University Advice

Discussion and advice on University Education

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Moetmum
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:36 pm

University Advice

Post by Moetmum »

DS has almost finished with his GSCE's, has decided on his A levels and is thinking about Uni. We know very little about this area and when he starts back at school in September we would like to understand the options open to him as school discusses what is available to students in the future.

He loves sport but realises a career in 'sport' is unlikely so he has thoughts about being a Sports Lawyer and as second/third choice, he also likes the idea of Criminal and Corporate Law.

He would like to apply for a Russell Group uni and would like to study a very general law degree which gives him the option to look at all aspects of law and see what takes his fancy once he graduates.

He is quite vague but is only 16, is he being too vague with his future ideas and are there general law degrees at Russell unis or should he start looking to be more specific.

His strengths currently lay in the sciences and maths but he doesn't want to study these subjects at university.

Any comments much appreciated.

Thank you
aliportico
Posts: 888
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:19 pm

Re: University Advice

Post by aliportico »

Not that I know anything about law in particular, but the only way to get a good feel for these things (I think) is to just start plodding through websites - make lists of unis, read their descriptions of their law course, see what appeals. Check their requirements :)
KenR
Posts: 1506
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:12 pm
Location: Birmingham

Re: University Advice

Post by KenR »

If he's so keen on sport it sounds like he sounds like he should be going to Loughborough and doing a joint honours including sport science - very popular amongst those wishing to follow a sports related career.

Good Uni as well
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: University Advice

Post by Guest55 »

http://www.ukcoursefinder.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
TraffordMum
Posts: 593
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:29 pm
Location: Trafford

Re: University Advice

Post by TraffordMum »

He should look for an LLB degree. You will find that they are all broadly similar since they have to cover the main building blocks of law - subjects like contract, tort, criminal, land - in order for their graduates (who largely then embark on a legal career as a solicitor or barrister) to be exempt from taking a GDL course post-degree (as graduates from non-law degrees as to have to do). On top of the basic subjects (which will be compulsory) there will be an array of other legal subjects to pick as well, to make up the degree.

Alternatively he could pick a non-law degree and then after university do a one year conversion course (the GDL) and then the LPC (Legal Practice course to be on track for becoming a solicitor) or the Bar course (to become a barrister.

Assuming it's the solicitor route he is interested in, then he should aim for a good Russell group uni to give him the best chance of being as attractive a candidate for a training contract with as many firms as possible.

In terms of sports law, whilst not wanting to dampen down the enthusiasm of youth, whilst it exists as a practice area, it is very specialist and found in very few firms (usually the big corporate firms and small niche commercial specialists). I would recommend pursuing an interest in commercial law and intellectual property law to give a good foundation of skills which would be useful for a putative sports lawyer - there aren't many full time sports lawyers.
Amber
Posts: 8058
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Re: University Advice

Post by Amber »

All three of the people I know who have made careers in Law (2 barristers and one solicitor) have done non-Law degrees and then done a conversion course after university. One did Economics, one History and one some sort of mixed Arts degree. I think the courses are at least as well-regarded as doing a degree in Law; there are so many of the latter about now that I think you need to be really careful.
Moetmum
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:36 pm

Re: University Advice

Post by Moetmum »

Thanks everyone, some great tips and advice for me to work on. Much more to this malarky than I thought before I understand it all - a summer project :roll:
Amber
Posts: 8058
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:59 am

Re: University Advice

Post by Amber »

Moetmum wrote:Thanks everyone, some great tips and advice for me to work on. Much more to this malarky than I thought before I understand it all - a summer project :roll:
Make it his summer project, not yours! The sooner he takes responsibility for all this himself, the more it will mean to him and the more he will understand the implications for his own studies. DD is at the same stage and has already started looking at admissions department requirements (and on TSR!) for information on what she thinks she wants to do - easier now before the real pressure begins. :D
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: University Advice

Post by Guest55 »

Totally agree - that weblink was a great starting point for my DS it gave him ideas of what to study and you can narrow it down by area etc.

Also a good time to do some work experience as there is so much more on offer once you are 16.
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