Where will a degree in Law take you?

Graduates who studied Law have built successful and influential careers across the legal sector and beyond. From roles in legal practice and advisory services to careers in business, policy and public service, they use their knowledge and skills to navigate complex issues and make a meaningful impact in society.

The example job roles listed below represent the diverse journeys of our alumni. Rather than training you for just one role, your degree provides a flexible set of valuable skills. The practical experiences you gain at university will open doors to exciting opportunities across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

Read our alumni career stories

Careers in core legal practice

• Trainee Solicitor: Completes a two-year "training contract" to become a fully qualified solicitor
• Paralegal: Performs legal research, drafts documents, and manages case files to support qualified lawyers
• Chartered Legal Executive: A qualified lawyer who specializes in a specific area, like property or family law, via the CILEX route
• Judicial Assistant (Tribunals): Focuses on specific areas like Employment or Immigration tribunals, helping judges navigate specialised regulations.

Careers in commercial, sales, and finance 

• KYC / AML Analyst: Conducts "Know Your Customer" and "Anti-Money Laundering" checks to ensure financial transactions are legal
• Compliance Officer: Audits company processes to ensure they stay within the boundaries of industry-specific laws
• Contracts Manager: Negotiates and drafts the service agreements and legal bonds between different businesses
• Legal Tech Consultant: Advises law firms on using AI and software to automate document reviews and manage cases
• Company Secretary Trainee: Ensures a corporation complies with governance standards and communicates with the board of directors.

Careers in public service, information and policy

• Legal Editor / Analyst: Working for companies like LexisNexis or Thomson Reuters. You analyse new judgments and write the guides that other lawyers use to understand the law
• Police Officer / Detective: Enforces criminal law and conducts investigations to maintain public safety
• Probation Officer: Works with offenders to ensure they follow court-mandated rehabilitation and public safety rules
• Policy Advisor: Researches and drafts new regulations for central and local government or think tanks
• Parliamentary Researcher: Working for an MP or a Peer in the House of Lords. You research upcoming Bills (proposed laws) and help draft amendments or speeches.

Careers in specialist legal services 

• Licensed Conveyancer: A specialist lawyer focused exclusively on the legalities of buying and selling property
• Medical Negligence Caseworker: Specialises in researching and managing claims where healthcare has fallen below legal standards
• Costs Lawyer: Specialises in the law of "legal costs," ensuring that court fees and lawyer bills are calculated correctly
• Trademark/Patent Assistant: Helps businesses register and protect their creative ideas and inventions from being stolen
• Claims Handler: Investigates insurance claims to determine legal liability and how much compensation should be paid.

Careers in managment and human resources

• HR Advisor (Employment Law focus): Manages staff issues while ensuring the company follows all labour and equality laws
• Recruitment Consultant (Legal focus): Headhunts lawyers for law firms, using an understanding of the legal market to find the best talent.