What can you do with a Law Degree?

If you’re thinking about studying law at university, you’re probably wondering where it could lead. Most people immediately picture courtrooms, robes, and legal dramas. That’s certainly one possibility. But law is much broader than that. It’s a subject that gives you the tools to think clearly, argue well, and understand how society functions. It opens up a wide range of career paths.

Whether you want to become a solicitor or barrister, work in government or policy, join a business or start your own, a law degree gives you a solid academic foundation and the flexibility to go in many different directions.

This post looks at the careers you can pursue with a law degree, what to expect from studying law, and how to prepare if you’re thinking of applying.

A law degree doesn’t limit your future — it opens it up. Whether your interests lie in business, politics, international development or beyond, the intellectual training law provides is widely respected and highly transferable.

Kirsty McDougall, Lecturer in Law, University of Southampton; specialist in competition law

What do solicitors and barristers do?

Solicitors are often the first people that individuals or organisations turn to when they need legal advice. They work closely with clients to manage legal problems, draft documents, handle transactions, and guide people through the legal system. Many work in private firms, others work in-house within businesses, and some work in the public or charitable sector.

A solicitor’s role is fundamentally about trust and clarity. You’re advising clients, solving legal problems, and guiding people through some of the most complex or sensitive moments in their lives.

Kirsty McDougall, Lecturer in Law, University of Southampton; specialist in competition law

Barristers focus on advocacy and legal argument. They represent clients in court, advise on complex points of law, and often specialise in particular areas such as crime, commercial law, or public law. While barristers are usually self-employed, they work in shared offices known as chambers, and they often work closely with solicitors on the same cases.

Barristers are often described as the legal expert’s legal expert — they shape legal strategy, advise on complex points of law, and bring advocacy skills that can influence the direction of a case.

Kirsty McDougall, Lecturer in Law, University of Southampton; specialist in competition law

Both professions require strong communication, precise thinking, and attention to detail. They play different roles within the legal system but rely on many of the same core skills.

What else can you do with a law degree?

Many students study law because they are interested in justice, decision-making, or social change. Others are drawn to the intellectual challenge or the wide range of career options. A law degree develops skills that are highly valued beyond the legal profession.

Law graduates go into government, politics, international organisations, the civil service, finance, consultancy, journalism, publishing, and the charity sector. Some go on to work in technology and data privacy. Others build careers in risk management, compliance, or public policy.

You might not yet know exactly what you want to do, and that’s completely fine. A law degree gives you time to explore different areas while building a set of skills that can take you in many directions.

Studying law builds more than academic ability. It gives you the confidence to analyse complexity, the discipline to think with precision, and the communication skills to lead in any professional environment.

Kirsty McDougall, Lecturer in Law, University of Southampton; specialist in competition law

What about legal careers outside solicitor and barrister?

There are many other careers within the legal field. Legal executives and paralegals support legal work in firms and organisations, often specialising in areas like conveyancing or family law. Some law graduates go on to become judges, usually after many years in practice, while others pursue roles as tribunal judges or legal advisers.

Some law graduates become legal academics. They teach and research the law, contribute to public debate, influence policy, and write textbooks or journal articles. Others work as mediators or arbitrators, helping people and organisations resolve disputes outside court.

Law connects to so many parts of life that there is no single path. What matters is how you use it.

What kind of salary can you expect?

Salaries in law vary significantly depending on the area you go into. A newly qualified solicitor at a large commercial firm in London may earn over £100,000. At regional firms or in smaller practices, starting salaries are more likely to be between £28,000 and £45,000. Those working in the public or charitable sector may earn less initially but often find the work deeply rewarding.

Barristers’ earnings also vary. In commercial or financial law, experienced barristers often earn very well. Those in publicly funded areas such as criminal or family law may earn less, particularly at the start of their careers. There is a wide range, and it often reflects the demands and complexity of the work involved.

Do you need A Level Law?

No. You don’t need to have studied A Level Law to apply for a law degree. Most students haven’t, and law courses at university start from first principles. What matters most is that your subject choices support the development of key skills like critical thinking, close reading, and written analysis.

At Southampton, we welcome a broad range of academic subjects. Strong applications often include essay-based or analytical subjects such as English Literature, History, Politics, Philosophy, Languages or Maths. A Level Law is also absolutely fine when taken alongside other rigorous subjects.

We do advise some caution around subject combinations that are heavily focused on practical performance or portfolio-based assessment. Subjects like Drama, Theatre Studies or Performance Dance may have value in other ways, but when taken together, they may not provide the same level of preparation in structured writing and argument that a law degree demands. We recommend that students include at least two subjects with a strong written or discursive component.

If you’re unsure about your combination, it’s always worth checking university entry guidance or contacting the admissions team directly.