Skip navigation

Why Study Law?

BOOK AN OPEN EVENT REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

 

A law degree is highly respected and prestigious. Studying a law degree shows employers that you are hard-working, a critical thinker, a researcher with great problems solving abilities. 

An LLB, LLM or any other law-related qualification gives you a great platform to launch your career, whether that’s as a solicitor, barrister, or another career path of your choosing, but that’s not all.  

Studying law means you’ll get to grips with human behaviour, history, governments and politics, international relations, health care, human rights, war, punishment and so much more. Law is a social science, if you're interested in law then the likelihood is you’re also interested in why people break the law, how people use the law to gain political, social, or economic advantage and how some communities are disadvantaged by the law.  

You’re someone who loves to debate, counter-argue, and have rigorous and healthy discussions, you’ll have a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to work hard to know all you can about a subject. Most importantly you’re ambitious, you want to make a difference, and you want to have an impact on the world you’re in.   

If that sounds like you, take some time to explore law course options.  

 

 

What is law?

A law degree aims to give an academic knowledge of legal theory. Law refers to the rules, regulations, and parameters that a government or state enforces with the view to keeping citizens safe. Law also deals with justice and punishment. When you study law in the UK, you’ll develop a broad understanding of public and criminal law. A law degree will give you a good understanding of legal issues and how they are managed in the UK. Depending on your degree, you’ll learn about topics such as human rights, property, the environment, mental health practice, family law and civil matters.  

An Undergraduate or Master’s in law can give you the skills needed to go on to become a barrister, lawyer, or solicitor, but that’s not the only thing you can do with a law degree. The skills a law degree provides are far-reaching and would benefit any career path that requires logical thinking, good communication and analytical skills.  

 

What subjects do I need to study law at university? 

At Northumbria, there are no specific subject requirements for this course at undergraduate level. Certain A-level choices can help prepare you for law at degree level, like English, Law, History and Politics.  

 

What qualifications do I need to study law? 

Undergraduate Study 

To study for an LLB Law degree at Northumbria University you’ll need:  

128 UCAS Tariff points from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.  

Be sure to check the requirements of the specific degree you’re interested in for any additional requirements.   

International applicants can see how qualifications compare to the standard entry requirements on our country pages

Postgraduate Study 

Postgraduate applicants and those wishing to study for a master’s in law at Northumbria should normally have: 

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in either law, a relevant social science-based discipline, or a relevant non-law degree. Relevant professional qualifications or suitable work experience will also be considered.  

Be sure to check the requirements of the specific Masters in law degree or postgraduate qualification you’re interested in for any additional requirements.  

International applicants can see how qualifications compare to the standard entry requirements on our country pages.  


 

 

Why Study law? 

Valuable skills  

By studying law you’ll develop a catalogue of desirable skills that you can apply to any career path. Many of these skills can be applied outside of your career too, many of these ‘soft’ skills can lead to huge personal growth and satisfaction as well as professional.  

  • Become a problem solver: a law degree gives you the skills to think through problems clearly and come up with solutions in a methodical and analytical way. This sort of level-headedness can be an asset well beyond your profession.  
  • A great researcher: When you study law you’ll learn to research effectively. You’ll explore what makes a good resource, how to spot the bad ones and how to use different information types to your benefit. You’ll also develop the tools to assimilate relevant information to deliver well-structured, developed, and thorough responses.  
  • Refine your communication skills: When you study law you’ll become an expert in negotiation, you’ll learn how to effectively deliver oral presentations and you’ll develop your written communication skills to a high level too.  

Earning Potential  

Studying law in the UK may be challenging, requiring hard work, dedication, and commitment to the field. But, the earning potential that a law degree can unlock acts as a good motivator for many with some prestigious London law firms offering first-year trainee lawyers salaries in the region of £47,0500 to £50,000. 

Meaningful job opportunities   

Income will likely be an important factor when planning for your future, but it shouldn’t be your only motivator. A law degree gives you the knowledge and skills to take on careers that can make a difference in people's lives every day.  

If you work towards becoming a solicitor or barrister your work will find that the work, you do will shape people’s everyday lives. When you study law, you have the skills to make a real impact with the work you’ll go on to do. You might be drawn towards the charity sector, working in human rights and policy, or working with vulnerable people, there are plenty of ways to make a difference.

 

 

Clear Pathways for development 

Whilst a law degree can stand you in good stead for a strong future on its own there are many options for further development should you want to progress to be a barrister or solicitor.  

If you aspire to become a solicitor or barrister, Northumbria Law School can help you take those next steps toward entering the legal profession.  

You can study towards a 3 or 4-year LLB (Hons) degree on its own or, join integrated Master of law programme routes.  

