Mature Student, King's Inns Diploma in Legal Studies...

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 01:50PM #1

Hi Folks,

Looking at maybe doing this course, just saw it on: http://www.kingsinns.ie/

Am thinking of a major career change and this does interest me, if I understand it correctly, it's a 2-year full-time course, if successfully completed, lets you attend the 1 year Barrister at Law degree course, via an entrance exam.

I'm looking at this as a three year project with a view to becoming a practicing barrister. I haven't decided on this path yet, I'm looking at a few different options, but I have committed to changing my career direction completely, down to serious mistakes I made in my younger years in relation to the career path chosen at the time, and this area is something that genuinely has always really interested me, only for the fact that I didn't have the discipline in younger years to set myself up for such a career in terms of my Leaving Cert, or to go down this road as an undergraduate.

So I suppose I'm looking for any advice at all in relation to studying and working as a barrister, and in particular studying at the King's Inns...

Thanks in advance for any posts... :cool:

lawfilly · 02-07-2012 03:47PM

There are loads of posts on the KI Dip and degree in this forum if you do a search. There is also info on the website.

But a couple of points from a fellow Dip student:

It is a part-time course at night-time and alternative Saturday mornings but the work load is that of a full-time student!
7 essays of 2500-3500 words in length and 7 exams both years of the Diploma. This is on top of optional homework and tutorial work, which you really need to do to maximize your learning.

You have to work hard. In general, the hours can feel long, you don't get much in the way of holidays (Two weeks at Christmas, two at Easter), the course is taught well, the manuals are good and it can be very social and fun (depending, of course, on your fellow classmates!!)
Its for those who want a fast track law degree or want to become a barrister! Its not really a 'hobby' course!
I love it and really would not hesitate to recommend it.

Procrastastudy · 02-07-2012 04:08PM

2 years Dip + 1 Year Degree + 2 years deviling so thats 5...

Then around 5+ more making very little money paying huge fees to the Law Library.

Not ment to put you off - do lots of reseach (using the search function here is a start) to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.

You'll have some great company though. I've encountered less than 20 barristers in my short time (a year into a law degree) and every single one of them have been inteligent, thought provoking and above all very generous with their time. I even include some of the people here :P

Hippo · 02-07-2012 04:24PM

I'll echo Lawfilly's sentiments. I've just finished the diploma and it's a genuinely full-time commitment; very enjoyable (most of the time) but you're definitely going to have to put the hours in. You've been warned!

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 04:32PM

Thanks for the replies folks, I don't worry about my ability to work hard at this, should I do pursue it, and to apply myself to the course, I do worry about "fitting in" though! I've studied previously after I left school but in a class where we were all the same age. some time after that, I went back to 3rd level & started a course as a mature student (I was the only lad my age in the class, I was around 27 at the time, am 35 now), and I really noticed a huge difference fitting in with a load of kids just out of 6th year... Does this make any sense in relation to the current thread discussion?

So that's the only worry I have really, fitting in?!? Has anyone else had these kind of worries?

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 04:33PM

Also, are there summer holidays in between year 1 & year 2?!?

Procrastastudy · 02-07-2012 04:37PM

At 35 you might be a bit young!

There will be people there of all ages. Make sure you do some mooting and debating so I can meet you. I'm 32 fyi.

KI teams are always a bit disapointing on the Debating side :eek:

Also the BL is well respected in quite a few jobs outside of being a barrister so dont get fixated on the wig and cape.

Tom Young · 02-07-2012 04:43PM

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

Also the BL is well respected in quite a few jobs outside of being a barrister so dont get fixated on the wig and cape.

Gown.

Hippo · 02-07-2012 04:44PM

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

At 35 you might be a bit young!

This.

I am way, way past 35 and I was far from the oldest in the class. There's an excellent mix.

Tom Young · 02-07-2012 04:52PM

Hippo wrote: »

This.

I am way, way past 35 and I was far from the oldest in the class. There's an excellent mix.

Singletons from all over Ireland .... so just call now ..... 1550 ....

Procrastastudy · 02-07-2012 04:53PM

I should have also mentioned the humour...

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 05:02PM

I've just looked at the online application form, for a mature student with a non-degree qualification, which is the bracket that I fall into...

I'm a bit surprised that they appear to put such a heavy emphasis on the Leaving Cert, something that I didn't really do well in at all, although I went on to do a trade apprenticeship immediately after the Leaving Cert and then studied full time for 3 years in DIT Bolton Street on the back of my apprenticeship qualification, getting a diploma in management from there. How do they access applications does anyone know?

Also, the links for the "Academic Dates" webpage appears to not be working, so when does the year start?!?

http://www.kingsinns.ie/website/prospective_students/diploma/diploma.htm

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 05:03PM

I thought this was a day time course but it's actually an evening course and every second Saturday? Also, are there summer holidays?

Hippo · 02-07-2012 05:07PM

Year follows the normal academic/legal terms, so yes, summer holidays.

lawfilly · 02-07-2012 05:15PM

I'm due back the 24th of September so thats when it will start.

The hours are 5.45 - 8pm Monday to Thursday ( you'll be in until 9pm on Thursday for tutorials)
Then every second Saturday morning 9.30 -12.45ish

Sometimes we have to do Friday if there is a public holiday and we miss Monday

Most of the Dip year will be from 25 up so dont worry about age!! Fitting in is easy and there will be plenty of good nights in the Kings Inn!!

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 05:26PM

It's a big step for anyone, given the costs involved, I see from the website you have to apply by May 31st or there is a late application date mentioned of 9th July. Hmmm, decisions decisions...

