Why study law? Careers in law
Studying law will give you skills that go far beyond prepping for a legal career. You’ll become an expert in critical thinking, negotiation, and communication, which are all essential skills in day-to-day life and can help you bring about positive change to the people and environment around you. If you are considering studying it, you might be wondering, is law a good career? The answer is yes. When it comes to choosing a university to study law, the UK is home to some of the best law schools in the world, equipped with world-class facilities, expert tutors and exceptional career opportunities.
While England and Scotland share a legal system, it’s important to note there are differences in their laws and practices. There are also differences when it comes to studying. An undergraduate law degree in England takes three years to complete, whereas in Scotland it takes four years to complete. Law at University Aberdeen offers a wide choice of courses and a flexibility that enables you to study a curriculum in keeping with your personal interests and career intentions.
Why study law?
There are many reasons to study law. As well as gaining knowledge about how the judicial system works, studying law will teach you how to think critically so that you can think through a real-life problem and break it down systematically before deciding what course of action to take. You’ll also gain strong communication skills. Studying law teaches you how to present your argument in a clear, logical way that will help you win a debate and persuade people to see your point of view.
Learning about how the law works means you’ll be equipped to navigate all sorts of situations in your own life. For example, when you are offered your first job, you’ll be able to review your contract and understand any confusing clauses relating to working hours or rate of pay. You’ll then be able to ask the right questions and protect your rights and the rights of those around you.
Top reasons to choose law as a career
So, why choose law as a career? Here are some of the top reasons to study law:
Make a difference
You can make a huge impact with a law degree. Your work can lead to positive change across a range of businesses and industries, and leave you with a real sense of job satisfaction.
Diverse legal career options
Studying law does not mean that you have to become a lawyer. You could work for a tech company, start your own business, or use your social media platform to advocate for social justice - there are infinite possibilities!
Personal development
You will hone your critical thinking and analytical skills and go on to solve complex problems across different clients and industries, from defending clients in court, to navigating mergers and acquisitions.
Earning potential
With a law degree, you can go on to work as a lawyer in the UK on an average salary of £59,779 (Reed 2024), with the opportunity to earn a lot more; for example corporate lawyers earn an average of £103,495 (Glassdoor 2024). As you gain experience and build up your reputation, your earning potential can increase significantly.
Transferable skills
Skills such as critical thinking and problem solving are valuable not only when practicing law but across industries such as business, government and tech. With your law degree, you can move into many different industries if you decide that practicing law is not for you.
Helping others
A legal career will help you to support causes that matter to you. You can use your career to advocate for justice and protecting civil rights, making this degree perfect for anyone passionate about effecting positive change.
"The thing that I wanted to study was law. Since I live in Pakistan, we have the same common law because we are a former colony of the UK. I wanted to study somewhere where the law is great, where the origin is litigated. The UK was the place because it's one the best legal systems in the world and it has contributed a lot to the rest of the world in terms of the common law. And I thought that, why not go there and study.
But the main thing that really was a nice perk for me to come here, was that in Scotland they had this combined degree of English and Scottish law. So Scottish jurisdiction of the law could be different from the England law, so they have different jurisdictions to legal systems. But Aberdeen University offered both options, so I could qualify to become a lawyer either in Scotland or in England. So that was a very nice choice in terms that not many universities offered it."
Israr from Pakistan
Studied Law at the University of Aberdeen
Careers in law
There are many reasons to study law, and one of them is that it offers a wide range of career paths. Whether you want to defend individuals or represent corporations, a law degree will set you on a fulfilling career path. Once you’ve completed your undergraduate degree in law, you will also need to complete further study or get other qualifications to practice law professionally. Here are some of the careers that a degree in law can lead to:
Judge
Judges oversee court cases, ensuring that legal procedures are followed correctly. They play a vital role in maintaining justice within the legal system.
Corporate lawyer
In this role you would be advising businesses on issues such as mergers and contracts. Corporate lawyers help businesses navigate complex legal frameworks.
Criminal defence lawyer
Criminal defence lawyers ensure that individuals accused of crimes are given a fair trial. They build cases to defend their clients in court against the prosecution.
Public prosecutor
Public prosecutors represent the state or government in legal cases, to prove that a defendant has committed a crime.
Litigation lawyer
As a litigation lawyer you would specialise in taking legal disputes to court, representing clients in civil lawsuits.
Family lawyer
Family lawyers handle cases such as divorce, child custody and adoption. They provide legal guidance in deeply personal situations, helping their clients to handle the legal complexities involved.
Immigration lawyer
These lawyers help clients with immigration processes such as obtaining visas, citizenship and asylum.
Employment lawyer
Employment lawyers help both employers and employees with workplace-related issues such as contracts, workplace discrimination and dismissal.
Personal injury lawyer
As a personal injury lawyer, you would be helping clients who have been injured due to accidents or negligence, and are seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.
Legal analyst
Legal analysts conduct in-depth research and analysis to support lawyers in complex cases. They focus on interpreting laws and regulations to back up the recommendations that they make.
Discover why Noureddine from Algeria studied law at the University of Aberdeen
Study law at the University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen is ranked 12th in the UK (the Guardian University Guide 2025) and 11th in the UK for law (The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025). The University’s undergraduate courses are accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. You will also be taught by top legal academics who are currently working in the field and making an impact on national and international policies.
By choosing to study at the University of Aberdeen, you’ll be at one of the UK’s top five most sought-after law schools (Postgrad Solutions Ltd 2024). Aberdeen’s law department is at the cutting edge of legal research and is internationally recognised for its work. As a member of this department, you will have access to five research centres including the Centre for Commercial Law. Gaining a degree from this law school will mean you can then move on to choose from the different careers in law available to you.
The University of Aberdeen offers a wide range of degrees that enables you to study a curriculum that matches your personal interests and career intentions. LLB students have the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the subject by studying areas such as Criminal Law, Property Law, Scottish Legal History and American Constitutional Law.
If you are interested in studying law in Aberdeen, you can start your journey at the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre. The Undergraduate Foundation Programme in Humanities, Law & Social Science is three terms long and offers additional English language and academic development to help you progress, and support with adjusting to your new life in the UK. If you pass this programme with the required grades, you can then move straight on to the first year of your chosen four-year undergraduate degree.
The Pre-Masters in Business & Law is a 12-week programme designed to boost your academic skills, English language level and subject-specific knowledge to the level needed to succeed in a postgraduate degree. Completion of the programme, with the required grades, allows you to progress to your chosen law-related postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen.
Find out more information on fees and entry and visa requirements.
FAQs
Why do people study law in the UK?
People study law in the UK because it is internationally recognised for its prestigious universities, world-class education and strong reputation in legal studies. Scotland and England share a legal system but there are differences in their laws and practices. The University of Aberdeen is ranked 11th for law, according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
How can I study law?
You can begin your law studies in the UK at the University of Aberdeen International Study Centre where the programmes are expertly designed for international students. Here you will develop your English language, academic and subject-specific skills and knowledge to the level required to succeed in a law-related degree at the University of Aberdeen.
Is studying law in the UK worth it?
Yes, studying law in the UK is worth it due to its world-class education, internationally recognised law degrees, and diverse career opportunities in both national and international legal fields. The University of Aberdeen’s undergraduate courses are accredited by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, and the University of Aberdeen ranks 12th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2025. It’s worth noting that Scotland and England share a legal system but there are differences in their laws and practices.