How to become a lawyer in the UK: steps & schools explained

To become a lawyer in the UK can be extremely fulfilling in a variety of ways. You may have strong beliefs about social justice or merely want to work in an industry that pays well. A career in law is one of the most future-proof ones you can choose since it is a job that society will probably always need.

Given that English is still the primary language of international law and one of the major languages of communication worldwide, the UK has long played a major political role in world affairs. To become a lawyer in the UK means that you will be well-equipped to interact, bargain, and conduct business with clients and partners worldwide.

Students with law degrees from the UK can choose from a variety of job opportunities. Many graduates choose to become solicitors or barristers to practice law, and the Bar in many nations across the world recognizes a law degree from the United Kingdom.

Employers also view a law degree as a highly regarded credential since it offers a wide range of transferable abilities that may be used in many industries. International students who get law degrees in the UK may be particularly interested in a career in international law, where they could advise government agencies or non-governmental organizations and work on human rights disputes. Opportunities might also be found in big law firms that handle issues involving foreign parties.

You will probably need to finish a university degree and several years of training to become a lawyer in the UK. The field is extremely competitive and academically demanding. The processes of becoming a qualified lawyer in the UK are examined in this guide, which covers:

The UK’s route to law school
the several legal professions and how to choose one to pursue
The many law undergraduate programs offered by UK universities
The best legal schools in the United Kingdom and how to choose universities, including postgraduate options

Our programs are specifically created to prepare students for the obstacles that lie ahead, and we have expertise guiding students who are determined to pursue a career in the legal field to success.

Table of Contents

The Route for International and UK Students Pursuing a Career in Law

In the UK, becoming a fully qualified lawyer often involves four steps.

1. Obtain an Equivalent Law Foundation or A-level Qualifications.

At least three high-grade A-levels are required to be admitted to law school. Three A or A* grades are probably required for admission to the best institutions with the most demanding programs, while specific requirements differ for each university.

Your course director will advise you on the ideal subjects to take, which will probably include geography, history, economics, and/or government and politics. However, there are no specific A-levels required for law. Law at the A-level is not necessary, however, it can help you get a sense of the topic.

An alternate option for studying law is to enroll in a Law Foundation. To prepare them for the demands of a UK law degree, Law Foundations, like the Kings Humanities and Law Degree route program, are often one-year pre-university programs designed particularly for international students. Based on A-levels, it is guaranteed by Pearson and accepted by many reputable UK universities.

2. Complete an Undergraduate Degree

An undergraduate degree, which takes three years (or four years in Scotland), is required to become a lawyer in the UK. Both an LLB and a BA/BSc are options; more details on the distinctions are provided below.

3. Do a Legal Practice Course (LPC)

The LPC is the last professional training step required to become a lawyer in the UK. This course is taken following the completion of a law degree or other recognized credentials. Its goal is to close the knowledge gap between theory and practice by giving students the practical skills they need to pursue a career as a solicitor. Generally speaking, the LPC can be studied either full-time or part-time.

The LPC (and Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)) will be replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which is a test that all students starting a degree program in September 2021 will take. Those who began their law, GDL, or LPC programs prior to September 2021 will still be eligible to apply through the conventional path until 2032.

4. Complete Any Specialist Training

Obtaining practical experience through a law training contract is the last stage to become a lawyer in the UK. You must work at a law firm for two years before you may become a qualified solicitor. Your law company will pay for a series of specialized training modules called the Professional Skills Course, which you will also finish during this time.

Key Steps in the Decision-Making Process for Applying to a Law Degree

1. Choose between becoming a barrister or a solicitor

Anyone qualified to provide legal advice as a licensed legal practitioner is referred to as a “lawyer” in this general sense. This includes barristers and solicitors, and it’s crucial to realize that there is a specific difference between the two in the UK.

What does a barrister do?

A barrister is an individual who represents or defends a client in court. Barristers are engaged by solicitors to represent a case in court; they only get involved when the case needs an advocate. Barristers typically have specialized knowledge of particular areas of law.

What does a solicitor do?

A lawyer who works outside of court and consults with clients directly to provide legal advice is known as a solicitor. Attorneys meet with clients for the first time and offer guidance on their particular circumstances. If it has to go to court, they also compile case files. Unlike barristers, who typically work for themselves, solicitors are typically employed by a law firm or organization and get a salary.

How do a Solicitor and a Barrister differ from one another?

Clients, who may include private persons, public sector organizations, or private enterprises, can receive legal help, advice, and services from solicitors. Frequently, they are able to specialize in particular legal fields.

