Law degree

[Acleme]

Hi My 17 years old daughter would like to study law in a Russel group university or via an apprenticeship degree. She knows that it is difficult to make it in that field due to fierce competition. I advised her to study surveying instead but she had set her mind on law. Does anyone knows what is the best way to get into an apprenticeship degree? Thanks

The OP was also asking about degree apprenticeships. The ones in London provided by the major law firms are extremely competitive. So I would focus on a degree or seeing if there are less competitive apprenticeships in other regions.
Long term, work life balance outside in London is likely better, house prices cheaper, fewer hours, typically less salary progression, but as it stands, so much of it goes on tax now anyway, if you live in London and have to buy a house here eventually. I think there is more of an argument these days to aim to have your career elsewhere.

I would be looking at universities in up and coming cities and towns in other regions and building an online CV with the online work experience which some of the major law firms now offer. I would couple that with LNAT practice - it is always worth a try. I think if your DD has her heart set on this, you should support her. It sounds like she will get good A levels and is working hard.

@dylexicdementor11 and please cut out the ludicrous comparison of English and Italian A levels! Do you honestly think they are the same?

If I am a native English speaker and I study English literature A level surely that is a different level to me studying English as a foreign language A level - assuming such an A level exists (given I am a native speaker already?).

@MrPickles73Indeed it is.

I wish there was an option to mute some posters.

@DrAmanitaPhalloides I wish there was an option to do lots of things. Including mute snide posts! Have you anything to say? Are you a lawyer?

@TizerorFizz Business A Level includes essays - as does Economics, as I understand it, although neither of my children did that.

i just checked paper 1 of Business AQA A Level - 100 marks, of which 50 are from multiple choice and short form answers and 50 from two essay questions.

It’s not dissimilar to Psychology in being a bit of a crossover subject, but I can’t see any problem with either Business or Economics in terms of the skills developed. Arguably better than 3 science subjects. And there is very little crossover - I think I only sound one uni that has concerns about taking both, when I was looking a couple of years ago.

@Acleme - hopefully she will get on a good law degree at a decent university, but even if she does not, she can study something else first and then do a law conversion (if you can afford it). Some kids manage to get training contracts that then fund the law conversion. I think the more she can do to build a good CV early, the better. It is the training contracts that are so competitive now, hence all the talk of top grades. Fundamentally, however, lawyers need good interpersonal skills too and drive and work ethic and great team work skills. It is a client facing job primarily so the better you are interpersonally (which a lot of MML students tend to be), as well as academically, the greater the chance of getting a training contract.
I would be looking into how she can leverage the Italian, what firms have offices in Milan etc as well. A lot of people and clients are going to Italy right now and leaving the UK. This could be an opportunity for her. Saying at interview that you want to do 6 months in Milan may well help. So explore all those avenues too.
So don’t necessarily rule out Business/Economics and Italian degrees either. It really depends on your entire circumstances.

what about something like Italian and international relations and then a conversion course?

@Acleme is it just Nottingham and London your daughter will consider location wise?

I had useful advice for you @Acleme , being a partner responsible for recruitment, but calling people a witch is totally out of order so I shan’t be getting involved. I really don’t know what your issue is but you catch more flies with honey than vinegar and I have reported this post.

You should have deleted the post written by the woman I rightly called xenophobic. You are biased.

@crazycrofter No concerns they put in writing. Concerns at two similar subjects? Yes. Business should have been maths or history ideally. I’m sure your lawyer dc know best though. It’s about what uni is required and what type of job.

OP has asked a question, doesn't like some of the answers and turned spikey.. best for op to take or leave the responses and in the worst case walk away..

Law at a RG uni will be super competitive to get into.. the unis will choose those with the 'best' results in most favoured subjects first e.g. 11 A*s at GCSE and a level history, English etc.

Our DC1 is also interested in studying law and is in year 10 so we are pondering A level choices at the moment.. we have been told by just about everyone (school, 6th form college) that one of the A levels should be English / history or RS to demonstrate ability for essays and arguing various points..

Law and a language? That’s what Dd is doing at a Russell group university

@MrPickles73 For what it’s worth, Cambridge University has the best advice for law students regarding subjects. Not all RG universities are highly competitive for law, but the LNAT ones are plus a chunk of others.

So, Cambridge advises 2 of: English Literature, MFL (such as German, Spanish, French) , History, Maths as best preparation for a law degree. The third A level is a matter of choice however another academic one is best snd they give examples. But…. They do not accept Business. So if dc want a competitive course, start by looking at the best advice out there! Then believe it! It is good advice for all competitive law courses. Good luck.

@dylexicdementor11 About as challenging as an English speaker studying English at A level. No, it isn't.

@Acleme , I don't think surveying would be a good choice given the poor grades in GCSE Maths.
I don't think Law at a RG uni would be a good choice given the poor GCSE grades in Maths and English.

The choices of A-levels aren't that good.

I know it has been mentioned earlier but bear in mind it is perfectly possible to become a successful solicitor or barrister without a law degree. I did history, my DH did Engineering. We’re both now solicitors (he is a partner, I’m General Counsel in house). If there is something else he is interested in as a degree, don’t rule it out immediately.

I made just a general enquiry and did not give any personal details.

I turned spiky because of the xenophobic nature of some answers. I asked for day not stupid sarcasm. I hope this helps to clarify the matter.

Yes Clary there was bereavement in the family. I lost my mother.

Yes, that's a good analogy.

Lawyer here! If I were her, I’d absolutely be looking for a degree apprenticeship above a degree if possible these days.

I’d start marshalling at court, approaching firms for work experience and researching which firms offer degree apprenticeships and looking for experience those firms would find valuable.

I appreciate her age may limit her somewhat, but I’d also be looking for volunteering experience that runs alongside law (personal support unit, CAB).

She is still researching. I hope she changes her mind and chooses a different degree.