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Law

Research careers and find opportunities in the field of law.

About

The legal sector is a challenging and changing field. It requires a high level of commitment and perseverance. Graduates face tough competition, especially if looking for a pupillage or training contract.

A law career can also be personally and financially rewarding.

It is important to keep up to date. This helps in understanding what a law career involves and whether this is the right sector for you.

Emerging trends in the legal sector include:

Law sector employers

It’s important to understand the different types of law firm and practice areas:

Law firms

These include:

For more on types of law firm see:

Chambers

About 12,000 barristers work in England and Wales. About 80% of barristers are self-employed and most belong to barristers’ chambers. Others work for organisations like those listed in the other legal employers section.

To train as a barrister, you must join one of the four ‘Inns of Court’. These provide educational activities, scholarships and support for students, barristers, and judges.

For more information see:

Other legal employers

These include:

Practice areas

To practice law, it's also important to understand the areas you could specialise in. See the following for details:

Roles and skills

The range of organisations and roles you can work in is large and can suit graduates with a variety of skills.

Job profiles

Have a look at careers sites including Prospects and lawcareers.net to find out what roles in this sector involve and how to get into them. These are some of the job profiles available:

More information

Book a guidance appointment for help exploring your options.

Skills employers look for

Commercial awareness

Employers in this sector will be looking for evidence of commercial awareness. This applies even if you are not considering commercial law.

This means:

  • understanding how a firm operates. You need to know what work they do, and who their clients and competitors are.
  • keeping up to date with the sector

The resources on this page can help you develop your commercial awareness.

They will also be looking for the following skills:

  • oral and written communication
  • interpersonal skills to work in a team or with other people and organisations
  • negotiation
  • analytical capacity and attention to detail
  • flexibility and openness to new ideas
  • ability to plan and prioritise tasks
  • problem solving capability
  • numeracy and IT skills
  • leadership and delegation
  • stamina and resilience
  • commitment, professionalism, and a respect for confidentiality
More information
Salaries

Starting salaries for graduate jobs in this sector can vary depending on the position.

To get an idea of typical starting salaries use the following resources:

For information about how to negotiate a salary, visit Handling job offers.

Be inspired

It’s not always easy to know which roles to apply for. The resources in this section can help you find inspiration from previous students and know where to get further support.

Inspiration from people working in the industry
  • Browse our Work Experience and Graduate Employment directories. See where our students and graduates have had work experience, or been employed. 
  • Use LinkedIn’s Alumni tool to find out what Newcastle graduates are doing now. You could ask to connect with them, to gain advice and insights into their career. See Newcastle Alumni on LinkedIn to help you get started or watch our quick tutorial on Getting inspiration from others [3:13].  
  • Attend alumni events, such as Newcastle Develop, to hear directly from our graduates.  
  • Sign up for mentoring support with Graduate Mentor and The 1 Hour Project. These aim to match students with industry professionals who can provide invaluable insights. Register to be connected for a one-hour meeting. 
  • Attend events such as recruitment events and  employer and sector insights. Hear about graduate jobs, placement schemes, build your network and ask questions.   
Online reviews

Searching for reviews online can be a useful way to get an idea of what to expect from certain roles or employers. Reviews are written by employees with different opinions about what makes a good employer.

Use the following review sites for inspiration and insight into the recruitment process:

Not sure what you want to do?

If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do, we can help. You can book a guidance appointment via MyCareer. Our careers consultants can help you explore your options or plan your career.

Explore career planning advice
Making career choices
Exploring your options

Sector and industry insights

Researching the industry is essential, whether it’s to:

  • help you decide which area to work in
  • identify who to apply to
  • tailor your application
  • impress an interviewer with your knowledge of the sector

Here are some resources to help you get started:

Career guides

Read career guides for this sector, such as:

Reference books in Newcastle University Library

Attend events

Attend events to hear directly from professionals in the industry. Examples can be found on the following:

See also our recruitment events and employer & sector insights.

Industry news

Use online magazines and journals to follow news from your industry. Reading about trends and developments is important for applications and interviews.

Examples include:

Student specific resources

Student societies

Join law specific student societies

  • The Law Society – for law and non-law students. Put on events throughout the year including careers, sports, legal competitions (mooting, client interviewing and negotiation) and socials.
Social media

Use social media to find industry insights

Join sector-specific groups on LinkedIn to keep up to date. Posts often include news, events and opportunities. You can also find useful insights on careers on X and TikTok. Treat these with caution, as not all content may be accurate.

