Law School Preparing to study law: a student guide

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1 Law School Preparing to study law: a student guide Hints, tips and advice from current law students to help you prepare for the start of your law degree

2 Welcome! We know that applying to university can seem daunting, but we hope that this guide will help to answer some of your questions and concerns as you prepare for the next stage in your studies. The guide has been written by current law students at the University of Exeter, and draws on some of our personal experiences both during the application process and since starting at university. We hope you enjoy reading it, and wish you the best of luck with your applications! Victoria & Emma

3 STAGE 1: before you apply How do I choose which universities to apply to? There are lots of factors to consider when choosing which universities to apply to, but basically it comes down to your own personal preferences. As well as thinking about your predicted grades and the subject you want to study, you could ask yourself the following questions: How far away from home do I want to be? Do I want to live in a large city? Do I want to attend a campus university (where all the main university buildings are located on one site), or one which is spread out across the town/city? Once you have an idea what is important to you, look at universities websites and prospectuses, and if possible go to open days to get a feel for some different places. This might take quite a bit of time, but you will spend at least three years at your chosen university so it s definitely worth putting in the effort to make sure you make the right decision about where to go! How do I know if law is the right subject for me? Law is an interesting and exciting subject to study, but there is no denying that it can also be challenging and dry some of the time! If you are unsure whether law is the right subject for you, you should speak to some current law students about their experiences most universities will have students available at open days, and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Lots of universities run taster days for sixth form students who are thinking about law, which are a really good way to get an idea of what university life is like. Getting some law-related work experience will also help you decide whether law is for you. This can be easier said than done, but is definitely worth the effort! Try writing to some high street firms in your local town to ask them whether you can spend some time shadowing a solicitor, or spend a day or two at your local Crown Court. Courts are usually open to the public, so you should be able to sit in the public gallery and see the lawyers at work quite easily. If you do this, make a point of introducing yourself to the ushers and telling them why you are there they might be able to give you some advice about which court has the most interesting cases to watch, and if you re lucky they may even introduce you to some of the lawyers and/or judges!

4 I ve heard a lot about the qualifying law degree what is that? A qualifying law degree (QLD) is one which covers all the subjects required to complete the academic stage of the training path for a career as a barrister or solicitor. Once completed, you can progress either to the Legal Practice Course (for trainee solicitors) or Bar Professional Training Course (for trainee barristers). University websites and prospectuses will clearly state whether the degree (or degrees) they offer fulfil these criteria and if the degree title includes LLB, it is extremely likely that it will be a QLD. So, can I study law with another subject? Yes, but it may not lead to a QLD. Check the websites and prospectuses of the universities you are interested in for more details about the different courses on offer. If you are unsure, speak to the university directly.

5 STAGE 2: making your application What do I need to include in my personal statement? The personal statement is often the part of the UCAS application which students dread the most; it can be quite hard to squeeze everything you want to say into just 4000 characters. But this section of the application is your main opportunity to sell yourself, so use it wisely. Here are our top tips for writing an effective personal statement: Think about why you want to study law what interests you about the subject? Avoid bland statements like I want to help people, instead give real examples to demonstrate your passion for the subject. There are always lots of law-related issues in the news, so if something recent has grabbed your attention then use it in your personal statement! Make the most of any work experience you have, and relate it to why you will be a good law student. This does not have to be legal experience; it could be things such as a part time job, your experience as a prefect or your role as captain of your school s football team. All of these things teach you vital skills such as time management, communication and team work which you will need as a law student use this opportunity to show that you have them! Invest time into drafting and re-drafting your personal statement do not expect to get it right first time! Make use of teachers, relatives and anyone else who is able to help you with your personal statement. Ask them to check your drafts and point out any areas which you could improve. Once written, check your personal statement thoroughly for spelling and grammar. Silly mistakes can really reduce the chances of your application being successful, so make sure you avoid them! Will I have to take an admissions test if I want to study law? You will have to take an admissions test called the LNAT if you are applying to any of the following universities: - University of Birmingham - Durham University - University of Bristol - University of Glasgow - University College London - Oxford University - University of Nottingham - King s College London This test is designed to help universities identify the best applicants, and your results will be looked at alongside your UCAS application. For more information about the LNAT, including some guidance on how to prepare for the test, visit

