Why study law

Career opportunities
A law degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities in a myriad of fields.

At UNSW Law, we prepare our students for careers in business, media, the arts, science, education, engineering and
government. We number among our Alumni, judges, barristers, partners and solicitors in leading law firms, politicians,
entertainers, academics and some of the most dedicated public sector and community sector lawyers in Australia.

But there is far more to studying law than just considering career opportunities.

Understanding levers of power in society

Studying law develops one’s understanding of the levers of power in our society in a way that is even more effective
than that of political science. This is because law is directly concerned with power and reaches into every part of life.
For that very reason law is extraordinarily important to the way of life of any people.

Understanding the 'rule of law'

Lawyers refer to ‘the rule of law’ because a society which is governed without law leaves ordinary people at the
mercy of the arbitrary abuse of power by those who are simply powerful. In some countries the rule of law is absent –
think of Cambodia during the rule of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, for example – and when that happens, life is very
difficult for ordinary people who have no way of protecting themselves from the powerful.

In societies where the rule of law exists, people may even be relatively unaware of it, because their life is not
interfered with by corruption and abuse of power. Australia is a country where the rule of law mostly exists, and
although its legal system is not perfect in every respect, it does restrain unfettered power in many respects. Lawyers
can use the law to hold governments accountable.

Making a difference through law reform

Studying law allows a person who has a strong sense of justice to see where there are defects in the system and to
work constructively and effectively to change it. In this sense, studying law offers the idealistic person a realistic way
to make a difference in the world. Many lawyers work in policy and law reform in this way.

An intellectual challenge
Studying law offers a wonderful intellectual challenge in that it develops the ability to argue from a basis of evidence
in a way which can be very hard for non-lawyers to counter. Studying law will equip you with intellectual skills which
will give you a decisive advantage in whichever profession you choose.

8 Reasons to Study Law

 Students considering a degree in this area shouldn't need much convincing, but in case they do
the Complete University Guide is here to lend its expertise with the top 8 reasons to study a Law
degree:

1. Law degrees combine theory with practice

Behind the law of the land lies an awful lot of theory and there's no doubt that students
will have to rigorously learn it, but remember law is a fairly defined profession and its
tuition has to also be vocational in nature. Some unis go so far as having a mock
courtroom, and running moot competitions and pro bono societies, giving students a
real taster of what it's like to practise law.

2. Law and case-based learning goes hand in hand

Even when learning the theory, law students will spend a lot of time trawling through
cases. Law schools use real-life examples to demonstrate how the theory is applied.
Students are left in no doubt as to whether the content they're learning will have real-life
application.

3. Studying law equips students with a variety of skills

Learning to become a lawyer rather neatly means you'll graduate university equipped
with the skills for a whole host of professional paths. Here's a few of those skills:

 Research – through analysis of case studies.

 Critical analysis – students read primary sources and make up their own mind.
 Synthesis of complex ideas – law students will have to get to grips with a whole new language
but they'll also need to be able to communicate in layman's terms.
 Presentation – students often partake in mooting competitions and pro bono societies, offering
legal advice to real people.
 Writing – you'll have to communicate all of the above – on paper!

These skills are highly transferable to a number of other industries and sectors,
commercial or otherwise.

4. Law graduates are well respected by employers

The variety of skills provided by a law degree puts these type of graduates at the
forefront of employer's minds. Add to this the fact that law is one of the world's oldest
fields of study, professions, human endeavour – you get the picture – and it's no
surprise to see that graduates enjoy such good career prospects.
 5. Law students can look forward to good graduate prospects

Check out our Law subject table, look down the Graduate Prospects column and you'll
notice that students of law stand a decent chance of being in further study or
professional-level employment within six months of leaving uni.

6. Clear postgraduate options

Those who leave their undergraduate studies with hearts set on a career in law have a
number of clearly defined options for the next step:

 LLM – some students may wish to develop their learning via a Master of Laws degree.
 Legal Practice Course (LPC) – for solicitors.
 Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) – for solicitors.

7. Law cohorts are internationally diverse

The quality of education at the UK's law schools means that a significant portion of
students are attracted from overseas. A diverse cohort will not only expose you to
people of different cultures but provide you with an international network of contacts
whom may prove influential later in life.

