Law has always been one of the sought-after and widely respected degrees to study at university. Our guide has everything you need to know before you apply for entry to this competitive field.
For many, an undergraduate law degree will be the first step along the path to a career in the legal sector, followed by the further study and training needed to become a practicing solicitor or barrister.
However, this is certainly not the only reason to study law at university. For many, the attraction lies in the combination of human interest and intellectual stimulation a law degree will provide.
Choose an undergraduate law degree, and you’ll discover just how wide-ranging the reach of the law is.
Legal studies come into contact with almost every area of human life, touching upon issues relating to business, economics, the environment, human rights, international relations, politics and trade.
As you get further along your course, you should have more opportunities to select your own areas of interest. For example, you could specialize in criminal law, property law or maritime law.
The study of law also provides a framework through which to examine and understand different societies and cultures. For instance, you may be able to focus on Islamic law, or on the laws of the European Union.
As a law student, you should also be prepared to come up against some of the most problematic – indeed often seemingly irresolvable – conflicts and issues in modern society and morality. An interest in philosophy could be helpful here!
Studying at graduate level? See our guide to continuing your legal studies >
Find the world's best universities for law with the QS Rankings by Subject >