Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Log in
Register
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
More options
Toggle width
Share this page
Share this page
Share
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Pinterest
Tumblr
WhatsApp
Email
Share
Link
Menu
Install the app
Install
Forums
Law Firm Events
Law Firm Deadlines
TCLA TV
Members
Leaderboards
Premium Database
Premium Chat
Commercial Awareness
Future Trainee Advice
Forums
Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
General Discussion
GDL vs SQE?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="cmaj" data-source="post: 34251" data-attributes="member: 3108"><p>Hi all,</p><p></p><p>I have a MAJOR career conundrum. So sorry in advance for the long post but it is giving me a big headache and I would be so grateful for some advice from you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>I am a non-law graduate, having left university two years ago, and I am now in full-time work. I have a good job and really don't want to leave it until I have secured a training contract. I've been trying to convert to law for the last two years and have now built up a significant amount of experience. I'm really hoping that this year I'll secure a TC off the back of my efforts!</p><p></p><p>I've heard a lot of mixed opinions from legal professionals about the SQE - I've lost count of the amont of people telling me to avoid it! Due to this, I'd planned to start the LLM/MA Law part-time in January to give me the option of doing the GDL/LPC instead of the SQE route. The plan was to complete this conversion part-time from January 2021 to May 2022 (four terms) and then the LPC full-time from Sep 2022 to May 2023, hopefully beginning a training contract in September 2023. However, there are two caveats:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I would prefer to do the LLM/MA Law in January 2021 rather than September 2020 because I have just started a new role. It would be too difficult to do both the training for this and make VS/TC applications at the same time as starting the LLM/MA Law. <br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I had intended on the LLM/MA Law over the GDL as I would prefer to have financing. Unfortunately, I have just discovered that doing this would mean an additional term at law school and I would not be finished until January 2023, consequently making me unable to begin a training contract in September 2023.</li> </ul><p>This means my options are:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Start the MA Law/LLM (part-time) with financing in September 2020 (TC start earliest March 2024)</strong><br /> <em>Pros: full PG funding and making progress towards my future career. <br /> Cons: I wouldn't do as well and could struggle in the first term due to having no time to study, or could burn out. </em><br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Start the GDL (part-time) self-funded in January 2021 (TC start earliest September 2023)</strong><br /> <em>Pros: it fits my schedule, keeps my options open and is making progress towards my future career. <br /> Cons: I could be spending 9k on a redundant qualification.</em><br /> <br /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol"><strong>Wait another year, hope I get a training contract this year and do the SQE (TC start earliest September 2023)</strong><br /> <em>Pros: could be easier? Hopefully funded by a firm, will be alongside the trainee cohort, everybody is in the same boat. Wouldn't have to study alongside full-time work. <br /> Cons: it could be a car crash and limits me to doing it rather than the GDL. If I don't get a TC this year, I have wasted a year. </em></li> </ol><p>In summary, I really don't want to waste another year before entering law BUT I also don't want to waste my savings on self-funding the GDL if the qualification becomes redundant BUT I'm really nervous about the SQE! It almost feels like I'm doomed either way! I'm leaning towards just leaving it and doing the SQE but I don't want to pigeonhole myself.</p><p></p><p>I hope my understanding is correct and my explanation is clear. Please let me know if it is not! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>My immediate questions upon writing this post are:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What would you all recommend?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Does anyone have experience of scholarships at BPP/ULaw? Would I be viable for one while in full-time work?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Are any firms indicating any preference yet? Are any likely to enforce everybody doing the SQE in the near future to put all trainees on an equal level?</li> </ul><p>If you've reached this far, thanks so much for reading!!!! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="cmaj, post: 34251, member: 3108"] Hi all, I have a MAJOR career conundrum. So sorry in advance for the long post but it is giving me a big headache and I would be so grateful for some advice from you lovely people. I am a non-law graduate, having left university two years ago, and I am now in full-time work. I have a good job and really don't want to leave it until I have secured a training contract. I've been trying to convert to law for the last two years and have now built up a significant amount of experience. I'm really hoping that this year I'll secure a TC off the back of my efforts! I've heard a lot of mixed opinions from legal professionals about the SQE - I've lost count of the amont of people telling me to avoid it! Due to this, I'd planned to start the LLM/MA Law part-time in January to give me the option of doing the GDL/LPC instead of the SQE route. The plan was to complete this conversion part-time from January 2021 to May 2022 (four terms) and then the LPC full-time from Sep 2022 to May 2023, hopefully beginning a training contract in September 2023. However, there are two caveats: [LIST] [*]I would prefer to do the LLM/MA Law in January 2021 rather than September 2020 because I have just started a new role. It would be too difficult to do both the training for this and make VS/TC applications at the same time as starting the LLM/MA Law. [*]I had intended on the LLM/MA Law over the GDL as I would prefer to have financing. Unfortunately, I have just discovered that doing this would mean an additional term at law school and I would not be finished until January 2023, consequently making me unable to begin a training contract in September 2023. [/LIST] This means my options are: [LIST=1] [*][B]Start the MA Law/LLM (part-time) with financing in September 2020 (TC start earliest March 2024)[/B] [I]Pros: full PG funding and making progress towards my future career. Cons: I wouldn't do as well and could struggle in the first term due to having no time to study, or could burn out. [/I] [*][B]Start the GDL (part-time) self-funded in January 2021 (TC start earliest September 2023)[/B] [I]Pros: it fits my schedule, keeps my options open and is making progress towards my future career. Cons: I could be spending 9k on a redundant qualification.[/I] [*][B]Wait another year, hope I get a training contract this year and do the SQE (TC start earliest September 2023)[/B] [I]Pros: could be easier? Hopefully funded by a firm, will be alongside the trainee cohort, everybody is in the same boat. Wouldn't have to study alongside full-time work. Cons: it could be a car crash and limits me to doing it rather than the GDL. If I don't get a TC this year, I have wasted a year. [/I] [/LIST] In summary, I really don't want to waste another year before entering law BUT I also don't want to waste my savings on self-funding the GDL if the qualification becomes redundant BUT I'm really nervous about the SQE! It almost feels like I'm doomed either way! I'm leaning towards just leaving it and doing the SQE but I don't want to pigeonhole myself. I hope my understanding is correct and my explanation is clear. Please let me know if it is not! :) My immediate questions upon writing this post are: [LIST] [*]What would you all recommend? [*]Does anyone have experience of scholarships at BPP/ULaw? Would I be viable for one while in full-time work? [*]Are any firms indicating any preference yet? Are any likely to enforce everybody doing the SQE in the near future to put all trainees on an equal level? [/LIST] If you've reached this far, thanks so much for reading!!!! :D [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?
Post reply
Forums
Aspiring Lawyers - Applications & General Advice
General Discussion
GDL vs SQE?
Top
Bottom
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…