How to Become a Lawyer in the United Kingdom

U.K students study a three-year, honors law degree.

In the United Kingdom lawyers deal with the legal matters of companies, groups and individuals. Direct Gov's Careers Advice states that lawyers can choose to specialize in a number of areas and carry out duties, including drafting documents, research, court representation and advice. The term lawyer does not get used often in the U.K.; solicitor is the commonly used name. To become a lawyer in the United Kingdom you need to complete a university degree, postgraduate law course and take a professional exam.

Things You'll Need

• 5 GSCEs
• 2 A-levels
• Law degree
• Post graduate course

Instructions

1. Complete your secondary school education. To get accepted into a university law course you will need a minimum of five GCSEs (General Certificate of Second Education) and two A-levels. British students take GSCEs in their third to last year of secondary school. They then spend the final two years of school preparing to take A-levels. You will need to achieve good marks in all of your exams, with grades ranging from A to C.

2. Apply to the law degree courses of your choice. All third level course applications in the United Kingdom are processed through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You will have a wide choice of law degrees to pick from, including American law, business law, French law, international law, taxation law and civil law. Each university sets its own requirements for entry regarding school subjects and grades.

3. Attend university and finish your law degree. Most law degrees take three years to complete in the United Kingdom.

4. Take the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Any student wishing to become a qualified solicitor must take this course, even if he already has a master's degree. An LPC takes one academic year to complete. The course involves three required subjects and three elective subjects. To apply for an LPC course, go to Lawcabs.co.uk. Applications for the upcoming academic year have a submission deadline in December of the current academic year.

5. Complete the training contract. The training contract takes place in a law firm. You will spend two years moving between different departments within the firm. You must contact the individual firms directly about applying, as they each have their own application process. Acceptance onto a training contract is not easy. According to Law Britannia, every training contract spot has 130 applicants.

6. 

   Training contract minimum salaries range from £16,650 to £18,590 a year.

   Take the Professional Skills Course (PSC). The Law Society states that the PSC requires students to take three core modules and 24 hours worth of elective modules. Take the PSC alongside your training contract.

References

• Direct Gov Careers Advice: Solicitor
• Law Britannia: Legal Practice Course
• Law Britannia: Training Contracts
• The Law Society: Professional Skills Course

Resources

• Legal Practice Course: Central Applications Board
• All About Law
• UCAS