Law

Top five graduate destinations:

1. Professional, scientific, and technical
2. Wholesale and retail trade
3. Public administration and defence industries
4. Financial and insurance
5. Health and social work

Courses at universities and colleges in the UK range from LLB degrees that provide the skills and knowledge required to practice in law, to BA/BSc degrees that focus on law more as an academic subject. As with other academic courses, its possible to combine many different subjects together. Common combinations include law with business, management, criminology, accounting, policing and a modern foreign language.

Subject combinations and available course option include:

• single, joint, and multiple subject combinations
• full-time, part-time and flexible study options as well as courses with a placement (sandwich courses)
• qualifications ranging from BA/BSc (Hons) and LLB degrees, through to HND, HNC and Foundation Certificates

A key consideration when choosing courses is whether or not you wish to pursue a law related career and choose to take a ‘qualifying’ law degree (LLB). Completion of an LLB degree will exempt you from the need to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law which non-law graduates have to complete if they wish to become a solicitor etc.

Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course on a shorter timescale. 

A levels – To get on to a law degree you will usually require a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A grades needed for the most popular courses. Entry requirements range from BCC to AAA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for ABB. It is not a requirement to have A level law. Be aware that a few universities may not accept subjects such as PE, art, photography and dance as one of the three main A levels. In addition to A levels or equivalent you will also need five GCSEs (A-C) including science, English, and maths.

Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from BBBB to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring BBBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for ABB.

Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in business, or Business and Administration SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.

Selection

Some courses require applicants to pass the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT).

Universities are looking for:

• evidence that you are well informed about the subject and have strong interest/motivation, which could be demonstrated by:
  • relevant work experience/shadowing or voluntary work
  • additional reading and research of particular topics
  • membership of related societies/clubs – e.g. a debating society
• a range of interests outside of academic study – e.g. sport, music, voluntary work
• a well written statement that demonstrates evidence of analytical skills and independent thinking
• ability to work individually and in teams

Read our full advice on writing your law personal statement.

How to write your personal statement

If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.

Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.

Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.

Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)

• Actuarial technician
• Conveyancing technician
• Financial adviser
• Insurance professional
• Internal audit practitioner
• Investment operations specialist
• Paraplanner
• Probate Technician
• Professional accounting/Taxation technician

Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 – 7)

• Accountancy/Taxation professional
• Actuary
• Chartered legal executive
• Financial services professional
• Internal audit professional
• Licensed conveyancer
• Professional economist (degree)
• Relationship manager (banking)
• Senior compliance/Risk specialist
• Senior insurance professional
• Senior investment/Commercial banking professional
• Senior professional economist
• Solicitor

Discover more about apprenticeships in law and legal studies

Our guide has all the info you need to know about doing an apprenticeship in this industry. Find out what it's really like from current apprentices and decide if it's the right route for you.

Law and legal studies industry guide

An understanding of the law, its requirements, and its application in practice is valuable in many different employment sectors. In addition, law graduates develop a wide range of transferable skills, including analytical, reasoning and research skills, the ability to interpret and communicate complex information clearly, attention to detail, and the ability to write concisely and form persuasive arguments.

Apart from the legal field, key areas of employment include:

• Accountancy
• Banking and finance
• Business – particularly governance roles and human resources
• Central and local government administration
• Insurance

Examples of related careers include the following job titles:

• Advice worker
• Barrister
• Barristers' clerk
• Company secretary
• Coroner
• Crown prosecutor
• Licensed conveyancer
• Patent attorney
• Solicitor
• Trading standards officer

Visit the websites of the following professional bodies to find out more about courses and careers in law.

• Law Society
• The Bar Council
• Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
• LNAT – the Law National Aptitude test