University of Law Delivers Becoming a Lawyer Talk at John Leggott College

The University of Law visited John Leggott College, Scunthorpe, yesterday to deliver a "Becoming a Lawyer" talk to students on the college's Law Upskill programme. The session set out the realistic routes into the legal profession and how subject choices made now at JLC connect directly to those routes.

What did the University of Law cover in its Becoming a Lawyer talk?

The talk covered the practical stages of qualifying as a solicitor or barrister, from A-Level and degree choices through to professional training. Representatives from the University of Law walked students through the current Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) route alongside the more traditional law degree pathway, giving a clear picture of how each stage builds on the last.

Students also heard about work experience, vacation schemes and the kind of extracurricular activity that strengthens a future law application.

Which students at John Leggott College attended the talk?

Students on JLC's Law Upskill programme attended the talk. The Law Upskill sessions are designed to give students an early, practical steer on legal careers before they commit to university applications.

What career pathways are open to students who want to become a lawyer?

Students interested in law can choose between a traditional law degree and the newer solicitor apprenticeship route, both of which lead to qualification as a solicitor. A law degree typically leads to a training contract or the SQE route into practice, while degree apprenticeships let students earn a salary while studying part-time [Cite: National Careers Service Post-18 Options — nationalcareers.service.gov.uk].

Many students progress to Russell Group universities to study law, where strong A-Level grades and a well-prepared personal statement carry real weight in admissions decisions. UCAS applications for law degree courses follow the same cycle as other subjects, with personal statements playing a central role in how universities assess suitability for the profession [Cite: UCAS How It Works — ucas.com].

Which courses at John Leggott College support students interested in law?

Students at John Leggott College can build toward a legal career through A-Level subjects such as Law, alongside the Law Upskill enrichment sessions that sit outside the standard curriculum. Combining strong subject choices with sessions like yesterday's talk gives students a clearer sense of what the profession actually involves before they apply to university.

For students weighing up next steps after JLC, the college's student support team can talk through university applications, apprenticeship routes and personal statement preparation. Students and families researching the visiting organisation directly can find course and application detail on the University of Law website.

FAQ Section

How do you become a lawyer in the UK after sixth form?

Most students take A-Levels, then either a law degree followed by the SQE or a training contract, or a solicitor apprenticeship combining work and part-time study. Both routes lead to full qualification as a solicitor, with the apprenticeship route allowing students to earn while they train.

Do you need to study Law A-Level to become a lawyer?

No, Law A-Level is not a requirement for most law degrees or legal training routes, though it gives students a useful early grounding. Universities generally weigh overall grades and a strong personal statement more heavily than the specific subject combination.

What is the SQE and how does it affect routes into law?

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is the current national assessment that trainee solicitors must pass to qualify in England and Wales. It sits alongside a qualifying law degree or equivalent and, increasingly, alongside solicitor apprenticeship routes as an alternative to a traditional training contract.