Undergraduate study

• You're passionate about justice and human rights.
• You thrive in a debate or enjoy negotiating whilst considering different views.
• You're interested in UK and French constitutional law.
• You would like to learn about equity and trusts, and the international business environment.
• You have a curious mind and are keen to learn more about political philosophy, analysing moral and legal ethics and justice.
• Criminal liability, government power and policing and punishment are areas that interest you.
• A career in commercial law, international trade law or contract law would suit you.
• You're interested in politics and would like to learn more about environmental law, copyright and trademark law and concepts in political science.
• You want a career in the legal profession and want to have the benefits and experience that a degree can provide you with.
• You want to learn from leading academics in law and human rights.
• You'd like to study law but already have a degree and are looking for a comprehensive training in law over a concentrated two-year period.
• Access to flexible study is important to you (part-time and full-time available).
• You want to benefit from strong links, double-degrees and partnerships with other top-ranking higher education institutions all over the world, including Canada, France, and South-East Asia.
• You'd like to experience both academic learning and real-life work experience.
• You'd like to integrate your undergraduate and masters study.

There are a huge variety of courses available, from our flagship LLB Law, to combined law courses with business, criminology, finance, politics, human rights, and philosophy. You can also study English and French Law, an integrated masters, or, if you've already got a degree and want to transition into law, you could consider our two-year Law (Senior Status) degree,

We would encourage you to browse through our courses and explore the module options. It’s a great way to see which areas of law spark your interest and will help you narrow down which course is right for you. Our careers page has lots of useful information on the future for law graduates too, and the routes to professional qualifications if you're interested in becoming a solicitor, barrister or a licensed conveyancer for example.

If you have any questions, please do contact our friendly and supportive professional services team as they would love to hear from you.

You could also have a browse of the research taking place within our School and gain an insight into the variety of research and practice our academics, and your lecturers are involved in.

How to become a solicitor

Our LLB degrees are recognised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) as a qualifying law degree (QLD) which is the academic stage required in order to become a solicitor. The training requirement of the solicitor’s profession is currently under review with the SRA planning reforms to the process for qualifying as a solicitor which are due to take effect from 2021. However, any student who commences a QLD before these changes take effect will be able to then complete their solicitor training under the existing framework.

How to become a barrister

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates training to become a barrister. New qualification rules are currently being introduced (between 2019-21). The new framework for qualifying to become a barrister will continue to require an undergraduate law degree (or an undergraduate degree in a different subject area followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law). The requirements for the academic stage of training are set by the BSB. Our LLB degrees meet these requirements and, therefore, meet the academic component of training to become a barrister.

There are many opportunities for law graduates. Law professionals are needed to inform of, and apply the law in many situations and across different industries. This can vary from dealing with property purchases, criminal and civil proceedings, advising businesses on corporate law or dealing with family law and litigation amongst many other roles. Your law education can also prepare you for working in international and non-governmental organisations, such as the United Nations and Amnesty International.

You will have many opportunities throughout your studies to gain practical legal experience in various areas of law, whilst gaining insightful knowledge and support from your lecturers who will help you to explore and align your interests with future career ideas. You’ll also have access to our Careers Services for advice and support on preparing for your future, so that when graduation day approaches, you’re ready to take your next steps in your career.

You can find out more about how we'll support your career development throughout your studies, and a whole lot more about law futures on our handy careers page.

Applying to Essex couldn't be easier or more straightforward. For all the information you need to know about applying for your degree, what to include in your application, and information for EU and international students, this can be found on our dedicated webpage amongst a wealth of further resources to help get you started. If you're a student at one of our partner institutions, you're able to come to Essex as part of the Law Degree Transfer Programme.

Gain real legal experience by participating in as many of these activities as you can. It's an excellent opportunity for you to apply your knowledge to practical situations, and further develop your professional skills in readiness for life after graduation. It's also a great asset to add to your CV.

Legal competitions

Developing skills and experience is vital for your professional career and you can experience many opportunities to put your learning into practice. As a law student, you'll have the opportunity to participate in mooting, negotiation, mediation, and client interviewing competitions as part of your studies.

Work in the Essex Law Clinic

Our students jump at the opportunity to apply to volunteer in our very own Law Clinic, right here on the Colchester campus. Not only will you get to work alongside practicing lawyers to advise real clients and make an impact on vulnerable people in our local community, but it'll also be an incredible achievement that will stand out on your CV. Curious to explore what types of projects you can get involved in?

Work on human rights projects in our Human Rights Clinic

If you'd like to make a global impact, you could apply to work on a project within the Human Rights Centre Clinic. These research projects run throughout the year in partnership with civil society organisations, international organisations, governments, national human rights institutions, and UN human rights bodies. These projects generally involve supporting litigation, advocacy, policy, and programme development or technical guidance on human rights.

Explore 2022/23 projects

There are lots of exciting student-led societies for you to get involved with at Essex. Joining a society is a great opportunity for you to network, make friends, improve your communication skills, social skills, public speaking, negotiation, and research skills. It also gives you the opportunity to participate in events, including career inspired events and inspiring talks from our alumni. Our student societies are a huge part of our culture at Essex and are an integral part of our Essex family.

Societies include:

• Human Rights Society
• Law Society
• Model United Nations Society
• Amnesty International Society
• Economics Society
• Politics Society
• History Society
• Commercial and Corporate Law Society
• Philosophy Society

Study abroad

Many of our undergraduate courses offer a study abroad option allowing you to spend a year at a partner university across the world, including in Europe, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and Canada. Study abroad takes place in the third year of your degree before returning to Essex for your fourth year.

You will also have the opportunity to study a double-degree in countries including Canada, France, and South-East Asia. Although many of our partner universities teach in English, study abroad can also be an ideal opportunity to enhance existing language skills in addition to immersing yourself in a new cultural environment.

As well as being a fantastic experience, study abroad enhances your employability and widens your opportunities after graduation. A period of study abroad on your CV tells employers that you are mature, adaptable, organised and independent. 

Placements

You can choose to include a placement year in your degree, which is an excellent idea if you're looking to gain real-life experience as part of your degree. It will also help you make industry contacts, and get an idea about the type of career that may interest you after you graduate.

If you would prefer to take on a shorter placement, rather than a full a year, the University's Student Development Team can help you find out about other work experience, internships and volunteering opportunities available.

You'll be taught by our expert staff who include legal practitioners who work with the United Nations, governments, human rights organisations and corporations around the world. 

Our Human Rights Centre, based within the Essex Law School, is an international leader.

Learn more about the research and practice in both our Essex Law School and Human Rights Centre which helps shape the Essex education.

You're encouraged to attend our weekly programme of Law and Human Rights Centre seminars which are a great opportunity to hear first hand from professionals in the legal sector, and will help to expand your knowledge of wider debates in legal research and practice.

Our courses equip you with many skills that employers are looking for and enable you to progress into a variety of legal professions. You can gain a head-start in your career and choose our work-based learning module at a law firm or a local council in your third year, but, places are in high demand! Firms will expect to see your tenacity and your aptitude, but that's what working in the legal world is all about, right?

At Essex, you will also have access to the Careers Service. The Careers Service offers you the chance to develop your employability through unique experiences and opportunities such as helping you to find placements and internships, and opportunities like Chart My Path and the Big Essex Award. We recommend getting up to scratch with all the additional ways we, at Essex, can support your development.