As many of you are aware, the traditional route to becoming a qualified solicitor has historically involved obtaining a qualifying law degree, often the LLB Law degree, followed by the LPC (Legal Practice Course), and subsequently securing a training contract. Alternatively, one could pursue any undergraduate degree, complete a conversion course, the LPC, and then embark on the training contract.
However, you may also have heard about the relatively new pathway to solicitor qualification known as the SQE route. (For an in-depth breakdown of this route, please refer to our other blog post titled 'How to become a solicitor.') The SQE route has revolutionised the process by allowing anyone seeking to qualify as a solicitor in the UK to do so without the prerequisite of a qualifying law degree. Under this route, after completing their undergraduate degree in any subject, students aiming to qualify proceed to study the SQE (parts 1 and 2), effectively eliminating the need for a conversion course. Consequently, this development raises the question of whether pursuing a traditional law degree is still a worthwhile endeavor, a topic I aim to explore in this post.
So is doing a law degree worth it?
As you might have guessed, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. With this new qualification pathway, my advice to students aspiring to enter the legal profession is to pursue a subject they are genuinely passionate about. Regardless of whether one chooses a law or non-law degree, the time required to qualify as a lawyer is equal.
Students should not succumb to the pressure of selecting a law degree solely to become a lawyer. Instead, they should assess whether they have the aptitude for the subject, given its academic rigor. Additionally, students should consider whether they genuinely enjoy the subject matter. This is important because law firms often prioritise candidates with strong academic records (typically 2:1 or above) and a true passion for their chosen field, which can contribute to success both academically and professionally.
Does not doing a law degree disadvantage you?
Short Answer: No!
According to TargetJobs firms hire “roughly 50% from non-law degrees”.
Moreover, based on my conversations with solicitors at prestigious firms like White & Case, Latham & Watkins, and Gowling WLG, I've observed a relatively balanced distribution between those who pursued a law degree at university and those who did not. It's worth highlighting that non-law backgrounds can actually offer students a distinct advantage in certain scenarios. For instance, a background in Chemistry could prove immensely beneficial to a solicitor handling an intellectual property case involving a pharmaceutical company like AstraZeneca or others. This diversified knowledge base can provide valuable insights and expertise that enhance their ability to navigate complex legal issues effectively.
Hence, while law students may possess a theoretical understanding of the law itself, the SQE plays a crucial role in equipping individuals with the practical skills to apply the law effectively in real-world scenarios. Consequently, due to this new route, both law and non-law students find themselves on equal footing, without any inherent disadvantage based on their choice of degree. Therefore, the decision to pursue a law degree should ultimately hinge on one's genuine interest, passion for the subject matter, and the belief that it will contribute positively to their journey toward becoming a lawyer.
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