it is incredibly difficult. Not only is law completely oversubscribed at undergraduate level, but loads of other graduates decide to convert over when they realise that a 2:1 in economics/history/politics has little use in the wider world so there are many home students who have vocational law training but no relevant job. While I'd imagine that there will be the odd person who has transfered over from Australia or the US, possibly within the same firm, I've read a blog on here by an Indian that basically says that it isn't even worth thinking about trying to start up as a lawyer n the UK- might be worth a read! Sorry to bring bad news!
To be quite frank, although I'm sure reems of international students aim at coming to the UK and becoming lawyers, I imagine it is incredibly difficult. Not only is law completely oversubscribed at undergraduate level, but loads of other graduates decide to convert over when they realise that a 2:1 in economics/history/politics has little use in the wider world so there are many home students who have vocational law training but no relevant job. While I'd imagine that there will be the odd person who has transfered over from Australia or the US, possibly within the same firm, I've read a blog on here by an Indian that basically says that it isn't even worth thinking about trying to start up as a lawyer n the UK- might be worth a read! Sorry to bring bad news!
Posted Mar 25, 2009 12:33
0
Simply no chance. The market is totally fucked up.
Simply no chance. The market is totally fucked up.
Posted Mar 25, 2009 13:50
0
Simply no chance. The market is totally fucked up.
I understand that the market is F'd up now. But assuming that the market improves, wouldn't the opportunity to practice in UK exist? Otherwise, what is the value of these degrees?
<blockquote>Simply no chance. The market is totally fucked up.</blockquote>
I understand that the market is F'd up now. But assuming that the market improves, wouldn't the opportunity to practice in UK exist? Otherwise, what is the value of these degrees?
I understand that the market is F'd up now. But assuming that the market improves, wouldn't the opportunity to practice in UK exist? Otherwise, what is the value of these degrees?
Posted Mar 25, 2009 14:34
0
Not really, IMO. My previous post pretty much details why and as for the value of these degrees- as an international student you get to benefit from the educational system of the UK and the life experience. Unfortunately, apart from those sorts of things, they don't enable you to do anything in the UK legal sector and so, if that is your aim, you'd be better considering the GDL/CPE, LPC route. Still, I'm not sure of how much luck you would have there so I'd do some research into it...
Not really, IMO. My previous post pretty much details why and as for the value of these degrees- as an international student you get to benefit from the educational system of the UK and the life experience. Unfortunately, apart from those sorts of things, they don't enable you to do anything in the UK legal sector and so, if that is your aim, you'd be better considering the GDL/CPE, LPC route. Still, I'm not sure of how much luck you would have there so I'd do some research into it...
Posted Mar 26, 2009 19:45
0
I agree with the above - a UK LLM provides an international student wiht a UK degree and life experience; it is a myth to assume it provides you with a passport into the UK job market. A UK LLM from Oxbridge or London etc. looks good internationally, but it doesn't really have much value at all within the UK (excluding some highly specialised LLMs or moving onto an academic career, or the BCL at the Bar).
Mostly, UK firms are interested in international students for foreign language skills or jurisdiction expertise (but that means you need to have lots of experience). The UK economy is a lot worse than other countries, and I think it was the IMF who said the UK will be the worst hit. Frankly, I would say to any international student to think very hard before coming to the UK with the view of getting work at the end of study now.
I agree with the above - a UK LLM provides an international student wiht a UK degree and life experience; it is a myth to assume it provides you with a passport into the UK job market. A UK LLM from Oxbridge or London etc. looks good internationally, but it doesn't really have much value at all within the UK (excluding some highly specialised LLMs or moving onto an academic career, or the BCL at the Bar).
Mostly, UK firms are interested in international students for foreign language skills or jurisdiction expertise (but that means you need to have lots of experience). The UK economy is a lot worse than other countries, and I think it was the IMF who said the UK will be the worst hit. Frankly, I would say to any international student to think very hard before coming to the UK with the view of getting work at the end of study now.
Mostly, UK firms are interested in international students for foreign language skills or jurisdiction expertise (but that means you need to have lots of experience). The UK economy is a lot worse than other countries, and I think it was the IMF who said the UK will be the worst hit. Frankly, I would say to any international student to think very hard before coming to the UK with the view of getting work at the end of study now.
Posted Apr 06, 2009 12:57
0
Does anybody know whether the job prospects for an academic career in the UK for EU graduates with an Oxbridge LL.M. look a bit better than the prospects for a career in practice?
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
Does anybody know whether the job prospects for an academic career in the UK for EU graduates with an Oxbridge LL.M. look a bit better than the prospects for a career in practice?
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
Posted Apr 06, 2009 14:51
0
... and (my question) how much do they actually earn?
... and (my question) how much do they actually earn?
Posted Apr 06, 2009 17:39
0
Does anybody know whether the job prospects for an academic career in the UK for EU graduates with an Oxbridge LL.M. look a bit better than the prospects for a career in practice?
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
Academia isn't immune from the global downturn - but it's not being hit like the corporate world, so jobs are available. However, you'll need a PhD to become a UK lecturer (assuming you want a full time faculty position). Once again, your Oxbridge LLM is not a passport into an academic job, but will be one of many elements considered along with your PhD, research profile, publications and areas you are willing to teach. If your current PhD is completed or near completion once you finish your LLM, then you'll be in the right position to embark on academic job hunting.
<blockquote>Does anybody know whether the job prospects for an academic career in the UK for EU graduates with an Oxbridge LL.M. look a bit better than the prospects for a career in practice?
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
</blockquote>
Academia isn't immune from the global downturn - but it's not being hit like the corporate world, so jobs are available. However, you'll need a PhD to become a UK lecturer (assuming you want a full time faculty position). Once again, your Oxbridge LLM is not a passport into an academic job, but will be one of many elements considered along with your PhD, research profile, publications and areas you are willing to teach. If your current PhD is completed or near completion once you finish your LLM, then you'll be in the right position to embark on academic job hunting.
I don't want to continue with Ph.D.-studies after the LL.M. year (as I'm doing my Ph.D. right now) but consider working for a research institute in the UK or becoming a lecturer at a UK uni after my LL.M. year? Would you say that such a plan sounds feasible?
</blockquote>
Academia isn't immune from the global downturn - but it's not being hit like the corporate world, so jobs are available. However, you'll need a PhD to become a UK lecturer (assuming you want a full time faculty position). Once again, your Oxbridge LLM is not a passport into an academic job, but will be one of many elements considered along with your PhD, research profile, publications and areas you are willing to teach. If your current PhD is completed or near completion once you finish your LLM, then you'll be in the right position to embark on academic job hunting.
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