What can you do with a law degree?

Updated on Oct 31, 2023
What can you do with a law degree?

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Graduating from a reputed law school will help you step into one of the most respected careers., The profession's value is also equivalent to that of medicos!

Yes, protecting and abiding by the law of a country holds a top priority, just like saving the lives of people!

Globally, there are nearly 177 types of courses and specialisations for pursuing a law degree. So, if you are planning to take your next step abroad, all you need to do is ace your LSAT test and get your journey started!

But first, let us see what you can do with a law degree other than being a justice-holding attorney!

What do law graduates do?

Law graduates earn loads and loads of money. But, how do they do that? By taking up extremely lucrative job roles. So, let's look at a few of them.

Jobs you can get with a law degree

1. Advertising lawyer

Average salary (annually)$117,600
Job growth5.6%

Lawyers who take up this role make sure that the ads for certain products and services comply with the laws and legal prohibitions against deceptive advertising, fraudulent or misleading consumers. They also guide the advertisers to pitch sales that comply with consumer protection laws and policies and manage advertisements-related lawsuits.

2. Antitrust lawyer

Average salary (annually)$90k- $110k
Job growth9%

Antitrust lawyers work in the interest of public and private organisations. They strive to hold up justice for preventing unfair business practises that may impact society and the consumers. The Government’s antitrust lawyers have the power of enforcement to enquire about possible legal violations and impose penalties on wrongdoers.

3. Corporate lawyer

Average salary (annually)$105k
Job growth6%

The experts in corporate law generally work with corporate law firms or as in-house counsels for certain businesses. Most people in this field advise that if one wants to be a corporate lawyer, they should study in a reputed law school with a solid track record with trained corporate lawyers as faculty or alumni.

4. Judge advocates

Average salary (annually)$53,918
Job growth3%

A Judge or Justice Advocate or JAG is an exciting career option, especially in the US! If you want to serve the world, then why not try being an advocate in the US Military? Each armed forces have military attorneys to work on and resolve issues related to military justices.

5. Political lawyer

Average salary (annually)$124,100
Job growth9%

Starting your career as a political lawyer opens a wide range of options to take up political positions. A political lawyer can also specialise in financial law compliances.  
This specialisation as a political lawyer can make you a person to handle financial records and advise on the investments for political campaigns, running a political party and so forth.

If these amazing jobs don’t completely convince you to take up a law course, here are some top reasons for studying law.

Top reasons to study law degree

  1. As said before, a profession in law is a social requirement. It is something that we as humankind need.
  2. Your job just doesn’t confine to litigations and fights in court. You’ll also be needed in various government and private organisations to get a clear picture of running the organisation abiding by the rules.
  3. Additionally, this degree offers job sustainability and security, with a wide range of career options to choose from.
  4. And who doesn’t think about earning big? After graduating from law school, getting a job will fill your pockets with loads of greens and give you star recognition in society!

So, are you ready to explore the learning space of what you can do with a law degree and the process to get one?

How can you get a law degree abroad?

Different countries have different requirements. So, to study in a foreign country you need to satisfy the entry requirements and apply.

General entry requirements for top study destinations:

Note: Universities can also have specific entry requirements that you need to satisfy.

UK entry requirements for international students: (Undergraduate)

  • State board or National Board school certification.
  • IELTS with 6.5 points.

UK entry requirements for international students: (Postgraduate)

  • Bachelor’s degree in law 65-75% in LLB.
  • IELTS/TOEFL scores.

US entry requirements for international students: (Undergraduate)

  • A Bachelor’s degree in any stream
  • LSAT score
  • TOEFL score

US entry requirements for international students: (Postgraduate)

  • A 3-year Bachelor’s degree in law with 86%.
  • IELTS score
  • TOEFL score

Ireland entry requirements for international students: (Undergraduate)

  • Showcase of English proficiency. 
  • The score of the IELTS test.

Ireland entry requirements for international students: (Postgraduate)

  • A bachelor’s degree with an upper-class classification in law. 
  • The score of the IELTS test.

Canada entry requirements for international students: (Undergraduate)

  • A bachelor’s degree in a related field with 60-65% of scores (equivalent to pre-law studies).
  • The results of IELTS or TOEFL
  • LSAT score with a minimum of 160

Canada entry requirements for international students: (Postgraduate)

  • A bachelor’s degree (LLB) in a related field with 70% of the scores.
  • The results of IELTS or TOEFL
  • LSAT or GRE scores based on the institute’s specific requirements.

New Zealand entry requirements for international students: (Undergraduate)

  • The score of any English assessment test like IELTS/ TOEFL for non-native English speakers.

