Is My Child Ready To Study Law In The UK And How Can I Help Them Succeed?

Are you considering studying law in the UK? Are you confused about where to begin or whether you can even apply? You may not know any lawyers to help guide you. Or maybe the lawyers you do know qualified a long time ago. Information about studying law in the UK has probably changed a lot since then! 

Don’t panic! At GoStudent we have compiled a lot of up-to-date information answering your questions about how and where to study law in the UK. Keep on reading to find out more.

What qualifications do I need to study law in the UK? 

Usually, you need to have at least three A levels to secure a place in the most popular law courses in the UK. Specific A level subjects are not a requirement; however, this may change from time to time so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the university page. ⚖️

Some universities may express a preference for subjects that they believe are closely related to or facilitate legal studies. Universities may also specify A-Level subjects that they will not consider. For example, Kings College London does not recognise general studies, critical thinking, thinking skills, or global perspectives as eligible A Levels. Required grades and recommended subjects vary according to which university you are applying to, so be sure to check the entry requirements of each institution on their website.

Other widely-accepted qualifications to study law in the UK include the IB (International Baccalaureate). Some universities may also accept BTEC as a qualification to study law in the UK.

In addition to school exams, you may need to take the LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test). This is not required by every university, so be sure to check with the universities that you are interested in before worrying too much about the LNAT. 

If you are required to take the LNAT, ensure you take it at a dedicated test centre. There there are many test centres in the country. The LNAT is taken on a computer and consists of a multiple-choice section and an essay writing section. In short, the LNAT is designed to test your verbal reasoning skills and doesn’t require any prior knowledge of law.

How much does it cost to study law in the UK? 

To study law in the UK at the undergraduate level does not necessarily cost any more than other degrees on average. 

Tuition fees for a three-year undergraduate course are £9,250 per year. If you are from outside the UK, the cost to study law in the UK ranges from £10,000 up to £26,000 per year depending on the university.

The cost of living should be taken into account in addition to tuition fees. Expenses such as rent, food, transport, study materials and any other living expenses that you may incur all add up. 

Can an international student study law in the UK? 

Yes, you can study for an undergraduate law degree in the UK if you are from outside the UK. In fact, UCAS has published that around 79% of students who study law in the UK are local and 21% of students enrolled on a law undergraduate degree are international students. 🌍

Entry requirements for you to study law at university will be different than those for students from within the UK. We recommend checking the university website for specific details.

Is the UK a good place to study law?

Yes, the UK is a great place to study law.

An undergraduate degree with a high grade from a good university in the UK will be recognised globally. This is especially true as not only does the UK have many excellent and prestigious universities, but also because England is considered the birthplace of common law. The English legal system has influenced other countries' legal systems and many international law firms have head offices in the UK.

However, if you intend to eventually practice law outside of the UK, then studying law at an English university could complicate the route to employment. Most companies would rather you have a legal education specific to the legal system of the country that you plan to work in. You may be asked by an employer to take a conversion exam to ensure that your legal education is relevant to the employer’s country of work.

You may wish to study law but have aspirations to work in other industries such as finance, politics, or business. In which case your UK law degree will allow you to demonstrate valuable, transferable skills such as research, communication, and accuracy.

Where to study law in the UK?

There are a lot of good universities to study law in the UK. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding which is the best place to study law in the UK:

• Entry requirements

Firstly familiarise yourself with predicted grades. This will help you create a shortlist of universities that you are eligible to apply for. If you will benefit from some support to help boost your predicted grades, book a free trial lesson with a GoStudent tutor who can create a tailored study plan in any subject.

• Location

Where will you feel happiest? You may wish to study at a university close to your home. Alternatively, perhaps you prefer studying in the heart of a new city or maybe you’d be content in a campus-based university that is further away from the city centre. Open days are a fantastic opportunity to get a feel for the university environment.

• Cost

In addition to tuition fees, you also need to think about living expenses. Some of you may be eligible to receive maintenance loans to cover some or all of your living expenses. Others may need to depend on their parents or on part-time work to subsidise costs.

If you are ineligible for a maintenance loan or are struggling with funding, it may be wiser to study in Birmingham, for example, as opposed to London where the cost of living is higher on average.

If I study law in the UK can I combine the course with another subject?

There are several universities that offer qualifying law degrees (LLB) combined with other subjects. They are a great option if you prefer variety in your studies. You will still mainly study law modules, with some additional modules in another area of study. 

For example, you may study law and a foreign language. This is also an interesting way for you to stand out to potential employers.

Is it hard to study law in the UK?

This question has two parts. We can break it down further into whether it is hard to gain entry onto a course to study law in the UK and whether it is hard to study for a law degree once enrolled at the university. 

Certainly, many find the process of gaining acceptance in a good law course challenging. Entry requirements can be high, the LNAT might be an extra source of anxiety, and some universities may invite you for a nerve-wracking interview before offering you a place. 

Similarly, once you have accepted a place at university, studying law is by no means an easy task. You will be grappling with a whole new way of writing essays and will be required to absorb large volumes of information that need to be committed to memory. The content isn’t usually intuitive due to its technical nature. 

Your unwavering focus on graduating with an excellent degree and finally envisioning an exciting career afterwards are all essential to get through the long days and nights of studying. 📚

On the positive side, the reward for your effort is a versatile and well-regarded degree that spans many career prospects.

Keep in mind that from the university's perspective, if you are on track to meet the entry requirements to study law, then you have already demonstrated great potential to succeed in your law degree. Whether A Levels, IB or BTEC, universities consider school qualifications to be the most accurate measure of your commitment to study and ability to succeed academically. 

Perhaps you could use some help to ensure that you achieve the grades that you need to study law in the UK at your dream university. Reach out to a GoStudent tutor who can provide you with the support that you need.