Where to study the PGDL?

[Aqua123]

I'm currently looking to study the PGDL (PG Dip) in Northern Ireland, to then qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales ( and maybe NI). I wanted to ask if firms really care about where you study it?

My options are to either study my PG Dip at either Queen's University Belfast or the University of Ulster. The Queen's course is exams based, whereas the Ulster course is coursework based. I essentially haven't done a closed book exam since my A levels in 2019, as my degree was essentially all course work based (we had one exam that became open book, really a timed essay in first year due to strikes).

. QUB is very highly rated for law and has excellent teaching, however I would be worried about sitting exams, especially in something as difficult as a law conversion, essentially I am a bit worried about not doing well considering I haven't sat an exam in so long and due to the sheer volume of content. I am far more used to coursework and do well in it, so Ulster's course would be more my speed, as I feel it would allow me more time to get used to law and just general not feel pressured to do exams, giving me a degree more control.

However, I am worried about the prestige factor, because law firms can be quite selective about universities. Even here in NI, QUB still dominated the corporate law profession (if I did want to stay here). My cousin who's a corporate lawyer in England even said to choose QUB because it's better ranked, but I'm seeing mixed things on line stating that where you do the PGDL doesn't matter, and the overall grade matters more.

For added context - I'm from Northern Ireland, studied for my non-law undergrad in England (think Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle type RG university) and got a first in social sciences degree. It works out to be so much cheaper for me to study at home and live essentially rent free, rather than complete my conversion in England and pay rent (I know you can do online learning, but I hated it during covid). I'm also a career changer, as I worked for an IB in market operations and then for a large corporate firm in business services (AML, conflicts etc), so have some industry related experience too going for me too.


Any advice would be great, as I really do not want to make the wrong decision and have it bite me years down the line. Thanks for any and all advice

 

[rochellekelly]

I'm currently looking to study the PGDL (PG Dip) in Northern Ireland, to then qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales ( and maybe NI). I wanted to ask if firms really care about where you study it?

My options are to either study my PG Dip at either Queen's University Belfast or the University of Ulster. The Queen's course is exams based, whereas the Ulster course is coursework based. I essentially haven't done a closed book exam since my A levels in 2019, as my degree was essentially all course work based (we had one exam that became open book, really a timed essay in first year due to strikes).

. QUB is very highly rated for law and has excellent teaching, however I would be worried about sitting exams, especially in something as difficult as a law conversion, essentially I am a bit worried about not doing well considering I haven't sat an exam in so long and due to the sheer volume of content. I am far more used to coursework and do well in it, so Ulster's course would be more my speed, as I feel it would allow me more time to get used to law and just general not feel pressured to do exams, giving me a degree more control.

However, I am worried about the prestige factor, because law firms can be quite selective about universities. Even here in NI, QUB still dominated the corporate law profession (if I did want to stay here). My cousin who's a corporate lawyer in England even said to choose QUB because it's better ranked, but I'm seeing mixed things on line stating that where you do the PGDL doesn't matter, and the overall grade matters more.

For added context - I'm from Northern Ireland, studied for my non-law undergrad in England (think Sheffield, Leeds, York, Newcastle type RG university) and got a first in social sciences degree. It works out to be so much cheaper for me to study at home and live essentially rent free, rather than complete my conversion in England and pay rent (I know you can do online learning, but I hated it during covid). I'm also a career changer, as I worked for an IB in market operations and then for a large corporate firm in business services (AML, geometry dash online, conflicts etc), so have some industry related experience too going for me too.


Any advice would be great, as I really do not want to make the wrong decision and have it bite me years down the line. Thanks for any and all advice

My experience of studying Law at Queen’s has been largely positive. The course itself is well structured, and most of the faculty are approachable, engaging in lectures and tutorials, and effective at explaining the material. There are a few lecturers who aren’t particularly strong, but with six modules a year and multiple lecturers involved in each one, you rarely have to deal with them for long.

My main criticism of Queen’s is the level of support available outside the classroom. From what I’ve seen, Ulster appears much more focused on actively helping students succeed, whereas Queen’s tends to take the view that delivering the course content is their responsibility and everything else is largely up to you. This extends to administrative matters, where guidance on processes and paperwork can sometimes be limited.

I think Queen’s often assumes students have access to family members who have been through university before and can help them navigate things. As someone whose parents didn’t attend university and who has no family connections in the legal profession, I’ve sometimes felt a lack of guidance, particularly when it comes to securing placements and work experience.