New Zealand entry requirements for international students: (Postgraduate)

  • A bachelor’s degree in the related field (GPE equivalent: 5 in law)
  • IELTS score of 7.0 points

Types of law degrees one can pursue

After completing your schooling, you can pursue a wide range of undergraduate law options spread in front of your eyes! 

There are different UG degrees like

  • LLB (Global)
  • Graduate LLB (UK)
  • BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course) (UK)

These are generally three, four and five-year integrated courses.

After completing an undergraduate degree, you can specialise by doing a postgraduate degree (LLM) in:

  • Business law
  • Constitutional law
  • International law

Or

  • Juris Doctor (USA/ Canada/ New Zealand)
  • Doctor of Juridical Science (USA/ Canada/ New Zealand)

You can also do a doctorate in these courses and build your profile as a law student after completing your postgraduate study. These are also some of the options for your question: what can you do with a law degree?

Unsure about which course to choose?
Edvoy provides free expert guidance and helps you shortlist courses with ease

Top global universities that offer law courses

Here is the list of top universities where you can start your journey to be a face of justice and the holder of the law baton! 

Top UK universities offering law courses

UniversityPopular UG coursePopular PG course
University of CambridgeContract and land law, Equity and European lawAdvanced legal studies
University of OxfordLaw and FinanceInternational law, Law and Finance
University of EdinburghSuccession and trust lawCriminal law and criminal justice
King’s College LondonLaw with North American legal studiesInternational business law
Durham UniversityInternational criminal lawInternational law, European trade and commercial law
University of GlasgowBusiness lawIntellectual property and the digital economy

Top US universities offering law courses

UniversityPopular UG coursePopular PG course
Yale UniversityLaw and economics of corporate controlDoctor of the science of law
Stanford UniversityClinical legal educationEnvironmental law and policy
Harvard UniversityCriminal law and policyLegal history, comparative law
Arizona State UniversityInternational law, Trial advocacyLegal studies, Law and sustainability
University of IllinoisBusiness law, Employee benefitsIntellectual property law
University of UtahProperty and criminal lawCriminal law programme

Top Ireland universities offering law courses

UniversityPopular UG coursePopular PG course
Trinity College DublinCorporate and human rights lawEuropean and international law
Dublin City UniversityEmployment lawPublic policy
University College CorkLaw and businessInternational human rights law and public policy

Top Canada universities offering law courses

UniversityPopular UG coursePopular PG course
University of TorontoInternational human rights programBusiness Law, Ethics and policy
McGill UniversityCriminal law and justiceNorth American studies
University of British ColumbiaLaw and social justiceBusiness law concentration
York UniversityConstitutional and administrative lawContract and commercial law

Top New Zealand universities offering law courses

UniversityPopular UG coursePopular PG course
University of AucklandLegal ethicsPublic law
Victoria University of WellingtonInternational relationsContract law
University of OtagoCrime and propertyLaw and medicine
University of WaikatoAdvocacy and intellectual propertyCyberlaw, Law of war and conflicts

Famous people who studied law

  • Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar - An Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer. The chief architect of the Indian constitution.
  • Mahatma Gandhi was a barrister in England and an advocate in India for 25 years before becoming the face and icon of the Indian independence movement.
  • Abraham Lincoln - 
  • Barack Obama - One of the Presidents of the USA, who began his career as a civil rights attorney.
  • Nelson Mandela - The craftsmen of the post-apartheid nation who was the only native African to study and obtained an Attorney’s diploma.
  • Hillary Clinton - The 67th Secretary of the State and once a forerunner to be the first woman president of the 2016 Presidential polls was a Yale graduate.
  • Tony Blair - This long-term serving Britain PM (1997-2007) is an Oxford law graduate.

Now let us sum up what you can do with a law degree!

Jobs with an average salary with a law degree

Job roleSalary
Advertising lawyer$117,600
Antitrust lawyer$90k- $110k
Corporate lawyer$105k
Political lawyer$124,100
Judge Advocate$53,918

FAQs

1. What degree do you need to be a lawyer? 
A: Law degree. To be more specific, do an undergrad or postgrad LLB or LLM. A few universities also offer JD (Juris Doctor) programmes.

2. How many years do you study law? 
A: The duration of an LLB degree takes up to 3 to 4 years (5 if it is an integrated course) while a master’s (LLM) degree will be for a year or two.

3. What’s the difference between an attorney and a lawyer? 
A: Attorneys are legal professionals who have a formal licence to practice law and actually practice in a court. A lawyer is someone who is educated and trained in law.

So did you get the inspiration and ready to take a ride just like those famous personalities? Then why wait? Plan your pursuit to study law at your dream destination and connect with edvoy today!

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