What is it Like to Study Law at University?

What are the usual pitfalls and clichés that you’re going to come across? Well, we’ve compiled a list of FAQ’s that students often have, check them out!

What do I need to study law?

Well, first off, a passion for the subject is absolutely key, you do not want to be studying a subject that you don’t love – especially one like law, where the intensity of the course starts from the very beginning.

With regards to the required A-Levels and GCSEs, you need to make sure that you have high marks in Maths and English. Writing is an essential part of any Law degree, so having a good grasp of the English language is essential, as is a good understanding of mathematics. With regards to grade requirements, you’d need to be getting anything from C – A*.

How much reading is involved?

Law is notorious for being very big on reading with many students complaining about the intensity of the reading load, with huge and very thick volumes being covered in the course’s syllabus. But you will presumably be interested in this already, as per your personal statement intro and will have seen on your university gap year.

If you wish to focus on one area, your course may allow you to pick one as your major, but you will likely have to study it further at a postgraduate level.

How much coursework is there involved when studying law?

There is an awful lot of coursework. The idea of learning on your own is very much encouraged here, but you will have a huge amount of essays and a large amount of independent learning. We recommend that you start a study group as the best way to help you with your very heavy workload, or look at effective revision strategies.

There are a number of exams, too, so be sure to fill your head with a number of exam revision tips, too! Law ranks as a prestigious degree. There isn’t an easier place to study Law, all universities have the same level of difficulty for students looking to study their degree.

How much does it cost to study law?

It’s almost impossible to get the exact costing of an undergraduate Law degree as costings tend to vary depending on the university that you happen to be studying at; however, an estimated £9,500 – £9,250 tuition per year for an undergraduate degree is a fair ballpark.

What’s my job likelihood after studying law?

The likelihood of a job at the end of a degree is difficult for everyone, however with law degrees the likelihood is that a job will be available for you, but you will have to work your way up. The way to do this is by working as an apprentice and working your way up the ladder in the law industry.

Many of the jobs are graduate jobs and do require you to do even more learning on the job as well. However, during your degree, it is quite likely that you will be asked to find a work experience job as well, which if you make a good impression, may offer you a placement at the end of your degree.

What modules are there in a law degree?

Sometimes, a law degree can be specified in one area, such as criminal law or law of torts, however, for the most part, a student tends to study seven key modules, which are:

• Contract law
• Criminal law
• Constitutional and administrative law
• EU law
• Equity and trusts
• Law of torts
• Property law

These modules are studied in-depth, with no “glancing over”. If you wish to focus on one specifically, your course may allow you to pick one as your major, but you will likely have to study it further at a postgraduate level.

The idea of learning on your own is very much encouraged here, but you will have a huge amount of essays and a large amount of independent learning.

What jobs can I get after studying law?

A law graduate can find plenty of jobs with a law degree, however, the most common jobs to find are:

• Barrister
• Barrister’s Clerk
• Chartered legal executive (England and Wales)
• Company Secretary
• Licensed conveyancer
• Solicitor

You may be required to take specific examinations for these roles before you can study them, however, so check the requirements for each career beforehand.