Do you have to be top of your class to succeed on a law degree?

Hi, I’m Anna and I’m a Course Director for Law at Staffordshire University. Today I’m taking the reins of our TSR account to address some myths about studying for a Law degree.

Myth #1 - Law students spend all day in the library.
It's easy to picture law students with their heads buried in books all day. Of course, reading and writing are an essential part of studying Law, but we also encourage you to get involved with practical activities too. You could develop communication skills through giving presentations, or practise courtroom skills through mooting. You could even be giving legal advice to real clients in our Legal Advice clinic module.

As an undergraduate law student at Staffordshire university, not only will you receive a high standard of academic support and access to our fantastic digitally enabled facilities, but we also strive to ensure you have a great student experience.

There are lots of student societies to choose from. Some directly relate to your interests in law, like cyber security or true crime, as well as plenty of others that will allow you to follow your interests outside of law. We also run trips to enrich your student experience. In the last year we visited a Victorian court museum, the Welsh Parliament, the International Slavery Museum, and saw Magna Carta, an 800-year-old document that is a crucial part of legal history.

Myth #2 - You should only study Law if you want to be a Lawyer.
Graduates from our undergraduate degrees may wish to progress to further study to qualify as a solicitor, barrister or CILEX lawyer, but our law qualifications don't just put you on the pathway to becoming a successful solicitor or barrister.

Employers value law graduates for their excellent communication skills, and the ability to analyse and evaluate complex data. This makes a law degree a great route into other careers including the courts service, education, business, management and Human Resources, as well as a wide range of graduate training schemes in different sectors.

Myth #3 – Legal education is only for individuals from certain backgrounds.
The legal professions may traditional have had an image of being dominated by certain sectors of society, but this is changing and one of the reasons is that so many talented people from a wide range of backgrounds are making a difference.

At Staffordshire University, we really value the diversity of our students. We know that the university benefits from having varied voices and perspectives in the legal classroom, and we are passionate about supporting students to succeed. Yes, entering the legal professions is very competitive and challenging, but we can offer our expertise to advise and support you to achieve your ambitions.

Myth #4 – Law is just about crime
You have probably read about criminal cases in the media, and they certainly grab everyone’s attention. However, Law isn’t just about crime.

Perhaps you will have a passion for constitutional law and the laws which determine the way we are governed. Maybe your interests will be in cyber law and the impact of the digital revolution on legal structures. Are you a potential entrepreneur who wants to understand the legal structures of business types?

Studying one of our law courses allows for specialisation into areas such as family law, employment law, business law, cyber law or human rights. But if you are fascinated by criminal law, we also have a range of core and optional modules in this area, such as the Law of Evidence which governs how matters are proved in the criminal courts. There really is something for everyone on our law degree courses!

Myth #5- You have to be top of your class to succeed on a law degree
Being successful in law study isn't solely about your academic abilities. A strong academic record is certainly going to help you on your course, but it’s not the only factor for success.

We know that qualities such as motivation, organisation, a strong work ethic and a willingness to act on feedback are the key to making progress in your studies. A genuine passion for the subject – whatever aspect of Law that might be – will also be valuable!

You don't need to have studied Law previously to do a Law degree. We will support you to acquire all the knowledge and skills necessary, including legal research, problem-solving, and advising clients, whether your clients are simulated or, in the Legal Advice Clinic, real!

Let’s talk Law! If you have any questions, hold any preconceptions, or simply want to chat about studying Law at university, drop me a comment below!