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Law

Thinking about a career in law? You’ve come to the right place. Discover a path to qualification that's right for you. Learn how to nail the application process, explore your work experience options, boost your skills and knowledge, and more.
Clifford Chance

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Becoming a lawyer

Find your legal job niche, learn how to qualify as a solicitor, barrister, or chartered legal executive, and see how much you could earn.

What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?

Careers advice and planning
…and, for that matter, between a solicitor and a chartered legal executive. We chart the main differences between the legal professions to help you work out the right career option for you.
  • Law +3

Twelve jobs you can do with a law degree

Careers advice and planning
The skills you gain through legal training are transferable to many different roles beyond qualifying as a solicitor or barrister. As such, recruiters in a range of industries offer jobs to law graduates.
  • Law solicitors +2

How to become a solicitor

Training and progression
Take a peek at the road ahead if you wish to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales.
  • Law +1

How to become a barrister

Training and progression
What is the route to qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales? What if you haven't got a law degree? And how long will it take? We explain everything you need to know about qualifying as a barrister, finding pupillage vacancies and working life at the Bar.
  • Law barristers +1

What is the solicitors qualifying examination (SQE)?

Training and progression
The SQE explained: discover all you need to know about the new professional qualification that enables you to become a solicitor in England and Wales.
  • Law solicitors +1

How much will you earn as a trainee solicitor?

Salaries
Each summer we survey leading law firms about their trainee solicitor starting salaries. See our 2024 results below... just make sure you think about the whole package (size of firm, type of clients, areas of practice, quality of training) before applying.
  • Law solicitors +1

Which area of practice is best for me? (barristers)

Careers advice and planning
When you apply for pupillage, you should know what your options are and which areas of practice you are best suited to.
  • Law barristers +1

How to become a lawyer in the UK

Training and progression
How do you become a lawyer? And what is the difference between a solicitor, barrister and lawyer? Get familiar with the qualifying process here.
  • Law solicitors +3

Your application timeline: key dates for getting hired as a trainee solicitor

Applications
Our ‘what do I do when?’ FAQs and easy-to-follow action plans for each year of study will help you secure a training contract or qualifying work experience.
  • Law solicitors +1

Your application timeline: key dates for getting hired as a pupil barrister

Applications
Discover what to do when in order to successfully apply for conversion courses, the Bar course and pupillage.
  • Law barristers +1

Training contract deadlines

Applications
Are you a graduate that is unsure which commercial law firm to apply to first? Our handy list of training contract deadlines will help you to plan and prioritise.
  • Law solicitors +1

Ace the application process

Learn how to create killer applications, smash your interviews, network for success, and write winning CVs and cover letters.

How to write winning covering letters for law firms

Applications
When applying for a training contract or vacation scheme, your covering letter may be the first part of your application a law firm considers.
  • Law solicitors +2

The top skills you need to be a solicitor

Skills and competencies
Show law recruiters you have what it takes to be a successful solicitor by including these essential skills in your applications.
  • Law solicitors +1

Commercial awareness for lawyers: what aspiring solicitors should know about this essential skill

Skills and competencies
Discover how to develop commercial awareness and stand out as a candidate in the law recruitment process (plus much more besides), by the leading global law firm Cooley.
  • Law +1

The top skills you need to be a barrister

Careers advice and planning
We asked barristers, students and careers experts what it takes to be a good barrister. Explore the skills they told us you need – plus how to develop them.
  • Law barristers +1

How to write winning covering letters for law firms

Applications
When applying for a training contract or vacation scheme, your covering letter may be the first part of your application a law firm considers.
  • Law solicitors +2

Law application form questions: examples of how to answer the extracurricular activities question

Applications
‘What are your main interests, activities and pastimes? Please describe any related positions of responsibility you have held.’ Find out how to answer this typical training contract application form question about hobbies.
  • Law solicitors +2

Expert video interview tips to impress recruiters

Interviews and assessment centres
Whether it’s a live Zoom interview or a pre-recorded video interview, our expert video interviews tips will help you secure an internship or graduate role.
  • Investment banking & fund management +21

Be your best self in a law assessment centre group exercise

Interviews and assessment centres
Most commercial law firms use assessment centres for vac scheme and training contract recruitment, and group exercises are often one of the elements of the day. Make sure you put forward your best self.
  • Law solicitors +2

Successful CVs and covering letters for pupillage applications

Applications
Some chambers ask job-hunters seeking graduate careers as barristers to submit applications for pupillage in the form of a CV and covering letter.
  • Law barristers +1

How to ace your pupillage interview: tips from qualified barristers

Applications
Find out about pupillage interview questions, pupillage interview advocacy exercises and more about pupillage interview preparation.
  • Law barristers +1

Make the most of your law vacation scheme: ten top tips for placement success

Vacation schemes and work experience
A vacation scheme is essential preparation for a solicitor's training contract and making a good impression could lead directly to a graduate job in law. Here’s ten top tips on how you could turn your vac scheme into a training contract.
  • Law solicitors +2
Students laughing

Discover your future career with GradSims

Are you the next solicitor or barrister at a leading graduate law firm or chambers? Do our free mini-courses to get career insights from graduates, try real-life tasks, and get priority access to roles.

Work experience and networking

Learn how to impress law firms and chambers during work experience, and at networking events, open days, and fairs.

