Law Degree time constraints help please

Zziggi

I'm after checking some info out on behalf of a friend.

She is a graduate (2001) and now wants to do a law degree perhaps to retrain to become a solicitor. I understand that a Law degree MUST be completed within 6 years (that this is the Law Society rules) or, if you are a graduate doing a conversion course - you must complete the conversion course within 5 years (law society rules). She can only study part-time at the moment so it would take her 4 years on the conversion or 6 years for the degree as long as there are no hiccups.

My question is, is this rule ABSOLUTELY fixed?

She was looking at the law degree with the OU:- http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01B05

I was just thinking that say a person did the degree part-time and then in their last year they had a momentous personal tragedy which meant they could not complete the course that year, it sounds a bit rough that the person is from then on forever unable to get a QLD. Does anyone know, if the worse case senario were to happen, can a person take extra courses to get a QLD & by-pass the "(5) 6 year rule"?

Thanks in advance

Zziggi

Think I may have answered my own query, but if anyone can confirm?

http://www.sra.org.uk/documents/students/academic-stage/academicstageguide.pdf

states:

2.7.5 Senior status law degree
The maximum period permitted for completion of a senior status law degree is as follows:
• For full-time study – no less than two years and no more than three years
• For part-time study – no less than three years and no more than five years
2.7.6 Exceptional cases
If a degree is not completed in a period that falls within the range prescribed by the general rule (Section 2.7.1 above), it is very unlikely to be recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as a qualifying law degree.
Provider institutions should refer exceptional cases to the Solicitors Regulation Authority – with full supporting evidence. The Solicitors Regulation Authority considers exceptional cases on their merits.
Exceptional circumstances, which could justify completion of a degree in a period that exceeds the maximum prescribed by the general rule, include the following:
• Relocation to a different part of the country or overseas for domestic or occupational reasons
• Serious financial hardship
• Illness or a disability of a nature that necessitates the transfer
• Illness or disability of a dependent for whom the student is the primary carer
• Significant change in the student’s circumstances that is sufficiently beyond the control of the student

Swirlywurly

Why doesn't she just do the one year course as she is a graduate (sorry don't know what it is called)

Cazza

Think this is the best option maybe, followed by the LPC?? http://www.college-of-law.co.uk/prospective-students/gdl.html

Swirlywurly

Cazza wrote: »

Think this is the best option maybe, followed by the LPC?? http://www.college-of-law.co.uk/prospective-students/gdl.html

Yes the GDL thats what I meant

Zziggi

Thanks guys, that is VERY VERY interesting. I have already phoned her to let her know what i (well you actually) found out.

Thanks again.

P.S. Don't suppose anyone has taken this 1 year GDL have they?

P.P.S. how can the OU justify 4 years part-time (and £8k) when the GDL would only be 2 years part-time (and circa £6k)?

dmg24

You could take the OU course in two years, it is up to the individual as to how many courses they take at any one time.

If she did not know about the GDL, I would query how much research your friend has done into this subject. She needs to be aware that the supply of Law grads far outweighs the demand for them, and needs to consider this before committing to the cost of the GDL and LPC.

What classification did she get in her first degree? If she got less than a 2.1, she really will struggle to get a training contract.

Zziggi

dmg24 wrote: »

You could take the OU course in two years, it is up to the individual as to how many courses they take at any one time.

yes but that would still be 1 year f/t GDl and 2 years f/t OU. I'm guessing the GDL is VERY intense.

dmg24 wrote: »

If she did not know about the GDL, I would query how much research your friend has done into this subject. She needs to be aware that the supply of Law grads far outweighs the demand for them, and needs to consider this before committing to the cost of the GDL and LPC.

Yes - i agree. She was vague when i spoke to her earlier. I never knew how expensive it was £6k + £9k :eek: i blame change in "personal circumstances" makes some people look for a change in their future.

dmg24 wrote: »

What classification did she get in her first degree? If she got less than a 2.1, she really will struggle to get a training contract.

3rd in bio-science [not sure exactly the title of it], 1st in psychology (2 degrees)

dmg24

The f/t GDL is very intense, probably on a par with the PGCE. TBH I wasn't aware that OU offered the GDL. Do you have a link?

If I was her I would definitely do some more research. Two degrees plus another change in direction either demonstrates a lack of commitment or a great deal of indecisiveness. Not attractive qualities for a prospective solicitor!

Is there a careers advisor that she could speak to at her old uni?

Zziggi

dmg24 wrote: »

The f/t GDL is very intense, probably on a par with the PGCE. TBH I wasn't aware that OU offered the GDL. Do you have a link?

If I was her I would definitely do some more research. Two degrees plus another change in direction either demonstrates a lack of commitment or a great deal of indecisiveness. Not attractive qualities for a prospective solicitor!

Is there a careers advisor that she could speak to at her old uni?

The link I have is in my first post (although i don't think it is what you are referring to). I'm not too sure what the difference is between a QLD and a GDL - essentially they both get you to the point of applying for the LPC - don't they? Also if you do a GDL & a LPC with the college of law they "give" you a LLB anyway. (Perhaps I am missing the point? As this isn't my area of interest - i probably am missing the point!)

OU do standard LLB (360 credits)

or a "senior status law degree"
if you have an undergrad degree - 240 compulsory credits plus 120 transfered credit

Or
if you have a masters degree - 240 credits plus 90 transfered from masters degree plus a further 30 credits.

dmg24

Zziggi wrote: »

The link I have is in my first post (although i don't think it is what you are referring to). I'm not too sure what the difference is between a QLD and a GDL - essentially they both get you to the point of applying for the LPC - don't they? Also if you do a GDL & a LPC with the college of law they "give" you a LLB anyway. (Perhaps I am missing the point? As this isn't my area of interest - i probably am missing the point!)

OU do standard LLB (360 credits)

or a "senior status law degree"
if you have an undergrad degree - 240 compulsory credits plus 120 transfered credit

Or
if you have a masters degree - 240 credits plus 90 transfered from masters degree plus a further 30 credits.

Thanks, I had completely forgotten about the senior status law degree, and TBH can't remember what it entails (I got my LLB in 2005, feels like a lifetime ago!). I'll have a read up tomorrow!