It's a personal choice - just because an institution tops the rankings doesn't necessarily mean it's right for you. However, according to the Times Word University Rankings by subject , the following UK universities top the list for law:. In addition to strong academic grades, there are certain skills you'll need to demonstrate to become a lawyer.
A good indicator of what's required is the LNAT, which is used by many universities as an entrance exam for law degrees. It assesses your:. To find out more about specific skills, see 7 skills for a successful law career. Organise informal work experience with high street legal firms before going to university. For example, this could be a couple of weeks spent work shadowing a solicitor and carrying out general office duties. Placements like this, arranged independently, look good on applications for law degrees.
During your studies apply for formal work placements. These include vacation schemes at law firms, which take place during academic holidays, and mini-pupillages in barristers' chambers. Jobs and work experience Search graduate jobs Job profiles Work experience and internships Employer profiles What job would suit me?
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Choosing a course Getting into university Student loans and finance. University life Changing or leaving your course Alternatives to university. Log in Register. Getting a job CVs and cover letters Applying for jobs Interview tips Open days and events Applying for university Choosing a course Getting into university Student loans and finance University life Changing or leaving your course Alternatives to university Post a job. On this page What qualifications do I need to become a lawyer?
What's the difference between a solicitor and a barrister? How long does it take to become a lawyer? Which A-level subjects should I choose? Do I need a law degree? Can I become a lawyer with a or a third? This class is designed to prepare students for future practice in corporate settings.
It introduces them to corporate legal issues such as contract negotiation, dispute resolution, and joint ventures. Below is a list of courses frequently offered within a JD program, alongside a list of skills and knowledge students should gain from the class. Introduces students to the elements of practicing law, including legal analysis, policy, and writing.
Students are introduced to the basic principles of contracts, including creation, termination, and alteration. Students gain an understanding of court procedures that do not involve criminal matters; includes the study of trial litigation, discovery process, and jurisdictional rules. Teaches students about the U. Constitution and how it structures the legal system. This course examines civil liabilities of conduct and topics such as medical malpractice and tort reform.
The Master of Laws LLM is a specialized degree designed for practicing lawyers or professionals who have already graduated from a JD program. Examples of ideal candidates for LLM programs include judges, lawyers, law professors, and government officials.
This degree usually requires students to complete 20 to 26 academic credit hours to qualify for graduation. The LLM curriculum structure is built on flexibility and diversity, allowing students to focus their studies in a particular section of law.
Areas of specialization include international business, property, entertainment and media, civil litigation, and taxation, to name a few. The practice of modern law does not occur in a vacuum, but at an intersection of multiple disciplines. Universities and law schools recognize that the field draws upon different areas. As a result, many offer dual or joint degree programs allowing students to earn an additional professional degree to complement their law education. Through these concurrent degree programs, students gain specialized expertise that prepares them for a range of professional opportunities.
Some of the most common dual and joint degree programs include the following:. In these programs, students earn a Master of Business Administration to complement their Juris Doctor degree. This option allows students to earn a JD and Master of Arts or Sciences degree in a range of disciplines, such as international affairs, political science, philosophy, engineering, or environmental science. Generally offered as a dual degree, these programs are designed for students who want to augment their legal expertise by developing specialized knowledge in another discipline.
These programs are typically completed in years of full-time study and combine two degree programs—the Juris Doctor and the Master of Public Health. Traditionally, these joint programs require four years of full-time study and prepare graduates for leadership positions in public affairs and domestic and international policy. Example fields include anthropology, history, political science, African-American studies, or psychology. Modern legal practice extends into many different areas, with emerging and rapidly growing industries introducing a new layer of complexity to the practice of law.
Through both electives and concentrations, students can focus their education, developing advanced knowledge to address industry-specific legal issues, problems, and concerns. Below is a short overview of five common legal concentrations available to law students. Students in business law concentrations explore the varied and sophisticated transactions and components of business, such as federal income taxation, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, financial accounting, capital markets, and corporate finance.
