UCD Commercial LLM....or FE1s?

Emzabob

Im trying to decide whether to go and do the masters in commercial law in UCD, or whether I'm better off getting my FE1s out of the way first? I'll be graduating in September 2011, and just need to figure out where to go! Obviously funding will have a big impact on it, so I would look at working weekends aswel. Anyone have any experience with the commercial llm in ucd, whats the workload like etc?

evercloserunion

I'm having pretty much the same dilemma. I'm more leaning towards a research masters in UCC, but I'll be looking at UCD as well. I would also appreciate any advice!

legaleagle10

evercloserunion wrote: »

I'm having pretty much the same dilemma. I'm more leaning towards a research masters in UCC, but I'll be looking at UCD as well. I would also appreciate any advice!

How long if the UCD course? In my own experience I dont a course and then done my FE1's - although looking back i wouldnt change the experience- i wished I had of done the exams first... the work load for the FE1's is collosal in my opinion. I would also find out how long you can defer the FE1's for i.e you dont want to pass them then do a masters then realise your Fe'1 results have lapsed and sit them again!.

FreudianSlippers

If it were me I'd go for the LLM first and the FE1s second.

The exact opposite advice I'd give to someone asking this question in regard to the King's Inns.

bob_lob_law

Emzabob wrote: »

Im trying to decide whether to go and do the masters in commercial law in UCD, or whether I'm better off getting my FE1s out of the way first? I'll be graduating in September 2011, and just need to figure out where to go! Obviously funding will have a big impact on it, so I would look at working weekends aswel. Anyone have any experience with the commercial llm in ucd, whats the workload like etc?

I would advise doing the FE1s in conjunction with some relevant work experience, you can then decide if you want to spend (waste) the money on an LLM!

legaleagle10

bob_lob_law wrote: »

I would advise doing the FE1s in conjunction with some relevant work experience, you can then decide if you want to spend (waste) the money on an LLM!

Lol

Emzabob

Yeah the response from lecturers has been mostly do the fe1s and then see if the masters would be worth my while. Gonna try my hand at tutoring maybe, or work part time. Still massively confused....kinda nice to know I'm at least not the only one having a knicker fit over what to do next year

dats_right

Well, if money wasn't a factor in your decision then I would say do the masters. The reasons; i) delaying entry to the profession in these diffilcult economic times is probably a good idea, and; ii) an extra year to mature and develop your legal knowledge is no bad thing.

I didn't start my apprenticeship until I was 25 and I didn't start Blackhall until a year later. At the time I thought I was ancient but when I look back I am glad that I was that little bit older starting out. I am not saying I wouldn't have managed straight out after college, but personally I was glad the way it worked out.

In terms of the masters don't expect it to open any doors, as employers won't particularly care for it. So don't do a masters if you see it as a great way of opening doors because it won't, well not unless it's an Oxford or Cambridge masters. On the other hand it certainly won't do any harm and you will probably enjoy the extra year as a student.

ManofStraw

I'm in the same position as well and am currently trying to decide what to do. For what its worth the advice I have been getting from my lecturers is don't do a masters for the sake of it/ try to avoid the economy for a year, but do a masters if your interested in a specific area like IT law. You can also take the year to do a diploma in an area like alternative dispute resolution its another option to think about

Jev/N

I did a masters and didn't feel it added a whole amount career wise, apart from meeting a loads of new friends which was definitely a high point.

Possibly that could be down to the fact that I chose similar subject to some I did in undergrad but that was because of the focus I wanted in my legal career.

I did all of my FE-1's around the time of the masters - 4 before and 4 just after - it was kind of tough but I'm glad I got them done and out of the way as soon as possible.

If you haven't any offers of traineeships etc. it is, as some others have said, a good idea to do something with your time between the end of undergrad and the start of a traineeship.

Travelling is definitely something not to rule out, looks very good on a CV (IMO) and everyone has a masters these days.

Lastly, why UCD?