A law degree can set you up for more than just a job as a lawyer. Here's seven jobs that you could do when you graduate...
Updated: 05 Sept 2025
In the UK, law is one of the most coveted degrees to have. And if you want to use your law degree to directly land a job as a solicitor, the UK is the place to be: four of the world’s ten largest law firms are headquartered in the UK.
But being a solicitor is not the only career path you can choose after you graduate. In fact, there are many options available to you beyond the legal profession. Here's seven jobs we've found that you can do after you've graduated with your law degree...
What you’ll do: Barristers are independent sources of legal advice and can advise clients on their case. In this role, you'll also be the voice in court for those who need some help with the law – you'll plead the case on behalf of your client and the client's solicitor. You'll mainly be hired by solicitors, though members of the public can also go directly to a barrister to ask for advice and representation in court.
How you’ll use your degree: Most people will take a law degree to become either a barrister or a solicitor, as the course is a direct pathway into these professions! It’ll use everything you’ve learnt and put it into practice.
Why you’ll love it: Your voice will be one of the few of those in the court who can speak up, so you’re effectively the voice for the voiceless. Your knowledge will be important in the delivery of justice, so if fairness is your passion, this is the job for you.
How much you’ll earn: During your pupillage, you'll earn at least £18,884, and this quickly rises once you're qualified and with experience. With five years experience, your salary could rise to over £80,000, though it depends on the area you work in and the company you work for.
What you’ll do: You’ll be making sure companies work within the law. Basically, to keep them in line – you'll need to ensure a company complies with financial and legal requirements, as well as maintaining its high standards of corporate governance and know how various areas of the law affect your work.
How you’ll use your degree: You’ll be using your in depth knowledge of textbook law and business law to apply to this job.
Why you’ll love it: If you enjoy learning the ins and outs of the law, this is the job for you. You’ll be one of the few people responsible for the legal aspect of your workplace, so if you like being in charge and having power this is the job for you.
How much you’ll earn: Trainee company secretaries generally start at £20,000 to £30,000, rising to over £100k with experience and with the right company.
What you’ll do: Costs lawyers are highly specialist lawyers working in the practice area of legal costs (how much a solicitor charges clients, how much legal aid a client can get etc.). You'll predominantly work with firms of solicitors, but you may also be instructed by members of the public, including businesses.
How you’ll use your degree: This job is all about money – it’ll use your legal costs skills and knowledge daily.
Why you’ll love it: If you love crunching numbers and thinking about money all day, this is the job for you!
How much you’ll earn: All that thinking about money can earn you a pretty penny - salaries can rocket up to £90,000 with experience.
What you’ll do: Detectives are accredited police officers who work as Serious and Complex Crime Investigators or Specialist Investigators. They're responsible for managing a range of investigations including those concerning robbery, drugs, domestic violence, public and child protection, company fraud, cyber-crime, homicide and counter-terrorism.
How you’ll use your degree: You can’t solve a case without knowing about the law and justice system – otherwise how will you know what crimes there are and what has been committed?
Why you’ll love it: This job comes with a lot of street cred, and doesn’t use fancy words either to describe your role – people will respect what you do, and wish they were you.
How much you’ll earn: Starting salary is typically just over £23k, and can rise to about £90,000.
What you’ll do: A licensed conveyancer is a qualified, professional property lawyer. You'll specialise in property law and will work on behalf of clients buying or selling - dealing with all legal matters, administration, finance and queries involved in a property transaction.
You’ll also advise clients on the technical content of the documents and their financial implications, being their representative at times.
How you’ll use your degree: You’ll be involved in fraud law and money laundering law, dealing with all aspects of financial transactions and the relevant law.
Why you’ll love it: You’ll be responsible for finding people their new homes – nothing beats the happiness of house buyers, and you’ll be giving people joy day in day out.
How much you’ll earn: Typical starting salaries for trainees or newly qualified conveyancers can range from £19,000 to £24,000, rising to around £50,000 with experience or around £65,000 as a partner or owner of a firm.
What you’ll do: As a paralegal, you may work in a variety of law firms, chambers and private, public sector and not-for-profit organisations. You'll play an important role within a legal team and your tasks will often mirror the work of a trainee - or at times even a recently qualified solicitor. The position is sometimes used as preparation for qualifying as a solicitor.
How you’ll use your degree: You’ll need to write a lot of legal reports and attend court on the regular, something your degree will make you an expert on.
Why you’ll love it: There’s a ton of categories to specialise in, so you get a lot of choice about what area you’d like to work in. These include litigation,
How much you’ll earn: At graduate level, you can earn between £18,000 - £25,000, rising to around £55,000 with experience and for a larger company.
What you’ll do: Solicitors provide expert legal support and advice on a range of personal and commercial issues. The actual work carried out varies depending on the setting, your specialist area and the nature of the case.
Depending on your area, you could work with personal issues like divorce and landlord agreements, commercial work like helping new enterprises get established, protecting rights with things like getting compensation and pro bono work for charities and the likes.
How you’ll use your degree: Just like a barrister, this is the job your degree was designed for! Everything you learn is relevant in this role.
What you’ll love: You’ll be a legal representative and the legal voice for those who need it.
How much you’ll earn: Starting salaries for qualified solicitors in a regional firm or smaller commercial practice range from around £25,000 to £40,000, but you can earn over £100,000 working for large firms or the Magic Circle.
Salary information source: Prospects
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