Every country around the world has a legal system, so law experts are always going to be both necessary and highly sought after to keep our society functioning.

Law remains one of the most popular subjects to study at UK universities, particularly among international students, but what are the benefits of studying law?

Why study law?

1. In-depth knowledge

An undergraduate law degree will be made up of a range of modules that are designed to allow students to develop an in-depth knowledge of many aspects of law. You will also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to suit your goals.

For example, on Lancaster University’s undergraduate LLB Law degree, after gaining a basic knowledge in your first year, you can choose to specialise in one of three areas:

Criminal Law and Justice
Commercial Law
Human Rights Law.

After successfully completing your undergraduate degree, you may have a better idea of where you would like to focus your future learning so you can have a career in the field you most enjoy.

A postgraduate law degree, or LLM, is perfect if you want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of a smaller sub-section of law. Having an LLM shows employers that you are dedicated to the field and displays that you have a specialty, which could give you an edge in the hiring process.

You can progress to undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees from the pathway programmes available at Lancaster University International Study Centre.

2. Transferable skills

Alongside developing key subject knowledge throughout a law degree, you will also gain skills that can be used across your professional and personal life:

Written and spoken English skills
Collaboration, teamwork, and project management
Analysis, research, and attention to detail
Meeting deadlines.

These will be useful whether you choose to pursue a law-based career or otherwise.

3. A multitude of career options

As a law graduate, there are plenty of job roles you can explore. Law graduates can be found working as barristers, paralegals, or solicitors. Law experts are also needed in police forces around the world, or among the finance, media, or political sectors.

At Lancaster University International Study Centre, we offer multiple free career services designed to boost your employability skills for the modern world. Once you progress to Lancaster, there will be plenty of networking and practical experience opportunities, so you can graduate with the skills you need for your career.

4. High salaries

Due to the high level of knowledge and expertise required for a job in law, you can expect to be well paid throughout your career as a law graduate.

In the UK, you’ll find the highest salaries in London – for example, according to The Lawyer Portal, a trainee solicitor’s average salary is between £35,000 and £48,000. Outside the capital, you can still find roles with salaries up to £35,000, which is well above the average graduate salary.

Of course, as you gain experience, and further qualifications, your salary will rise to reflect your worth.

5. Structured further study

Finally, there is often a clear study plan that will lead you to further career success. Once you decide on your specialty, it is likely you will need to complete further study and examinations so you can receive the correct accreditation. For example, if you would like to become a lawyer in the UK, you would need to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

Why study law in the UK?

So, there are plenty of reasons to study law, but what makes the UK such a special place to study the subject?

Globally recognised degrees

Not only are degrees from UK universities recognised around the world, but universities here often have very highly-ranked law schools.

Lancaster University has plenty of accolades to its name. The University’s law school is ranked 82nd in the world for law and legal studies, as well as 136th in the world overall by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 – this means that you’ll be receiving a world-class education and your degree will be recognised by employers in the UK and around the world.

UK law system

When you study your law degree in the UK, you will be learning about one of the oldest, and most widely used, justice systems in the world.

Common law, the system used here, is the basis for legal systems for countries all over the world, so your degree will contain lots of transferable knowledge should you wish to work abroad.

Work in the UK after studying

While you could choose to work abroad, the UK has a very generous post-study work visa. With the Graduate Immigration Route, you can stay in the UK for up to two years after graduating. Learn more in our video below.

Improve your English

Living and learning in the UK is a brilliant way to improve your English levels. At the International Study Centre, and once you progress to the University, you will be taught and assessed in English, and be encouraged to speak English throughout your studies.

While studying your pathway programme at the International Study Centre, you will be among fellow international students, where you can develop your English skills in a safe and friendly environment while being taught by experts in international education.

Once you progress to Lancaster, your classmates will be a mix of international and domestic students. Having classes and completing group work with native English speakers will really help your English language development.

Quicker route to becoming a lawyer

Compared with other nations, like the USA or Canada, the UK has one of the shortest paths to becoming a lawyer.

An undergraduate degree here is only three years, with two or three years of full-time study needed after that. When you compare this to the USA, where you generally need seven years of study to become a lawyer, the UK offers a faster route to starting your career.

Your pathway to a law degree in the UK

If you’re looking to study law in the UK, Lancaster University is a great option, with its high rankings, excellent research, and modern facilities.

At Lancaster University International Study Centre, we offer pathway programmes to help international students study at Lancaster. Across our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, you can develop the English language skills and subject-specific knowledge you need to succeed at the University.

With the International Foundation Year in Law, after successfully completing modules on law, economics, and politics, you can progress to a range of law degrees, including LLB Law, LLB Law with Criminology, and LLB Law with Politics.

If you already have your undergraduate degree, the Pre-Masters Programme in Business, Law and Social Sciences is a great choice for you. From this programme, you can progress to LLM Law, LLM International Law, and LLM International Human Rights Law, as well as other exciting degrees.

Apply now

Use our simple form to apply to study at Lancaster University International Study Centre.