More information
Professional bodies

Consider joining a relevant professional body/industry network

Professional bodies often:

  • run networking events
  • have specialist groups you could join
  • post vacancies on behalf of their members
  • have member directories, useful for speculative applications

Key organisations include:

Specialist professional associations include:

Finding professional bodies worldwide

GoinGlobal’s country guides include details of professional bodies. Find them under ‘Professional and Personal Networking’ on each individual country guide.

Guide to finding opportunities

There are various ways to find internships, placements and graduate opportunities. We’ve added some tips below to help you get started:

  • search for advertised vacancies using the vacancy sites listed below 
  • look at the careers sections on company websites for student and graduate opportunities.
  • use Researching employers to help you gain insights into companies 
  • attend events such as recruitment fairs  and  employer and sector insights  
  • contact employers speculatively – see  to help you find organisations to approach 
  • follow companies on Social Media for latest news and updates 
  • consider registering with a recruitment agency for graduate jobs 
  • register with EmployAbility if you are disabled, neurodivergent or have a mental health condition. They can offer advice and support on applications to Newcastle students. They also run first year, internship and graduate programmes with inclusive employer partners. 
  • consider alternative ways to find relevant experience and develop your skills
  • create your own opportunity by starting your own business or working freelance 

Advertised work experience

Excellent academic results are vital for law careers but gaining work experience is also essential. Work experience helps you decide what area of law suits you.

You can also use it to evidence transferable skills and sector awareness.

The following websites give advice on legal work experience:

There are many ways you can gain relevant experience for the legal sector. We have information on these below.

When to apply

Apply for advertised opportunities as early as possible.

UK applications typically open early in the academic year from September or October. Some close as early as November-December. Many employers close applications as soon as their places are filled.

Vacation schemes

Large solicitors’ firms often run vacation schemes. These are formal, paid internships offered by law firms. They give an insight into the field and offer an opportunity to make contacts.

Vacation schemes usually run three times a year. These are - in winter (over Christmas), spring (over Easter) and summer. They are competitive, so you need to put in time and effort when applying.

The following sites list many vacation schemes and deadlines.

Mini pupillages

A mini pupillage is a short work placement within barrister’s chambers that lasts from one day to up to two weeks. It involves shadowing a barrister and sometimes attending court hearings.

Completing mini pupillages will improve your chance of gaining pupillage. A pupillage is your final stage of training to be a barrister. Though it’s not compulsory, most chambers will expect you to have completed more than one, and as many as even 4 or 5.

Search for advertised mini pupillages at:

You can approach chambers directly if it's unclear whether or when they offer minis.

Diversity schemes

Across the law profession, there is a drive to create more diversity. The profession is trying to be more representative of the communities it covers.

Diversity schemes offer the opportunity for under-represented groups to gain law experience.

Underrepresented groups include:

  • Women
  • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people
  • People who are socially or economically disadvantaged
  • Those who consider themselves to have a disability

Diversity schemes include:

  • Aspiring Solicitors - to increasing diversity in the legal profession.
  • Black Lawyers Directory - provide networking, training and more
  • CAREERS | SEO London (seo-london.org) – vacation placements with corporate City law firms. Aimed at undergraduate students from ethnic minorities
  • Discuss Programme - aimed at students from lower socioeconomic groups. Open to students from any discipline in their first year or second year of a four year course at any university. For those interested in commercial law
  • The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme - addressing barriers to the solicitors’ profession
  • Pathways to Law - developed to widen access to the legal profession. Undergraduate law students who match their criteria can gain one week work experience. This will be a placement at a leading law firm as well as other professional experience and benefits
  • Diversity Access Schemes – lists diversity and access schemes.
SQE qualifying work experience

You will need to gain qualifying work experience as part of the SQE to qualify as a solicitor.

Training contracts were the main way to gain qualifying work experience prior to SQE.

Training contacts can be difficult to secure. There is now more flexibility around what is qualifying experience. However, some firms are continuing with the traditional training contract format.

Completing SQE requires two years of qualifying legal experience. This experience:

  • can be at up to four different organisations:
  • may be paid or unpaid.
  • must help develop the prescribed competencies for solicitors
  • needs to be signed off by a solicitor at the organisation, or another solicitor who has direct experience of your work
  • should be recorded for future reference

Examples of experience that count towards the SQE include:

  • training contracts
  • working as a paralegal
  • completing a year-long placement,
  • volunteering in a student law clinic
  • working at Citizens Advice

See Advertised graduate opportunities and non-advertised work experience and graduate jobs for more on where to find SQE qualifying opportunities.

