Is my plan realistic?
I have completed my Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance, and I’ll be moving to the UK to start an LLM in International Financial Regulation and Corporate Law at Brunel University London.
I know Brunel is generally considered a mid-tier university, but unfortunately I didn’t have the budget for an elite university. Also, coming from a non-law background, getting into a top law school wasn’t straightforward.
My current plan is to self-study for the SQE 1 and hopefully sit the exam in July 2027. However, what worries me the most is gaining legal work experience and completing my QWE. I’ve read many Reddit posts about training contracts, but I feel that firms may not offer training contracts to international students who are limited to working 20 hours per week during term time.
To be honest, I’m quite nervous about this transition. Law has always been my dream, and now that I finally have the opportunity to pursue it, I really want to make the most of it.
What kind of legal jobs would you recommend I look for while studying? I’m considering paralegal roles, although I’ve heard they’re quite difficult to secure. Do you think self-studying for the SQE 1 is realistic, especially for someone from a non-law background? I’ve always been genuinely interested in law and enjoy reading legal cases, so I’m willing to put in the effort.
I’d really appreciate any advice on the best career path, how I should approach the SQE, and what I can do to maximise my chances of eventually joining a good law firm.