Law is a fundamental aspect of society, governing our behaviour, rights, and the justice we can expect from the court system. Law is broadly divided into two categories: civil law and criminal law. Civil law refers to non-criminal law; family, property, wills, contracts and so forth. Criminal law covers – you’ve guessed it – crime. Lawyers play key roles in advocating for clients, interpreting laws, and upholding justice.
Updated: 08 Apr 2026
There are many different types of law, and each comes with its own rules, regulations, specific terminologies, and archives of case studies. When you follow your career as a lawyer, you’ll begin to specialise in one of these areas, and build a professional profile. Some specialisations include:
Criminal law: Deals with criminal offences against society, including things like theft, assault, and murder. It involves prosecuting and defending those accused of criminal acts, ensuring fair trials, and administering sentences and other outcomes.
Family law: Deals with legal matters surrounding family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence. It aims to resolve disputes, protect the rights and welfare of family members, and establish legal frameworks for marriage and parental responsibilities.
Contract law: Highly important in the world of business and commerce, contract law governs agreements between parties, ensuring that contractual obligations are legally binding and enforceable. It includes being able to draft, interpret, and enforcing contracts across various sectors, protecting the rights of all parties involved.
Property law: Property law regulates the rights and interests of real estate and personal property. It covers things like ownership, transfer, leasing, and use of property, resolving disputes, and maintaining landlord-tenant relationships.
Employment law: Deals with the relationship between employers and employees, including aspects such as hiring, wages, working conditions, and discrimination. It aims to protect workers' rights, ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities, maintaining a good workplace atmosphere while upholding contracts and responsibilities.
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Contract law
Tort law
Criminal law
Equity and trusts
Land law
International law
Human rights law
European union law
Commercial law
Studying law equips individuals with critical thinking, analytical skills, and legal fluency, as well as the ability to absorb and interpret a large number of case studies and legal reports.
Studying law at university provides a comprehensive knowledge of legal theories and practices, and students learn how to research and construct legal arguments. Through moot courts (a simulation of a real court), case studies, and internships, students gain practical experience and exposure to various legal fields, preparing them for taking their career to the next level.
Some of the transferable skills that students pick up while studying a law degree can include:
Public speaking
Report writing
Critical thinking
Advanced text analysis
Teamwork
Are you ready to start looking for your future university degree? Use our handy search tools now to check out law courses across the UK and find the perfect one for your needs.
Many law courses are considered 'qualifying law degrees'. These can be identified as they'll be LLB courses rather than a BA or BSc. LLB Law leads you directly to part two of the Law Society of Bar qualifying exam.
Bodies that accredit law degrees in the UK include the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. The Law Society of Scotland accredits courses in Scotland.
Not sure if law is the right choice for you? If you’d like to work in policy and civil service, there are several related degree subjects which may be more appropriate for your educational and career ambitions than a law degree. Look at the following alternative options:
Sociology
Criminology
Politics
International relations
Journalism
A law degree is the foundation of a career in accredited legal practice and can also open doors to diverse career opportunities beyond the legal profession.
Graduates can pursue roles in law firms, governmental agencies, or corporate legal departments, or alternatively can explore careers in fields such as research and academia, public policy, business management, or journalism, using their legal knowledge and analytical skills in various contexts.
Some of the roles available to law graduates include:
Lawyer
Policy analyst
In-house solicitor
Chartered legal executive
Lecturer
Paralegal
Legal aid worker
Judge
These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in law or a related subject.
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Single Honours
Law LLB
Criminal Law LLB
BA Law
Joint Honours
Law and Accounting
Law and Psychology
Law and Sociology
Law and Economics
SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI
Alternative options
Foundation years: Foundation years in law provide foundational knowledge of legal principles and practices, ideal if you’re aiming to pursue a law degree but lack the necessary qualifications to get started right away.
Sandwich degrees: Sandwich degrees typically incorporate a year-long placement between Years 2 and 3 of an undergraduate course. This year can be spent getting experience in law firms, courts, or legal agencies, building professional networks, and enhance graduate employability.
Integrated Master’s: You can get a postgraduate qualification alongside your undergraduate studies by studying an integrated Master’s degree. These programs generally add an extra year to your degree and allow you to study to a much greater degree of depth.
Degree apprenticeships: Degree apprenticeships in law provide a unique combination of study and on-the-job work experience. Apprentices work in legal settings while studying part-time, gaining valuable insights into legal practice, client management, and case preparation while being paid a wage.
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QUALIFICATION | REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|
UCAS points | 96–165 |
A-levels | A*AA–CCC |
BTECs | D*D*D*–DMM |
Scottish Highers | AAAAA– ABBB |
International Baccalaureate | 42–29 |
SOURCE: WHATUNI
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Entry requirements for law degrees vary, and generally don’t include specific A-level (or equivalent) requirements. Subjects such as English literature, history, politics, psychology, sociology, and mathematics are often preferred, where you’ll be able to demonstrate analytical and writing skills.
FIND OUT MORE: How to choose your A-level subjects
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