 More info on What do International Students Study?

8. Status

Law is one of the world's traditional professions, pursue it and be prepared for a life of
comfortable respectability.

Why study law on our LLB?

Why study law?

An LLB from the LSE provides an excellent platform to launch a legal career. But it
involves much more than that. The study of law is also the study of a social science.

Law is the endeavour of human beings to govern our personal, social, economic and
political relationships through the use of rules. To study law is to study the nature of
those relationships.
To know whether or not the LLB is for you, ask yourself these questions:

Are you interested in any of the following?

Government, politics, business, finance, property, international relations, war,

international trade, families, reproduction, healthcase, media, environment, human
rights, crime, punishment, war crimes ...

The list could go on and on. Almost every aspect of society is subject to law. An
interest in what people do with and to each other is a great advantage for the
successful study of law.

Are you interested in making rigorous arguments and counter-arguments?

The legal judgments and academic commentaries you will have to read are mostly
made up of arguments. Arguments about what the law is; arguments about how it
should be applied; arguments about what the law ought to be; arguments about
why the law is as it is; arguments about these arguments!

Making compelling logical arguments and counter-arguments is central to the study

of law.

Do you have an appetite and capacity for reading?

Like the practice of law, the undergraduate study of law requires a willingness to
read ... and read ... and then to read some more. Not only does it require a
willingness to read and absorb large amounts of text but also, when necessary, to
be able to read particular passages very carefully and to think in detail about the
possible meanings and ambiguities in them.

If your answer to these questions is yes, then an LLB may be for you.
Questions of Law

At LSE Law Students learn that law in not a body of knowledge stored in libraries, but a
presence all around us, constantly evident in our social, civil and business interactions.

LSE students benefit from being immersed in an environment where academics not only
have extraordinary levels of knowledge ot impart, but also, through their world-leading
research, actively contribute to shaping the development of the law, and exploring how
the law can provide solutions to issues of contemporary significance.

If you would like to engage with some of the pressing legal problems of our time, then
LSE is the place for you. The sections below provide just a few examples of the work of
LSE Law's academics.

Studying is important because for knowledge to be useful, we have to 1) be able to retain it,
so that 2) we can apply it. The more knowledge you have, the better decisions you can
presumably make, which will lead to a better life. ... Experience-based studying tends to lead to
better application of knowledge (wisdom).

Why did I choose Laws:Every kid wants to be like their father, As for me my father is also my
idol. When I knew that my father was a lawyer I said " When I grow up I want to be a lawyer just like
my dad". That made me choose Bachelor of laws.

About my college education:The most difficult part in a bachelor of law student is that
you only get limited time of sleep, you can call yourself lucky if you had a 6 hrs of bed time. When I
was in San Beda most of the time I just stayed at my room studying. I have to forget my vices and
sacrifice my social life just for me to have a pleasant grade. But even though it was concussive I was
still eager and determined to finish it.

My current job:I am now a lawyer and a Philippine Supreme Court professor. I mostly
travel to places and give lectures to professors, lawyers, directors, and judges.

Am I using what I learned in college:Yes, All the lessons and the knowledge that I have
acquired during my college days are being well applied in my current job as a lawyer. By using the
"SOFA" method, having a determined manner, and always paying attention to what is important
made me a great lawyer today.

How long did it take to find a job:Back then I wasn’t really thinking of getting a job
immediately, I was just focusing on graduating. 1 month before my graduation date a family friend
was already offering me a job at their law firm. I could say that It didn't take me too long to look for
a job, It felt like the job was looking for me instead.

Do I recommend studying Laws:Absolutely yes, I'll give reasons why one should take
Bachelor of laws and become a lawyer. The flexibility of work, we lawyers make our own time.
Earning / salary potential, lawyers are one of the highest paid people in legal industry. Working
environment, we lawyers don't need to sit inside the office all day, we can finish our job even by
just going outside. And lastly the opportunity to help people rich/poor with their legal problems.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course:One must be very
determined, passionate and a book reader to succeed in this course because the is no such word as
"ENJOY" in taking up bachelor of laws. Always remember SOFA method - Study ahead, Often do
research, Find a quite place, and Always read in advance.