Why I chose an MA in law instead of a traditional conversion course

I considered the traditional conversion course but chose to study the MA (an alternative two-year course giving direct entry onto the LPC or BPTC). I felt that it would give me a broader knowledge of the law (as the course covered a much wider range of legal subjects than the traditional CPE) and a greater opportunity to work part time to help fund the course.  

Finding the right balance

The course is spread over two years and is therefore slightly less intensive than other conversion courses. I was able to live in Nottingham and commute to Sheffield for lectures and seminars. I also worked part time and still managed to have a life outside of my studies. The work expected was definitely a big step up from my undergraduate degree but this was largely due to the quantity rather than its difficulty. I found the methodology for structuring legal questions and answering them very different from anything I had done before. The course requires a lot of reading so it helps to be organised.  

A step up

Make sure the course is right for you and that you are doing it for the right reasons and not because you don’t know what else to do. Studying for a masters gave me an excellent grounding in law and prepared me well for the next step.

There is the potential to have a high-earning career but you must offset this with the tuition fees and the living expenses involved in qualifying.

• Law conversion courses

Jamie Turner studied politics at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 2002, and went on to take an MA in law, also at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 2005.