LAW

Many law courses can be combined with subject areas

such as finance, medical ethics, and international human
rights.
Graduate destinations
65.8% of graduates went directly into employment.

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

What courses are available?

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.

Entry requirements
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).

Personal statement
Universities are looking for:

 evidence that you are well informed about the subject and have strong interest/motivation,
which could be demonstrated by:
o relevant work experience/shadowing or voluntary work
o additional reading and research of particular topics
o 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

Apprenticeships
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

Key areas of employment

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

Related careers
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