Advice on universities good for studying law

[NCTDN]

Has anyone got any current experience/ views on places to study law?
We have pretty much ruled out all of Scotland which is a shame because Edinburgh looks great, but to then do law in England means some extra conversion course or something like that.
I'm looking for experience from parents and students as it's all new to me. Did is looking for 2022. Thanks.

[Baytreemum]

@NCTDN my DD says that at Durham you can take modules in Public international law in 2nd year and International human rights, International criminal law and
Advanced issues in international legal governance in 3rd year. Also you can take a year out to study abroad. She suggests your DD looks at 2nd and 3rd year module choices on the law school website. It’s also worth following Durham law society on Instagram if she wants to get a feeling for the law vibe there.

[goodbyestranger]

That's not international law though, simply the law of a different country.

[NCTDN]

@goodbyestranger

Oxford will give a student an edge.

But I can't see what Oxford offers in terms on international law that Durham doesn't. Neither has a year abroad (these years abroad other than for languages are really a marketing tool). Unless you mean the course at Oxford where you go away to study the law of a European country?

Yes some of the courses with Hispanic law study that whilst abroad.

[PresentingPercy]

Most people DD knows (barrister) seem to have done a degree in law from somewhere top class or a degree in something academic but no-one has done drama. One friend did music at Oxford. DD did MFL and ditto a friends’ DS. He used his French and German in a European office of his city law firm (I think of was Slaughter and May but not certain) so it gave options.

I think the best advice is top quality Law degree or History, MFL, English etc from the same type of university, then apply for training and convert to law. I’m not up to date with the training now though. It’s all change!

[goodbyestranger]

Yes completely randomsabreuse. I can see why polymaths such as yourself might initially be attracted but for non polymaths then a straight law degree maximises your law options. The conversion course is incredibly limited for anyone who is interested in the law bit of law.

[crumpet]

I did a history degree, then a year out as an au pair to learn a language abroad, then 2 years at law school. Loved it all.

[randomsabreuse]

@goodbyestranger

That's where the "law with" degrees really fall down. Mine had 2 optional law modules once the exempting compulsory subjects, university compulsory subjects (legal process and jurisprudence) and French Law plus "French" modules. I think you could go "over" credits to do a dissertation but that would be your only option...

I don't regret the language skills studying law abroad gave me but in hindsight should have done a different degree, stuffed in the French somehow (science degree would have been my other option!) and done a PhD to go down the patent attorney route...

[goodbyestranger]

A law degree as opposed to another degree plus conversion gives the opportunity to study additional areas beyond the compulsory ones, which is no bad thing.

[crumpet]

So she is looking at a 4 year degree, and then one year at law school, with then 2 years of training before qualifying. A 3 year degree in a non law subject, with 2 years at law school (given the need for a conversion course) gets to the same result. I trained with people who’s first degree ranged from law, to history to English and even drama. So it could be an opportunity for her to study something entirely different, given that she might spend the rest of her career in law.

[randomsabreuse]

International law isn't desperately useful. Politics or history would be fine.

I enjoyed my year in France (studying French Law) but only used my language skills gained from the course to translate some stuff. Never really used my (basic) knowledge of French law, but it was VERY good for my French to study with French students.

[PresentingPercy]

No. International law gives no edge. It is an area of law but not really an edge over commercial, for example. The edge is Oxbridge! Undergrad degrees tend to be general. Yoy can then specialise aftrerwards. Changing your mind is possible if the degree is general. All sorts of areas and interests might open up.

[goodbyestranger]

Oxford will give a student an edge.

But I can't see what Oxford offers in terms on international law that Durham doesn't. Neither has a year abroad (these years abroad other than for languages are really a marketing tool). Unless you mean the course at Oxford where you go away to study the law of a European country?

[SeasonFinale]

I think having international law does give an edge over other law degrees which may help?

If you mean careerwise then no not really.

[Xenia]

Those grades sound very good and Oxford with Bristol as back up would be great final choices of her 5 choices. whether she goes into law later or not.

[NCTDN]

@Justonemorejammydodger where did she do abroad?

[NCTDN]

Great advice in here thank you. I will look at it all in detail later.
Potential grades are AAA* but she's not really sure what she wants to do as an actual career yet. I think having international law does give an edge over other law degrees which may help?
Oxford and Bristol are looking favourite atm.

[Xenia]

Indeed. I always say it is the best firm in the UK after mine....

[goodbyestranger]

Slaughter and May has always been first among equals Xenia.

[Justonemorejammydodger]

My dd graduated from Bristol last year and did a year abroad. She loved every minute of her 4 years, but COVID meant her final year was less enjoyable than it should have been and she was sad not to be able to celebrate the end of the course with her friends and a graduation ceremony. Bristol has great networking opportunities. She would definitely recommend the course and the university.

[Xenia]

[My "£45k" for SQE exam fees should be £4,500......]

On the SQE changing things not entirely as most big law firms want people to have passed SQE1 and SQE2 before starting training with them and if you fail you lose your training place (exactly as with GDL and LPC). So they are likely to pay for a course leading toe SQE1 and one leading to SQE2 and then you start 2 years training so for those better candidates at the big high paid firms I am not sure it will be a vast change.

I am sure diversity remains very important however, as long as you are able to do the work. A firm where I used to work uses RARE in recruitment for some lawyers. www.rarerecruitment.co.uk/slaughter-and-may/lead-in-to-law/

[SeasonFinale]

@cologne4711

Nottingham Trent has always had a good reputation for law, including in its poly days.

So has Hull university, although it won't have helped itself today with the news that it has decided that requiring good standards of English is elitest.

Yes it scrapes into the Chambers list of preferred unis with 1%.

[goodbyestranger]

Very different process to demonstrate ability though, you're right. I only had one interview for a MC offer (although with three partners, and quite long), no pre-tests at all.

[goodbyestranger]

There is quite a lot of outdated info on this thread already. The larger law firms are really hot on diversity these days

I'm not out of date cologne4711. The top City firms are even hotter on ability than they are on diversity.

[Bluntness100]

Op can you clarify what are her forecasted grades, and what does she wish to do,,Ie soljcitor or barrister, does she actually wish to practice and what kind of law Ie family, commercial etc?

I think you need to provide further insight for answers to be in any way meaningful.

[cologne4711]

Nottingham Trent has always had a good reputation for law, including in its poly days.

So has Hull university, although it won't have helped itself today with the news that it has decided that requiring good standards of English is elitest.