What do graduate career changers do for work during PGDL/SQE training before the actual training contract starts? -silly beginner question

[katya007]

Hi all, please can you help me answer a potentially silly and obvious question but I cannot find the answer anywhere - IF (big if) I were to be successful for a training contract ( for example, Chance & Clifford etc), they say you have to have the PGDL and SQE finished before the Training Contract starts in 2027/2028.

They do sponsor these exams. But so do I have to figure out my own job/living arrangements during this time until I pass all exams? As I understand they do not just hire you without no law degrees and offer full time work alongside this training? I assume the PGDL and SQE training is full-time also, so what do people do for work during this the studies are pretty intense. I am asking as I really want to apply for this but I can't afford to stop work for these years to 2027/2028, my parents also live in Latvia so I can't move home. Have I completely misunderstood how this works?

To give a little background about me, I (31F) am a career changer with 2:1 in Performing Arts (I know), graduated in 2020 from the University of Sussex, Latvian nationality but lived in the UK these last 10 years with a settled status. Before university I worked a variety of customer service and hospitality jobs, these last 4 years I have worked for a start-up that is a government approved Endorsing Body for a certain type of business visa, in this time I met a lot of entrepreneurs, had a lot of exposure to business law, contract law, immigration law etc that has fueled my interest in law.

Thanks all for your help!

 

[Legalstalker]

Hi all, please can you help me answer a potentially silly and obvious question but I cannot find the answer anywhere - IF (big if) I were to be successful for a training contract ( for example, Chance & Clifford etc), they say you have to have the PGDL and SQE finished before the Training Contract starts in 2027/2028.

They do sponsor these exams. But so do I have to figure out my own job/living arrangements during this time until I pass all exams? As I understand they do not just hire you without no law degrees and offer full time work alongside this training? I assume the PGDL and SQE training is full-time also, so what do people do for work during this the studies are pretty intense. I am asking as I really want to apply for this but I can't afford to stop work for these years to 2027/2028, my parents also live in Latvia so I can't move home. Have I completely misunderstood how this works?

To give a little background about me, I (31F) am a career changer with 2:1 in Performing Arts (I know), graduated in 2020 from the University of Sussex, Latvian nationality but lived in the UK these last 10 years with a settled status. Before university I worked a variety of customer service and hospitality jobs, these last 4 years I have worked for a start-up that is a government approved Endorsing Body for a certain type of business visa, in this time I met a lot of entrepreneurs, had a lot of exposure to business law, contract law, immigration law etc that has fueled my interest in law.

Thanks all for your help!

Most Firms, Clifford Chance included give a maintenance grant to TC holders whilst they study the PGDL and SQE to help with living costs etc. They‘re normally published on the firms website, Clifford Chance for example give £12,500 PGDL maintenance and £17,500 SQE maintenance. They will also pay the tuition for you to undertake both of the qualifications.
Hope this answered your question

 

[katya007]

Most Firms, Clifford Chance included give a maintenance grant to TC holders whilst they study the PGDL and SQE to help with living costs etc. They‘re normally published on the firms website, Clifford Chance for example give £12,500 PGDL maintenance and £17,500 SQE maintenance. They will also pay the tuition for you to undertake both of the qualifications.
Hope this answered your question

Hi there, thank you so much for clarifying, I had read so much about TC as and the process but this part had completely evaded me and it has truly eased a lot of worries! If anyone has experiences or bets tips and practices about this time, what part-time jobs people did etc this would be massively helpful!