To become a solicitor or barrister you will need a degree (whether this is gained through university study or via an apprenticeship) but this degree doesn’t necessarily have to be in Law Tutor.
‘You are eligible with any degree,’ says Keith Mitchelhill, early talent recruitment advisor at Womble Bond Dickinson. ‘For those with a non-law degree, it is recommended (though not compulsory) that you complete a law conversion course, commonly the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL), which provides you with the foundations of legal knowledge that will help in your legal career.’
Upon completing a law conversion course you’ll need to take the SQE (solicitors) or a Bar course (barristers).
If you do study law at undergraduate level, ensure that your LLB is a qualifying degree – meaning it’s approved by the SRA (for solicitors) or the Bar Standards Board (BSB) (for barristers) – a requirement if you’re to become a practising lawyer.
As previously mentioned, it’s possible to join the legal profession without going to university at all. The CILEx CPQ route (where you can study to become a paralegal (Foundation), advanced paralegal (Advanced) or lawyer (Professional)) does not require a degree, or equivalent qualifications and experience.
Legal apprenticeships are also available, and these provide another viable alternative to university study.