Anaya Nolan
A law degree is a versatile qualification that opens doors to a wide range of career paths. While many law graduates go on to become solicitors or barristers, others choose to pursue alternative careers where their legal knowledge and skills are highly valued. These include roles in banking and finance, insurance, HR, tax advisory, town planning, journalism, public relations, and more. Law graduates are also well-suited for careers in the public sector, such as the Civil Service, policing, teaching, and working for Members of Parliament. With their strong analytical, research, and communication skills, law graduates are desirable candidates in various industries, making a law degree an excellent foundation for a diverse range of professional paths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Career options | Solicitor, barrister, licensed conveyancer, paralegal, legal secretary, licensed probate practitioner, judicial assistant, law costs lawyer, court usher, trading standards officer, research officer, welfare rights adviser, immigration officer, housing adviser, health and safety adviser, equal opportunities officer, management consultant, planning officer, police officer, teacher, politician, journalist, public relations officer, investment banker, insurance broker, accountant, tax consultant, building surveyor, facilities manager, compliance officer, civil servant, regulatory consultant, human resources officer, marketer, business owner |
| Transferable skills | Research, evaluation, interpretation, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, persuasive reasoning, attention to detail, working under pressure, negotiation, diplomacy, stamina, intellectual rigour |
| Legal knowledge applications | Human resources, tax advisory work, banking and finance, insurance, education, local or national government, politics, policing, journalism, public relations |
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What You'll Learn
Legal careers: solicitor, barrister, paralegal, etc
A law degree is a gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister, but it's not the only path you can choose. A law degree provides you with a range of transferrable skills that are invaluable across a variety of sectors. These include research skills, evaluation skills, problem-solving, attention to detail, working under pressure, conflict resolution, and persuasive reasoning.
If you want to practise law after graduation, you must complete some vocational training. To become a solicitor in England and Wales, you have to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). To work as a barrister, you need to undertake a Bar course, followed by a one-year Bar Practice Course (BPC). After completing the BPC, you’ll need to secure a pupillage.
Paralegals support solicitors, barristers, and legal executives. They are usually employed in law firms to work in a specialised department. They need knowledge of the law but are not qualified solicitors.
Outside of the legal profession, law graduates can find work in banks, insurance companies, HR departments of large firms, local government, or advice centres. Law graduates can also pursue careers in banking and finance, charities, education, local or national government, and politics.
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Non-legal careers: banking, finance, insurance, etc
A law degree is a great gateway to a career in the legal profession, but it also opens doors to many non-legal careers. The skills you gain from a law degree, such as research, evaluation, analytical and communication skills, are highly valued in the banking, finance and insurance sectors.
Banking
Many law graduates go into investment banking and fund management. These roles require stamina, negotiation skills, diplomacy and intellectual rigour, which are all skills that law students possess. With a law degree, you can find roles in corporate finance, markets, fund management, private-client services, IT and operations.
Finance
Finance roles that are well-suited to law graduates include tax consultancy, compliance, loss adjusting and accountancy. A background in law is useful for tax consultancy, as it involves advising businesses and individuals on tax legislation and keeping up with the latest legal changes. Compliance officers ensure companies comply with financial regulations and reporting requirements, and these roles are often available in financial organisations and solicitors' firms. Loss adjusters investigate insurance claims on behalf of insurance companies, and a law background is useful for this role as it requires an eye for detail, analytical skills and good negotiation skills.
Insurance
Insurance broking is another option for law graduates, as it requires similar skills to investment banking, such as negotiation and diplomacy.
Other non-legal careers
Other non-legal careers that law graduates can pursue include human resources, marketing, business, management consultancy, town planning, journalism and public relations.
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Transferable skills: research, communication, problem-solving, etc
A law degree is a great way to develop a wide range of transferable skills that can be applied in many different careers. Here are some of the key transferable skills you can gain from a law degree:
Research skills
Research is a fundamental part of a law degree, and this skill is highly valued by employers in various sectors. As a law student, you will learn how to conduct thorough research using a range of sources, including verbal questioning. You will also develop the ability to evaluate complex information and explain it clearly to others. These research skills can be applied in careers such as journalism, policy research, and legal research roles within the court system or legal firms.
