How to Choose a Law School in the UK

Universities around the UK offer a variety of different law courses. One factor that differentiates many of them is whether they offer complete theoretical study, or if practical experience is involved.

Some law degrees offer students the chance to take a “sandwich year”, where you get to work for a legal firm full-time for a year, before your final year of studying. Practical courses can also offer mock trials, allowing you to gain valuable experience for your legal career.

If the more practical approach isn’t for you, there are law courses that stick to a more theoretical route, without a sandwich year. If you are planning to go for a more theory-based course, look for universities that offer electives so that you can select some of your own modules.

Although some law degrees do offer electives, the majority of modules you study at any university will be fixed and mandatory. Therefore, it is important to look closely at the core modules on offer at different institutions to determine whether the course content will fit with the career path you are looking to take after university.

While the majority of modules will be quite generic, it is a good idea to start thinking about whether there is a legal sector you would prefer to specialize in so you can determine whether any particular courses could help you develop your knowledge in that area. Does criminal law appeal more to you than business law, or do you see yourself working within family law, property law or environmental law?

Another factor to think about when choosing a law school in the UK is whether you want to study a complete law degree, or combine law with another subject. The second option – a joint honors degree – could provide you with more options after graduation, especially if you’re not convinced a traditional legal career is for you.

Law is most commonly offered in combination with subjects such as English, history, sociology, psychology, and other humanities and social science disciplines.

ULaw Birmingham,  ULaw Bristol, ULaw Guildford,  ULaw Leeds,  ULaw London Bloomsbury,  ULaw London Moorgate,  ULaw Manchester,  ULaw @ Newcastle University,  ULaw Nottingham,  ULaw Online,  ULaw @ University of Chester,  ULaw @ University of East Anglia,  ULaw @ University of Exeter,  ULaw @ University of Liverpool,  ULaw @ University of Reading,  ULaw @ University of Sheffield

While the law school you choose will depend entirely on you and your personal preferences, the more time you take to look into each university, the greater chance you will have of selecting the law degree that will provide you with the best possible experience and success.

Rachel Campbell is a content writer for BCL Legal, a legal recruitment agency that can offer their candidates advice and guidance to help them choose the right career in law for them.