Barristers conduct legal research, represent people or organizations in court, and provide clients with case advice. They are usually self-employed, while some do work for government agencies or departments like the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

2. Choose between pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), or Bachelor of Laws (BBL) degree.

An undergraduate degree, which lasts three years (four years in Scotland), is required to pursue a career in law in the UK. A BA/BSc or an LLB can be chosen based on your academic preferences and future ambitions.

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Legum Baccalaureus, which is another name for the Bachelor of Laws, is the Latin acronym from whence the LLB originates. If you wish to become a lawyer in the UK, the first step in your training is a qualifying law degree. The seven “Foundations of Legal Knowledge” are taught, and the information, critical thinking, and practical skills necessary for a legal career are developed.

Land law, EU law, contract law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, and equity and trusts are among the seven main modules. There are three ways to study the LLB: as a two-year graduate course, as a three-year full-time legal degree, or as a four- to six-year part-time degree.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Law or Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Some students opt to enroll in an undergraduate program in another topic or earn a BA in law instead of the LLB. After completing a one-year Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) conversion course, these candidates are eligible to apply for the Legal Practice Course.

Although this path may take longer, it may be more appropriate for students who are more interested in the academic side of law than in becoming a lawyer or joining the bar, or who are thinking about pursuing a career in business, politics, or journalism all of which require the skills acquired during a Bachelor of Arts in Law.

What distinguishes a BA/BSc in Law from an LLB?

A BA in Law incorporates modules in law as well as other disciplines like history or business, while an LLB concentrates solely on law. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law frequently pursue dual honors, such as law with criminology or law with German.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Law, you can become a Barrister or a Solicitor. However, the BA in Law does not qualify as a law degree, in contrast to the LLB Law. This implies that you will probably still need to complete the GDL, a one-year conversion course that is now being replaced by the SQE and is required of all non-law degree holders who wish to become lawyers in the UK.

3. Choose the Right Law School

Researching several law schools in the UK is the next stage so that you may submit your UCAS application after deciding what kind of legal job you might like to follow and what kind of law degree you are most interested in earning.

While both the general university rankings and the law-specific rankings are certainly worth looking at, other variables that should be taken into account are just as crucial:

Tuition fees
Location and cost of living
Graduate prospects for employment

If you choose to enroll in Kings’ pre-university program, our knowledgeable UCAS consultants will assist in selecting the ideal university for your legal studies, setting you up for success.

8 Best Law Schools in the UK

The range of legal degrees provided by UK law schools is enormous, and they have a long and rich history. Students who want to become a lawyer in the UK can next focus on selecting the colleges to apply to after deciding on the kind of law degree they want to pursue.

The intellectual prestige of British institutions is well known around the world; according to the Times Higher Education World University rankings, four of the top 10 universities in the world are located in the UK (University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, and LSE). The eight universities listed below are all consistently ranked among the best in the field of law.

1. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

One of the best law schools in the world, LSE Law School is well-known throughout the world for the caliber of its legal research and instruction. The LSE was placed first in London and seventh worldwide for law studies in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. With more than 60% of its students coming from abroad, LSE’s law school is among the most diverse in the world and a top choice for students who want to become a lawyer in the UK.

LSE asserts that its law students learn that law is not a corpus of information kept in books but rather that it permeates all aspects of our lives and is consistently visible in our corporate, social, and civil interactions. Students at LSE benefit from being taught by scholars who actively shape the evolution of the law and investigate how the law may address challenges of current importance through their world-class research.

2. University of Oxford

To become a lawyer in the UK, studying law at the University of Oxford, one of the most prominent and well-known universities in the world, undoubtedly brings academic recognition, which can be extremely helpful when looking for work after graduation. You’ll find some of the world’s top academics, the most extensive collection of resources, and the best group of classmates here.

One of the biggest law faculties in the UK is located at the University of Oxford. It is a confederation of thirty law schools located inside the university’s colleges. The three-year undergraduate Jurisprudence BA program at the University of Oxford is comparable to what other universities would refer to as an LLB.

Except spending the third year studying at a law institution in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or the Netherlands before returning to finish the Oxford degree in the fourth year, the three-year BA program’s coursework is the same for the BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe.

3. University of Cambridge

The esteemed University of Cambridge is a better option if you want to become a lawyer in the UK, ranked third in the world by the Times Higher Education World rankings for law education, offers a BA (Hons) program that focuses primarily on English law, though there are also opportunities to study civil (Roman) law, EU law, and international law. Additionally, students have the option to study sociological and theoretical facets of law, such as criminology or jurisprudence.