Eight ways to impress law firms on open days

Vacation schemes and work experience
Let’s be clear: open days are not the poor relation to vacation schemes. Consider them a valuable way to research the legal profession and prove your commitment to a graduate career in law.
  • Law solicitors +2

Law fairs can pave the way to a training contract

Careers advice and planning
Here are six ways to help you impress legal recruiters at your university law fair and get a step closer to your desired training contract or vacation scheme… just don’t ask recruiters ‘why should I work at your law firm?’
  • Law solicitors +2

Law work experience: vacation schemes, mini-pupillages, pro bono and more

Vacation schemes and work experience
Gaining law-related work experience is a crucial first step on your journey to becoming a solicitor or a barrister – and there is more than one way to secure it. We outline all of your options from formal vacation schemes and mini-pupillages to voluntary work and mooting.
  • Law +3

Top networking tips for aspiring lawyers

Skills and competencies
Networking is a skill that every future lawyer needs to get to grips with. You might be worried about what to talk about in front of graduate recruiters or qualified solicitors but it’s easy to become a networking pro with a little bit of preparation and practice.
  • Law solicitors +2

Law fairs can pave the way to a training contract

Careers advice and planning
Here are six ways to help you impress legal recruiters at your university law fair and get a step closer to your desired training contract or vacation scheme… just don’t ask recruiters ‘why should I work at your law firm?’
  • Law solicitors +2

Get ahead: join our law events

Head to our free law events to network with top employers, develop your skills and knowledge through interactive workshops, and get expert advice to help you secure your ideal graduate role.

Black Excellence at the Bar

Black Excellence at the Bar

Register now to join targetjobs at Black Excellence at the Bar. Whether you're a law student, recent graduate, or even considering a career change, this event is tailor-made to provide you with the knowledge, insights, and connections you need to take several steps closer to your dream careers.

Find out more

Postgraduate and vocational study

Read our top advice about further study in law – whether you’re looking into a conversion course, masters, bar course or the SQE.

’What is an LLM?’ and other questions about law postgraduate study

Postgraduate study and qualifications
PGDL or GCL? LLM, MA in law or an MPhil? Discover the range of postgraduate courses open to you in law, typical entry requirements and how to decide which course is right for you.
  • Law +2

Which law conversion course should you do?

Postgraduate study and qualifications
Clear up your conversion course confusion by reading the guide below with exclusive insights from both a student and staff member at The University of Law.
  • Law +2

How do I fund my law conversion course, Bar course, LPC or SQE prep?

Postgraduate study and qualifications
The law is a great career – intellectually challenging, respected and worthwhile – but qualifying as a solicitor or barrister takes time and money. The University of Law, the UK’s largest provider of legal education*, guides you through your financing options.
  • Law +2

What is the legal practice course and do I need to take it?

Training and progression
The legal practice course (LPC) is one of the qualifications you can take to develop your practical skills and legal knowledge, and get a graduate job in law as a trainee solicitor.
  • Law solicitors +1

Employers in Law

All employers

Our top employers

Industry leaders with a large annual graduate intake.

PwC
PwC

PwC

Accounting & finance + 16

Explore. Inspire. Reimagine.

Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Law solicitors + 9

Where Exceptional Minds Meet

Featured employers

Active employers looking for graduate talent all year round.

Mayer Brown International LLP

Mayer Brown International LLP

Law solicitors +2

At Mayer Brown, life is what you make it...
Mayer Brown International LLP
11KBW

11KBW

Law barristers +5

We are a specialist civil law set providing high-quality advice and advocacy to a wide range of private and public sector clients, both claimants and defendants.
11KBW
Osborne Clarke LLP

Osborne Clarke LLP

Law solicitors +2

Osborne Clarke is an award-winning multinational law firm.
Osborne Clarke LLP
RPC

RPC

Law solicitors +2

At RPC you can be you. In an environment that's real. #StrikinglyReal
RPC

And many more

Other employers who are active on targetjobs , regularly posting new opportunities and events during peak seasons.

3 Verulam Buildings
Simmons & Simmons
Addleshaw Goddard
AO Shearman
Dentons
Jones Day
4 New Square Chambers
Slaughter and May Business
Garden Court Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers
Addleshaw Goddard – Business Services and Innovation
Travers Smith LLP

FAQs in law

Latest advice

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Advice for school leavers

Discover the world of options open to you on finishing school or college and get tips on how to make the right decision for you.

CVs, applications and tests

Find the tools and tips you need to help you apply for graduate jobs or internships. We cover every aspect of the application process, from writing a CV to answering online application questions and sitting psychometric tests.

Career ideas

Find advice for figuring out your dream career, including what options are available to you after graduating and how to choose the right graduate role.

Finding a job

Finding a job isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Here we help you to jump potential hurdles, giving essential advice for home and international students: from applying in tough economic times to getting a top graduate job with a 2.2.

Internships

Completing an internship allows you to sharpen your skills, improve your CV, prepare for the world of work and potentially land yourself a graduate job. Discover what internships actually involve, how to apply for them and how to make the most of them.

Interviews and assessment centres

You impressed on paper; now it’s time to show the employer in person that you’re the right hire. Learn how to do this with our expert advice for answering interview questions, developing interview techniques and acing assessment centre exercises.

Job descriptions

Discover the qualifications, skills and experience you’ll need for more than 300 job roles and find one you’ll love.

Job offers and working life

Job offers, rejection emails and stepping into the working world with your first graduate job can pull you in a million directions. Fortunately, we’ve curated advice on how to accept job offers, bounce back from rejection and make an impact in your first job.

Skills for getting a job

Discover the skills that major graduate employers seek and how you can demonstrate them on your application form, and at interviews and assessment centres.

University life

Wanting to leave uni with a degree is a given. But what do you want from the other bits of student life? Discover how to combine study, rest, work and play with our insights from students and graduates.

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