Law or engineering

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer

But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.

Does anyone have any advice?

Reply 1

ana1374

Original post by User4578

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer
But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.
Does anyone have any advice?

Do Law! Law is a great degree and it opens up so many opportunities- I know a guy who did a Law degree and now he does investment banking and financy stuff- I personally feel like engineering would limit you more but thats jsut my opinion

Reply 2

Insouciant.

Original post by User4578

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer
But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.
Does anyone have any advice?

Hey!

It's not as white and black as it may seem! Some countries with similar law infrastructure such as those in the EU accept our qualification (its more complex now as post-brexit but can still apply for some countries just more on a case to case basis). Not to mention for some countries that are common law with us eg. Australia you may only need to take a few supervised exams for your qualification to be recognised there too! Not the whole degree.

Equally important to remember- you're here to live, not survive- your passion is law- do it! Make yourself happy, its never too late to go back into education and training, if you decide its not for you and you want to move to a country that doesn't support our qualifications, retrain as something different- do a sponsored apprenticeship in another country, its never too late to change paths.

If you're not interested in the topic you are studying you're less likely to do well as there is less motivation, it also means you are devoting long period of your life to something you dont enjoy which isn't worth it- be happy first, figure it out later. You never know you may end up staying here.

Both careers are amazing and a lot of hard work! Go where you know you're supposed to be- let the passion think and the worries take a back seat, Goodluck with whatever you choose you'll be great at both no doubt!

Reply 3

Coventry University Student Ambassadors

Official Rep

Original post by User4578

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer
But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.
Does anyone have any advice?

Hey,
I am studying motorsport engineering at Coventry University and cannot recommend engineering enough as I am really enjoying my first year. However I can't speak for everyone. I would highly advise trying to find jobs and companies you would want to work for in both industries and comparing the graduate job opportunities so help with your decision. Also maybe try and attend some open days or offer holder days to get a tour and taste of different courses so you can see which one you want to dedicate 3+ year of your education.
https://www.coventry.ac.uk/study-at-coventry/visit-our-open-days/
Hope this helps,
Dan - Student Ambassador

Reply 4

spicychicken72

Original post by User4578

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer
But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.
Does anyone have any advice?

If you're interested in law I'd say go for it. It's a very reputable, respected degree and more flexible than you might think!

Reply 5

UniofLaw Student

Official Rep

Original post by User4578

I know i would love to study law at uni, i can see myself genuinely being enjoying it and even being a lawyer
But i dont want to be limited to the UK. Hence me leaning towards engineering(chemE) even though if i’m being honest I would never have even gone for it if it wasn’t well paid and allowed me to travel to anywhere(English speaking) in the world easily enough. Obviously not easily, i just mean in comparison to law.
Does anyone have any advice?

Hi there,

Hey! It’s great that you’re thinking carefully about your future and what you truly enjoy. Studying law doesn’t necessarily mean you’re limited to the UK—law is a highly transferable skill, and there are plenty of ways to work internationally as a lawyer. Many firms have offices worldwide, and areas like international law, arbitration, and human rights law can open doors globally. If you’re interested in practicing in places like Canada, Australia, or the US, there are pathways to qualify in those jurisdictions after completing your degree.

That said, if your main concern is flexibility in working abroad, engineering might seem like a more straightforward route. But it’s worth considering what you’d actually enjoy studying and doing long-term. A well-paying, travel-friendly job won’t feel as rewarding if you don’t like the work itself. If law excites you, it’s worth researching international opportunities and speaking to legal professionals who have worked abroad. Maybe look into dual-qualifying options or firms that support international secondments.

Ultimately, it comes down to what will make you happiest and most fulfilled in the long run. If law is something you’re passionate about, don’t let misconceptions about travel limit you—there are ways to make it work!Best of luck!