As a second year law students we have been researching the next steps in becoming a solicitor, in doing so we have discovered that if we wish to study the LPC in order to become a solicitor which we plan to combine with a masters degree (LLM)  we will not be eligible for the Government's post graduate student loan.

This came as a shock as if we were to study only the masters we would receive a loan of up to £10,000, however as it would be done at the same time as another course, which is needed to become a solicitor, we would not receive any of the loan and it would have to be purely self funded, which would involve taking out a professional loan with a high interest rate.

We fail to see how this is fair, as it appears students are being punished more so than ever for wanting to better themselves, which in the long run will lead to paying more into the tax system.

We are wanting to make it clear that we do to expect the Government to pay for the qualification, we simply want it to be funded in the same was as other masters courses, by way of a low interest loan. 

We are also aware that a PGCE, which is a necessary qualification for a teacher, would be funded by Student Finance, and the LPC is the lawyers equivalent to this, which is not.

We hope to highlight this issue that many law students face.

Katie and Hannah

http://www.legalcheek.com/2016/06/ulaw-students-petition-government-to-fund-aspiring-lawyers-lpcs/

http://www.lawcareers.net/Information/News/Law-students-set-up-petition-asking-for-LPC-to-be-made-eligible-for-postgraduat