To go down this route with education?

[ncforadvicenow]

Background, early 20's, never attended uni.

I'm wanting to study Law, but would need to move in the next year to attend the desired one (I have all the grades & requirements to get in and if I don't get into that specific one there are still plenty of good ones nearby)

Am I BU to do the first year of a law degree online (with the open uni) then transfer the credits and start in the second year at a brick uni?

I need the year to move properly and find somewhere (will be renting but it's a good potential 45min-2hrs move away from where I am right now) and DP will be moving with me so we'd ideally like another year to get sorted.

So in overview:
I'd start my degree first year online in September.
Apply for desired uni's as 2nd year entry (and hopefully get in) whilst looking at potential property.
Once accepted we will start making the move (hopefully between Feb & May time).
Be settled in by September to start the academic year in year 2 of the degree.

Would this work? Anyone have any experience doing something similar?

Thanks!

A lot of Russell groups wouldn’t accept the OU I imagine.

Also I don’t want to piss on your chips but is it practicing law you want to go into? Because it’s many many many many many years after you’ve done the degree you’ll qualify and unless you are very good and very in demand a lot of people earn absolutely fuck all.

A lot of Russell groups wouldn’t accept the OU I imagine.

Also I don’t want to piss on your chips but is it practicing law you want to go into? Because it’s many many many many many years after you’ve done the degree you’ll qualify and unless you are very good and very in demand a lot of people earn absolutely fuck all.

My firm wouldn't look at the OU. Better to have a year out, work somewhere and then apply.

@lastqueenofscotland it's not a Russell group uni, but a top 10 U.K. Law school.

Yes practicing law, specifically criminal law as that's the area that interests me most. I've done a HE in Law the last year at my local college to up my knowledge so I actually know what I'm getting myself into!

I'm aware of the process and I'm happy to go through it. It's not all about the money for everyone!

@JustMarriedBecca good advice! Thank you. I was only planning on doing the first year as OU then doing the further years of degree at an actual brick uni. Iyswim? Would that make any difference?

You're not likely to be accepted into the second year, but would probably be looked in favourably for first year entry.

@titchy That's good to hear at least, it would be a waste to do 2 first years though don't you think? Maybe I should just apply for next year (2020) and work this year then?

It's so confusing😂 I wish we lived closer as I'd apply this year but it's a 2hrs commute twice a day!

Have you done any recent studying? Having the required A levels grades three or more years ago won't be enough, you need evidence of recent study. So a year doing a couple of relevant OU modules, not an entire first year, would be sensible.

Could you not do an access course? It takes a year and colleges / uni’s / 6th form centres offer them so plenty locally. Then after the year you can apply for the degree. Access courses are looked upon more favourably than OU because they are alot more intense (like 2 years of A-Level in 1 year).

@eclipse1808 I did do an access, it says in my OP :) completed it last year.

It would be worth talking to the university concerned about their entry requirements for 2nd year and mature entry - there can often be a process of evidencing prior learning that they can talk you through.

@titchy I did my HE diploma in Law last year at a local college.

@jellycatspyjamas good idea, I really want to talk to them anyway for more advice so I'll definitely ask about that. I'm only 22 so hate to be called a mature learner😂

Have you tried applying for law apprenticeships? Or looked into becoming a Chartered Legal Executive?

You can also become a solicitor from first being a paralegal.

@Figure8 Wow! I never knew that, looks like there are loads of option out there, how would I find these opportunities?

I think it's also worth pointing out that law is hugely over subscribed and a degree in "law" doesn't mean what it used to. Unless it's a VERY good uni, AND you do internships, AND you're very good it''s difficult to actually become a solicitor.

I just hope you know what you're getting yourself in to, which for an awful lot of law graduates is just debt.

I'd also avoid the OU if you're serious about becoming a solicitor. You'd be wasting a year of funding in all likelihood.

Have a look at the vacancy section of lawcareers.net

Perhaps instead of doing an OU course, try and get some work experience / volunteer work that is relevant?

@Divgirl2 Thank you, this thread has given me a lot to think about! It's such a shame it's so popular and there are so few opportunities! Obviously I don't want to waste 3 years at uni and end up with no job or a low paying one.

Is there another career route similar I could go down that has high success rates for getting jobs?

Have you had a look for degree apprenticeships?

What part of your studies did you enjoy?

I studied with the ou, not law though, and then got onto a masters degree in the strength of it.

Apply for the civil service apprenticeship. You start on about £24k depending on department, there's loads of opportunities, and a permanent job at the end of it. It's not law, and you'll likely not become a solicitor, but the money is good and you will get the perks of CS (flexible working, working from home, pension etc).

If you love law then pursue it. If you're even 90/10 on it think carefully.

Sorry, I can't quite see what you did your access course in..
You said HE in law....? Is that Access to HE?

@Figure8 I've just had a look online on the gov website, there's none within 30miles of me but I haven't checked the other legal apprenticeship sites yet.

Becoming a paralegal sounds appealing too as you get paid whilst you train! They're competitive though apparently as graduates like to do them.

I enjoy the reading aspect (I live to read) as well as learning about different legislations, defences etc. It's so interesting.

@polarpig Wow! That's amazing, I know the OU provide great opportunities. What is your masters?

@Figure8 Yes an access to higher education in Law, at my local college.

So have you already discounted law? In the space of an hour?