There are lecture halls, seminar rooms, and a moot court in the David Williams Building. The Squire Legal Library is situated there as well, and it has one of the biggest academic legal collections in the UK. The Faculty and University Law Society offers a variety of events, including public lectures, career events with leading law firms and barristers, social gatherings, and mooting competitions, which are arguments about hypothetical legal issues. Because of the great trust that has been established in the job market, Cambridge graduates enjoy excellent employability.

4. University of London (UCL)

UCL, which is ranked as one of the top law schools in the UK and the globe by the Times Higher Education globe University Rankings, draws many aspirational students who want to become a lawyer in the UK from all over the world.

The three-year LLB Law program blends study and theory with hands-on experience and skill-building instruction. After the second year, students might also be able to continue their education for an additional year and complete a portion of their degree overseas in the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, or Singapore. The UCL Faculty of Laws also offers the following legal degrees:

Law with French Law LLB
Law with German Law LB
Law with Hispanic Law LLB
Law with a Different Legal System (Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia)
LLM (Master of Laws)
Law MPhil/PhD

5. University of Edinburgh

Established in 1707, the University of Edinburgh’s Faculty of Law, now known as Edinburgh Law School, is located in the city’s ancient Old College, just a short distance from Scotland’s Parliament and the Law Courts. It is ranked thirteenth in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 World University Rankings for Law.

The undergraduate degree programs offered by the university give students who want to become a lawyer in the UK the opportunity to earn a qualifying degree in Scots law while also providing them with the freedom to select from a large selection of electives. Students will now have access to brand-new teaching, study, and research facilities in the Law School’s historic Old College location, which recently underwent a comprehensive renovation.

6. King’s College London

The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London is widely regarded as one of the best law schools for students who wants to become a lawyer in the UK. Since its establishment in 1831, this institution has supplied the legal system with highly qualified attorneys, greatly benefitting the community. The goal of its legal degrees is to recognize and tackle contemporary issues, including global finance, international politics, and climate change. The following degrees are now available at King’s College London:

LLB Law
LLB English Law & Spanish Law
LLB Politics, Philosophy & Law
LLB English Law & French Law
LLB English Law & German Law
LLM Master of Laws
MA Medical Law
MA Medical Ethics & Medical Law

7. University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow’s outstanding legal degrees attract students who aspire to become a lawyer in the UK, distinguished faculty, vibrant, dynamic, and research community, as well as its extensive array of modern facilities, make it one of the best law schools in the United Kingdom. A legal degree from this university will provide you with a basic understanding of both Scottish and Common law, but it will also help you develop other critical and analytical abilities that companies highly value.

8. Durham University

Ranked by QS as one of the top 50 law schools in the world Durham University offers top-notch education through its tutorial system and small-group seminars, which are highly regarded by employers.

The LLB degree is available as a flexible, full-time, three-year program, a perfect opportunity for those who want to become a lawyer in the UK. Additionally, students can specialize in a variety of elective modules, ranging from corporate and international law to public law and human rights, in addition to modules in other subject areas.

If you already have a degree, how do you become a lawyer in the UK?

To become a lawyer in the UK, students who have obtained a full-time degree in any subject, including law, from an international university are eligible to enroll in the Graduate Diploma in Law or a similar law conversion program, even though the Solicitors Regulation Authority does not recognize foreign law degrees as valid degrees. After that, they might complete the LPC or the Vocational Component of Bar training.

Many universities provide the GDL, which will be replaced by the SQE in September 2021, and allows non-law graduates to convert their degree into a qualifying legal degree. An alternative to the GDL is the “qualifying LLM,” which offers the chance to study the GDL’s prerequisites and earn a master’s degree concurrently.

In conclusion, to become a lawyer in the UK is a journey that requires dedication, academic excellence, and practical experience. While following the traditional LLB route or conversion courses, aspiring solicitors and barristers must also develop critical thinking, negotiation, and advocacy skills to thrive in the legal profession. However, beyond qualifications, building a strong professional network, gaining relevant internships, and staying updated with legal developments can significantly enhance career prospects.

Future attorneys must adjust to new problems while maintaining moral principles and fairness as the legal profession changes due to technology, AI-driven legal research, and alternative conflict resolution. The UK provides top-notch colleges and training programs to support people in their endeavors, regardless of their area of expertise, corporate law, human rights, or criminal defense. In the end, to become a lawyer in the UK involves more than just receiving a degree; it also entails embracing resilience, lifelong learning, and a dedication to justice. The legal field is waiting for people who are prepared to make a difference!