Whether you’ve been in your career for two years or twenty, when the urge comes to change paths, it can be an exciting but also nerve-wracking time. If you’re considering changing to a legal career, our law conversion courses make it easier than ever, allowing you to learn how you want with flexible learning timeframes and locations. We caught up with some of our current students to ask why they decided to study a law conversion course and how they’re finding the experience.
By Cara Fielder. Published 13 December 2022.
Barbara Kranjcec has just finished studying the full-time PGDL at our London Moorgate campus
My undergraduate degree is in nursing, and I have worked in healthcare for the past six years. Once I decided to change careers, I did lots of research and concluded that a conversion course was the best first step toward my goal of qualifying as a solicitor. I am currently applying to law firms for training contracts and vacation schemes, and in the meantime, I’m working as a paralegal.
While I was doing my research about the law conversion courses, two providers were mentioned the most. I applied to The University of Law as the other provider was significantly less popular amongst past students. It seemed like an obvious choice for multiple reasons, mostly their way of teaching, the support they provide during the course and the great results.
Overall, the staff are probably the first thing I’d mention when somebody asks about the course. The support you get as an individual new to the law is absolutely remarkable. They equipped us with knowledge and also how that knowledge should be applied in the real world. There is a lot of self-learning and prep involved prior to the workshops where we all come together and apply the learnt knowledge. It’s helpful and practical, which means you don’t just learn a sheer volume of information without any idea of what to do with it.
It's also important to note that mentors care about your life outside of your studies. To begin with, I struggled with the volume of reading required and talked to one mentor about it. She emailed back with a long list of helpful advice and materials on how to stay on top of everything. But what surprised me the most is the fact she’d check in with me from time to time to see how I was getting on, even after she stopped teaching us.
Edd Peckston is studying the MA Law (Conversion) full-time at our Birmingham campus
I hold a BA in Modern Languages and wanted to make the shift towards a career in law, with the aim of practising as a corporate solicitor. The course helped me achieve my aim of securing a training contract with an international law firm and I will be starting an SQE course in March to continue my career progression.
I chose the MA Law (Conversion) as I wanted to gain a law qualification which gave me the chance to go beyond the conversion modules through independent research. This had the added bonus of opening up student finance to support me through my studies. The dissertation in law module allowed me to explore contemporary issues with competition law, an area that will be directly relevant to my practice in corporate law.
Braxton Bonsu studied the MA Law (Conversion) and is now studying the Bar Practice Course (BPC) at our Newcastle campus
After studying law in Europe, namely Madrid and Helsinki, I returned to my hometown of Newcastle. Having decided on a career at the bar, I realised the benefits of enrolling on the MA Law (Conversion). Although I had European experience, as an aspiring barrister in the UK, the course equipped me with knowledge of English law that I needed to embark on the Bar Practice Course (BPC). Now I realise just how well the course equipped me for the demands of the BPC. Looking to the future, I aspire to gain pupillage and make a living out of my greatest passion, advocacy.
Unlike other courses, the MA Law (Conversion) is very practical. Each week I was required to prepare for workshops as opposed to lectures. This student-led learning enabled me to gain practical legal skills at a rapid rate. Skills included critical analysis, logical reasoning and oral communication. Now, as a BPC student, I recognise how vital these skills are and how effective the learning style was. Overall, I could not have found a better course and provider to prepare me for success at the Bar.
The tutors at The University of Law went above and beyond to support me in my legal career. From referencing to supervision, the personal approach given to me by each tutor was unparalleled in any institution I have ever studied at. My tutors, having been former practitioners themselves, provided unique insight into my studies and career development. No request was ever too tedious for them, they always inspired and encouraged me.
Dreaming of a career in law and already have other studies on your CV? Learn how our law conversion courses can make that dream a reality.
