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Frenchay Campus, Bristol University of the West of England
University of the West of England, Bristol
Bristol
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what's degree Law Like

So pretty much my entire life I've been doing things for my parents. Like the last time I had an ambition which was for myself, it was when I was a kid and I wanted to be a wildlife conservationist, but then I realised you don't get to hug the lions.
Anyway, So my natural talents include Art, English, Empathy, public speaking, and analytical thinking. Due to my skill in analytical thinking and wanting to make my parents proud, I ended up pursuing subjects and courses in computing and IT and was hoping to do computer science at university.
However I want to help people, and I want to do something I'm good at, and will be motivated for, I've always kind of had an interest in law, but everyone I've talked to about it says it's really boring to study.
But I really really want to do it, like I think I would be good at it, but I dont want to start the degree, and then lose interest, rack up a huge debt for nothing, and be back where I started, not knowing what I want to do with my life.
I suppose I'm looking for someone to say I should do it, or explain the course lay out to me, what it entails and stuff. I kind of want lots of opinions, before I make a change like this
Frenchay Campus, Bristol University of the West of England
University of the West of England, Bristol
Bristol
Visit website
Most people who study Law don't become solicitors or barristers after graduating and I'm sure you already know how competitive it is. If that's what you want to do, you will need to have money to study the LPC/BPTC and the connections to get a training contract. Lots of work experience will help as well.

I personally wish I studied something else, but I suggest you have a look at some of the Core Modules (EU, Contract, Tort etc) to see if they interest you. Don't be too put off if you find some modules dry, a lot of lawyers specialise in one or two fields anyway (I know a girl who is now specialising in a field we didn't even study at uni).
Hi ZoeGemma, I'll be starting my final year in Law this September. I suggest you go for it if you really want to do law! It really isn't as boring or difficult as people think. As long as you put your mind into it and stay organised, you will do great! I'll attempt to break down the course structure for you so hopefully you can understand it better.

Usually your first year is where you study your 'foundation' subjects of Contract Law, Criminal Law, Public Law (parliament, constitution and administration). If you're at UWE, there's a Foundations for Law course where Systems & Methods (the English legal system, sources of law, courts structures, etc) and lawyer skills (writing, researching, case law & statutory analysis etc) are incorporated. You have an opportunity to attend a court hearing in your first year alone.

Beginning with your second year, you can tailor the course suited to your interest. If you're aiming to be a solicitor or a barrister, you will have to do Land Law and the Law of Torts (civil wrongdoings). Otherwise, you can choose modules which interest you, which at UWE includes International Law (topics may include (and not limited to) human rights, international economic law, law of the sea; bodies include the UN, OECD, EU, WTO etc), Migration Law (includes the law relating to refugees, asylum, trafficking, smuggling etc), Forensic Evidence (science-based module where you get to do your own crime scene investigation), Dispute Resolution Skills (a good introduction to what alternatives there are besides going to court: mediation etc), Sports Law (loads of cases relating to famous sportspeople). These are just some of the options, and only in your second year alone!

In your third year you will have the Law of the European Union. Here you'll study key principles of the EU (history and treaties of the union, freedom of movement, the institutions etc). Again, you'll then have options to study a wide range of options, bearing in mind Equity and Trusts is compulsory for a Qualifying Law Degree. Corporate options include Company Law and Commercial Law (including banking, finance and white collar crimes). International options include European Human Rights (study of the ECHR), the law on Globalisation, Trade and Natural Resources, Gender/Sexuality and the Law, and Intellectual Property Law (the law relating to copyrights, patents etc). If you're interested in music and entertainment industry there's also Media and Entertainment Law. Again, these are only some of the wide range of options you have!

There's loads of options beyond being a traditional barrister or solicitor. You can work in non-governmental organisations such as the United Nations if you're interested in international law for example. Hope that helps, and good luck with whatever you choose!
Reply 4
Hi swissariana

I just been given a place at UWE to study Law, Can you tell me is there anywhere I can find a description of the individual modules?
Reply 5
If you're good at computing then go and do a computer science degree and you're pretty much guaranteed to get yourself a decent salary and career upon graduating !
Original post by Ella1993
Hi swissariana

I just been given a place at UWE to study Law, Can you tell me is there anywhere I can find a description of the individual modules?


Hi Ella1993,

Thanks for your question. Congratulations on getting a place!

Yes indeed there is. You will need your myUWE login details to access them! https://info.uwe.ac.uk/modules/login/ADlogin.asp Hope that helps!
Original post by Ella1993
Hi swissariana

I just been given a place at UWE to study Law, Can you tell me is there anywhere I can find a description of the individual modules?


Heya! How was studying law there? Any pros and cons? Especially when it comes to getting experience and (trying) to get a training contract ? How are the lectures/ lecturers? I also got an offer to study law and I’ve heard that UWE students don’t get training contracts as the “actual” Bristol students are more favoured.


Many thanks!!!
Original post by ZoeGemma
So pretty much my entire life I've been doing things for my parents. Like the last time I had an ambition which was for myself, it was when I was a kid and I wanted to be a wildlife conservationist, but then I realised you don't get to hug the lions.
Anyway, So my natural talents include Art, English, Empathy, public speaking, and analytical thinking. Due to my skill in analytical thinking and wanting to make my parents proud, I ended up pursuing subjects and courses in computing and IT and was hoping to do computer science at university.
However I want to help people, and I want to do something I'm good at, and will be motivated for, I've always kind of had an interest in law, but everyone I've talked to about it says it's really boring to study.
But I really really want to do it, like I think I would be good at it, but I dont want to start the degree, and then lose interest, rack up a huge debt for nothing, and be back where I started, not knowing what I want to do with my life.
I suppose I'm looking for someone to say I should do it, or explain the course lay out to me, what it entails and stuff. I kind of want lots of opinions, before I make a change like this



Heya! How was studying law there? Any pros and cons? Especially when it comes to getting experience and (trying) to get a training contract ? How are the lectures/ lecturers? I also got an offer to study law and I’ve heard that UWE students don’t get training contracts as the “actual” Bristol students are more favoured.

Many thanks!!!
Original post by BiancaMD
Heya! How was studying law there? Any pros and cons? Especially when it comes to getting experience and (trying) to get a training contract ? How are the lectures/ lecturers? I also got an offer to study law and I’ve heard that UWE students don’t get training contracts as the “actual” Bristol students are more favoured.


Many thanks!!!


Hiya! Congratulations on your offer!

I loved studying law at UWE - it's somewhere I've wanted to go since year 10. I think might start by saying that not many people know of the shared history between UWE, Bristol & Bath - they were all one institution back in history. The former Merchant Venturers school had become three institutions with different specialisms and teaching/learning outlooks. If you know where your strengths lie in terms of assessments, you might want to note that on balance, Bristol has more examinations compared to UWE which provides more coursework. Personally, I found my lecturers to be brilliant and their sessions very exciting. That said, not everyone has the same course structure so I can only speak for the modules I took *plugs in my international law modules*

A difference between UWE and Bristol in terms of experience (assuming that you're not doing a placement year) is that at UWE, you can get credit for doing an internship (and writing a project) in your third year if you are successful in getting a place on the Law in Action module - I really appreciated this professional element to the course. Law events & networking have also tended to be held in Bristol more often because of its central location,* although UWE students get invited to them too. Many more events are happening at UWE as months pass though! I can't give you much insight into training contracts unfortunately - many of friends are into the bar, academia and third sector.

Hope this helps!

*(yes - UWE's law school is based on Frenchay campus in the countryside. I find it very relaxing if you want to live in the area :biggrin:)

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