I'm starting in Autumn, but I'm not doing a conversion course, which would be 2 years full time. Reason being 1) I can't afford to go full-time, as I also have to work full-time to support the family 2) the conversion degree is 'ordinary' w/no chance of changing to honours. In Scotland, it's virtually impossible to get funding for the diploma course (£7,000 fee) if you have not done honours. I'm in my mid-30s and we live debt-free, so I don't want to incur any debts whilst making this career change.
By the time I qualify as a solicitor (a three year process beyond the degree), I'll be a naturalised UK national who has been residing in Scotland for well over 10 years, so I'll be interviewing as a 'home' candidate. I also waited three years before beginning my course of study so that I do not have to pay international fees.