Qualifying with a law degree
One of the routes to becoming a solicitor is to complete a qualifying law degree.
The Law Society and the Bar Council are responsible for setting out the conditions a law degree course must meet in order to be termed a ‘qualifying law degree’, and you will find a list of institutions offering qualifying law degrees on the SRA website.
Getting a place at university
Competition for places on law degree programmes is fierce, and you’ll need a strong academic record (three good passes in any academic A level subjects) to get into some universities.
You can choose to study full time, part time or by distance learning. If you are seeking full-time study, apply through UCAS, which has a searchable database of courses offered by higher education institutions, including details of entrance requirements and information about the universities and colleges.
If you wish to take a part-time course, apply direct to your chosen institution – the SRA's list of institutions offering qualifying law degrees shows which can be studied part time.
What to expect during your studies
You are required to complete your degree within one year of the normal period for a full-time study programme, or within two years of the normal period for a part-time study programme.
The foundations of legal knowledge form the academic stage of legal education and is compulsory for students seeking to enter the vocational stage of training. You must obtain a pass mark of 40 per cent in each subject, regardless of the pass mark set by the institution itself.
The foundation subjects are
- obligations including contract, restitution and tort
- public law (including constitutional law, administrative law and human rights law)
- criminal law
- property law
- equity and the law of trusts
- law of the European Union
You also will be expected to have appropriate expertise in legal research skills and the English legal system.
If your aim is to qualify as a solicitor, your degree is valid for seven years: after this, it is considered ‘stale’ for qualifying purposes and you will need to take refresher exams if you subsequently decide to become a solicitor.
After gaining your degree
Once you have your degree, you must apply for student membership of the Law Society and a certificate of completion of the academic stage of training. You may then progress to the vocational stage of training, which includes the Legal Practice Course and the training contract.