Law and legal studies are about understanding rights, responsibilities and the systems that govern society. You'll learn how legislation, case law and legal principles shape everything from business contracts to human rights.
Law & Legal Studies
Turn your passion for justice, debate and problem-solving into a prestigious career.
A-Levels in English Literature, History or Politics, or a BTEC in Business & Law can open the doors to university & apprenticeships.
Is This Area For You?
Your Personality
If you enjoy arguing your point, analyzing complex information, or standing up for what's right, then Law & Legal Studies could be your ideal path. This area mixes critical thinking and persuasion, helping you navigate the legal frameworks that protect individuals, businesses and communities.
Your attributes might include:
Analytical mind
You break down complex arguments and spot inconsistencies.
Articulate communicator
You express yourself clearly and confidently, in writing and out loud
Principled
You have a strong sense of right and wrong and care about fairness
You might learn to:
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Design buildings and spaces that are safe, sustainable and visually striking
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Understand the structural, environmental and legal requirements of construction
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Use industry software including AutoCAD, Revit and SketchUp to produce professional drawings
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Manage projects, budgets and teams across every stage of the build process
Law LLB or Bachelor of Laws
Study of the legal system, justice, and rights - preparing you for a career as a solicitor, barrister, or legal professional.
Legal Practice LLB / BA
Study of how law is applied in real-world settings - combining legal theory with the practical skills needed for a career in legal services or the wider justice system.
Law and Management LLB / BA
Study of how law and management work together - combining legal understanding with leadership, strategy, and organisational skills for careers in business, law, or public administration.
Law and Economics LLB/BA
Study of how legal systems and economic policies shape society - combining the principles of law, business, and finance to understand how rules and markets interact.
Law and Business LLB/BA
Study of how law and business interact - combining legal knowledge with commercial insight for careers in business, law, or management.
International Law LLB/LLM
Study of how laws operate between nations - exploring global justice, human rights, diplomacy, and international governance.
Forensic Psychology BSc
Study of how psychology helps us understand crime, offenders, and the justice system - linking human behaviour to law, investigation, and rehabilitation.
Criminology BA/BSc
Study of crime, justice, and society - exploring why people commit crimes, how laws are enforced, and how communities respond.
Criminal Justice BA/BSc
Study of how crime is defined, investigated, and punished - exploring law, policing, and the social systems that uphold justice.
Business and Law BA/LLB
Study of how law and business work together - combining legal knowledge with commercial understanding for careers in business, law, and management.
Law & Legal Studies Degree Courses
Career fields include:
Quick Career Facts
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Average starting salary: £24,000–£32,000 (rising significantly with qualification and specialism)
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Common employers: Law firms, Crown Prosecution Service, Government Legal Department, in-house legal teams, charities, local councils
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Study time: Three years for an LLB, followed by the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) or Bar Training Course to practise
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Best A Level/BTEC subjects: English Literature, History, Politics, Sociology, Philosophy, BTEC Business & Law
Solicitor
Advising clients on legal matters and representing them in negotiations and lower courts.
Barrister
Representing clients in court and providing specialist legal opinions on complex matters.
Legal Executive
Carrying out specialist legal work in a specific area such as family, property or criminal law.
Corporate & Commercial Law
Advising businesses on contracts, mergers, employment and regulatory compliance.
Criminal Law
Working within the justice system to prosecute or defend individuals facing criminal charges.
Human Rights & Public Law
Challenging unlawful decisions and protecting the rights of individuals and communities.
Legal Research & Policy
Shaping legislation, government policy and legal reform through research and analysis.
Paralegal
Supporting qualified lawyers across a wide range of legal practice areas.
Careers
Law and Legal Studies are about understanding the rules that govern society and using them to protect, advise and represent people, businesses and organisations.
You'll learn how legal principles, critical thinking and communication combine to influence everything from individual cases to national policy.