One of the most rapidly growing specialties in law, intellectual property is concerned with trademarks, patents, and copyrights. Curriculum may include the study of cyberlaw, intellectual asset management, antitrust, Internet law, and patent strategies.
In the courtroom, criminal defense lawyers are tasked with representing clients accused of committing crimes. In addition to studying the theory of criminal law, the curriculum also introduces students to criminal procedures, evidence, national security law, white-collar crime, and trial practice. When compared to other areas of legal practice, environmental law can be considered a relatively new specialty area.
The curriculum may cover topics such as land use controls, agricultural law, international environmental law, mediation, and water rights law.
In this specialization, students prepare to practice law in music, television, film, and other creative industries. The curriculum intersects with intellectual property law, exploring topics such as copyright law, motion picture distribution, digital media, television law, and trademark law.
Doctorate degrees are designed for legal professionals seeking career opportunities in scholarly research. At this level, admission is extremely competitive.
It is not unusual for a law school to only accept one or two doctoral students each year and to only consider students that graduated from the same institution. Although these degrees are the highest academic programs available in law, each has its own structure and purpose. The four options include:. The PhD in Law is ideal for JD graduates who wish to pursue academic research, scholarship, and teaching at the postsecondary level. The DSJ degree is designed for law graduates who hold an LLM and desire to pursue individual legal research and writing.
The program culminates in a dissertation that should advance and make a significant contribution to legal scholarship. The SJD degree is a research-focused program designed for students interested in performing legal research and writing in preparation for leadership roles in public positions or legal scholarship. The D. L program is closely aligned to the DSJ degree, but concentrates on the comparative aspects of law, particularly international law, highlighting the differences among legal systems throughout the world.
Doctoral students build progressive, elevated skills in a range of areas. Some of these include:. Students are able to analyze issues, develop informed plans of inquiry, conduct research, and make data-driven recommendations. Students develop an advanced understanding of legal issues, theory, and the legal system alongside critical reasoning skills. Students gain advanced understanding in specialized policy areas or domains and are able to make expert recommendations in each area.
Students are able to communicate effectively, writing and speaking clearly for varied audiences and purposes. Currently, no law school offers a fully online Juris Doctor degree approved by the American Bar Association. In order to sit for state bar examinations, students must earn a degree from an ABA-accredited institution.
While fully online programs do not exist, some universities and law schools may allow students to complete some coursework via online learning formats. This includes students in dual, concurrent, or joint degree programs. There are numerous considerations when deciding to pursue a law degree. Prospective students need to ensure they are getting the right return on their investment by finding a law school that matches both their educational needs and career goals. Below is a list of factors students should review before deciding to apply to law school.
Passing the bar examination is the basic requirement to practice law. Traditionally, law schools prepare students to take the bar examination in the state the institution is located. Prospective students should consider where they want to practice law as that will influence where they attend school.
However, some states have reciprocal agreements allowing graduates from one state to practice law in another after passing the bar examination. Attending law school means reading, and lots of it. Law students should consider the research facilities and libraries at their school of choice, examining the quality of the library collection, staff, research materials, and even hours of operation. The success of any student hinges on faculty members. Faculty-student ratio is also important, as it is an indicator of how personalized the learning experience will be at each school.
Generally speaking, law students are not required to specialize when they graduate. This program usually takes 16 to 28 months to finish and may include courses in administrative law, contracts, negotiation theory and regulatory compliance.
The Master of Dispute Resolution MDR degree is for individuals who want to work in organizations where they can provide resolution and negotiation skills needed to deal with a difficult situation. This program usually takes up to two years to complete and includes courses in dispute resolution, mediation, negotiation, arbitration practice, identifying workplace issues and conflict management.
Since the Juris Doctor is the only law degree accredited by the American Bar Association , students interested in the other law degree types should contact the bar association in the state in which they wish to practice law to learn about the bar admission requirements.
With so many types of law degrees available, individuals can choose their program and career based on their aspirations and how long they want to be in school. Featured Programs.
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