07/02/2018
8 Reasons to Study Law
Students considering a degree in this area shouldn't need much convincing, but in case they do the Complete University Guide is here to lend its expertise with the top 8 reasons to study a Law degree:
1. Law degrees combine theory with practice
Behind the law of the land lies an awful lot of theory and there's no doubt that students will have to rigorously learn it, but remember law is a fairly defined profession and its tuition has to also be vocational in nature. Some unis go so far as having a mock courtroom, and running moot competitions and pro bono societies, giving students a real taster of what it's like to practice law.
2. Law and case-based learning goes hand in hand
Even when learning the theory law students will spend a lot of time trawling through cases. Law schools use real-life examples to demonstrate how the theory is applied. Students are left in no doubt as to whether the content they're learning will have real-life application.
3. Studying law equips students with a variety of skills
Learning to become a lawyer rather neatly means you'll graduate university equipped with the skills for a whole host of professional paths. Here's a few of those skills:
Research – through analysis of case studies.
Critical analysis – students read primary sources and make up their own mind.
Synthesis of complex ideas – law students will have to get to grips with a whole new language but they'll also need to be able to communicate in layman's terms.
Presentation – student's often partake in mooting competitions and pro bono societies, offering legal advice to real people.
Writing – you'll have to communicate all of the above – on paper!
These skills are highly transferable to a number of other industries and sectors, commercial or otherwise.
4. Law graduates are well respected by employers
The variety of skills provided by a law degree puts these type of graduates at the forefront of employer's minds. Add to this the fact that law is one of the world's oldest fields of study, professions, human endeavour – you get the picture – and it's no surprise to see that graduates enjoy such good career prospects.
5. Law students can look forward to good graduate prospects
Check out our Law subject table, look down the Graduate Prospects column and you'll notice that students of law stand a decent chance of being in further study or professional-level employment within 6 months of leaving uni.
6. Clear postgraduate options
Those who leave their undergraduate studies with hearts set on a career in law have a number of clearly defined options for the next step:
LLM – some students may wish to develop their learning via a Master of Laws degree.
Legal Practice Course (LPC) – for solicitors.
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) – for solicitors.
7. Law cohorts are internationally diverse
The quality of education at the UK's law schools means that a significant portion of students are attracted from overseas. A diverse cohort will not only expose you to people of different cultures but provide you with an international network of contacts whom may prove influential later in life.
8. Status
Law is one of the world's traditional professions, pursue it and be prepared for a life of comfortable respectability.
