[Grammar] You don't have to have studied....

[cubezero3]

Hello, everyone.

I came across this question when I told me friend that I was planning to do international law as a post graduate student. I didn't do law back at my old university. Fortunately, I am still allowed to make my application.

During our conversation, I said:"You don't have to have studied law as an undergraduate student if you want to do law as a post graduate student." The moment I uttered such words, I felt very uncomfortable with what I'd just said.

Is this structure grammatical? And is it natural? If not, how would you put it?

Many thanks

Richard

 

[konungursvia]

It may be slightly awkward, but I wouldn't call it wrong. I prefer "you don't need to have studied" or "you needn't study"...

 

[freezeframe]

I told me friend

Is that a typo or a mistake?

 

[cubezero3]

Is that a typo or a mistake?

It's a typo. What a shame.

 

[freezeframe]

It's a typo. What a shame.

Happens to the best of us.

 

[bhaisahab]

I find "You don't have to have studied..." OK.