What to do before university (wanting to do law)

Hi I am in y12 and want to begin thinking about what I should be doing in terms of stuff to put on my application. What should I be doing outside and inside school to increase my chances of doing law in a Russell group university? Do I need law experience?

Reply 1

UniofReading

Official Rep

Original post by amyflashmagic

Good evening @amyflashmagic

It's great to hear you are thinking of studying law!

When writing your statement, it is difficult to fit lots into it, as you have a limited word count. Therefore, it is great to prioritise the hobbies you love to do. I will list a few ideas below which you could do, but make sure you don't do all of them; maybe find 3 or 4 things you enjoy. Being able to write in detail about how they have prepared you for your time at university will be more effective than listing a page of clubs and hobbies.

My recommendations, which I know students have included over the years:

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lunchtime clubs, English literature, debate clubs, and law-related clubs.

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online seminars

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school/college competitions

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Afterschool clubs, e.g. Law, debate club

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Anything you might have done since you were little, as it shows a long-term commitment. e.g. swimming, judo

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Girl Guides or Scouts

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Duke of Edinburgh

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Online competitions.

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A musical instrument.

I highly recommend you ask your teachers about what they recommend you add to your personal statement, as they will have lots of ideas and may be able to help you join some local charities or clubs.

At the University of Reading, the School of Law is highlighted and recognised. In the National Student Survey 2023, 90% of LAw at Reading students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things. A great aspect of the School of Law at the Univerity of Reading is you can choose to complement your legal study with modules from outside our School, including languages, politics, and business courses such as entrepreneurship. This allows students to tailor their degree.

If you have any questions please let us know and we would be happy to help, I hope you have a great sixth form experience and are able to find great things for your personal statement.

All the best,
Ella 😀
BSc Ecology

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

OP, although the post above is well meaning, please note that sports, music, D of E and similar will have little or no impact on your chances of obtaining a place to study law at a Russell Group University. All those things are worth doing in their own right, but the universities are interested in academic record and potential, and in a demonstrable interest in the subject.

The latter can be demonstrated by taking part in essay competitions, debates, moots, mock trials, and so on, and by wide reading about legal subjects, public policy, and current affairs. If you haven't already read The Rule of Law and Letters To A Law Student and/or Learning The Law, now might be a good time to do so. Put them on your Christmas present list.

Keep up with the news and with public policy debates. Check out podcasts, substacks, and blogs produced by lawyers and legal journalists. Maybe follow some chatty lawyers on LinkedIn.

Go to watch a case or two in your nearest civil and criminal Courts. Maybe take a trip to central London to watch the Court of Appeal and/or the Supreme Court in action. In the latter you will see the UK's best lawyers arguing cases in front of the UK's best judges. You can also watch the Supreme Court on its video feed, and a more limited selection of Court of Appeal cases on that Court's video feed.

Some of the universities you may be interested in will require you to take the LNAT. No need to worry about that now. It's something to prepare for in the summer before you start Year 13.

Reply 3

UniofLaw Student

Official Rep

Hello,

Awesome to hear you're already thinking about your future in law! Starting early gives you a real advantage, especially if you’re aiming for a Russell Group university. Here are a few ways to make your application stand out and really show admissions teams why law is the perfect fit for you.

First off, focus on your A-Levels and keep those grades high. Russell Group unis love to see strong academic performance, especially in subjects like English, History, or Politics. If you're working on coursework, think about connecting it to legal themes. For example, if you're studying History, maybe look at how major conflicts have influenced legal systems or human rights. Even chatting with teachers about adjusting a project to have a bit of a law twist can show you’re genuinely interested in the subject.

Now, let’s talk work experience. Getting direct legal work experience can be tricky at this stage, especially without connections. But don’t worry if you can’t get into a big law firm. Even shadowing a local solicitor or asking to spend a day with someone in a smaller legal office is helpful. Plus, there are online options now like Forage that let you complete short, real-life legal tasks, these are a great way to show you’ve had some practical experience.

Another great move is attending any law taster days or workshops you can find, especially at the universities you’re interested in. Most Russell Group unis offer these, and they’re often free for Year 12 students. They’ll give you a peek into what studying law is actually like and help you start building your personal statement with real experiences. Also, it’s a nice bonus if you can say you've already explored specific areas of law, like human rights or criminal justice, before even stepping into uni.

For reading, don’t just stick with the obvious law books if they don’t excite you. Find something that genuinely interests you, if you're into social justice, check out Helena Kennedy's Eve Was Shamed, or if you’re a podcast fan, Law in Action is a good listen. Universities love when applicants bring up specific cases, books, or even legal debates that resonated with them, so jot down your thoughts when you read or listen to something that gets you thinking about the law.

Debating or public speaking is another awesome way to prep for law. If your school has a debate team or a “Mock Trial” club, get involved! If not, see if there are any local or online opportunities. Arguing cases (even if they’re mock ones) helps you get used to building strong arguments, which is exactly what you’ll be doing in law school.

Also, don’t forget about community work or volunteering. Law is about helping people, so anything where you’re involved in supporting or giving back to your community can make a difference. Whether it’s volunteering with a local charity, mentoring, or even joining a youth council, these experiences show that you care about justice and people’s rights. And if you’re able to volunteer with a Citizens Advice Bureau, that’s an added bonus since it’s directly related to helping people with legal problems.

When it comes time to writing your personal statement, keep it real. Explain why you’re drawn to law, not just that you want to be a lawyer, but what specific experiences have inspired you. Maybe there was a debate topic that challenged your views, or maybe a book or case helped you see justice in a new light. The more personal and genuine you can be, the better.

Starting all this in Year 12 gives you loads of time to build a strong application and develop your interests naturally, without rushing. By the time applications roll around, you’ll have so many experiences to talk about that really show your passion for law. Good luck!