6 Will I have to go to an interview? Very few universities require applicants to go through an interview process in addition to the UCAS application, but it is possible. Interviews are more likely if you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or if you are applying for a dual-qualification course which is partly taught in another language (e.g. Law with French Law), but you should check the information provided on the websites of your chosen universities to find out whether you will be asked to attend an interview. What will the interview be like? How can I prepare? Interviews vary widely, but one of the main ways you can prepare is by keeping up to date with current affairs in the run up, either by reading a newspaper regularly or watching the television news. Your school or college may offer a mock interview with a teacher or another member of staff if this is the case then make the most of the opportunity to practise, and if not then ask one of your teachers whether they would be prepared to do this for you. The more you practise, the less scary the interview process will seem! The following tips may be useful when you come to the interview itself: Interviewers are looking for potential and enthusiasm more than anything else you are not expected to know everything! Never make up the answer to a question if you do not understand something, ask for clarification, and if you still do not know the answer just say so. Try not to panic, even if you think the interview is going badly. Be yourself! The interviewers want to meet you and get to know a bit about you; there is no point in trying to pretend to be someone else. Remember that an interview is a two way process it s an opportunity for you to decide whether a particular course or university is right for you, as well as the chance for the interviewer to decide whether you re the right person for them.

7 STAGE 3: after you apply I have a place at university to study law what can I do to prepare before I start? The most important thing you can do at this stage is to concentrate on any exams or coursework you have left to do and make sure you get the grades you need to secure your place at your chosen university. You should also try to keep up to date with current affairs by reading a newspaper or watching the television news regularly this is a good habit to get into, and one which you will need to keep up throughout your law degree! During the summer when your place has been confirmed, you could contact your university to see if they would suggest any reading or textbooks you could buy in advance. Some universities provide some form of guidance, and if they do not just ask! STAGE 4: when you get there Will I have time for other activities outside my studies? Definitely get involved in as much as possible! Your studies need to be your main priority, but university is about so much more than just the time you spend in lectures and in the library. Here are just a few of the different types of extra-curricular activities available to law students: Mooting this is a legal argument, in which opposing sides of a legal issue or problem are presented before a judge in a simulated appeal court. Taking part in mooting allows law students to improve their understanding of the law and skills in legal research, analysis and public speaking. As such it is a great activity to get involved in, particularly for law students who are aiming for a career at the Bar. Client Interviewing in a client interview, law students take on the role of lawyers interviewing a client for the first time, aiming to gather information about a fictional legal problem and make suggestions regarding an appropriate solution/next steps. This allows students to develop interpersonal, communication and listening skills which are necessary in any future legal career. Pro Bono this basically means legal volunteering. Different universities offer a range of different pro bono projects which allow you an

8 opportunity to put your legal knowledge and skills to use in a way which benefits the local community. More and more universities now offer Law Clinics, in which students provide legal information and/or advice to members of the public. In addition to these law-specific activities, all universities have a wide range of sports clubs and societies which students can take part in. You should look out for information provided by the Students Union or Guild when you start university, and there are often taster sessions and sign-up days at the beginning of the year. STAGE 5: after university What can I do with a law degree? Studying law can open up a whole range of career options, whether or not you decide to pursue a legal career. The skills you learn by studying law (research, analysis, communication, problem solving, team work, to name but a few) are transferrable, and can be applied in almost any area of work. Perhaps the most obvious option following a law degree is to pursue a career in legal practice, either as a solicitor or a barrister. More information about these roles and the associated training paths can be found at More information on the different paths followed by law graduates can be found at