Employability and careers
A different LL.B
Helping you become an employable lawyer is a central aim of our LL.B and embedded in every aspect of the course.
You’ll learn skills like communication, understanding people and knowing the right questions to ask. You’ll also work towards appreciating what is required by legal employers and your own strengths and weaknesses.
This will help you identify the type of firm or areas of practice you’re interested in and to draw up a personal plan of what to do and when, to secure your first job.
Strong track record
We have a strong track record on employability – 84% of students who pass our LPC have training contracts or other legal work within a few months of graduation (based on 2010 figures).
Part of your timetable
At least 48 hours of your time on the LL.B will be devoted to employability over the two-year course. There are eight elements to this:
- personal tutoring by a qualified lawyer
- professional awareness
- commercial awareness
- competencies of a lawyer
- careers guidance
- opportunities
- applications and CVs
- interviews and assessments
You’ll also get help to identify and apply for legal work experience – something that all undergraduates should be aiming to get to improve their employability prospects.
Specialist legal careers advice
In this era of higher university tuition fees, you’ll want to have the best possible chance of securing a job.
As soon as you accept your place on our LL.B, you’ll have access to the careers service. The College of Law has the best team of specialist careers advisers in UK legal education, offering personalised, face-to-face guidance on the recruitment process and how to succeed. We’ll help you build your professional network through our links with law firms and chambers.
How we can help you get the right job
Before you begin your course with us and right through your study and beyond, you can benefit from:
- database of job vacancies
- support in securing work experience and placements
- online guidance and careers articles
- telephone and e-mail support for careers queries
- advice on CVs and job applications
- updates on what’s happening in the legal market
- opportunities to meet prospective employers
- help finding a mentor in practice
- one-to-one advice sessions with our expert careers consultants
- careers workshops and talks
- a practitioner speaker programme and employer events – tailored specifically for LL.B students, to show you the diversity of opportunities within the profession.
Find out more about the types of legal careers available to you.
Pro bono
To really bring your learning to life and enhance your CV you’ll be able to take part in the largest and most varied pro bono programme in the UK (free legal advice and support to individuals and groups). The College of Law is renowned for its pioneering and award-winning pro bono programmes, which benefit both the public and our students.
This means you can put your learning into practice through schemes that include shadowing and assisting lawyers in practice and at court, and work with agencies that support people in legal matters. As you progress in your studies you may have the opportunity to participate in one of our many schemes providing legal advice to clients. The programme is co-ordinated by qualified lawyers who support you in your learning.