Law degree

Hey, so i’ve basically come on here to ask about what a law degree is really like. I’m considering studying it at uni in September (uni of leeds) and I’m just interested in knowing if it’s as hard as people make it out to be- and if so what makes it so hard? Atm I’m supposed to be studying psychology with the intention of being a clinical psychologist but I feel like law may be a better option for me but idk.

Reply 1

Catherine1973

i don't think its particularly hard, not like (to me) say a maths or physics degree.

but its a lot of reading, so the ability to read fast and also remember stuff is good (ie i could recall i had read about a case that was relevant to my exam so could go back and find it)

Things like land law appear to be pretty abstract i reckon if you are 18. they made more sense to me studying it when i had bought a house, had a mortgage etc. whereas criminal law is interesting regardless.

Books like letters to a law student are probably worth reading for an idea of what studying law is about, but i don't think its much different practically to other social science degrees. Lots of academic articles to read!

Reply 2

Leomontgomery

Original post by Catherine1973

Thank you! That’s really helpful.
What type of questions do you think I should ask myself to know if I’d be best suited to studying it? I’m struggling on knowing if I’d enjoy studying the degree, I’d put in the hard work regardless however to do well. It’s just that I’m thinking from switching to psychology to law but I’m worried about career prospects w law!

Reply 3

Catherine1973

well you can be a lawyer without studying law, just have to do more exams later. i was interested in the subject, always watched law shows so was something i knew i'd enjoy studying (though to be fair, i can't say any subject is fun to study, spending hours reading stuff and revising it) but overall i liked the subject

that letters to a law student is worth a read, plus this book and maybe one by Catherine Barnard

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=is+eating+people+wrong&adgrpid=52718086523&gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRSuoAXNi65KlzagfleB-LbGs8B5WhycH2bKBSJ1ilh6nvemW90FMKhoC9gYQAvD_BwE&hvadid=259090678031&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045909&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9559060849795983828&hvtargid=kwd-299537695159&hydadcr=28178_1821120&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_91wnt4cv3o_e

https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-About-Law-Studying-University/dp/184946085X/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=52718086523&dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRSuoAXNi65KlzagfleB-LbGs8B5WhycH2bKBSJ1ilh6nvemW90FMKhoC9gYQAvD_BwE&hvadid=259090678031&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045909&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9559060849795983828&hvtargid=kwd-299537695159&hydadcr=28178_1821120&keywords=is+eating+people+wrong&qid=1623681957&sr=8-6

Reply 4

Joleee

i would say firstly you need to get it out of your head that law degree = law career; it does not. you can do heaps of things with a law degree; likewise you can study a non-law degree and work in law. my ex boss, for example, is a solicitor and has a degree in geography.

the concepts of academic law are not hard to understand generally (maybe a bit in jurisprudence and public law if you have no previous knowledge of the constitution), but it is a hard degree in the sense you have to put in a lot of effort to get a first. as in, statistically law hands out less firsts than any other degree, probably because there are 1.4 million points of law and case names you need to memorise for a typical three hour exam. bearing in mind, not all law degrees are the same level of difficulty or are assessed the same way. case in point: while i had to write an exam for public law, my ex flatmate who went to a different uni had to put together a portfolio (whatever that is).

i suppose you need to ask yourself how much do you enjoy reading because law requires a lot(!) of it, at least if you want a 2:1. it also requires a lot of organisation if you want a 2:1 and have a social life. if you've never read law, i strongly recommend you open up a law textbook online in google scholar and see if you enjoy the content and can picture yourself slaving over it for three years. personally love it, but it's not for everyone :smile:

Reply 5

lorry237

One of the best things that helped me decide between law and psychology was looking at online examples of materials and exams for law and deciding whether I want to spend the next 3-4 years studying this kind of stuff. Eg. https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/durham-university/uk-constitutional-law/lecture-notes/uk-con-lecture-notes-all/1928586/view
https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/durham-university/eu-constitutional-law/essays/eu-constitutional-law-essay/12379040/view

If you decide this is not the case for you, you can just do another degree you enjoy more and then do a law conversion course :smile:

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 6

Leomontgomery

Original post by lorry237

So helpful thank you! What did you decide in the end? And have you got any online examples of psychology notes/essays I can’t seem to find any :smile:

Reply 7

lorry237

Original post by Leomontgomery

So helpful thank you! What did you decide in the end? And have you got any online examples of psychology notes/essays I can’t seem to find any :smile:

99% sure it will be psychology, but law is my insurance (I've already met conditions of my firm, I just haven't sent them my results cause I still have a few days to swap my choices so I'll know for sure by Wednesday hahah :biggrin:

) of course! here:

https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/university-of-glasgow/social-psychology-3h/lecture-notes/social-psychology-lecture-1/13556424/view

https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/durham-university/introduction-to-biological-psychology/lecture-notes/biological-psychology-all-lectures/1499578/view

https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/university-of-sussex/cognitive-psychology/summaries/1-sensation-and-perception/3714241/view

https://www.studocu.com/en-gb/document/university-college-london/social-psychology/essays/social-psychology-essay/14921787/view

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 8

Catherine1973

Listen to say Marcus cleaver on YouTube /podcast summarising the latest Supreme Court case in 10 mins. Does it interest you and want more background?
You can also look at the optional modules in each course and which ones sound interesting to you.