What GCSE do you need to be a Lawyer? Law Degree Tips Included

Are you struggling to decide your GCSEs while aspiring to be a lawyer? Your struggle stops right here! While GCSE is not the most relevant qualification for your law degree, know that it can be your first step for studying law at university.

So, what GCSE do you need to be a lawyer? The answer awaits right in this blog! Read the blog thoroughly.

What GCSE do you need to be a Lawyer?

There is no specific set of GCSEs that one must have for studying law in the UK. However, aspiring lawyers are recommended to have a minimum of five GCSEs, including Level 4 or C grades in English, Maths and Science. These subjects help to develop important skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving.
Apart from the required GCSE subjects, the other GCSEs needed to be a lawyer in UK are some Humanities subjects like History, Geography and Modern Foreign Languages like French or Spanish.

University of Law Entry Requirements:

The law degree entry requirements for universities in the UK are-

• 48 UCAS Points from a maximum of 3 A Levels, or equivalent qualifications
• A minimum of five GCSEs with a grade C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science.

Online Law Degree:

If you are wondering whether there is any online option for your law course, there actually is! You can now study law online which carries the same weight as the in-person degree.

The online law degree takes the same time to complete as the in-person degree. If you are concerned about getting a job, know that most of the law firms do not have any specification on the format of the degree required. Typically, a minimum of 2:1 is needed to progress during the application process.

How Long do the Courses Take?

The time required to complete law courses at university depends on the level of degree and whether you are studying part-time or full-time. To earn an undergraduate law degree, you need to study a minimum of three years and full-time. There is sometimes an option for law students to study further for a year and graduate with an honours degree.
Some universities also offer law undergraduate courses on a part-time basis. These courses take significantly longer time to complete than the usual full-time programme.

For the postgraduate qualifications, the time-period again varies depending on the particular law course and whether the course is studied part-time or full-time. A master’s degree in law usually takes around two years while graduate diplomas take less time.

Jobs for Law Graduates:

As per Prospects, “First-year trainee salaries in regional law firms range from £20,000 to £40,000. High street firms typically offer training salaries of £20,000 to £30,000.” If you are wondering what jobs you can get with a law degree, well, there are lots of career options available for a law graduate. Some of them are-

• Solicitor- Provides legal support and advice to commercial and personal clients.
• Barrister- Provides legal advice to solicitors and other clients.
• Lawyer- Provides legal advice to clients on criminal or civil law and represents them in legal proceedings.
• Conveyancer- Works with property law.
• Paralegal- Supports lawyers in their work.

Besides these, a law undergraduate can also think of alternative careers outside law. For example, they can choose to work as a political advisor, development officer, teacher or a journalist.

FAQs:

What jobs can you do with a law degree?

There are plenty of options for fresh law graduates who are curious about careers with a law degree. They can either serve as a paralegal, solicitor, lawyer or barrister with their legal degree.

What are the qualifications needed to be a lawyer?

The route to be a lawyer in the UK is pretty long. At first you need to complete a qualifying law degree (LLB) for sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Then you need to complete the two-year Professional Skills Course. The last stage is ensuring a two-year law training contract in a law firm.

What degree do I need to become a lawyer?

You need to study for an undergraduate degree for three years to become a lawyer. You can either choose an LLB or BA/BSc.

How many years do you need to complete your law degree?

If you study a full-time law course at any university or accredited law school, you would need three years to complete the law degree. You would need more time if you study the course part-time.

What to do after graduating from law school?

This would depend on personal preferences, however; the majority choose to practise in law firms. Others might opt for clerkship under the guidance of a judge or pursue an advanced degree.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, the blog was useful for those who want to be a lawyer. If you were confused about which GCSEs to choose for pursuing your career as a lawyer, you have got your answer. So, what’s next? Start your journey today to pursue your dream career!

What to Read Next:

• GCSE Maths Formula Sheet – All Formula with Explanation
• AQA GCSE Exam Timetable 2023 & Key Information
• Can You Go to University with Functional Skills?
• How to Become a Functional Skills Teacher – Step by Step Guide
• Functional Skills Pass Rates – Comprehensive Analysis Update
• How to Revise for GCSE: Best Ways to Revise for GCSE (Step by Step Guide)
• What is Functional Skills Maths Level 2 Equivalent To? Qualification