NoQuarter · 02-07-2012 06:06PM

Tom Young wrote: »

Gown.

I am single handedly going to change the whole profession to make them call it a cape. I see its already worked on GCDlawstudent, now Im going to keep dropping it in everywhere I can until my work here is done.

Tom Young · 02-07-2012 06:13PM

NoQuarter wrote: »

I am single handedly going to change the whole profession to make them call it a cape. I see its already worked on GCDlawstudent, now Im going to keep dropping it in everywhere I can until my work here is done.

"The following are the correct forms of dress and address when practicing at the Bar, any deviation shall result in a permanent ban from the Legal Discussion Forum."

Really?

NoQuarter · 02-07-2012 06:35PM

Tom Young wrote: »

Really?

I will be the sacrificial lamb. Its a worthy cause. Tom, lets be honest here, would you rather go to work in a gown or a cape? Exactly.

Tom Young · 02-07-2012 06:37PM

It's a trick question .... Gown for weekdays and cape at weekends?

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 08:48PM

lawfilly wrote: »

I'm due back the 24th of September so thats when it will start.

The hours are 5.45 - 8pm Monday to Thursday ( you'll be in until 9pm on Thursday for tutorials)
Then every second Saturday morning 9.30 -12.45ish

Sometimes we have to do Friday if there is a public holiday and we miss Monday

Most of the Dip year will be from 25 up so dont worry about age!! Fitting in is easy and there will be plenty of good nights in the Kings Inn!!

So you start back at the end of Sept, when does the academic year end?

NoQuarter · 02-07-2012 09:05PM

HellFireClub wrote: »

So you start back at the end of Sept, when does the academic year end?

Cant help with the diploma but the degree is 4th of October until June 1st. Entrance exams are in August.

lawfilly · 02-07-2012 09:06PM

This year classes ended the 4th of May. Our exams began on the 15th of May and the last one was the 25th of May....Now we have 4 lovely months off safe in the knowledge we've passed!!

lawfilly · 02-07-2012 09:09PM

Tom Young wrote: »

It's a trick question .... Gown for weekdays and cape at weekends?

Dress for the job you want not the job you have!!

Procrastastudy · 02-07-2012 09:12PM

I did that.

I can tell you a disciplinary meeting dressed as bat man was embarrasing.

HellFireClub · 02-07-2012 10:10PM

I'm in 2 minds as to whether to apply for the late application 9th July deadline, decisions decisions...

lawfilly · 03-07-2012 08:31AM

It's easy!! How bad do you want it!!!??

NoQuarter · 03-07-2012 10:19AM

HellFireClub wrote: »

I'm in 2 minds as to whether to apply for the late application 9th July deadline, decisions decisions...

To be perfectly honest, if youre "in two minds" as to whether to embark on a complete career change and a 3 year course and then 2 further years deviling, you shouldnt do it just yet. Not until you know a lot more, have worked out finances (did you know the degree year costs 13,000 alone?) and understand exactly the sacrifices to be made and what exactly you will get back in return.

HellFireClub · 03-07-2012 10:39AM

NoQuarter wrote: »

HellFireClub wrote: »

I'm in 2 minds as to whether to apply for the late application 9th July deadline, decisions decisions...

To be perfectly honest, if youre "in two minds" as to whether to embark on a complete career change and a 3 year course and then 2 further years deviling, you shouldnt do it just yet. Not until you know a lot more, have worked out finances (did you know the degree year costs 13,000 alone?) and understand exactly the sacrifices to be made and what exactly you will get back in return.

Yeah I can see it's a big commitment that goes well beyond the 3 years that would need to be committed to the diploma and the degree. The only concerns I have about going at it, are down to aspects that are actually not related to the course at all, but more to do with fitting in. I don't come from the typical "socio-economic" background that you'd associate with those studying law, this must sound like sheer ignorance on my part but I do worry about ending up on a course full of folks who I have nothing in common with & who would basically annoy the fu*k out of me. In my defence, I did make the mistake before of going at a degree where I was in my late 20's and everyone else in the class was 18 (+\- one year), and I found it to be a very isolating experience, as I had nothing in common with anyone else in the class and I found that this really became a huge issue when it came to things like study groups outside of lectures, working on assignments, lab reports, etc.

Hippo · 03-07-2012 11:09AM

The socio-economic background of those in my year was mainly, though far from exclusively, middle class. This will usually be the case in practice so if you're thinking of a career in law it's probably best to get used to the idea. Having said that, as has been pointed out, the age profile of students means that there's a little more maturity around than would be the case with the usual undergraduate course, so there tend to be fewer complete clods

HellFireClub · 03-07-2012 11:51AM

I'm just gonna throw it out there as opposed to beating about the bush with it. I'm from a middle class background myself but I'd be worried that I'd find myself in an environment where I'd be surrounded with what could best be described as a large herd of "affected" people, with elitest mentalities, superior attitudes, condescending social opinions, etc. This must sound rediculous but I spent all last week down in the High Court and in fairness to myself, there seemed to be a lot of "la-la land" type accents circulating amongst barristers who I heard speaking...

I know, I know, surely a decision on something like this is not going to come down to these kind of considerations, but I am in the 35th year of my life and I genuinely can't afford to go putting time (and good money), into something that may not actually be for me.

I'm just wondering did anyone else have these kind of worries before engaging with this course and how it played out in the end? Surely I'm not the first person to have these worries...

Mature Student, King's Inns Diploma in Legal Studies...

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