Careers in Law

Graduates of UK law degrees have a range of employment options available to them. Many graduates practice law by pursuing a career as a solicitor or barrister, and a UK degree in law is recognised by the Bar in many countries around the world.

How to decide between solicitor or barrister?

• A barrister is someone who defends or advocates for someone inside of court. Barristers are hired by solicitors to represent a case in court and only become involved when an advocate for that case is required. Barristers are usually specialists in distinct legal areas.

• A solicitor is a legal professional who undertakes work outside of court and liaises directly with clients to give legal advice. Solicitors conduct initial client meetings and provide advice on their specific situations. They also build up case files if it needs to go to court. Solicitors are usually employed by a law firm or organisation and will be paid a salary, rather than barristers, who are generally self-employed.

Solicitor pathway

Step 1 – complete Law degree

Step 2 – Solicitors Qualifying Exams

Students wishing to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales will need to sit two Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE1 & SQE2) after the completion of their undergraduate studies. For more information visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority website. 

All student beginning a degree from September 2021 onwards will study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which will effectively replace the LPC (and Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)). Those who had already started a Law degree, GDL or LPC before September 2021 will be able to qualify via the traditional route until 2032.

Step 3 – Practical experience

The final step to becoming a qualified lawyer in the UK is to gain practical experience with a law training contract. This means spending two years at a law firm before you are a qualified solicitor. During this time, you will also complete the Professional Skills Course, a series of specialist training modules paid for by your law firm.

Barrister

Step 1 – complete Law degree

Step 2 – Vocational courses working towards professional qualification (bar course)

Those wishing to qualify as barristers in England and Wales, following the completion of their undergraduate studies, students may proceed directly to vocational courses that lead to professional accreditation. For more information about qualifying as a barrister visit the BSB website. 

Step 3 – Pupillage

Following successful completion of a Bar course (previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)), pupillage with an Authorised Education and Training Organisation (AETO) such as a chambers, is the final step to becoming a barrister.