First-year law and second-year non-law students

What does it mean to be a solicitor? Am I cut out for the work? Why do I want to be a solicitor rather than a barrister? Do I want to practise in London or the regions? What practice area? These are the questions to be asking around this time. Answers can be gleaned by delving into the law section of your university careers centre and undergoing a healthy dose of self-analysis.

You might like to arrange some summer work experience to begin checking out the different types of firm (note that the formal work placement schemes don't take place for another year, though). Above all, work at achieving and maintaining good grades: when it comes to applying for formal work placement schemes and training contracts - firms will want to know your first and second-year grades, not just what degree you've ended up with.

Second-year law and final-year non-law students

Autumn term, winter vacation and spring term
Decide whether you genuinely believe that law is a career which will suit your character and skills through further research into the profession. Go to your careers advice service and discuss the profession generally with a careers adviser. Attend law firm presentations on campus and at firms' offices, and research and apply for work placement schemes for your summer vacation (some firms also offer winter and spring schemes). It's a good idea to do a few schemes in order to get a feel for the range and types of practice available to you. Check out "Vacation scheme deadlines" for closing dates.

Most university law careers fairs take place in November. Ensure you attend and meet people from the firms face to face. It is best to have done some preliminary research so you can ask intelligent questions.

Look into the funding possibilities for your legal training (in particular, local education authority grants) and check closing dates for applications.

Non-law degree students will need to apply for a place on a conversion course, known as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), before 1 February (in 2010) to be considered in the initial stage (February until mid-April). Applications received after 2 February but during the initial stage will be considered in April. Offers will generally be sent out in March. Applications for full-time places must be made through the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk). Although online applications are greatly preferred, you can phone 01483 451080 to request a hard-copy form. Applications for part-time courses must be made direct to the provider. 

Spring vacation
Apply for further vacation work placements for the summer vacation. Thoroughly research the applications procedure for training contracts, especially those at firms you are interested in. By now you should be shortlisting the firms at which you want to work.

Summer vacation
Most major law firms will require training contract applications during this period (from mid-July onwards). Check out our "Training contract deadlines" page for specific dates. Gain some further work experience, either on a formal work placement scheme or through other means. Check deadlines for LPC applications at the Central Applications Board (www.lawcabs.ac.uk).

Final-year law and GDL students

Autumn term
Employers can start interviewing candidates for training contracts from 1 September in their final year of a law degree, so you should be busy with interviews now! You must also apply for LPC courses now through the Central Applications Board. The deadline for the initial selection and allocation process is 1 December. Applications received after 1 December will be considered by institutions at the end of March.

Spring term
You must enrol at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as a student member before you start your LPC. However, if you have submitted your application for a full-time LPC place, you will automatically be sent the necessary forms. The closing date for the return of forms is 1 August in the year you hope to start the LPC. For those with suitability issues, such as a police caution, the deadline is 1 April because you have to submit supporting documents. Click here for more information. Part-time LPC applicants need to contact the SRA to enrol (email contactcentre@sra.org.uk or call 0870 606 2555).

Summer term
The deadline for LPC acceptances is during this term. If you haven't succeeded in obtaining a training contract, keep making further applications until you get one. Obtain a certificate for the completion of the academic stage of legal training from the SRA.

LPC year

If you have yet to find a training contract, keep making further applications throughout the year until you get one. Attend as many law fairs as possible and check for adverts in the Law Society Gazette and in our "Immediate Vacancies" section.

NB The LPC is in a state of flux, with providers now able to run the course in different ways. For example, it is possible to separate the compulsory subjects from the electives, completing the electives at the same time as your training contract. For more on the LPC, see our dedicated "LPC" page and our "News" section. However, as things stand, the following is the way that a typical, one-year full-time course is taught.

Autumn term
Introduction course followed by compulsory subject courses.

Spring term
Compulsory subject courses.

Summer term
Optional subject courses.

Training contract

Year one
Ensure that your training contract has been registered with the SRA (your firm will usually do this for you). The format of the training varies from firm to firm, but most firms operate a series of departmental rotations (most often four seats in separate departments, each lasting six months). On-the-job training is provided throughout and is supplemented by courses and lectures during the two-year training period.

Year two
Around the middle of your second year, most firms will make post-training job offers and you will know whether you are going to be offered a position upon finishing your training contract. Approximately six to eight weeks before your training contract is due to end, the SRA will send you the necessary forms so that you can apply to be formally admitted to the roll of solicitors. Provided that all necessary training conditions have been satisfied, you will be admitted to the roll. Congratulations - you are a solicitor!