Studying law involves understanding legal theory and applying this to real life circumstances. There are several different strands such as criminal law, public law and company law as well as legal issues around topics like human rights and the environment.
What Law degrees can you study?
Undergraduate degrees in the subject of Law include those setting you on the path to a legal career, and degrees concerned with the wider area of legal standards, law enforcement and criminal behaviour:
Accounting and Law BA
Business Management with Law BSc
Crime and Investigation BSc
Criminology with Law BSc
Law LLB/BA
Policing and Criminal Justice BSc
Degrees may offer a foundation year or foundation programme.
Many universities also offer sandwich courses with a professional placement or international exchange year. If a Law degree includes a placement, it can count towards the qualifying work experience needed to become a solicitor in England.
What do you need to get onto a Law degree?
Typically, entry to an undergraduate Law degree requires between 96–165 UCAS points. Some courses may have lower or higher requirements, and not all unis base their offer on UCAS points. Qualifications may include:
A Levels: A*AA–CCC
BTECs: D*D*D*–DMM
Scottish Highers: AAAAA– ABBB (Advanced Highers: AAA)
International Baccalaureate: 42–29
Some Law degree courses require an interview and a pass in the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) or equivalent
Good to have
English, history, politics or other essay-based subjects at A Level (or equivalent)
Work experience or shadowing in a solicitor's firm, with a pro bono or legal charity, or at a court
Visiting a court to see cases in action – you can also see videos of court cases via the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website
Building your business awareness by keeping abreast of the news for stories with legal implications
Further reading – check uni websites for suggested preparatory reading
Knowledge of the career and developments from the websites of regulators, Law societies, and legal news sites
Honing your skills in reasoning and argument by entering essay prizes or the Bar Mock Trial competition, or joining a debating society or group
Attending summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust
Eligibility Of LAW Courses After 12th
The prerequisites for law courses typically change depending on the program and institution you choose. Since LLB is more of an integrated curriculum, you have the option of earning a bachelor’s degree in a related topic before choosing it, or you can enroll in a course like BA LLB or BBA LLB right after class 12th with any stream like science, commerce or arts. The eligibility requirements you need to be aware of while applying for a course in this discipline are summarized below.
Academic Qualifications
For integrated law courses – Candidates must have completed 10+2 in any stream or its equivalent from a recognized board with the required minimum marks specified by their chosen university.
For LLB – Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with the stipulated duration of 3-4 years in any field from a recognized university.
For LLM – Candidates must have an LLB degree from a recognized law university and candidates can further be benefitted by gaining experience by being a step ahead of the crowd.
For LLD – Candidates must have attained a PhD degree in a relevant field with 6-10 years of work experience in the industry.
LAW Entrance Exams
There are certain law entrance tests that you must pass in order to apply for your desired program, whether you want to study law in India or overseas. In order to enroll in an LLB, BA LLB, or BBA LLB program in India, you must pass entrance tests particular to that university.
Some university-specific law entrance exam includes;
CLAT (Common Law Admission Test)
AILET (All India Law Entrance Test)
SLAT (Symbiosis University)
BLAT (Banaras Hindu university)
MH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test)
CUET (Christ University Entrance Test)
DU LLB/LLM CET (Delhi University), etc.
What topics does a Law degree cover?
If you plan on a legal career, your Law degree must include modules on the seven 'foundations' of legal knowledge:
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Students aiming to practice law in Northern Ireland must also pass a module on the law of evidence, which can be taken separately if needed. To practise law in Scotland, students must complete a degree in Scots Law, or a joint degree in Scots and English Law.
All Law degrees will also include a module on legal skills and methods. Optional modules might include:
Law and medicine
Media law
Internet law
Public international law
Family law
Intellectual property law
How will you be assessed?
Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following, and will vary from module to module.
Coursework
Essays
Exams (including seen, pre-release and open book exams)
Presentations
Reports
A dissertation is usually a final year choice
Why study Law?
The quality of education at law schools in the UK is highly attractive, resulting in many students coming to study from overseas. A diverse cohort will expose you to different cultures and give you an international network that may prove useful later in life. You’ll also gain skills that will benefit you in any future career.
Career-specific skills:
Skills in legal practice including mooting (a mock legal hearing where you argue points of law) and pro bono work
Depending on the course, knowledge of law in specific areas such as family, commerce or finance
Legal methods in research and drafting formal documents
Transferable skills:
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Professional accreditation:
In Scotland, Scots Law degrees are accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates
For Northern Ireland, degrees must be approved by the Council of Legal Education (NI); recognised degrees are listed on the website of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS)
In England and Wales, from September 2021, university Law degrees no longer require approval by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) or Bar Standards Board
Some Law degrees may also include the choice to complete a Level 7 Diploma in Paralegal Practice, accredited by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP)
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying Law?
Some universities offer law students a scholarship, bursary or grant so it’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees or living costs.
What do Law graduates earn?
Law graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £22,000, with the average law graduate salary in the UK being £25,000. Once you qualify you could expect pay of around £45,000 and within four years, your income could reach £82,000.
The government also has a legal trainee scheme – you’ll benefit from a salary and have your fees for legal courses paid. Salaries for trainees depend on your location and department.
What jobs can you get as a Law graduate?
The obvious route for a Law degree is to become a solicitor or barrister (advocate in Scotland), which will require further vocational training. A Law degree is also considered highly among other professions, including academia, media, business, politics and banking.
Most qualified lawyers work in private practice, while others may join in-house legal departments, the Government Legal Service, or Crown Prosecution Service.
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Law graduates require further vocational training to become a solicitor or barrister, which could include a postgraduate diploma or a master’s degree. Alternatively, in England, you could complete a graduate fast track diploma with CILEx (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) to qualify as a chartered legal executive, specialising in a specific area of the law.
If you have a degree in a different subject than Law, you can take a Law conversion course or a graduate-entry qualifying Law degree.
Practising lawyers can take postgraduate qualifications to specialise. Joint MBA and Law programmes are also available, both in the UK and overseas.
Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:
Criminal Justice Policy MSc
Human Rights MA
Intellectual Property Law and Practice PGDip
Law MPhil/DPhil/PhD
Legal Practice LLM (SQE 1&2)
Conclusion
Law can be one of the most prominent and promising career options after the 12th. Students get exposure to the judicial world and its workings. There are various entrance exams that one qualifies to get into the top law colleges in India. I hope we have served you enough! Still, got questions? Why don’t you connect with our industry experts? Yes, you read it right! You can get your queries resolved in just 60 seconds from our Career counselors. So, what are you waiting for? Download the app now! iDreamCareer has helped millions of young minds like you from 9th class, 10th class, class 11, and class 12 discover their true mettle and is ready to help you too.