NCL Internships

The Careers Service runs flexible term-time and summer internships with local employers and on campus. NCL internships are aimed at all students, from any stage.

  • Search for these under Vacancies on MyCareer. Type in ‘NCL internship’ into the text search box.
  • You can find these advertised throughout the academic year. Full-time summer opportunities are advertised from around March.
Worldwide experience

Access GoinGlobal for internships in over 120 global locations, updated daily. Search for opportunities in the local language, as well as in English. You can also use their country guides to find:

  • additional vacancy websites
  • CV, application and interview advice
  • advice on living and working in different countries and cities around the world.

Looking for ideas

If you’re looking for inspiration, try searching our NU Work Experience Directory. You can see where our students have had internships and placements in the last five years. To see all results in a search category, keep the search field blank.

Advertised graduate opportunities

Information on finding jobs and SQE qualifying experience in the legal sector. Includes training contract, pupillage, and apprenticeship sources.

Training contracts

A training contract is a formal traineeship with a law firm or organisation. It’s a step between your academic life and your life as a qualified solicitor.

They are extremely competitive. Many students don’t manage to get a training contract on their first attempt. We recommend not giving up after your first try. There are also other ways to qualify as a solicitor without a training contract.

When to apply

Due to the changes in qualifying, there’s no longer a standard process which applies to all firms and application deadlines vary. City and national firms tend to close their applications by 31 July.

Most large firms recruit two or three years in advance. This means second year law students can apply.

Smaller, regional law firms sometimes recruit only a year in advance. This means law students can only apply in their final year.

Others will have deadlines throughout the year. However, most still end in the summer. Places tend to be filled ahead of advertised deadlines.

For each firm, you’ll need to find out their opening and closing dates to apply for training contracts.

We’ve listed general timeline guidance below.

Law students
  • law students usually apply for training contracts from their penultimate year. This can depend on the specific firm and how far in advance they recruit.
  • Smaller, regional law firms sometimes recruit only a year in advance. Law undergraduates would for these apply in their final year.
Non-law students
  • you usually need to either start applying for training contracts in your final year. This is for training contracts starting in three years’ time.
  • you usually apply for a conversion course and training contract at about the same time.
  • you can also apply for a training contract during your SQE preparation course. This is for training contracts beginning in two years.
  • deadlines can be spread throughout the year, depending on the firm. Some firms will have training contracts with different deadlines for non-law candidates. Check specific details.
  • when researching training contracts, check if they want you to do a specific Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). They may have a preferred provider.
  • check if they accept a Master of Laws (LLM) if they offer a Legal Practice Course (LPC) equivalent year of training.

Training contact tips

  • research law firms in the area of law you’re interested in. Prioritise which training contracts you want to apply for.
  • if information is unclear on the website, contact firm’s recruitment teams for information
  • making applications takes time and effort. We recommend quality over quantity.

More information

Advertised training contracts

If you need support with choosing a training contract, book a guidance appointment. We can also offer feedback on your CV and applications.

Pupillages

A pupillage is the final stage of barrister training, and they are very competitive.

There are only about 500 pupillages offered every year. All About Law: The Realities of Gaining Pupillage gives insight into gaining pupillage.

You need to do research and understand requirements before applying for pupillages.

More information

When to apply

The general rule is that you should apply for a pupillage at least a year before you intend to start.

How to apply

You apply for pupillages on the Pupillage Gateway. The Bar Standards Board states that pupillage vacancies must be advertised there.

This allows you to submit up to 20 applications. You can also make extra applications directly to chambers. Follow any instructions on their websites. The Lawyer portal offers advice on how to complete the online application form.

Search for a pupillage

Other law sector graduate jobs

There are many other routes into law without becoming a solicitor or barrister. 

These can include being a paralegal or legal secretary. 

Search the external sites below for more opportunities in the legal sector:

Worldwide vacancy sites

See International jobs for details of overseas vacancy sites.

