Academic Qualifications

There are about 80 subjects available.  See this link for further info on the structure of A levels.  As law is a traditional subject it would be unwise to obtain A levels in dance, music and film studies if you expect to obtain a place at the best law school or the best law firm.  Studentlaw recommends therefore that future law students obtain A levels in the traditional type of subjects below:

English language; English literature; Mathematics; History; Physics; Biology; Chemistry; Economics; and languages. 

Two institutions prefer their applicants not to have law at A level:  Manchester; and LSE.  If in doubt, check with your preferred university prior to choosing your A levels.

Many top law schools insist on 3 'A' grades at A level.

The Legal Practice Course is the first stage of the vocational qualifications for a solicitor.  Only certain instititutions can provide this course.  The most reliable list is provided by the SRA (Solicitors Regulatioin Authority).

Academic Qualifications

Access course

The reason for doing an Access course should be to reintroduce yourself to study and obtain the study skills and disciplines required prior to starting the real thing.  Starting to study full time or part time is a big adjustment to make to a mature person's life as well as the lives of those around you.  Your children, family and friends will all be neglected.  If this course is too much for you then forget law.  It only gets harder!

Success though at this level will provide students with the necessary qualifications to enter university and if you are lucky enough to have a good teacher, then the course will also provide you with some very useful skills.  If you approach the course with this in mind then you can use it to its full advantage.

Not long ago, mature students could enter university with life skills and work experience to qualify.  Since the introduction of age discrimination legislation however 'older' students must have the same qualifications as those just leaving school.  It could be argued that their life skills, maturity and experience have now been devalued, but who are we to comment?

Access courses are 'free' or 'funded' by the government.  At the time of writing, if a student has no other level 3 qualification then funding for the course can be obtained from the government.  Note that this policy applies despite any other qualifications a student may have, even a PhD! If one were to be cynical, one might think that this would enable the government to meet its absurd target of getting 50% of young people to enter into higher education by 2010. There is also a £30 per week payment available to students who do enter higher education.  One would hate to suggest this may be a bribe....

Generally, A levels are held in higher regard by employers than access courses but you will need at least 3 A levels at grades 'A' to 'C' should you choose this option.  It is certainly possible to obtain A levels when you are a mature student but they should be taken as exams rather than only coursework and it is a tougher option. 

This is the central application process (online) for students wishing to secure a place at university.  Bearing in mind students starting access courses often have very poor IT skills it puts the older student at yet another disadvantage.

It should be noted that universities will also accept applications up to and including the start of the academic year.  You can apply directly to the university and if you take the time to choose your university prior to starting your access course then you can often study the access course at the university where you study your degree.  You can then use the credits gained on the access course as credits towards your degree.  This would seem a more worthwhile use of your time and efforts in addition to providing you with time to get used to the university environment and find your way about.

The adjustment needed from studying at Access course level and the level of a university degree in law is huge.  Get ready for a shock.  There is another jump from year one to year two so the adjustments just keep on coming. 

If you have a degree in another subject then you can study a GDL (graduate diploma in law) or CPE (common professional examination) at an approved provider such as the College of Law or BPP law school.  Both courses are the same and provide equally good qualifications.  The GDL is the modern title of the CPE.  The course takes one year full time or two years part time.  When you have completed the vocational qualification (LPC / BVC) then the GDL / CPE is converted into an LLB.

If law is your first degree then you will need to study towards a qualifying law degree which is a Bachelor's in Law (LLB).  This must be gained within 6 years to be an Honours degree and you will need a minimum of 2:1 to practice as a solicitor / barrister.  Make no mistake, you will need to show you are at least as good as the trainees who are just qualifying.  Being older and being less qualified will not stand you in good stead so a 2:1 really is the minimum.  The required subjects and options are the same as above.

 Vocational courses

During your holidays from university and college you should get some crucial work experience.  If you have contacts then this is where they come in useful.  You need to show that you have experience when you go for a job - otherwise you won't get it.  No interviewer is going to look through your cv (whatever your marks and whatever your age) and decide that you are so special that they will employ you without having any experience.

If you have no contacts then you can always volunteer - this show real dedication and most importantly genuine interest.  It also allows you to get the experience part time.  There are lots of places to get experience and the link on the left shows some of those agencies, along with a brief introduction of the purpose of the agency and what they want from you.