LLB with The Open University - Training contract and trainee solicitor information and resources

LostInSpace · #1 (**permalink**) 18th July 2009, 18:00

Hi,

I am thinking of embarking on studying a LLB Degree with The Open University.

My query is though, that I have no experience with Law from past studies.. or any A Levels at all. I just have GCSEs

How far would I go in terms of employment, if I did actually complete a LLB Law Degree? Im asking because I do not want to waste money on courses [as they are expensive] and then get nothing out of it.

Kind Regards and thanks to everyone willing to help

MrX · #2 (**permalink**) 18th July 2009, 22:23

If you have no A Levels then you've almost no chance with a City firm as they place a huge emphasis on academics. Do you have any experience (legal or otherwise)?

LostInSpace · #3 (**permalink**) 19th July 2009, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrX

If you have no A Levels then you've almost no chance with a City firm as they place a huge emphasis on academics. Do you have any experience (legal or otherwise)?

thanks for the reply.

at present, I do not have any experience in the legal firm. however, if i do consider joining the OU's degree programme, then I will also work part time on a volunatary basis or something in order to aid me with legal work experience.

are there any firms that I 'may' stand a chance with? plus apart from city firms, whcih other firms are there?

thanks, and regards

MrX · #4 (**permalink**) 19th July 2009, 18:04

There are quite literally hundreds of firms offering training contracts, try websites like lawcareers.net, the Chambers Student Guide, The Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook and so on to get an idea of what firms are looking for.

Do you have any non-legal experience? That can be just as valuable as legal experience if you're able to show it's relevant to a legal career.

LostInSpace · #5 (**permalink**) 20th July 2009, 18:53

thanks for that, very helpful.

i have heard that graduates who complete a LLB Law degree learn lots of skills, so they do not need to go into the legal field.....what do you make out of that one?

MrX · #6 (**permalink**) 20th July 2009, 21:06

It depends. My experience is that many employers see a law graduate as someone who'll be out the door and away to a law firm as soon as possible, therefore you have no interest in the job on offer.

At the same time, my sister did law and is now an international oil trader and one of my cousins quit his training as a barrister to become a head of an exams board so you just never know what can come up.

Oceanica · #7 (**permalink**) 23rd July 2009, 13:26

I have met a few OU Law grads who are doing really well - they didn't have A-levels but they worked really hard and got a 1st on their degress, which will impress any law firm. And in my experience law graduates are well regarded even in non-law fields. The only drawback in the OU law degree, I think, is that it's expensive (maybe because the course is given in collaboration with the College of Law). It's about three times as expensive as another OU degree... yeicks! Good quality, though.

MrX · #8 (**permalink**) 23rd July 2009, 13:50

You could just study Basket Weaving then the GDL, that seems to be popular these days.

Branis A. Talbot · #9 (**permalink**) 27th January 2010, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrX

If you have no A Levels then you've almost no chance with a City firm as they place a huge emphasis on academics. Do you have any experience (legal or otherwise)?

Are you suggesting that the OU LLB by distance learning is not "academic" enough? I dont quite understand your statement. Could you please clarify. Thanks

xo11 · #10 (**permalink**) 5th February 2010, 01:30

To be completely honest, the law profession from my experience its not about WHAT YOU KNOW, its who you know. I know barriester who had a 2.2. LLB and a BVC where she got competent and that didnt stop her.