Funding the Law Conversion Course

Jan 26, 2023

Written By Rebeka Melamed

When deciding to pursue a career as a solicitor, funding your studies is an important factor to consider. Under the new SQE route, graduates without a qualifying law degree will usually undertake a law conversion course such as PGDL or MA Law (Conversion). Depending on the institution and the location, the course fees can be up to £13,000. Below we have explored some of the ways to fund your studies.

Sponsorship by a law firm

If you are lucky enough to secure a training contract before embarking on your law conversion course, your law firm may offer sponsorship for the course at an instruction of their choice. Some law firms even offer a maintenance grant, allowing you to focus on your studies without worrying about your living expenses.

If you have already set your mind on completing the PGDL, or other conversion course without holding a training contract offer, it is still possible to receive law firm sponsorship. Different firms have different policies, and some law firms may offer to cover your expenses retrospectively. It is worth considering this when choosing the firms you want to apply to.

Scholarships

Law schools and course providers have various scholarships and bursaries available to prospective students. Scholarships are offered for a range of merits, including academic excellence and achievements, leadership skills, and passion for a career in law.

Institutions also provide bursaries specifically designed to increase diversity in the legal sectors by supporting prospective students from demographic underrepresented in the legal industry. It is worth checking with your chosen institution about your financial situation and their bursary and scholarship options.

It is crucial to apply as early as possible if you want to be considered for funding options. Do not forget to make a note of the deadlines for those opportunities when researching law conversion course providers' websites. Plan your application accordingly, as most of the deadlines for funding are early in the application cycle.

Student Loans

The PGDL is not eligible for Student finance as it is a postgraduate diploma. However, course providers now offer law conversion courses as Master’s qualification, as either the MA or LLM.

By opting for a Master's type conversion course, you could apply to Student Finance for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. If successful, you could receive up to £11,836 towards your fees.

Eligibility for the postgraduate loan is different across the UK and depends on education history, nationality, institution, and course type. The Postgraduate Master’s Loan is only available for students who have not completed a previous Master’s degree and study at a course provider registered with the Office for Students.

Different types of law conversion courses have specific requirements and demands. Some MA courses may require you to complete a dissertation-type assessment or additional modules. It is worth checking the structure of each law conversion course before choosing the right one for you.

If you do not qualify for a student loan, some alternative lenders offer loans to recent graduates to finance their further studies. To obtain such loans, you will have to submit specific applications. It is crucial to ensure the lender is authorised before committing to anything. It is also worth talking with the institution of your choice about alternative lenders, as they may have a list of the ones they work with.

Other sources of funding

While self-funding your law conversion course can be a significant financial responsibility, some options will help you manage the fees involved in continuing your legal education. Some students chose the flexibility of part-time and online courses, which allows them to work. Others rely on the support of their family or their savings.

BPP and the University of Law now offer payment plans, allowing students to manage their finances by distributing the course’s costs into smaller and more manageable instalments.

Planning the funding of your studies is an essential part of the process of applying for further education. Starting to plan early gives you time to explore each option and prevents you from missing a deadline for a scholarship or loan opportunity.

University Funding