The M Law programme route if you want to pursue a career as a Solicitor.  

The M Law Exempting (Bar Course) route if you want to pursue a career as a barrister.  

At postgraduate level, you can access law courses and bar courses to support you in gaining the necessary knowledge and practical skills that are essential to practice at the modern Bar.  

 

What course options are there to study law? 

Most law degrees are offered as LLB and LLM programmes and Northumbria is no different, offering stimulating Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes. There are qualifying law degree options for both undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as many degrees aimed at deepening your legal subject knowledge.  

Subjects include:  

  • Policing   
  • Criminology  
  • Mental Health Law  
  • Criminology  
  • Surveying  
  • Cyber Law  
  • International Commercial Law  
  • Data Protection Law  

Explore all options to study Law at Northumbria University.  

 

What jobs can you get with a law degree? 

Studying law at university is a gateway to becoming a solicitor or barrister.  

However, if that isn’t for you, or you change your mind there are plenty of other jobs you can get with a law degree.  

What jobs can you get with a law degree that aren’t solicitor or barrister?  

Popular alternative careers include:  

  • Arbitrator  
  • Barrister's clerk  
  • Chartered legal executive   
  • Company secretary  
  • Costs lawyer  
  • Detective  
  • Licensed conveyancer  
  • Paralegal  
  • Mediator  
  • Political careers  
  • Judge  
  • Coroner  
  • Civil Servant  

Starting salaries for law graduates depends on the field you choose to go into, if you choose to become a lawyer (anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner) then  

The Law Society recommends a minimum of £22,794 for those training in London and £20,217 for trainees elsewhere in the country. Many starting salaries for trainees exceed this minimum.  

If you choose to live and work in London, you could access a higher earning potential with London's five most prestigious law firms currently offering first-year trainee salaries in the region of £47,0500 to £50,000. Elsewhere in the UK trainee salaries for regional law firms range from £20,000 to £40,000.    

Whether you’ve got the law firm of your dreams picked out, or need some help on deciding what to do with your career, Northumbria University can help you get the future you want.   

 

 

Why choose Northumbria University for Law? 

Law at Northumbria University sits within the Northumbria Law School, one of the largest law schools in the UK, with a national and international reputation for excellence in legal education for those interested in studying law courses.  

Global Reputation  

  • We’re 7th amongst UK law schools for research power in REF 2021.  
  • Law at Northumbria is rated in the Times Higher Education’s World Rankings (2022) as being in the top 125 universities worldwide  
  • Our research-active academics are some of the leaders in their field. The law school organises its research within three signature research areas: Evidence and criminal justice, legal education and professional skills and law and society.  

State-of-the-art facilities 

 

 

Practical teaching

  • Law at Northumbria gives you a strong foundation in legal theory and various opportunities to develop your practical skills.  
  • Access to on site courtrooms and mock court experiences are built into your programme, giving you the opportunity to practice the theoretical elements of your degree.  
  •  The award winning Student Law Office at Northumbria gives you access to live client experience. With the help of the Law School’s expert staff students have the opportunity to offer vital legal services and pro bono advice to the public.  

Find out more about the Northumbria Law School and how we can support you and your future. 

 

FAQs

 

Why study law in the UK?

The British common law system has been active for 900 years and is one that many other countries take inspiration from. Law qualifications from UK universities are commonly recognised as some of the best in the world. High standard of teaching, research led programmes and emphasis on practical law skills are among some of the reasons why a UK law degree is so valued. Because a UK law degree is respected globally by many employers, you’ll have the option to pursue your career in many countries, not just in the UK.  

Is it all case studies and textbooks?

Studying law does include a lot of reading and research and benefits from generous contact hours, seminars, and lectures. But a large portion of your study will be practical too. At Northumbria, you’ll access mock courtrooms, practical teaching, and have the opportunity for relevant placements to support your learning. For some insight on what studying law might look like for you, check out our student tour.   

Is it worth doing a law degree? 

Law is a well-respected degree that can open many doors for ambitious graduates. Studying law in the UK is a challenging degree and requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment. But many graduates agree that all that hard work can pay off. If you’re someone looking for the potential to earn good money in a degree that makes an impact on people whilst being fast-paced and challenging then yes, a law degree is worth it.  

 

Please Note

All content is accurate as of the time of writing, the information in this guide is subject to change and will be updated as required to reflect this.

Course and Study Guides

19 courses found

Start new search
Start new search
More events

Upcoming events

Some prickly Predicaments in Sonification
The Quorn Story
On achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa
Re-imagining Feminist Leadership Praxis in Higher Education

Back to top