Do you need a law degree to become a lawyer?

The short answer is no. In the UK, graduates with degrees in non-law subjects can complete a conversion course – the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) which effectively converts their existing undergraduate degree into a law degree. They can then continue postgraduate study with the LPC (Legal Practice Course) and complete a two-year Training Contract to become a solicitor, or the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) followed by a pupillage in chambers to qualify as a barrister.

There is also the CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) option, which allows legal practitioners to qualify via a vocational route and gain a title equivalent to a solicitor.

However, all this is about to change – in a big way. The LPC and Training Contract are being replaced by the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exam) as the route to qualification as a solicitor. This will consist of two parts. The first will be multiple-choice exam questions covering general legal knowledge, and the second will include skills-based tasks such as research, drafting, interviewing and advocacy.

Instead of a formal training contract, the final step to qualification will be a period of ‘qualifying work experience’, which could include paralegal work and even vacation schemes.

So no, a law degree is not essential to becoming a lawyer. However, some firms (by no means all of them) will attach more weight to a law degree than a degree in another discipline. On the flip side of this, a degree in a STEM subject could be a huge advantage if you wanted to specialise in, say, patent law or medical law. Similarly, a degree in social work could be an asset to a family lawyer, while a media degree would be a solid foundation if you wanted to specialise in entertainment law  - so play to your strengths!

It’s hoped that the SQE will open up the route to legal qualification to groups who may previously have faced financial and other barriers to law. Keep an eye on our upcoming SQE revision guides and study materials and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to receive updates!