How to become a lawyer with an Aston Online Bachelor of Law LLB (Hons) Degree

Studying law online is a smart and flexible way to start your legal career. Suppose you're aiming to become a solicitor or barrister in the UK after completing Aston University Online’s Bachelor of Law LLB (Hons). In that case, it’s important to understand how the qualification fits into the wider legal training landscape and what comes next.

This guide breaks down the steps by simplifying jargon and gives you practical advice for moving from online study to legal practice.

Step 1: Understand your law degree

Aston’s online Bachelor of Law LLB (Hons) programme is a qualifying law degree. That means it covers the academic knowledge you need for legal practice in England and Wales. You’ll study core legal subjects like contract, tort, and criminal law, while also gaining commercial awareness and practical legal skills.

Throughout Module 1, you’ll begin building written advocacy, legal research, and critical thinking – key competencies that feed directly into SQE1 and SQE2 skill sets. Later modules develop these further through practical, applied learning.

Once you graduate, you’ll be academically qualified to move on to the next stage of becoming a solicitor or barrister.

Step 2: Choose your legal path, solicitor or barrister?

Your next steps depend on which path you want to follow:

If you want to become a solicitor:

You’ll need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), introduced in 2021. The SQE has two parts:

• SQE1 tests legal knowledge through multiple-choice questions.
  
  
• SQE2 tests practical skills like client interviewing, legal writing, and advocacy.
  
  

Once you pass both parts, you’ll need:

• Two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE): This can be done in up to four different legal settings, including law firms, in-house legal teams, or legal clinics.
  
  
• Character and suitability checks by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

If you want to become a barrister:

You’ll need to follow a more traditional route:

• Complete a Bar Training Course: After your LLB, you’ll need to pass a Bar Course (previously the Bar Professional Training Course), which provides the specialist advocacy and courtroom skills required for barristers.
  
  
• Join an Inn of Court: You’ll need to join one of the four Inns of Court, which are professional associations that offer training, networking opportunities, scholarships, and support for aspiring barristers before beginning your training.
  
  
• Undertake Pupillage: This is a one-year period of supervised, practical training in chambers or with an authorised organisation, where you'll begin applying your legal skills in real-world settings.
  
  

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates this route and sets the requirements.

Step 3: Prepare for the SQE or Bar Course

Your degree gives you a strong foundation but you’ll still need to prepare for the assessments.

For the SQE:

Some graduates choose to self-study, while others take short preparatory programmes focused on the SQE exams. Aston’s business and skills-focused approach can give you a head start with legal reasoning and practical application, particularly through assessments in Modules 1 and 2 that simulate real legal scenarios.

It’s a good idea to start logging your Qualifying Work Experience early. You don’t need to wait until after graduation.

For the Bar Course:

Most training providers will expect you to have a strong academic background, good written and oral advocacy skills, and a clear motivation for practicing at the Bar.

Use your online learning experience to build these skills. Record presentations, engage in debates, and look for opportunities to volunteer or shadow.

Take advantage of Aston’s Innovation Week, where you’ll work with Adobe Creative tools and explore digital communication, valuable for modern client engagement, evidence presentation, and advocacy support materials.

Step 4: Log your experience

If you’re going down the solicitor route, your QWE is a major part of your qualification. It’s flexible and can include:

• Law clinics
  
  
• Paralegal work
  
  
• Legal advice centres
  
  
• In-house legal departments
  
  
• Placements at law firms
  
  

You’ll need to get your QWE confirmed by a solicitor and logged with the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority). There’s no minimum length per placement, but the total must add up to 24 months.

Keep a journal or portfolio of your work. Note down what you’ve done, the skills you used, and how it has helped you develop.

Step 5: Stay updated

The legal profession is constantly evolving. New technologies, AI tools, and changes in regulation mean it’s important to stay informed.

Here’s how to do that:

• Subscribe to legal news sources like Law Gazette, Legal Cheek, or The Lawyer.
  
  
• Attend webinars or short courses – many are free and online.
  
  
• Follow the SRA and BSB for updates on qualifying routes and regulatory changes.
  
  
• Connect with others in law through LinkedIn, student forums, or legal networks.
  
  

Aston Online provides a strong community of learners and experts. Make the most of your resources!

Step 6: Apply for roles

Once you’ve passed the SQE or Bar Course and met all the other requirements, it’s time to apply for legal roles.

For solicitors, this might mean:

• Training contracts at law firms
  
  
• In-house legal roles
  
  
• Working with non-profits or legal aid organisations
  
  

The main step for a barrister is securing a pupillage, which can be highly competitive. 

Use your time at Aston to build a portfolio that helps you stand out: include presentations, writing samples, and any legal work you’ve done.

Make online study work for you

Online study offers flexibility, but it also demands discipline. The good news is that employers are increasingly open to diverse routes into the legal profession. Your ability to learn independently, manage your time, and apply knowledge in practical ways will help you stand out.

Here are some final tips to keep you on track:

• Plan early. Think about your next steps before you graduate.
  
  
• Build your network. Reach out to alumni, lecturers, and peers for insights and advice.
  
  
• Use university resources. Legal research tools are there to help you.
  
  
• Tailor your experience. Use electives and assessments to focus on areas of law that interest you.
  
  
• Be flexible. The legal field is broad, explore roles that align with your skills, whether in law firms, business, compliance, or consultancy.
  
  

With the right preparation, an online law degree from Aston will be your starting point for a rewarding legal career. Aston Online’s Bachelor of Law LLB (Hons) is designed around building real-world skills, instilling confidence, and keeping you curious as the profession changes with the times.

If you’re still unsure about which path to take, don’t worry. Law is one of the most adaptable degrees out there. Through us, you’ll have options and the support to help you explore them.