Law

Why study Undergraduate Law at Essex?

At Essex, justice isn’t just something you study, it’s something you practise.

From day one, you’ll build the core skills employers look for: analysing complex legal problems, constructing clear arguments, and applying the law to real-world situations. You’ll put theory into practice through activities like mooting (mock trials), client interviewing and negotiation, giving you a real insight into life in the legal profession.

You’ll also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in our Law Clinic, advising real clients on real cases under expert supervision; an invaluable head-start for your future career. Throughout your studies, you’ll be able to connect with legal professionals through networking events and visits from law firms.

In your final year, you can take the next step with our work-based learning module, gaining experience in a legal setting such as a law firm or local council. Places are competitive, but the practical experience you’ll gain at Essex will help you stand out.

Ready to turn your interest in law into a career? Explore our undergraduate Law courses to find out more.

Career prospects

Law affects every part of our life from what we can post on social media and the complexities of buying a house, to international commerce and the protection of human rights. The legal sector is vast, and evolving at a rapid pace as it must also respond to the challenges we face as a society. Therefore, employers across a range of sectors will value law graduates who can show adaptability, resilience, and have a critical knowledge and understanding of the law in different contexts.

Explore the career opportunities Essex Law School can provide.

Master your future legal profession

At Essex, we specialise in commercial law and human rights law. We have extensive experience of research and practice in the field and many of our academics also work in advisory roles with the UK government, foreign governments and the UN, such as Professor Ahmed Shaheed, a UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief or Professor Lorna McGregor who has been working in partnership with the UN Human Rights Office to explore the impact of the use of digital technologies on human rights at borders. We bring our expertise to our teaching to give you a truly industry-informed student experience.

Our expertise covers everything from trade and maritime law, to business law and human rights law. Meet our academics by reading their biographies.

Develop practical and professional legal skills in a range of areas such as mooting, advocacy, client-interviewing, mediation, and negotiation. Plus gain hands-on experience in our Law Clinics, advising real clients.

Your progressive research environment

Within Essex Law School, we have over 100 academic staff who are open to supervise a range of research areas. Our research examines the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond. Our staff work with governments, human rights organisations and businesses across the world. Your supervisors support you with a perspective that is global, comparative and grounded in practical experience.

Expertise and supervision

We specialise in commercial and human rights law. To learn more about us and find a supervisor read our biographies and then use our research finder below.

We offer three different options for research study:

• PhD Law (standard)
• PhD Law (four-year PhD, with research and communication skills)
• MPhil Law

Start your application with us

Explore our Law research by theme or your area of interest and find a supervisor that can support your through your studies. More information can be found about research degrees on our school pages. Our courses below will help guide you through the various research degree programmes we offer.