Law

Law is one of the most intellectually demanding and professionally significant of all degree subjects, examining the rules, principles, and institutions through which societies organise themselves, resolve disputes, and protect rights. European legal studies as a specialism within law reflects the continuing importance of European legal traditions and comparative law, examining how different European legal systems are structured and how they relate to each other, and engaging seriously with the history, theory, and contemporary significance of law across the continent and beyond.

At Hull, this four-year degree goes beyond the fundamentals of commercial, criminal, public, and private law to uncover the social, moral, and political roles that law plays in human life. You will study how law protects the environment and human rights, how it applies to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and how legal systems compare across different national contexts. The European legal studies component develops your understanding of civil law traditions alongside the common law system of England and Wales, and of the legal frameworks that continue to shape relations between European states and the UK.

Hull's law school develops both the doctrinal knowledge and the analytical thinking that legal practice and legal careers demand.

Law graduates pursue careers in legal practice as solicitors or barristers through the relevant professional qualification routes, but the degree also opens a wide range of non-legal careers in business, finance, public administration, politics, the civil service, human rights, and the charity sector. The analytical rigour and written communication skills of a law degree are valued far beyond professional legal roles. The European legal studies dimension is particularly relevant for careers in international legal practice, European institutions, comparative legal research, and any role that involves engagement with multiple legal systems.

Postgraduate study in law, international law, or human rights is a natural progression for those seeking specialist expertise.