Law seems to be one of those fields that promise a successful career, a bit of fame and knowledge in a complex field, which reaches all sides of human life. Also known as “Legal Studies”, Law deals with issues and conflicts related to society and morality.
It is said that the first academic degrees were Doctorates in Law, studied in schools of Law that were founded back in the 11th century. Today, the study of Law is made up of highly organized systems, institutions, and subjects.
You can specialise in one of the fields below. The following are some of the most common branches of Law, but the knowledge may be applied in the judiciary, legislative and executive institutions, the military and the police, bureaucracy or the civil society:
- International Law
- Business Law
- European Law
- Criminal Law
- Legal Studies
- Patent & Intellectual Property Law
- Civil & Private Law
- Public Law
Begin your legal career with a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.)
The first university degree in Law is a Bachelor's.
It is called Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) in the UK, Australia, India, Hong Kong (SAR) and a few other nations. At universities from other countries, you may find it as a regular B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Law.
The LL.B. is an undergraduate degree that usually covers core modules and specialisations. The focus points of the programme usually are:
- Criminal Law – regulates social conduct that is threatening, harmful or endangering to people
- Contract Law – deals with a set of written obligations between two or more people/companies
- Constitutional/Administrative Law – regulations that focus on the society’s well-being
- Equity and Trusts – property and common law
- Land Law – refers to land use
- Tort Law – the cause is not necessarily a crime, but also a consequence of negligence
- European Law – conduct within the borders and regulations of the European Union (EU)
Some LL.B. degrees are combined with subjects from other fields and may take one extra year to complete.
After you graduate with an LL.B. degree, you have more choices to specialise, research, and study Law. You also have the option to enrol in a Senior Status LL.B., which is a two-year programme open to students who have an undergraduate degree from another field but Law.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in pursuing, then you should take into consideration the following universities we recommend:
- University of Dundee, in Dundee, United Kingdom
- The University of Law, in London, United Kingdom
- The Open University UK, an online university
- Southern New Hampshire University, in Manchester, United States
- Western Sydney University, in Campbelltown, Australia
Specialise further with postgraduate Law studies
You may enrol in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) programme to further specialize and improve your position in the competitive job market. Admission to such a course requires a degree in Law or significant professional experience.
In the USA, the LL.M. is a postgraduate degree you can study after the Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The Juris Doctor is a professional postgraduate degree, which you need to practise law. You still have to pass the bar exam to become a qualified lawyer.
Students usually choose to enrol in an LL.M. program to specialise in estate planning, taxation, intellectual property, and other fields. The programme usually lasts for one year.
The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL/CPE) is a conversion course for graduates available in the UK, which prepares students for their future careers. Those who enrol in a GDL have degrees earned at institutions from other countries and apply to the programme based on a certificate received from the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority).
On your way to a career as a solicitor in Law in the UK, you also need to pass the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination). To become a barrister, you need to pass the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
Law degree careers
The US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) estimated that, in the country, employment of lawyers will increase by 4% between 2019 to 2029. As a lawyer, you can work in specialised firms, corporations, or government agencies. You also have the option to work as a freelance legal consultant or open your own office.
Popular law jobs and salaries
Let's take a look at some of the most common career options for Law graduates. We've also included the average annual salaries in the United States according to Glassdoor:
- Law Clerk – 55,900 USD
- Legal Consultant – 89,400 USD
- Legal Analyst – 51,900 USD
- Lawyer – 107,500 USD
- District Attorney – 115,000 USD
So, regardless if you decide to work in the private or public sector, you will develop skills of communication, critical thinking, and reasoning. And, with a degree in Law, you also get to improve the lives of others and help them with professional advice and counselling.