When you’re looking at the next stage of your studies as you head towards a career in the law profession, the choice of law degrees available at UK universities can be completely overwhelming!

Law with business, law with humanities, even law with a foreign language – there’s just so many options for you to mull over before you’ve even started the UCAS application process.

That’s why we’ve created this short guide to help you make an informed decision on which type of law degree is right for you- read on to discover which path will give you the best chance of employment.

A straight law degree

A degree that focuses solely on the law means that you’ll be studying every element of the legal profession including current legislation, legal principles, contracts, criminal law, constitutional law and human rights.

These straight law undergraduate degrees typically last three years and you can choose the modules that interest you the most and feel have the most value to where you want to head with your future career in your third year.

In your first two years, you will be expected to study compulsory modules to give you a thorough overview of the legal system, laws and guiding principles, but in your third year, you’re given a little more freedom.

A law sandwich

Here’s where things get a little more interesting. Many universities now offer ‘law sandwich’ courses that give you the option to study law alongside another subject. This can be particularly useful if there’s a certain industry or area of law that would like to pursue as many employers will be interested in candidates who have an insight into the work they do.

Law sandwich degrees are spread over four years, and during your third year, you’ll spend time in the industry gaining hands-on knowledge and experience. The great thing about law sandwich degrees is that this year of your studies doesn’t necessarily have to be spent in a legal setting.

For example, if you’re studying law and accountancy, you could choose to spend your third year at a financial services firm instead and gain some experience working in that profession. This could be valuable once you’ve graduated and start seeking employment.

Before you choose the law degree you want to study, take some time to consider the areas or industries that interest you the most and could offer you the best chances of employment once you’ve graduated.