The Essential Guide to Legal Studies: Is a career path in law right for me?
Categories: Kentish Town, London Living, Programmes, Universities
STUDYING LAW IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Are you passionate about equal rights and opportunities, or do you want to help ensure that fairness and justice is served? Are you interested in how legal systems work and how laws are created?
If you answered yes, then our ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Law programme is a great option for you. This course is a perfect step forward towards a law degree because it offers a 60-credit Ofqual Regulated Qualification, equivalent to an A Level or an Access to Higher Education qualification. Designed to provide students with the fundamental legal knowledge necessary for success, the programme will foster both independent and collaborative skills within a legal environment.
In this blog post, we'll help you determine whether gaining a degree in law and pursuing a career in a legal profession is the right path for you.
Why is Learning Law Important for international students?
The purpose of law is to ensure that order is kept in society for the safety of you and your fellow citizens.
Studying law in the UK can equip you with a deep comprehension of a globally influential legal system. The UK has one of the most respected and well-established legal systems in the world.
Global impact
Understanding UK law will provide a foundation that is relevant in many jurisdictions. For example, both the United Kingdom and United States have a three-level court hierarchy, with the Supreme Court being the top judicial body in both countries. Also, the UK and many other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada have a common law system, which relies on decisions made by courts on previous cases (this is known as judicial precedent). This explains why the legal cases that we will discuss in this blog are fundamental to the structure of the UK law system.
Strong career prospects for law graduates
A law degree from a UK university is internationally recognised and respected. This can open doors to a variety of career opportunities, both within Great Britain and globally. UK law graduates are often sought after in international law firms, multinational corporations, and various other legal and business environments.
Top Tip: When you enrol in our ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Law programme, you’ll stay in our Kentish Town campus. Hop on the # 24 bus and in less than one hour, you’ll arrive at the Houses of Parliament. There’s no need to change transport along the way, and by sitting on the top floor of London’s famous double decker buses, you’ll have an incredible view of the city throughout your journey.
Influential UK Law Cases over the centuries
The British law system relies quite heavily on common law, meaning that it’s mainly built through many judicial systems over time. There are countless historical cases that have shaped the legal system that exists in our society today. We will share three UK law cases that were highly influential in determining what is legal or not, and outline how much power is distributed amongst the public and certain bodies of the legal system. These will provide greater clarity as to how laws come to life and how important decisions are made in the UK.
Entick vs. Carrington
On 11 November 1762, the King's Chief Messenger, accompanied by three other King's messengers, broke into the home of writer and bookseller, John Entick on behalf of the Secretary of State. John Entick was critical of the policies of the King’s government in his writings. The messengers claimed to have a warrant from Lord Halifax, a member of the Secretary of State. The purpose of the warrant was to find papers, allegedly written by Entick, that were believed to incite rebellion against the monarch. In search of this, the messengers caused £2,000 of damage (that’s equivalent to over £500,000 in 2024!).
Entick sued the messengers for trespassing on his land. The judgement established the limits of executive power in English law: the state may act lawfully only in a manner prescribed by statute or common law. To this day, thanks to this landmark case, law enforcement agencies can only do what the law allows.
This landmark case solidified the fact that individuals have the right to feel safe in their homes and that the government cannot interfere with this right without lawful authority. Beforehand, the monarch was able to impede on the privacy of individuals if they wished because of their power. This ruling emphasised the value of private property, the requirement for a valid warrant in searches, and the protection of private documents.
Donoghue vs. Stevenson
This influential case is documented as the first to establish the modern law of negligence.
What does the word negligence mean?
Negligence occurs when someone fails to act or when their reckless or careless behaviour causes injury or a loss to someone else.
In 1928, May Donoghue visited a café in Paisley, Scotland where her friend had purchased a ginger beer for her. Much to her great surprise, a snail floated out of the bottle!
Two weeks later, Mrs. Donoghue had to seek emergency treatment for severe gastroenteritis and shock. Mrs. Donoghue decided to sue David Stevenson, the person who produced the ginger beer, for £500.
The House of Lords laid down the principle of duty of care, which later became a foundation for modern negligence law. The “neighbour principle” declared that a person must take reasonable care to avoid acts that could cause foreseeable harm to their neighbour.
Fact: Did you know that the House of Lords examine and vote on laws? They also question government decisions and investigate matters of public policy.
Miller vs. Prime Minister
In 2019, Boris Johnson was the Prime Minister for the UK. Johnson advised the Queen to suspend parliament for five weeks during a crucial time before Brexit. As a result of this, MPs would not be able to debate or challenge the government’s Brexit plans.
The core issues for this case were whether the Prime Minster’s advice to the Queen restricted parliamentary discussion at an important time in UK history and if it went beyond the limits of legal authority. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled that the suspension was unlaw because it prevented Parliament from doing its job during a pivotal period.
