Study law

The law affects all of us in our daily lives. Train in law for a greater understanding of the world around you. At the University of Sheffield, you will learn about the delicate balance of free will and order and how the law can be used for good.

Law at the University of Sheffield

The School of Law is committed to excellent student experiences, teaching and research. Its faculty is made up of national and international experts and its international outlook means students will learn how to practise law around the world.

The School of Law offers work experience opportunities and civil engagement pro bono projects to ensure you graduate with real-world experience of practising law. All of its undergraduate courses are qualifying law degrees, meaning you can start work straight after graduating.

Law degree options at the University of Sheffield

Undergraduate degrees

International Foundation Year students can progress to degrees including:

• BA Criminology
• LLB (Hons) Law
• LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology
• LLB (Hons) Law with Chinese Law
• LLB (Hons) Law (European and International)

Postgraduate degrees

Pre-Masters students can progress to degrees including: 

• LLM Corporate and Commercial Law
• LLM International Law and Global Justice
• MA International Criminology
• MA Law (two-year qualifying law degree)

Places are limited on some degree courses, so you are advised to apply and confirm your place as soon as possible.

Degree preparation at the International College

The University of Sheffield International College offers specialist university preparation for international students. On our pathway programmes, you will study key subject modules to prepare you for your degree, while also building confidence in your English language and study skills. Whether you are aiming for undergraduate or postgraduate study, you will have the confidence to succeed once you progress to the University of Sheffield.

Why study law?

Law is a broad field that will help you develop a range of transferrable skills for your career. Some of the benefits include:

Analytical

In law, you will need to gather information and form conclusions based on evidence so analytical skills are essential as a lawyer. Logical thinking, structuring arguments and making sense of complex documents all need an analytical approach.

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution skills help you to solve a dispute in a peaceful manner with agreement from all parties. Skills include being assertive, active listening and mediating. In law, you have to be able to see things from different viewpoints and be a neutral observer. These are skills that will help you in any career and also in life.

Presentation skills

Presentation skills are key in any career, particularly as a lawyer. In a law degree, you will get plenty of practice of presenting ideas and arguments in a powerful and professional way. For example, being able to communicate confidently and effectively is important when arguing a case in court or negotiating settlements. As is speaking clearly and persuasively to win your argument.

Read more.

What can I do with a law degree?

When you graduate from the School of Law, you’ll have an exciting choice of career or further study options. Sheffield is in the top 15 of universities targeted by top employers (High Fliers Graduate Market Research 2021).

Law careers include:

• barrister
• paralegal
• solicitor
• company secretary.

Related careers include:

• chartered accountant
• data analyst
• patent attorney
• trading standards officer.

Law FAQs

What is the study of law?

Laws are the sets of rules that govern us – affecting politics, economics, and society. Laws are designed to keep us safe, settle disputes, and punish those who do not obey them.

How can I study law?

To study an undergraduate degree in law you will need good grades at A Level. Typically you will require a minimum of two A grades, with most universities asking for AAB. If you’re an international student who wants to study law in the UK but don’t meet the requirements, then you could study the International Foundation Year in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities, which will prepare you for a law degree at the University of Sheffield.

How much money can you make in law?

Working in the law sector means you will be presented with opportunities to earn substantially high salaries. New graduates can expect to earn anything between £19,000 and £48,000 as a first-year trainee, depending on the company and location. As a second year trainee, you could be earning up to £54,000. After qualifying as a lawyer, you can expect a considerable jump in your annual salaries. At high paying companies, you could be looking at earning up to £100,000 and if you were to become a partner of a firm you could be looking to earn in excess of £100,000.

How long is a law degree?

A law degree in the UK typically lasts three years, but it will take at least six years for you to qualify as a solicitor. After your degree you will typically need to complete the following:

• One-year Legal Practice Course (LPC)
• Two-year Professional Skills Course
• Two-year law training contract in a law firm.

What subjects do I need to study law?

Typically, universities do not require certain subjects for you to apply for a law degree. However, there are a number of subjects that can be beneficial to you and your application, including English Language, History, Politics and Criminology.

Do you need maths for law?

You do not necessarily need a maths qualification to study law, but it is used. Throughout all forms of law you will use percentages and statistics – but in more specialist areas of law, such as tax fraud and copyright law, you can come across more complex maths problems.

What skills do you need for law?

There are a range of skills that will help you in studying law:

• Communication
• Research
• Analytical and logical reasoning
• Time management
• Organisation
• Teamwork
• Attention to detail
• Creative problem-solving

Born in Nigeria. Made in Sheffield.

I look at myself before and I have really changed because I tell people now all the time I have become more enlightened because I have become exposed to new things and new cultures. When I first got here it was more like a culture shock. But then making new friends and meeting new people in Foundation and lots of international students, and then the British friends outside the College. That helped me to adapt and I got to experience a lot of new things.

Chukwuemeka from Nigeria
Studied International Foundation Year – Business, Social Sciences and Humanities
Progressed to LLB (Hons) Law

^{Note: Salary information is sourced externally. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the salary ranges.}