What can I do with my degree in Law?

Skills gained

Important abilities and qualities of mind are acquired through the study of law that are readily transferable to many occupations and careers. Some of these qualities and abilities are generic, in that they are imparted by most degree courses in the humanities and social sciences. But degree-level study in law also instils ways of thinking that are intrinsic to the subject, while being no less transferable.

These include an appreciation of the complexity of legal concepts, ethics, rules and principles, a respect for context and evidence, and a greater awareness of the importance of the principles of justice and the rule of law to the foundations of society.

The following list of skills and qualities of mind is designed to be comprehensive but is not intended to be exhaustive or definitive. The order is not indicative of priority.

A graduate of law with honours has demonstrated:

Intellectual independence, including the ability to ask and answer cogent questions about law and legal systems, identify gaps in their own knowledge and acquire new knowledge, and engage in critical analysis and evaluation

Self-management, including an ability to reflect on their own learning, make effective use of feedback, a willingness to acknowledge and correct errors and an ability to work collaboratively

Awareness of principles and values of law and justice, and of ethics

Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, values, principles and rules of public and private laws within an institutional, social, national and global context

Study in depth and context of substantive areas of law

Ability to conduct self-directed research, including accurate identification of issue(s) which require researching, retrieval and evaluation of accurate, current and relevant information from a range of appropriate sources, including primary legal sources

Ability to work with a range of data, including textual, numerical and statistical viii ability to recognise ambiguity and deal with uncertainty in law

Ability to produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues, presentation of a reasoned choice between alternative solutions and critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding to offer evidenced conclusions, addressing complex actual or hypothetical problems