Law

Law is the structured system of rules, rights, and obligations through which societies organise themselves, resolve disputes, and protect individuals from arbitrary power. Studying it at degree level is both an intellectual and a professional undertaking: you develop a deep understanding of how legal reasoning works, how statutes and case law are interpreted, how different areas of law interact, and how legal frameworks respond to social, technological, and political change, alongside the practical skills of legal argument and professional communication that underpin a career in the law.

At Plymouth this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you a combination of professional and international experience that significantly strengthens your preparation for a legal career. You will develop an understanding of the English legal system, its relationship to international law, and the criminal and civil processes through which legal disputes are resolved. The programme provides the legal knowledge, transferable skills, and practical legal competencies that underpin the study of law and legal practice, alongside an introduction to ethical and professional conduct that is central to legal qualification.

Plymouth's coastal city setting and growing professional community provide a useful context for professional development.

Law graduates from Plymouth are well prepared for a range of careers in and beyond the legal profession. The most direct routes lead to qualification as a solicitor through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or as a barrister through the Bar Professional Training Course, with training contracts and pupillages at law firms, chambers, and legal teams in public and private sector organisations. The year abroad and work placement add professional credibility and international experience.

Many graduates also use the analytical and communication skills the degree develops to enter careers in business, finance, the civil service, compliance, journalism, and management. Some continue to postgraduate academic study in law or related fields.