Communication skills
Effective communication is essential in the legal field, and law students are trained to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner. They also learn how to build persuasive arguments and negotiate effectively. These communication skills are sought after by employers in fields such as public relations, management, and consultancy.
Problem-solving skills
Law degrees develop strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Law students learn to identify legal issues, apply technical knowledge to complex scenarios, and propose creative solutions. These skills are directly transferable to careers in management, town planning, and consultancy.
Attention to detail and critical thinking
The ability to pay close attention to detail is crucial in the legal field, where a single word or phrase can significantly impact a case. Law students are trained to scrutinise information, identify key issues, and think critically about complex problems. These skills are highly valued in fields such as engineering and construction, and finance.
Working under pressure and stamina
The study of law often involves tight deadlines, intense workloads, and high-pressure situations. As a result, law students develop the ability to work effectively under pressure and manage their time efficiently. These skills are sought after in various careers, including investment banking, insurance, and accountancy.
Diplomacy and conflict resolution
Law students learn how to resolve conflicts and negotiate effectively. They develop cultural competency and emotional intelligence, which are essential for building strong professional relationships. These skills are valuable in careers such as diplomacy, international relations, and human resources.
The transferable skills gained from a law degree open up a diverse range of career opportunities beyond the legal profession. Law graduates are well-equipped to pursue roles in banking, finance, education, local or national government, politics, policing, and many other sectors.
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Graduate schemes: management, marketing, civil service, etc
Graduate schemes are a great way to develop your skills and gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. Law graduates are well-equipped to enter graduate schemes, as their academic knowledge and transferable skills, such as analysing, reasoning, research, and problem-solving, are highly desirable to employers.
Management
Large corporate and financial organisations offer management training schemes, which can involve spending time in different departments, including human resources (HR), general management, and sales and marketing. Some programmes are more specialised and cover areas such as financial management and IT.
Marketing
Marketing is a popular graduate scheme option for law graduates. Many employers in this field are major media companies, such as the BBC, Sky, and Virgin Media O2. Marketing graduate schemes can also be found across all sectors, with the opportunity to work towards professional qualifications such as a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification.
Civil Service
The Civil Service Fast Stream offers approximately 700 graduate vacancies each year in a wide range of departments. Fast streamers are prepared for senior managerial positions through a series of intensive job placements, where they move between projects and sections within their departments and take up postings in other departments and agencies.
Other Options
In addition to the above, law graduates can also explore graduate schemes in fields such as compliance, accountancy, company secretary, risk management, property development, and procurement. Graduate schemes are also available in the public sector, with opportunities in the police, intelligence services, and the armed forces.
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Further study: postgraduate courses, diplomas, etc
A law degree is a great starting point for many careers, and further study can help you specialise in a particular area. If you want to practise law, you must complete some vocational training to be able to apply your skills in practice.
Postgraduate Courses
If you want to become a solicitor in England and Wales, you must complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). To work as a barrister, you need to undertake a Bar course, followed by a one-year Bar Practice Course (BPC). After completing the BPC, you'll need to secure a pupillage.
Diplomas
There are also several diploma options for further study. The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs offers a legal secretaries diploma course. The Institute of Legal Finance & Management offers a diploma and a legal cashier qualification. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives offers a graduate fast-track diploma.
Other Qualifications
You could also consider a postgraduate certificate in education if you're interested in teaching.
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Frequently asked questions
A law degree is a great gateway to a career as a solicitor or barrister. However, there are many other career options available to you beyond the legal profession. For example, you could work in banking, finance, insurance, HR, marketing, business, politics, or local or national government.
With a law degree, you can work as a solicitor, barrister, or paralegal. You can also work as a licensed conveyancer, judicial assistant, or law costs lawyer.
With a law degree, you can work in compliance, civil service, policing, teaching, or public relations. You can also work as a trading standards officer, research officer, welfare rights adviser, or immigration officer.
