A levels for Law

[paddlingwhenIshouldbeworking]

DS1 is in yr 11 but already set on law as his degree. He is predicted high GCSE grades but is struggling to decide which 3 to select for A level.

He's trying to choose between History, Politics, Philosophy&Theology, Latin, German & English.

He's thinking History, Politics & Philosophy/Theology. Are these too similar ? Not sure how Politics & Philosophy are perceived by uni's.

Any advice would be great.

[Cardboardeaux]

If he enjoys and is good at German or Latin then I'd suggest one of those, as a good grade in one of those subjects shows transferable skills such as logic that will appeal to law firms. A lot of lawyers (including me!) did modern languages as an undergraduate, followed by the GDL.

As PP have pointed out, city firms will sometimes pay law school fees for their future trainees, so it's often best to wait until you have a training contract offer before applying for postgrad law school.

[goodbyestranger]

This is very common advice given out on MN: wait until you get a TC with a City law firm and then the fees will be paid. That's true (fees plus c £8k maintenance grant for the GDL and fees plus c £11k maintenance for the accelerated LPC). DS3 has just enjoyed the benefit of exactly that (last exam in two hours time).

But this involves liking the idea of commercial law, and it's a very acquired taste. Aside from the top firms, very few are this generous. Even with the maintenance grants at that level, for those not living with their parents there's a shortfall with London rents (not huge, admittedly, but enough to have to think about). But the key thing is: is that the sort of law you want to get into?

[goodbyestranger]

DS2. Apols to DS3.

[Bluntness100]

My daughter did English, history and government and politics, she got into a top Russel group uni, came out with a first in law and has a training contract with one of the big boys.

[Xenia]

goodbye, there is a new form of post grad student loan which applies ao an LLM so places like BPP have made their GDL into an option LLM for those who want a student loan for it.

"Can I get postgraduate loan funding for the Law Conversion Course (PGDL)?

You can choose to graduate with an LLM Law and Legal Practice, by completing an additional professional research project or Part 1 of our Barrister Training Course (BTC)++. This qualifies for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,906."
www.bpp.com/courses/law/pgdl-law-conversion-course That would not cover all the fees but does mean some can do the conversion year who otherwise might not.

[goodbyestranger]

Makes sense that the government loan has been made available Xenia. It wasn't an option for DS2 when he looked into it to see if it could plug the small gap, and I checked at the time too. It seemed nonsense! (I assume this is the government loan that BPP is referencing).

[HasaDigaEebowai]

I did German Maths and Economics and had no issues (but this was more than 25 years ago).

[MsTSwift]

Anything that’s a traditional subject all those fine - not law though

I had a great paralegal with a 2.1 in American studies which I knew was a challenging degree but no way the magic circle firm we worked at would give her a training contract

[MsTSwift]

I did history geography and English was persuaded against home economics and worked at top firm

[GOODCAT]

Any but the more challenging the better. I would pick the ones he would need if he wanted a back up option and that he has aptitude for. Grades really matter.

I did maths, law and economics, but would have done science instead had I gone to a school with vaguely passable science teachers. It would have given me more options.

[HasaDigaEebowai]

But this involves liking the idea of commercial law, and it's a very acquired taste

Well not really. Commercial law firms do all sorts of law ranging from specialist tax work through to very varied litigation and employment. They just don't offer seats in the high street type areas (matrimonial, personal injury, criminal, domestic conveyancing, wills and probate).

Perfectly possible to train at a good commercial firm but then move to a local high street practice though if you want to be poor and overworked as opposed to rich and overworked

[goodbyestranger]

HasaDigaEebowai I worked at a magic circle firm myself as a graduate and I can tell you that a good number of us found it a very acquired taste!

[Bluntness100]

I'd also say enjoying the subjects he does is important, because ultimately if he wants to get into a top uni, and then get a training contract at a big firm he will need at least a 2:1. Doing subjects they don't enjoy can lead to a reduction in grades. Law is hugely competitive and a hard slog.

I'd agree that of course it's feasible to get employed by a top firm then go high street, but from what I know they only do that either due to burn out or personal circumstances.

For the big firms the uni you go to is important. So looking at the entrance requirements for his preferred unis is important.

Does he know what kind of law he wishes to do? My daughter always wanted commercial, but it's not for everyone, and clearly everyone wants into the big firms because it's where the money is.

[cologne4711]

You can get onto law degrees with all sorts of combinations.

I think there were about 4 of us at my school who went on to do law.

I did German, RE and history.

A girl who went to Oxford did German, chemistry and economics.

Another girl did German, biology and chemistry.

The final one did history, English and RE.

So I would say any of the subjects you've mentioned would work

And I'd suggest doing a qualifying law degree if possible as it's very expensive to do the conversion. You can often do law and something else like a language or politics or sociology and still do all the compulsory subjects (muses whether EU law will still be compulsory).

[Xenia]

Good points. All the options of cologne above, by the way, include at least 2 facilitating subjects on those lists posted above and it remains a good idea to have a couple of that kind.

[BubblesBuddy]

Also if DS wanted to become a barrister, the Inns of Court have scholarships and awards to help pay for the GDL. This route does slow your earnings down especially if your first degree was 4 years. Then there’s further training on top! However it’s important to do subjects that you enjoy.

Specialising in Law from 18 feels, to some, very early to make that career decision. If DCs really do really want to learn more about History and German, for example, then undergrad is the time to do it. In addition, young people can convert to Law. So you get the best of both worlds. (Well that’s what DD said at interviews!)

[lljkk]

Trump & Brexit have taught me that law isn't dry after all.

The only kid I know who recently went to law school had 3 science A-levels -- and an EPQ. He decided he liked the essay EPQ better than the sciences. Got into a law school that the Telegraph league table says is... 5th in country? So that strategy worked for him.

[LauraMipsum]

I'm a barrister. I'd prioritise History and English out of that selection, and add either German or Latin.

If he chooses Politics or Philosophy / Theology, I'd say do one or the other, not both.