The list of desired professions for many second-level students is topped by barrister and solicitor. But, it's a long, difficult road to donning the wig and gown as a barrister or getting on the roll of solicitors. Most students find their way via a law degree. This year cut-off points ranged from 435 to 570*.

Many degrees are available - some combine law with other subjects such as business, accountancy, a language or European studies. Others offer law by itself. UCG also has a degree in corporate law. Only certain degrees are approved by King's Inns for entry to the barrister-at-law degree (see FactFile below).

On completing a law degree, further education and training is necessary to qualify as a barrister or solicitor. Graduates with a degree approved by King's Inns may apply for the twoyear barrister-at-law degree. Professor Kevin Waldron, director of education, says that 50 per cent of places are reserved for graduates. Admission is very competitive and this year all who secured a place had a minimum of a 2.1 in their degrees, according to Waldron.

Remaining places are allocated to holders of the society's diploma, in order of merit (40 per cent of places) and by the education committee, also in order of merit (10 per cent of places). Those lucky enough to get a place then attend afternoon lectures from Monday to Friday, with evening tutorials.

There are 23 weeks of lectures, tutorials and practical exercises followed by an exam in May. Annual fees for the degree courses are £1,950. There are also some additional charges.

This all adds up to six years of study for graduates who have already put in four years studying for an approved law degree. But, the story is not quite over yet as graduates of the two-year barrister-at-law degree must spend a further year devilling - essentially working as an apprentice without pay. After the year's devilling is over, Waldron says that "no matter how good the students, pickings are very thin on the ground for the first few years."

Quite a number of barristers will go into some other area, but they don't go there as failures, he emphasises. Two or three years at the bar is an asset that will stand to them throughout their careers.

For graduates of degrees other than the approved law degrees and for applicants without a degree, the route to the bar is even longer - they must travel via King's Inns two-year diploma in legal studies. Places are allocated on academic merit.

Each year of the course consists of 25 weeks lectures followed by an exam. The annual fee for the diploma is £1,950. As already mentioned, 40 per cent of places on the barrister-atlaw degree are reserved for diploma graduates and these places are awarded on academic merit. The Law Society is responsible for the professional training of solicitors. Non-degree holders must first pass the preliminary examination. Very few people follow this route, according to education officer T P Kennedy. The exam includes English, general knowledge, government and politics. Certain people, such as law clerks with a number of years experience, may be exempted from the preliminary exam. Degree holders are also exempt.

The next stage is the Irish exam and the entrance exam to the law school. Graduates of some degrees were exempt from the entrance exam but after 1999 all graduates, of law or otherwise, will have to sit the eight subjects in the entrance exam - law of tort, law of contract, real property, equity, constitutional law, company law, criminal law and EU law. Of course, law graduates will have covered these subjects in their degrees. Non-law graduates tend to do a courses such as DIT's diploma in legal studies in order to prepare themselves for the exam.

Everyone who passes the entrance exam is entitled to train as a solicitor. There is no cap on numbers - there are now 6,000 on the rolls. There is a waiting list for the professional training course so it takes about a year at present for students to secure a place.

The course is full-time and lasts about four to five months. There is ongoing assessment and exams. On completion of the course, students spend a minimum of 18 months training as an apprentice.One of the many problems that students face along the way is securing an apprenticeship

Then there is a further two months advanced course and another exam and Irish test. When students have passed all of the exams and completed the training period, their names are entered on the roll of solicitors.