This case reinforced that the government cannot act without accountability. It also strengthened the role of Parliament and set a precedent for how courts can step in when politicians try to exceed their powers. Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision?
What Type of Lawyer Would You Be?
If you’re planning to earn a law degree or study law, politics, and social sciences at a well ranked international university, then you’re also likely thinking about the types of jobs you can obtain after graduation.
There are many career paths that you could potentially follow if you study law at a UK university.
- You can be a Solicitor. Solicitors work very closely with clients and would likely be the first point of contact if someone wants to pursue legal action against another person or corporation. Clients can range from individuals to private companies. They provide specialist legal advice on different areas of law. Solicitors work mainly with companies and barristers.
- Barristers specialise in advocacy and represent clients in court. They are usually instructed by solicitors and are responsible for presenting the cases in court on behalf of their clients.
- Thirdly, there are Chartered Legal Executives. These individuals are authorised lawyers that specialise in a particular area of law such as criminal, business or family law. Chartered Legal Execs usually work alongside solicitors.
What is the difference between prosecutors and defence lawyers?
A prosecutor represents the government in criminal cases. They argue the case against the defendant in court.
On the other hand, defence lawyers work on behalf of the defendant in a criminal case. Their main responsibility is to defend their client against the charges brought by prosecution.
As you gain more experience and advance in your career, you could even become a Judge! If you were, you’d interpret and apply the law to both criminal and civil cases, ensuring that justice is served fairly. In order to become a judge, you would need to have a law degree, complete additional courses and gain over five years of experience after you receive your qualifications. Think you can do it? Then get started with our ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Law programme now!
What other careers can you have if you study law in the UK?
The amazing thing about studying law is the fact that you do not need to become a lawyer, judge or solicitor. You’re not caged in a courtroom. Having a law degree can provide the foundation for multiple professions such as legal consultant, policy advisor and even risk manager!
If you don’t have a university plan completely mapped out, don’t worry!
At SCL International College, we support each individual student through the rigorous process of selecting and applying to universities as you progress through your course. Our tutors and admissions team will be there for you to provide personalised education and advice to cater to your every need.
If you’d like some personal guidance to help you choose, schedule a private call today and we will get back to you in 1-3 business days.
How we help students prepare for a law career anywhere in the world
SCL International College provides an ATHE accredited, Level 3 Diploma in Law. This programme is equivalent to an A Level and is tailored for students who are aiming to progress towards a law degree.
This programme has been designed to provide you with the fundamental legal knowledge that will help you achieve success, greater levels of independence and gain collaborative skills, not only in a legal environment but anywhere!
With a total of four units, you will learn about The English Legal System, Contract Law, Legal Communication and more. Our programme offers pathway admission to at least one of four British and international universities when you successfully complete the course.
After our course, you can easily advance to one of these four top British universities:
A public university located on England's south coast about 90 minutes from London, the University of Portsmouth provides outstanding teaching and learning opportunities.
Located on the coast of northwest Wales, Bangor University offers highly ranked law degrees and their facilities include a mock court room and legal advice clinic.
With a reputation for excellence, innovation and socio-economic contribution, Ulster University is a great option for students wishing to enrol in higher education in Northern Ireland.
Less than 1 hour north of London, the University of Bedfordshire provides a modern educational experience for over 20,000 students from over 100 countries. It even has a mock court room for those studying law.
How are SCL's programmes different?
Comparing our programmes in law and social sciences
At SCL International College, we also offer an International Foundation Programme in Social Sciences, which might seem similar to our Level 3 Diploma in Law; however, there are some distinct differences. For example:
- The foundation programme is two or three-term course designed for international students who wish to progress onto undergraduate courses in the UK to study Law, Politics, International Relations, Economics and related subjects.
- The skills that you will need to have as a social science professional are the same skills that will benefit you greatly in law. In fact, research, writing, analytical thinking and communication are essential skills for any social science professional and legal representative.
- A social science degree focussing on law can offer many potential career paths, such as a lawyer, paralegal, policy analyst, or even a political advisor.
We recommend reading our blog, "Career paths within social sciences", where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the programme and future job prospects in order to help you determine which course could be the right option for you.
Preparing for undergraduate law studies in the UK
We pride ourselves on the support we give each individual student - from deciding on your course through to the rigorous process of applying to universities.
To get started, fill in an online application today. Or if you'd like some advice regarding our ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Law programme or our Social Sciences International Foundation Programme then we invite you to arrange a free discovery call with us.
Just drop us an email at info@sclinternationalcollege.com or use the callback form to schedule a call at your convenience. Our dedicated team is ready to help you develop the social, linguistic and learning skills required for studying at a higher education institution, propelling you toward a rewarding career in law. We look forward to welcoming you to our college soon!
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