The Open University

[Trainee1]

Do you think a part time degree (in History) graduating with BA Hons with either a First or a 2.1 would mitigate my 2.2 law degree at university? or perhaps a Masters in History? I would be doing this alongside paralegalling. Obviously this would mean applying for training contracts in either a year or two, maybe three.

[Polo]

Hmm...tricky. I'm gonna say that it won't cover up the law degree if you put it down on the application form.

They are gonna wonder why you only got a 2:2 and then after waiting several years have decided to go back to law. My friend did her first degree in history and now wants to be a medic - her experience at interviews is that they grill her hardly on why the change. Law is a committment both career wise and financially for the firm - they want to know that you're a safe(ish) bet.

Don't fall into the trap of doing a postgrad degree just to say that you've got one. I would say that a first degree honours in law would outweigh a postgrad in history if you wanted a legal career.

A postgrad is only worth it if its relevant to what career you're going into. If you did a postgrad/degree in chemistry and then law then it should come ni useful with IP law and patents, or engineering with construction legal issues.

Like i said im not sure on this lol

[carpediem]

I would agree with the above, you would probably be better saving the money and using it to pay for the LPC possibly part time if you want to do paralegalling as well.

At the end of the day a 2:2 isn't the complete death knell on getting a T.C and if u can do well at LPC you can show not only commitment to law but also that you are able to cope with the practical aspects of the profession which is ultimately what the job is about. I only got a 2:2 and have just qualified now so it really isn't the end of the world.

[unlikelyheroine]

The postgraduate degree will not mitigate your 2:2 and firms will see through your attempts to mitigate your undergraduate result with postgrad. If that would be your only reason for a History degree then you are wasting your time and money.

It would be better to get some legal experience. If you are applying to the big firms, have you done vacation schemes and Open Days? Do you attend evening law lectures given by universities, legal charities and so on? Do you volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau, other pro bono legal centres or any charities? Rather than going to study History, you need to show your commitment to Law. Get all the experience you can that is legal-related. Go and visit court to watch some cases, volunteer at a local pro bono centre - anything you can. If you are finding your 2:2 is a barrier to applications - are you calling HR departments and asking them whether it would still be worth applying? A bit of personal contact can help a lot - if they ask for a 2:1 and you apply anyway without it you are likely to be rejected but if you have called ahead first, whilst the answer is likely to be the same, a few places will admire your initiative.

Is there a local law society you can join, or local student law society etc? Basically focus on things to do with law and get your CV looking good.

[Trainee1]

Originally Posted by carpediem

I would agree with the above, you would probably be better saving the money and using it to pay for the LPC possibly part time if you want to do paralegalling as well.

At the end of the day a 2:2 isn't the complete death knell on getting a T.C and if u can do well at LPC you can show not only commitment to law but also that you are able to cope with the practical aspects of the profession which is ultimately what the job is about. I only got a 2:2 and have just qualified now so it really isn't the end of the world.

Did you do well on the LPC?

I was just thinking that getting a BA degree in History can be done in 3 years part time - it normally takes five years, but it works like this:

- Normally, a degree would be 360 credits, with 60 credit modules, so that's six modules to study in order get a BA - but they only mark the best 240 credits when awarding the degree...

- So, I can get a credit transfer for 120 credits (from my old university) and actually only need to complete 240 credits (i.e. four modules).

I'd do it firstly because I like studying history (I did it at A level), I could do it alongside legal work, so by the end I could have a 2.1 degree AND legal work experience. I believe it would override my 2.2, because it is another degree rather than a masters. In reponse to unlikelyheroine, I have bags of legal work experience and plenty of positions of responsibility. I think the paralegalling would show my commitment which would be done at the same as the degree.

[unlikelyheroine]

Trainee1, I don't think you are right about your second degree overriding your original one, but it's your choice. I'd suggest you consult a careers adviser or ask the HR department of firms how they would view a second full undergraduate degree, before you invest in it. Good luck.

[subclause7]

I did a history degree and it was very enjoyable and I am glad I did it.

However, to make up for a first degree's 2:2? No way. Waste of time and money.

[Polo]

I don't know where you did your LPC or whether you would be eligible, but I know that the College of Law will be offering LLM postgrad.

I get the feeling (though this may be wrong!) that you want something to do / look good whilst trying to secure / start a training contract. I'd echo what's already been said about trying to get law related work experience.