International Study Centre

Study Law

Sussex students mooting

What is law?

Law is a system of rules that are developed by a society or government to order the way in which society behaves. Laws are put in place to help manage crime, business agreements and social relationships.

Laws are different across the world but all follow a similar purpose; to maintain order, resolve disputes, and protect liberties and rights.

There are a variety of different fields of law, some of these include:

  • Criminal law - focusing on the punishment of offenders
  • Environmental law - regulating the impact on the environment from human activities
  • Family law - concentrating on laws affecting family relationships, such as divorce or adoption
  • International law - covering laws recognised by nations and accepted as binding in relations with one another
  • Military law - the governing law of an army, navy or air force

Why study Law?

Studying Law at university has a range of advantages that will help you start your legal career.

Law requires a lot of research. You will learn how to thoroughly investigate a topic, pulling out key information that can impact the outcome of a case. Developing your critical analysis skills will help you make informed decisions, looking closely at the details and weighing up different opinions, arguments and solutions.

Studying a law degree will help you develop a variety of key skills that are crucial to your law career and desirable to employers from other industries. Some of the key skills include:

  • Critical judgement
  • Working to tight deadlines
  • Communication
  • Problem solving

To make a successful career in the field of law you will need a strong academic background, and must be prepared to work hard. Students who have studied law can make meaningful and lasting impacts on society. Because of this, being a lawyer is typically seen to be a respectable profession.

Working in the legal industry typically means you will be rewarded with a high-salaried career. Whether you work as a lawyer, barrister or consultant, you can expect to earn a high wage. Law is typically a well-paid field across the globe.

27th for Law in the UK

in Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2021

Degree preparation at the International Study Centre

The University of Sussex International Study Centre offers courses that will allow you to progress to studying Law at undergraduate or postgraduate level at the University.

Not only will you develop the academic skills required to progress on to a Law degree at the University of Sussex, you will also improve your English language skills.

Which course should I study for Law?

Degree options at the University of Sussex

There are a variety of degrees you can study at the University of Sussex once you have completed the relevant pathway at the International Study Centre.

Degree progression from the International Foundation Year:

  • LLB Law
  • LLB Law with International Relations
  • LLB Law with Politics
  • LLB Law with Business Management
  • LLB Law with Criminology
  • LLB Law with International Relations
  • LLB Law with Media
  • LLB Law with Politics

Progression from the Pre-Masters Programme:

  • LLM Criminal Law and Criminology
  • LLM Environmental Law
  • LLM Information Technology and Intellectual Property Law
  • LLM International Financial Law
  • LLM International Human rights Law
  • LLM International Law
  • LLM Law

Why study Law at the University of Sussex?

If you choose to study Law at Sussex you will study at one of the top law schools in the UK. Ranked in the top 30 in the UK for Law (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject 2021), you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Sussex Law School is based in the Freeman Centre, a well-equipped space offering six seminar rooms, PC cluster room, plus study and social spaces. You will also be able to take advantage of the specialist ‘’mooting’’ room, where you can gain practical experience presenting legal arguments in a simulated courtroom setting.

Develop transferable skills 

You will be able to participate in a range of law-based competitions. From mooting and criminal advocacy to client interviewing and negotiation, you will be able to develop key skills valuable to future employers such as:

  • communication
  • presentation
  • team-working
  • research.

Once you complete an undergraduate law course at Sussex, you could progress on to a training course such as the Legal Practice Course to qualify as a solicitor or barrister.

By studying Law at the University of Sussex, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a legal or non-legal career. The Destinations of Leavers in Higher Education survey in 2017 found 100% of Sussex Law graduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate.

Heloisa's passion for Human Rights Law

Heloisa is from Mozambique and is currently studying the International Foundation Year in Social Sciences and Law. She’s preparing for a degree in Law at the University of Sussex. 

Law graduate job prospects

With a degree in Law, you will be able to pursue a variety of career options. You can choose to stay on the law career path or, thanks to the transferable skills you will develop, you could work in a different industry.

Law career options include:

  • Legal executive
  • Solicitor
  • Barrister
  • Paralegal
  • Trademark attorney
  • Patent attorney
  • Legal secretary
  • Company secretary
  • Tax consultant.
Find out more about starting your studies or check the latest COVID-19 information.