Access GoinGlobal for job adverts in over 120 global locations, updated daily. Search for opportunities in the local language, as well as in English. You can also use their country guides to find:

  • additional vacancy websites
  • CV, application and interview advice
  • advice on living and working in different countries and cities around the world

Non-advertised work experience and graduate jobs

Not all internships, placements and graduate jobs are advertised. In fact, many people create opportunities through:

In the legal sector a speculative approach is common for finding work experience and graduate jobs. This is where you approach a firm or company directly to ask if they have any opportunities available.

If you use this approach with law firms, use it to contact law firms that do not offer a vacation scheme. This usually means approaching smaller and high-street firms

How to access hidden opportunities

Start by identifying organisations you are interested in. Our guide to finding organisations below can help. Then use the following steps to approach them speculatively about possible opportunities:

Identify a contact name to address your cover letter to. Call or email to find out who handles recruitment within the organisation. Or, find a key contact in the department you want to work in.

Send them a tailored CV and cover letter. Express your enthusiasm for the sector. Show that you have researched the company.

Follow up your speculative application with a phone call, or email, around a week later. This shows you are serious and motivated.

If your application was unsuccessful, ask for feedback or advice, and keep trying!

When to contact organisations

You can use this approach at any point in the year. We recommend that you:

  • start your research as early as possible to gather relevant contacts
  • contact organisations around three months before you want the opportunity to begin
How to find organisations
North East organisations

Major law firms in the North East include:

UK organisations

Find organisations on MyCareer - click on ‘search organisations’ under the Vacancies tab

Professional body websites sometimes include member directories, which are helpful for finding employers.

Worldwide organisations

Search GoinGlobal's employer directory for company information in 196 countries. Their country guides list professional bodies around the world.

Specialist recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies can be useful for finding graduate jobs in law. These tend to be for immediate start positions. It's worth registering with one or two agencies towards the end of your course.

Specialist agencies include:

See Recruitment Agencies to find more agencies.

Finding overseas recruitment agencies

GoinGlobal's country guides include details of recruitment agencies in specific countries. They are listed under the following headings:

  • staffing agencies and temporary help firms
  • executive recruiters and search firms

Recruitment agencies may not operate in the same way in different countries. In the UK agencies are free for job seekers, but this may not be the case elsewhere. Explore the terms and conditions of an agency before signing up to use them.

Other ways to gain experience

All experience is valuable. If you can't find an internship or placement with a law firm, you could try these alternatives:

Pro bono and voluntary work

Pro bono work is offering free legal services. It can help you develop essential practical legal skills. Areas covered include housing, debt and employment advice.

Some projects are only open to graduates. However, students can still get involved in legal voluntary work, such as advice and research work.

Some of the following opportunities are advertised. You will need to apply to others speculatively.

Street Law - Newcastle's Law students can get involved with public legal education projects. You will provide advice services to local community groups, schools, and prisons

Law firm open days and insight days

Some law firms run open days or insight days for both law and non-law students. Open days and insight schemes are a great way to get insights into a firm and make contacts. You will need to apply for these, and some events are for at specific targeted groups, so check the criteria. You will usually spend a day at a firm or online event, with talks from lawyers, trainees and recruiters.

Expenses are often paid.

Find opportunities on firms’ websites or use the links below:

Other law-related opportunities
  • work experience outside a law firm in a company's legal department. Read more about working as an in-house lawyer.
  • work shadowing to gain an insight into different environments
  • join a debate society
  • look for opportunities to demonstrate/practise public speaking and advocacy
  • court visits - contact local courts to find out what opportunities are available. Sit in the public gallery. Observe how a barrister addresses presents legal facts and arguments.
  • judge marshalling. Apply directly for formal marshalling schemes with the Inns of Courts. Or ask the court manager or listing officer at your local Crown or County Court about opportunities.
  • follow or join organisations like The Innocence Project. They deal with miscarriages of justice
  • volunteer with charities relating to the area of law you’re interested in
  • attend law fairs to gain insights onto firms, careers and network
Virtual Internships

Complete a free virtual internship. Examples include:

Non-law experience

It can be difficult to find paid law experience. Non law work experience, part time jobs and volunteering can help you develop law transferable skills like:

Study and training

We’ve included information here on qualifying as a solicitor and as a barrister for law and non-law students.

Your third-year university checklist - Information (lawcareers.net) – also gives advice for law and non-law students.

We also have information on apprenticeships.

You can find funding information below.

We also have information on study and training outside the UK.

