Becoming a lawyer can be very complicated and confusing without a driven passion.
You need to have strong feelings about social justice, to help defend people who can’t protect themselves. The best preparation for the legal profession is to think like a lawyer from the onset of your decision to become one.
In any circumstance, lawyers will always uphold the rule of law for the public good. In the UK, Government agencies, law firms, private businesses and organisations, non-profit organizations, and academic sectors all have lawyers.
Studying law in the UK is a great decision for every law student, this is because their services are valued and in very great demand. In this article “Study Law in the UK for International Students” you will find answers to your questions.
Who is a Lawyer?
A lawyer is a licensed professional who practices law. They are persons who are qualified to advise and represent people in legal matters.
A lawyer can also be called an advocate, attorney at law, barrister, barrister-at-law, bar-at-law, canonist, canon lawyer, counsel, or counselor.
What Do Lawyers Do?
Before we show you what to study law in the UK for international students is like, it is good you know what lawyers do.
As a lawyer, it is very essential to have and improve on some skills and traits that can help you practice your profession as a lawyer efficiently.
Some of these skills and traits include; critical thinking, public speaking, research, analytical skills, strong writing ability, the ability to interpret and communicate intricate information, attention to detail, and the ability to write concisely and form persuasive arguments.
Here are some responsibilities of a lawyer:
-They help the public in the interpretation of laws, rules, and regulations that are related to their professional specialties.
-Lawyers are involved in the prosecution and defense of criminals.
-Lawyers advise clients and most times represent them in cases.
-Some lawyers are engaged in basic life events like buying houses and properties, writing wills, professional counseling services, approvals, and negotiations.
Types of Law Career
There are many types of law careers. Law students choose their specialty based on what they want and how they want to practice.
Each specialty has its pair of challenges, objectives, and extras. Here are some types of lawyers:
Corporate Lawyer
A corporate lawyer works for a company, they revise contracts and deals and also offer legal advice to the company executives in basic business decisions. Sometimes they represent the company when legal actions are taken against them.
Contracts Lawyer
A contracts lawyer helps individual clients or businesses with issues that are related to contracts. They provide advice from a legal perspective.
Bankruptcy Lawyer
Bankruptcy lawyers assist clients by providing them with advice on any major financial situations.
General Practice Lawyer
General practice lawyers do not have a special area of expertise. They consult and defend clients on different legal issues and proceedings.
Family Lawyer
Family lawyers help clients with several family-related issues. They are involved in cases like divorce proceedings, child support claims and more.
Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers are in charge of helping clients who have suffered injuries through major accidents or an injury acquired on a company’s property. They help clients get compensation for losses.
Criminal Lawyer
Criminal lawyers handle criminal cases, they are specialized in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal activity.
Estate Lawyer
Estate lawyers are armbar-certified attorneys that specialize in estate planning and also assist clients in drafting and implementing legal documents.
Employment lawyer
Employment lawyers work in companies and organisations, they are in charge of the legal aspects of employment deals.
Associate general Attorney
An associate attorney is an entry-level role in the law profession, they work for law firms. They offer assistance in choosing jurisdictions, represent and help clients in negotiations and sometimes settle corporate disputes. They Can work in any law institution.
How To Become A Lawyer In The UK For International Students
For international students who have earned Law degrees in their countries, this doesn’t automatically qualify you as a UK solicitor or barrister.
You will have to go through these processes:
- Apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) if you want to be a solicitor, or to the Bar Standards Board if you want to be a barrister, to earn a Certificate of Academic Standing.
This is to prove that you are eligible to do a Graduate Diploma in Law or not.
- Get A graduate Diploma In Law. This takes a year for full-time study or up to 22 months for part-time.
- Get enrolled in a Bar Professional Training Course or Legal Practice Course and gain practical training.
A good Certificate of Academic Standing may give you an immediate entry to a Bar professional training course or legal practice course without a Graduate Diploma in Law.
- Some courses require applicants to pass the National Aptitude Test for Law (LNAT).
The LNAT helps students understand if the law is the right career path for them and also helps universities check that these students will be able to succeed in a law course.
Another path is to:
- You can get a bachelor’s degree in any subject (three to four years)
- Finish off an LLM (a university degree in law that you can get after your first degree) or postgraduate degree,
- Complete a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), which takes another two years.
UK law students study for a total of five years.
Requirements to Study Law in the UK
-Evidence that you are well acquainted with the subject law, and have a strong interest or motivation.
This could be illustrated by: showing a fitting work experience or voluntary work in law institutions.
-A range of interests outside of academic study – e.g. sport, music, voluntary work
-A well-written assertion that demonstrates very good evidence of your analytical skills and great independent thinking
-Ability to work individually and in teams
University of Law Entry Requirements
For any student aspiring to study law in the UK make sure you always check out the requirements before making an application to the university of your choice, this is because requirements may be reviewed, evaluated, and changed from year to year.
-International Baccalaureate requirements: 34 points.
-A-levels requirements: AAB.
