2 answers
noah
Student
Andover, England, United Kingdom
1
Question
Updated
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im looking to become a barrister or something within a courtroom. if i done law and criminology, would that still allow me to do that or would i need extra training?
applying for 2026
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2 answers
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Noah: Wow great to get a question from England!
I am an American lawyer so my experience is from that perspective.
If I were you Id go the your local Courthouse and volunteer to do anything - this will give you a bird's eye view on what to expect. Once there you'll get to see the better barristers. Watch and learn. Ask him/her fot a job. Explain you want to follow in their footsteps. They will be honored. (unless they're jerks) Your class work will help give you a better idea of what type of law you want to practice - or just stay in the courthouse.
It is a great journey! Have fun - you are going to be great!
I am an American lawyer so my experience is from that perspective.
If I were you Id go the your local Courthouse and volunteer to do anything - this will give you a bird's eye view on what to expect. Once there you'll get to see the better barristers. Watch and learn. Ask him/her fot a job. Explain you want to follow in their footsteps. They will be honored. (unless they're jerks) Your class work will help give you a better idea of what type of law you want to practice - or just stay in the courthouse.
It is a great journey! Have fun - you are going to be great!
Sue Frias
Lawyer
2
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Sue’s Answer
Hi Noah!
It's awesome that you're interested in becoming a barrister and exploring different roles in law. In the UK, you don't have to study law at A Levels or university to become a barrister, but it is a competitive field. Getting the best qualifications you can is important for success.
Since you've studied law and criminology, you're on a great path to becoming a barrister or pursuing a legal career in general. To become a barrister, you can start with any undergraduate degree, like law or criminology. After that, you'll need to complete a conversion course called the Graduate Diploma in Law.
You'll need to get at least a 2:2 in both your undergraduate degree and the conversion course to move on to the next stage.
I strongly suggest doing a Bar Placement Scheme, which will provide you with insights into the profession. You can read more about it here: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-a-barrister/i-am-a-school-or-college-student/bar-placement-scheme.html
It's awesome that you're interested in becoming a barrister and exploring different roles in law. In the UK, you don't have to study law at A Levels or university to become a barrister, but it is a competitive field. Getting the best qualifications you can is important for success.
Since you've studied law and criminology, you're on a great path to becoming a barrister or pursuing a legal career in general. To become a barrister, you can start with any undergraduate degree, like law or criminology. After that, you'll need to complete a conversion course called the Graduate Diploma in Law.
You'll need to get at least a 2:2 in both your undergraduate degree and the conversion course to move on to the next stage.
Sue recommends the following next steps: