Courses for OAPs.

[BensGrandad]

My mother always wanted me to be a solicitor and now that she has passed away I am considering doing a course that she would have appreciated.

Obvioulsy at my age I am never going to become a solicitor and practice but is it still possible to do a course and obtain the qualifications. I think it would be good to keep my mind active and an achievement if I could do it. I could possibly then offer my services to a charity like the CAB

Anybody done similar at an advanced age if so any advice.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Don't you need a law degree first?

 

[BensGrandad]

That is what I am after obtaining but I dont know if this can be done at my age.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Fair play for doing something about it BG

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Don't see why not (although I don't know how old you actually are). Try these... http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/schoolsliaison/advice/students/mature.shtml or http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/law/index.htm .... It might be getting more expensive though if the fees are going up.

 

[BensGrandad]

The thread is about OAP so obviously I am over 65, I am actually 67 but wasnt sure whether the authorities would say what is the point at that age.

 

[sir danny cullip]

If you have a degree you can then take the Graduate Diploma in Law (1 year plus about 8/9 grand) which then allows you to take the Legal Practice Course (1 year and about 12k fees depending on location). You will then be a qualified solicitor. The only barrier really is a financial one, if you have a degree then the law schools such as BPP are likely to accept you (numbers are falling which obviously means less revenue for them).

I don't know of a quicker/cheaper route than that unfortunately.

 

[sir danny cullip]

Sorry, should have added that the degree doesn't have to be a law degree. If you have a law degree you can skip the graduate diploma in law and go straight to the LPC. If you don't have any degree at all then obviously that will add another three years and extra expense.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

A degree can be done at any age surely, at the end of the day you'd be the one paying for it. At the very least the Open University would enrol you.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

If you have a degree you can then take the Graduate Diploma in Law (1 year plus about 8/9 grand) which then allows you to take the Legal Practice Course (1 year and about 12k fees depending on location). You will then be a qualified solicitor. The only barrier really is a financial one, if you have a degree then the law schools such as BPP are likely to accept you (numbers are falling which obviously means less revenue for them).

I don't know of a quicker/cheaper route than that unfortunately.

After the LPC you will need to complete a 2 year training contract at a law firm to become qualified.

The conversion course is incredibly difficult and will certainly keep your mind occupied. It's all about learning off by hand the names and details of important cases, and is more an exercise in memory, and learning to apply the knowledge than anything but very difficult none the less. The LPC is more practical and less challending than the conversion course.

 

[8ace]

The thread is about OAP so obviously I am over 65, I am actually 67 but wasnt sure whether the authorities would say what is the point at that age.

Can't imagine there is an upper age limit, your money is as good as anyone elses.
I take it you have the necessary A-Levels?

 

[clapham_gull]

The thread is about OAP so obviously I am over 65, I am actually 67 but wasnt sure whether the authorities would say what is the point at that age.

Age is no barrier to education. Not sure who you think the "authorities" are, but if you've got the aptitude and the cash that's all you need.

 

[sir danny cullip]

After the LPC you will need to complete a 2 year training contract at a law firm to become qualified.

True, although the trainee element is identical to working as a solicitor (what BG was looking at doing).

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I don't think age is an issue, and even if anyone did make such a comment it would be discriminatory and probably illegal.

When I did my first degree (which was some time ago now) there were several "older" people studying (although at 18 anyone over 25 seemed ancient) including a couple of pensioners. What is more important is have you got the ability and the determination/stamina to complete the course (and the money). The best thing to do is to make some enquiries.

The point is you want to because you want to. So do it.

 

[BensGrandad]

Age is no barrier to education. Not sure who you think the "authorities" are, but if you've got the aptitude and the cash that's all you need.

All education is subsidised to some degree by government or local council and I thought that they would have some input in it as they could consider the fact that I would never practice as such and would then be a waste of their subsidy.

 

[sir danny cullip]

Undergraduate law degree programme courses - LLB degrees - BPP Law School BPP has recently started offering undergraduate degrees, could be worth a look at.

 

[clapham_gull]

All education is subsidised to some degree by government or local council and I thought that they would have some input in it as they could consider the fact that I would never practice as such and would then be a waste of their subsidy.

Nope, you're wrong. If you want to study law study law.

I'm just finished a masters. No-one from the council rang up and queried whether they thought it was a waste of time.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

All education is subsidised to some degree by government or local council and I thought that they would have some input in it as they could consider the fact that I would never practice as such and would then be a waste of their subsidy.

Unlikely - there are loads of people who do law or accounting degrees and then get an interesting job.