TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Sad_Old_Grad]

Hey! I know this feeling, I am also an international student (qualified overseas and completed an LLM in the UK).

After reading a lot of FAQs and speaking with some grad rec, I honestly believe that a PGDL is not advantageous. Firms primarily look at your undergraduate grades, and the PGDL won't compensate lower grades. Additionally, for TC purposes, you are considered a non-law candidate, which means that if a firm selects you, they will fund both the PGDL and the SQE.

Similar to LLM courses, the PGDL can demonstrate your commitment to becoming a solicitor and your interest in English law. However, unless you plan to move to the UK to build your network and attend firm events while studying in person or extend your stay with a graduate visa, I would not recommend self-funding the PGDL.

I would consider looking for a paralegal role to gain work experience, studying another undergraduate degree, or even pursuing a two-year LLB.

Doing another undergraduate degree or even a two-year law degree could be exorbitantly expensive, especially for an international student; the PGDL, however, is a very financially viable option - all courses cost under the £15,000 mark. Many people who have qualified abroad and hope to work in the UK opt for the PGDL.

 

[sarahfw]

Hi , does anyone know when we will be able to book mock interviews again after Christmas?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi , does anyone know when we will be able to book mock interviews again after Christmas?

the system will reopen on 2nd Jan with availability from the 6th.

 

[kmo20]

Hi, I was hoping someone may be able to help with an issue I have come into regarding my training contract. At the time of accepting my TC I wanted to undertake an international secondment. However, since then I have had a change in personal circumstances. If there is a very high percentage of people (nearly everyone) that go on an international seat at the firm I have a TC with, will I be able to do a client secondment instead due to being unable to do an overseas seat? And is this likely to disadvantage me compared to my fellows trainees?

Any advice would be really appreciated - thank you so much in advance!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I was hoping someone may be able to help with an issue I have come into regarding my training contract. At the time of accepting my TC I wanted to undertake an international secondment. However, since then I have had a change in personal circumstances. If there is a very high percentage of people (nearly everyone) that go on an international seat at the firm I have a TC with, will I be able to do a client secondment instead due to being unable to do an overseas seat? And is this likely to disadvantage me compared to my fellows trainees?

Any advice would be really appreciated - thank you so much in advance!

This really won’t be a problem. Just because firms offer a high number of international secondments does not mean you have to go on one nor that you are at an advantage if you go on one. Client secondment or a normal seat will be perfectly acceptable options and you will be more concerned about where you are qualifying and what experience lines you up well for that anyway.

 

[Mug Fan]

Hi everyone! I’m an international student who did both my schooling and law degree abroad. While I am applying for VS and TCs this year, I also want to have a firm backup plan. I’ve reached out to a few law firms, and given that my law degree is not a qualifying degree in the UK, they would require me to finish the PGDL. Do you think it would be wise for me to self-fund the PGDL this year in case I don’t get a TC? Would it be beneficial in any way?

Not sure how to phrase this, but "how much of an issue is money for you?"

Basically, if you get the TC first, they will generally fund the PGDL for you and give you a substantial (£10-20kish) maintenance grant.

If money is no object and you are convinced you will get a TC eventually, then crack on I guess.

Do you have another job? My issue with doing this would be less about paying for the exam, but more the foregone income of quitting a full-time, well paid job in order to study full-time, only to then not get a TC!

 

[kmo20]

This really won’t be a problem. Just because firms offer a high number of international secondments does not mean you have to go on one nor that you are at an advantage if you go on one. Client secondment or a normal seat will be perfectly acceptable options and you will be more concerned about where you are qualifying and what experience lines you up well for that anyway.

Thank you so much Jessica, this is good to know!

 

[bsh]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jess, just wanted to follow up on here. Are you still doing marked written exercises? I can see they are sold out at the moment... Either way, could you please share the resources you have previously mentioned that you think would be useful preparation. Thank you.

 

[VMS]

Has anyone heard back from the BBC yet after the written task and two video questions?

 

[nyanchan22]

Has anyone heard back from CMS Middle East post WG?

 

[Tintin06]

More training contract dreams happening again. This time, AC at a restaurant. They were running an in-house TC. I have applications on my mind.

 

[Zaidoz10]

Has anyone heard back from CMS Middle East post WG?

Nope.

 

[0livia.pope]

Has anyone heard back from the BBC yet after the written task and two video questions?

They said that they will get back to people mid Jan

 

[VMS]

They said that they will get back to people mid Jan

Thanks! Just me getting stressed then.

 

[andrecsaa]

Doing another undergraduate degree or even a two-year law degree could be exorbitantly expensive, especially for an international student; the PGDL, however, is a very financially viable option - all courses cost under the £15,000 mark. Many people who have qualified abroad and hope to work in the UK opt for the PGDL.

Don’t get me wrong, you are right, financially speaking, self funding the PGDL over a second undergrad or a two-year LLB is extremely viable.

Also, it is a good option depending on your career plan. After the PGDL you can find a paralegal role to get work experience, network and fund your time in the UK until passing a TC, as I mentioned in the end of my answer.

However, even for those graduating from commonwealth countries or with large work experience overseas, it is hard to compete with local undergrads to get TC, NQ or associates roles. The PGDL (or even a LLM with a distinction) will not make such a difference in your TC application as the firms will look primarily at your undergrad marks. It can show your commitment to law, but don’t compensate undergrad marks.

So saving money now can cost your time in the UK if you don’t get a TC or a paralegal job right after the PGDL.

 

[gazdgazd11]

Completed CMS VI for direct TC (London) on 06/12. Haven't heard back. Is this normal?

 

[Gg2001]

Hi everyone! I’m an international student who did both my schooling and law degree abroad. While I am applying for VS and TCs this year, I also want to have a firm backup plan. I’ve reached out to a few law firms, and given that my law degree is not a qualifying degree in the UK, they would require me to finish the PGDL. Do you think it would be wise for me to self-fund the PGDL this year in case I don’t get a TC? Would it be beneficial in any way?

Are you international as in non-European or from Europe but not UK? PGDL should be fine if you’re European (visa is different), if you’re not, I wouldn’t self fund either masters or pgdl for UK. I did my bachelors from UK and went back home. I have met many LLM graduates (LSE and QMUL) who graduated this December (LLMs are every popular for people who do LLB in their home country and then LLM in UK), most (90%) of them were unable to get anything in UK and have a law job in their home country lined up. Again, this is just my experience. Try and meet alumni from your university who have gotten TC abroad (for eg in India many NLU grads go to UK). If you have enough funds and a job lined up back home, you can take the risk of doing a masters in UK, otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it at all. Sorry if this seems harsh but I have met many stressed out international students who were unaware of the UK legal market before coming to UK. You can apply for direct training contracts for firms that hire a decent amount of people from this route.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

Hi @JessicaBooker (and anyone else who can help), I wondered if I should include mitigating circumstances even if I did achieve the grades that a law firm is requiring?

 

[TeeTee123!!]

Does anyone perhaps know when we will hear back from Gowling post VI?

 

[Tintin06]

Hi @JessicaBooker (and anyone else who can help), I wondered if I should include mitigating circumstances even if I did achieve the grades that a law firm is requiring?

Yes because the requirements = minimum. Many will have exceeded such grades.