Part I: A Brief Introduction
Taylor’s LL.B Programme allows students to choose between multiple options to complete their major (in law). What this means is that every law student is required to complete certain core modules (Contract Law, Tort Law, Land Law, etc) but can choose various other law or non-law modules to fulfil the remaining credit requirements.
This can be an extension (delving deeper into a pure law module with more specialised law modules such as medical law and commercial law), a minor (in other degrees such as psychology, data science, business etc) or free electives (where students can mix and match modules from any programme such as accounting, business, marketing etc).
Part II: The Good
This option offers students the freedom to diversify their interests or to hone in on their interests. As I’m sure we’ve all heard, law is one of the most versatile degrees out there- in that a dental surgery graduate only really has one career path but a law graduate could end up with a career in corporations, media, government, teaching, politics, and more.
For students who want to explore other possible career prospects, taking a minor or free elective will allow you to branch out and actively study other modules that interest you or subjects that you rejected in lieu of a law degree. Thus, pretty convenient for someone who isn’t sure of what they want to do.
On the flip side, this system is also very convenient for someone who knows exactly what they want to do. Are you fixated on becoming a Tort law lecturer following your law degree? Take up a minor in education. Are you certain that you want to work in competition law? Choose the extension and take the competition law module.
The bottom line is that whether you know what you want to do or you simply want to explore, this programme gives you the opportunity to do so.
Part III: The Decision
This piece has thus far been a glowing review of Taylors’ system. But in real life, this can be one of the more stressful decisions you will make- for a few reasons.
There is no turning back. Once you make your decision (by filling up the information on Campus Central) there is no turning back. You have a small window where you can request a change, but once you move into your 3rd semester, the decision is set in stone.
Do you follow your head or your heart? There’s no questioning that we all make decisions in life because it is what’s right or strategic and not because it makes us happy. If you’re unlucky, this will be your dilemma over the next couple of months. Questions like “If I want to be a lawyer, will my decision to take a business minor instead of a law extension simply because I enjoy the subject matter put me at a disadvantage?” might run through your mind.
Much to our dismay, Lexicon cannot answer those questions for you. You chart the course for your own future. What Lexicon can do, however, is help you get as much information as you possibly can. Therefore, we spoke to a few students- all of whom chose a different path- to hopefully offer some valuable insight.
Part IV: The Interviews
Specimen #1: Free Electives
The first student we interviewed is someone who wants to pursue a legal career after graduating but does not plan on pursuing it long-term. Having a keen interest in many different subjects, her main goal was to diversify and explore a range of subjects outside of law. As such, she chose the option of free electives, taking a mixture of psychology, marketing and finance modules. This allowed her a reprieve from the mundanity of law subjects which all have a similar learning structure in that across the board, law subjects tend to encompass two aspects, learning the law and applying the law (case law). This complementary student option also fits in with her specific vision for her future, giving her knowledge in a variety of areas.
Specimen #2: Corporate Law Extension
The second student we interviewed is someone who has their future planned out- a career as a civil litigation lawyer. With this specific aim in mind, he opted for a corporate law extension to become more knowledgeable across various areas of the law. For example, some of the modules he has chosen are Intellectual Property Law, Competition Law and Conflict of Laws. These are all subjects that piqued his interest firstly when he encountered cases involving these areas of the law during his internship and secondly throughout his mooting journey. Thus, a corporate law extension was the appropriate complementary study option to delve deeper into law subjects and broaden his (legal) horizons.
Specimen #3: Psychology Minor
The third student we interviewed chose to take a minor in Psychology. His reasoning combines that of the two students above- his career plans and his interests. After he stumbled across Psychology lectures on Youtube, he found himself intrigued by the content and was particularly fascinated by the intertwining of psychology and our daily lives. He also found that this option of complementary study would come in handy in his career, as he plans to teach law somewhere down the line, after practising law for a bit. Having a slight background in Psychology would help him connect and understand his students and teaching processes better. Additionally, like Specimen #1, he too appreciates the reprieve from law subjects and finds his minor to be a breath of fresh air.
Part V: The Takeaway
What really helped the interviewees make their choice was having a vision. Being able to visualise your career and future will help you chart your course, and determine the steps needed for you to reach your destination. If you have no motivation, or driving force - whatever that may be - anything you choose will be mentally and physically draining. Should you need more help or insight, turn to the support system you have around you. Get in touch with any seniors you know, lecturers you’re comfortable with or even the career counselling services that Taylor’s offers. These are all people who can impart a great deal of wisdom to you and lend a helping hand.
One common piece of advice echoed by all the interviewees was this: don’t feel pressured to take a law extension; make your decision despite what everyone else is doing. Focus on what you think will be most beneficial to you and your individualised plan. In the words of Shannon Alder, “One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others want you to be, rather than being yourself.”
The bottom line is this; do what feels right to you. These modules, in addition to our already heavy core modules, will not be easy. Many of us know or will come to know members of our cohort who choose to take a full law major- simply because they think that it is the correct choice to make. But make no mistake, there is no correct choice. The only person who will have to deal with the consequences of your choice is you. So think about what you truly want and make an informed decision. Whatever step you take, let it be a meaningful one and not an empty one.
And don’t worry- there is a silver lining! A common facet of a legal career that we need to get used to is that we never stop learning. In fact, many lawyers will tell you that when they were starting out, they encountered cases involving areas of the law that they knew very little about. The ability to research and pick things up quickly is vital to the job. So yes, while having prior knowledge and familiarity with different areas of the law can come in handy, it is not a decision that will make or break your future. And quite frankly, any module you take will add value and help grow as a person. So don’t fret, and follow your heart - or your head!
A special thank you to Tan Ejin, Ong Eng Hong and Adrian Chioh for their willingness to become Lexicon’s test subjects. This article would not have been half as good without the insightful input they offered.