Qualifying as a solicitor for law students

For law students, qualifying as a solicitor in the UK through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route may look like this:

1. complete an undergraduate law degree

2. pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is not a course, but a series of national assessment examinations taken in two stages. It tests the skills and knowledge necessary to practice as a solicitor. It consists of two stages:

  • SQE 1 - focuses on practical legal knowledge
  • SQE2 - focuses on practical legal skills.

3. complete a two-year period of Qualifying Work Experience. This is supervised by a solicitor or organisation that provides legal services.

This can be completed before, during or after passing the SQE. The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) expect that most graduates will pass SQE1, then start their main period of work experience

4. pass SRA character and suitability requirements.

More information

For students who began studying law before September 2021, transitional arrangements are in place. You will be able to continue qualification via the traditional route until 2032.

 

Qualifying as a solicitor for non-law students

For non-law students, qualifying as a solicitor in the UK through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route may look like this:

1. complete an non-law undergraduate degree

2. pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE is not a course, but a series of national assessment examinations taken in two stages. It tests the skills and knowledge necessary to practice as a solicitor. It consists of two stages:

  • SQE 1 - focuses on practical legal knowledge
  • SQE2 - focuses on practical legal skills

In theory you could do the SQE exams without a law degree or legal training, but it is unlikely you would pass.

Most non-law students will take a course to prepare.

Preparation/Conversion courses

If you want to apply for a preparation/conversion course you would usually do this in the final year of your degree.

You can also apply as a graduate, in the academic year before you plan to study.

You’ll need to research to see which option is right for you.

Options for preparation/conversion courses include:

An SQE preparation course for non-law students.

This is likely to be longer than for law students. This will bring you up to speed with the required knowledge.

All applications for full-time places are made through the Central Applications Board (CAB). Part-time applications go directly to course providers.

More information:
A Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL)

Some include preparation for SQE1. Check with the course provider for deadlines.

More information:

University of Law - Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) - (conversion)

A Master of Laws (LLM)

Check this includes preparation for the SQE preparation and isn’t a purely academic course. Some include preparation for SQE 1 and or 2. This route has the benefit of allowing you to apply for a postgraduate loan. (link to funding)

More information:

For more on the options available see:

3. complete a two-year period of Qualifying Work Experience. This is supervised by a solicitor or organisation that provides legal services.

This can be completed before, during or after passing the SQE. The SRA expect that most graduates will pass SQE1, then start their main period of work experience

4. pass the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority’s (SRA) character and suitability requirements.

Other options include:

  • A training contract
  • A graduate apprenticeship

Book a guidance appointment via MyCareer, if you need support exploring your options.

Tips for qualifying as a solicitor
More information

For guidance on prioritising training contracts or whether to apply, book an appointment.

Qualifying as a barrister as a law student

The most direct route to qualifying for a career at the Bar is as follows:

1. complete an undergraduate law degree. This is the academic component

2. join an Inn of Court. This is a professional membership association for barristers in England and Wales. The Inns provide collegiate and educational activities and support. Do your research before you decide which to apply to. There are four Inns, all based in London. These are:

3. pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT). The BCAT tests whether you have the required critical thinking and reasoning skills. The Bar Standards Board sets a date by which all prospective students must have passed the test.

You can take the BCAT as many times as you need to, but there must be 30 days between each sitting

4. complete a postgraduate Bar training course. This is through one of the Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs). This is the vocational component.

You may see these courses described as:

  • Bar Course
  • Bar Training Course (BTC)
  • Bar Practice Course (BPC)
  • Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
  • Bar Vocational Studies (BVS)

You may also be able to split this stage into two parts. You might be able to combine Bar training with an LLM to allow you to access the Government Postgraduate Loan.

You apply directly to the university or law school you’re interested in.

5. complete the work-based component, which is usually a pupillage. A pupillage is the final stage of barrister training where you put into practice everything you’ve learned so far.

6. meet the requirements in the Professional Statement for Barristers

We’ve outlined the most direct route to qualify for a career at the Bar. The route is not usually this direct. It’s rare to go straight from the Bar course into pupillage.

Most candidates find that it will take at least a couple of attempts.

Qualifying as a barrister as a non-law student

The most direct route to qualifying for a career at the Bar is as follows:

1. complete an undergraduate non law degree.

2. complete Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) This conversion course is the academic component.

  • Visit the LawCAB website to search and apply for courses
  • Applications for PGDL don’t usually have strict deadlines, but often open at the start of October.

Book a guidance appointment via MyCareer for feedback on your personal statement.

