Help with legal study/career? ?

Question

I'm studying for the LLB part time, but I have been thinking to myself to go back full time so phoned a career adviser and seeing her later today. She said I still have a short time to apply for a university full time this year.

I don't know what to do, as with my part time course it takes longer but I'm getting qualifications as I go along such as certificates and diplomas. Can I do that if I go back full time?

I'm working in admin at the moment that isn't law related, but if my legal certificates and diplomas can help me with a law related job while I'm studying then I might just carry on part time, but if it won't then I'll just go back full time.

I don't know what to do or who I'm supposed to ask about it.

I'm a mature student in my late 20s.

I'm in Wiltshire (UK), but if I did go back full time, then where would be a good place to apply to? If I study in London, would I also have to move there? Or would it be possible to study in London but still live in Wiltshire?

Answer 1

To say you want a law-related career is a bit vague, isn't it?  Photocopying for a solicitor's firm is within that definition.

Do you want to train and practice as a lawyer, and if so what type?  Do you want to be employed in a company, with a firm, or self-employed?

Until you know what you want to do, your choice of course and location is immaterial.

At your stage of life, part-time is a luxury you can ill-afford if you wish to go for a new career.

Your certificates and diplomas are fine, depending on what you want to do, but if you want to train as a lawyer or even paralegal (for example) they're next to useless, you need a degree - and quickly.

Unless you commute by helicopter, living in Wiltshire and studying in London is likely to be incompatible.  

Answer 2

These websites might help. http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospect...

http://www.hotcourses.com/uk-courses/Law...

I think that your career adviser is talking about the general clearance system which enables people at this time of year to squeeze in as the result of courses which haven't a full take-up rate for various reasons. If you are joining a course this way, then it's a case of beggars being unable to be choosers. Why not take some time to earn more money and consider your next step rather than rush straight into things? We are coming up to the time of year when people submit their entry forms for next year's courses -- people who are in a position to pick and choose. It's going to be a real shock to the system to give up a job which keeps you going to be a full time student and you need to plan it and make sure that your sacrifice is for something good and worthwhile rather than for a place on a study course which other people didn't want to apply for. Remember too that if you decide to go ahead and obtain a professional qualification this will entail further years of penury and making ends meet. Don't be pressurised into making a quick decision until you have done your sums.