-State Board or National Board requirements: 65% or higher
-IELTS requirements to study Law in the UK: 6.5 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component.
If you have scored lower than the above, many UK Universities accept applicants with 55% or higher. Otherwise, students can study for a foundation degree in the UK, and then progress to a Bachelor of Law degree at the same University.
The following documents are required to study law in the UK at the master’s level:
-An Undergraduate law degree
-Transcripts
-Language Proficiency
-CV
-Proof of experience (two to three years)
-SOP (Statement of Purpose)
Law Schools in UK for International Students
List of universities in the UK that offer law degrees to international students
There are over a hundred law schools in the UK, but not all offer entry for international students.
A list of some universities in the UK that accept International students to study law include:
1.University Of West England (Bristol Law School) (www.uwe.ac.wk)
Bristol Law School has been a leading provider of legal education for over 40 years.
They have an established connection with professional regulatory bodies, plus regional and national law firms, chambers and businesses, offering mentoring, internships and placements.
They also have an extensive global network of partners, offering opportunities to study abroad.
2. Swansea University (Hillary Rodham Clinton School Of Law) – (www.Swansea.ac.)
Swansea puts together a variety of disciplines in a thriving academic environment, supported by staff who have extensive real-world experience in the law profession.
At the School of Law, they prepare students for a range of careers that make a difference to society, high skills and quality education with the skills needed for academic or professional success in careers.
The School focused on research, with a collection of specialist centers, varying from Children’s Human Rights to Cyberterrorism and LegalTech.
3. The University Of Law – (www.law.ac.)
The university of law undergraduate courses in law, business, criminology and policing are specially designed to offer exciting, practical academic experience, teaching students skills to achieve professionalism in their ambitions.
4. Prifysgol Bangor University – (www.Bangor.ac.)
The Law degrees offered by this institution are carefully organized to evolve with the ever-changing legal geography.
They equip students with the legal knowledge and skills demanded by an increasingly globalized legal industry.
They accept Students from several countries worldwide for teaching expertise.
5. Prifysgyl Aberystwyth University – (www.aber.ac.)
This institution explores the world of criminology and criminal justice. With groundbreaking research, they are committed to and engage on matters of international equality in many areas of law and criminology.
6. Oxford Brookes University (www.Brookes.ac.)
Oxford Brookes University provides students with the legal knowledge, and practical legal skills needed in today’s competitive graduate market.
This is to equip their students for a range of professions, within the legal field and beyond.
7. King’s College London (www.KCL.ac.)
Kings College is a world-class university that offers master’s level legal training without the need for existing legal qualifications.
They help students develop critical legal practice skills to maximize employability.
Here is a list of some law degrees offered at UK universities:
-LLB – Bachelor of Law.
-Graduate LLB – Fast track LLB leading to a postgraduate degree in law.
-LLM – Master of Law.
-GDL –Graduate Diploma in Law.
-LPC – Law Practice Course.
-BPTC – Bar Professional Training Course.
-QLTS – Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme
What Other Areas Can I Combine Law Courses With?
Just like other academic courses, it is possible to combine law with other subjects together.
Many law courses can be combined with come subject areas such as law with business, finance, medical ethics, management, international human rights, criminology, accounting, policing and a modern foreign language.
Where Do Lawyers Work?
Apart from the legal field, some key areas of employment for lawyers include:
-Accountancy
-Banking and finance
-Business – particularly governance roles and human resources
-Central and local government administration
-Insurance
What Is LNAT?
LNAT means Law National Aptitude Test. It is not an intelligence test or a test for your knowledge of law.
It is a test that focuses on:
- Verbal reasoning skills
- A test for communication skills
- A test for inductive and deductive reasoning abilities
- A test to analyze information and draw conclusions
You can visit the LNAT website www.at.ac. for more information about this.
What Is The Difference Between A Solicitor And A Barrister?
While these two still have to do with the legal profession they have very slight differences. A barrister is a qualified legal professional who offers special advice and also represents, advocates, and defends clients in court.
A solicitor is a qualified legal practitioner who is in charge of preparing legal documentation during court activities and cases.
Why Should I Study Law In The UK?
Studying law in the UK comes with a lot of opportunities and benefits. Some of which include:
-The UK has a world-class reputation. UK law schools are one of the oldest in the world with a good academic record over the years. They also have records as the home of some of the best law professionals in the world.
-Uk law schools have outstanding Curriculums. They do not just concentrate on study and academics, but also expose their students to a wide variety of real-life events and activities. Their courses undergo constant revision and evaluation to keep up with the constant change in the law profession.
Conclusion:
Many young aspiring people dream of careers in law
and some just dream of working for a large law firm and making money, but then there is a lot more to becoming a lawyer even after studying.
Constant research and engagement are major activities in the Law profession. It is very necessary to conduct discrete research into a wide range of legal issues as a lawyer.
Are you an international student who wants to study law in the Uk? This article has provided a comprehensive explanation of what study Law in the UK for International Students is all about.