There are two main routes to practice law professionally: the
Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). In order to undertake either course you must have an undergraduate Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) or have completed the postgraduate Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Training barristers undertake pupillage training after the BPTC course, usually for a year. Since 2020, the BPTC course has been gradually replaced with new
flexible training pathways.
Gaining your LLB Law degree can offer many different career paths beyond becoming a barrister or solicitor. You could use your diverse legal knowledge to engage with the public, through Citizens Advice, the media or welfare sector. Data scientists and forensic computer analysts share the key skills that law graduates possess, as attention to detail and analysis of complex information are paramount. HR is also a valid path for those interested in expanding their knowledge of employment law.
Since specific career paths may be less obvious it is important to use your research skills to explore the range of opportunities and to consider your personal interests, motivations, values and strengths.
Researching your career options
Given the diversity of career options open to law graduates, it is important to research and explore these fully so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
Employment opportunities
Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth law graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping-stones’ to professional posts by providing relevant workplace experience.
- Graduate Management Trainee
- Law Tutor
- Lecturer
- Civil Litigation Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Intern
- Paralegal
- Clinical Application Analyst Coordinator/Principal Trainer
- Insurance Broker
- Senior Sales and Events Executive
- Banking Litigation Paralegal
- Business Development Executive
- Civil Litigation Paralegal
- Police Officer
- Stalking Advocacy Caseworker
Employers
- Black Country Women's Aid
- Bright Solicitors
- Charles French and CO Ltd
- Competition and Markets Authority
- CST Law (Credit Style Limited)
- Insight Law
- Landi English
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Serious Fraud Office
- Shakespeare Martineau Solicitors
- South Devon College
- The Family Law Company
- The Wellcome Sanger Institute
- Whittit Insurance
- Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys of 2017/18 and 2018/19. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 59 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.