'Studying for a law and legal studies qualification in the UK will open doors for you around the globe'
You can find hundreds of law and legal courses using the ‘Search’ tool on the top right hand side of this website. Simply choose the ‘Courses’ tab, select your course category and then select ‘Law and legal courses’ from the subject field. On the ‘Scholarships’ tab you can also look for financial support too.
English law is globally recognised and used in commercial and financial centres across the world. Each year some 18,000 students enrol on more than 1500 law courses in the United Kingdom.
Most undergraduate degree courses start with a general introduction to the law, which helps you to decide your field of interest. As a member state of the European Union, the UK now operates a consolidation of English and EU law, and European law courses are hugely popular with international students. Many people choose to pair European with commercial and trade law.
Begin your career with a UK law qualification
With a law qualification you can choose a career in law or look further afield. The strong emphasis on analytical skills, reasoned argument and problem-solving means that UK legal training can be applied to many areas of employment. You can also study criminology and forensic investigation, which will prepare you for a career with police forces or security services.
While the UK's three separate legal systems in the UK (one covering England and Wales, and separate systems in Northern Ireland and Scotland) share some elements such as commercial law and taxation law, they vary in the content and structure of their legal education programmes.
What can I study?
Law and legal studies: schools and further education
You can study Law at GCSE, International Baccalaureate, AS- and A-level (or Scottish equivalent) and many students combine it with subjects such as economics, social sciences and languages. Students with a minimum of four GCSEs at grades A* to C can also train to be a legal executive. To qualify you’ll need to take a course accredited by the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX).
In Scotland, you can study for a National Certificate to become a legal secretary. Students with an A-level in Law are exempt from Level 1 ILEX examinations.
To secure a place on a completive course you may need to take the pre-university LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law). Vocational qualifications in Law can also be taken in subjects such as youth justice, forensic science and prison justice.
Law and legal studies: higher education
In higher education there are many different types of Law qualifications, from a Law BA to a vocational certificate in Law and Legal Services. You may also choose to do a Foundation Degree which is offered in Law, Business with Law and Legal Studies.
To qualify as a lawyer in the UK you need to complete modules in seven specific areas known as the Foundations of Legal Knowledge. Once completed, you will be awarded an LLB or BA (Hons) in Law. Then you can progress straight to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) that will lead to a qualification as a solicitor or a barrister.
These seven module areas are also invaluable if you’re interested in studying the processes and theory of law but don’t want to practise as a lawyer. You may decide to focus more on business, economics or human rights legislation. You can also pursue a career in Law if you have graduated in another subject by taking the Common Professional Exam (CPE).
Criminology: higher education
An undergraduate degree in criminology offers a more multidisciplinary approach, combining social sciences (such as sociology and psychology) with law. A criminology qualification can lead to careers ranging from the police, security industries, journalism and forensics. You will examine how crime is defined, why people commit crimes and how society responds.
Other degree courses combine crime scene management and forensic evidence with criminology, looking at the science behind crime. You can combine criminology with subjects such as modern languages, a social science, history or politics. If you choose to study criminology with the intention of practising law, you will need to take a conversion course, such as the CPE, after graduation.
Begin your UK law qualification
Before you enrol on a law course in the UK, be sure to check with the appropriate body in the country where you ultimately intend to practise, that it will recognise the qualification you’ll obtain.
You can find a list of law degrees from which you can progress directly to the Legal Practice Course via the Law Society and find out about different type of study through the Bar Vocational Course.