3. join an Inn of Court. This is a professional membership association for barristers in England and Wales. The Inns provide collegiate and educational activities and support. Do your research before you decide which to apply to. There are four Inns, all based in London. These are:

4. pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) The BCAT tests whether you have the required critical thinking and reasoning skills. The Bar Standards Board sets a date by which all prospective students must have passed the test.

You can take the BCAT as many times as you need to, but there must be 30 days between each sitting

5. complete a postgraduate Bar training course. This is through one of the Authorised Education and Training Organisations (AETOs). This is the vocational component.

You may see these courses described as:

  • Bar Course
  • Bar Training Course (BTC)
  • Bar Practice Course (BPC)
  • Bar Vocational Course (BVC)
  • Bar Vocational Studies (BVS)

You may also be able to split this stage into two parts. You might be able to combine Bar training with an LLM to allow you to access the Government Postgraduate Loan.

You apply directly to the university or law school you’re interested in.

6. complete the work-based component, which is usually a pupillage. A pupillage is the final stage of barrister training where you put into practice everything you’ve learned so far.

7. meet the requirements in the Professional Statement for Barristers

More information

The vocational component

Pupillages

We’ve outlined the most direct route to qualify for a career at the Bar. The route is not usually this direct. It’s rare to go straight from the Bar course into pupillage.

Most candidates find that it will take at least a couple of attempts.

Tips for becoming a barrister
  • Research a career at the bar. Read as much as you can about qualifying to help you make comparisons and decisions. Good starting points are The Bar Qualification Manual (barstandardsboard.org.uk) and How to Become a Barrister: Barrister Training | The Lawyer Portal
  • Think about which area of law you want to pursue. This may impact on the types of work experience you apply for, so it’s worth considering early.
  • Complete mini pupillages. These are short placements that involve shadowing a barrister and attending court hearings. The length of a mini pupillage can vary from one day to two weeks. This will improve your chances when applying for a pupillage. Most Chambers will expect you to have completed several. See advertised work experience for more on mini pupillages.
Law apprenticeships

An option for qualifying in law is a legal apprenticeship. These are usually (but not solely) aimed at school leavers or career changers.

They combine paid work and training at a law firm, with part-time study for professional qualifications. They are an alternative to going to university and offer the same career destination.

You can complete law apprenticeships such as:

Some apprenticeships take 18 months to complete. The more advanced levels provide training over five or six years. This is around the same amount of time as it would take to qualify through the university route.

More information
Find apprenticeships

Individual firms and organisations will advertise on their own websites. Training providers will also advertise vacancies on behalf of firms they are working with.

They may also advertise on the following sites:

Book a guidance appointment via MyCareer, if you need support exploring your options.

Funding

Legal training (whether an SQE preparation course, PGDL or LLM) is expensive.

The most common way of funding a law qualification is with a bank loan.

You can only use the UK Government's masters loan for PGDLs which can be converted into LLM (i.e. Masters level).

More information
Bar training funding
Studying and training outside the UK

There can be lots of advantages to studying law outside the UK, including:

  • learning about a different country’s legal system
  • learning about a different culture, with new customs and activities
  • working in a different environment to the UK
  • developing your language skills
  • gaining especially useful knowledge if you’re interested in commercial or international criminal law.

However, this can also be an expensive option. You will need to do your research to see if it is right for you. The international job market can be very complex with different legal systems.

If you study law overseas, you may need to complete a conversion course to to practise in the UK should you want to.

See Studying and Practising Law Abroad | The Lawyer Portal to start your research.

More information

Europe

USA

Book a guidance appointment via MyCareer to discuss if this option is right for you.

Work for yourself

Working as self-employed or freelance is common in the legal sector. For example, solicitors can be sole practitioners or freelance.

Most (about 80%) of barristers are self-employed. They are either sole practitioners or they work on a self-employed basis with other barristers in chambers.

More information

Our START UP team can help you explore working for yourself at any stage. Whether you want to explore an idea or have already launched a business or freelance career, you can access the following help:

  • support with idea generation
  • provide tailored advice
  • help you develop your skills
  • introduce you to like-minded peers
  • refer you to further support from mentors
  • award grant funding up to £3,000
Find out about Start Up

Related sectors

Our occupational guides can help you explore and consider your options. If you’re interested in law you may also be interested in:

Government, Politics and Policy
Armed Forces, Law Enforcement and Public Protection
Development
Probation
Social work
Book an appointment