What masters degrees can I do with a bachelors in law (don't want to be a lawyer)?
I'm a final year law student currently. Not really sure what I want to do, but I know I don't want to be a lawyer and I'm not willing to resign myself to just moving back in with my parents and working in a shop. I enjoy studying, I just don't think being a lawyer (either solicitor or barrister) would suit me because of the lack of work/life balance and the hyper-competitive atmosphere, so I'm thinking of pursuing further study to open more career paths for me. I was always more interested in languages/linguistics but I picked law for better employment prospects (thought I might want to be a lawyer back then).
What are you interested in, intellectually?
Reply 2
17
Original post
by artful_loungerWhat are you interested in, intellectually?
Oops I meant to put that in the post lol. I was always more interested in languages/linguistics but picked law because of the better employment prospects (I now wish I'd picked something different)
Reply 3
20
Linguistics MA | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL – University College London
Applied Linguistics (MA) - Study at York, University of York
Neither seem to want a relevant undergrad degree - many other Linguistics Masters courses do.
MA Languages and Cultures | University of Southampton - degree in a social science accepted
MA Comparative Literature and Intensive Language | SOAS - no degree subject specified
International Communication - Liaison and Advocacy MA - Courses | University of Westminster, London
Applied Linguistics (MA) - Study at York, University of York
Neither seem to want a relevant undergrad degree - many other Linguistics Masters courses do.
MA Languages and Cultures | University of Southampton - degree in a social science accepted
MA Comparative Literature and Intensive Language | SOAS - no degree subject specified
International Communication - Liaison and Advocacy MA - Courses | University of Westminster, London
Original post
by Username123abOops I meant to put that in the post lol. I was always more interested in languages/linguistics but picked law because of the better employment prospects (I now wish I'd picked something different)
Well, why not explore those areas?
I'd note there's a significant difference between languages and linguistics though. Linguistics is the formal study of language an an abstract sense. Languages of course focus on learning the language for understanding texts (I use "text" in the most general sense possible to encompass also e.g. film, TV, etc), and for modern languages, communication. Obviously there is a close relationship between the two but the methods and aims of each area are quite different
But anyway, there are certainly some courses that you could do in those areas without having a specifically related undergraduate degree. Many linguistics degrees accept grads from any area (particularly as undergraduate linguistics degrees are uncommon), and many ancient language degrees outside of Greek/Latin don't require you to have an undergraduate degree in the area (e.g. Egyptology, Assyriology/Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Sanskrit, etc; I think there's actually a Sanskritist at Oxford who was originally a law grad who after doing graduate degrees in Sanskrit related areas now does work on dharmasastra I think?).
Reply 5
14
Original post
by Username123abI'm a final year law student currently. Not really sure what I want to do, but I know I don't want to be a lawyer and I'm not willing to resign myself to just moving back in with my parents and working in a shop. I enjoy studying, I just don't think being a lawyer (either solicitor or barrister) would suit me because of the lack of work/life balance and the hyper-competitive atmosphere, so I'm thinking of pursuing further study to open more career paths for me. I was always more interested in languages/linguistics but I picked law for better employment prospects (thought I might want to be a lawyer back then).
My question would be whether you think a Masters will really "open doors" to alternative career paths - whether that's studying language/linguistics, or something else. Or are you simply postponing the inevitable i.e. throwing yourself into the job market?
You might be better flipping this around. Consider what career paths are attractive to you, based on your skills, experience and interests. From there, look at what you may be lacking in terms of academic qualifications and work experience. If a Masters would plug some of those gaps, then go for it. Otherwise the risk is that you spend another year studying and you're no further forward.
Reply 6
17
Original post
by chalksMy question would be whether you think a Masters will really "open doors" to alternative career paths - whether that's studying language/linguistics, or something else. Or are you simply postponing the inevitable i.e. throwing yourself into the job market?
You might be better flipping this around. Consider what career paths are attractive to you, based on your skills, experience and interests. From there, look at what you may be lacking in terms of academic qualifications and work experience. If a Masters would plug some of those gaps, then go for it. Otherwise the risk is that you spend another year studying and you're no further forward.
You might be better flipping this around. Consider what career paths are attractive to you, based on your skills, experience and interests. From there, look at what you may be lacking in terms of academic qualifications and work experience. If a Masters would plug some of those gaps, then go for it. Otherwise the risk is that you spend another year studying and you're no further forward.
The job market where my family live starts and stops at the Co-op and pubs, so it’s forgivable to want to postpone that. I have no idea what career paths are attractive to me, none really are, but just going back home to work retail/hospitality is especially unattractive to me.
Reply 7
14
Original post
by Username123abThe job market where my family live starts and stops at the Co-op and pubs, so it’s forgivable to want to postpone that. I have no idea what career paths are attractive to me, none really are, but just going back home to work retail/hospitality is especially unattractive to me.
I understand that and, I think, you've raised this before.
I'm not convinced a year of studying linguistics (or whatever else you choose) will magically open-up amazing career opportunities, especially when you say no path is attractive. In my view, that needs to be your focus now: what could you see yourself doing that would tick sufficient boxes to make it worthwhile. I'm not suggesting you go home and stack shelves. I'm suggesting you research options, leverage the skills you do have, and fire off applications. I appreciate some career paths and employers may not be massively appealing but, at some point, you're going to have to bite the bullet.
Reply 8
Hi @Username123ab,
I’m Anaïs, a Postgraduate Ambassador at UAL, and I thought I’d share my experience because I was in a very similar position after my undergrad.
I studied Business Management, went straight into work in the tech/fintech world, and eventually realised it wasn’t the right path for me. I’d always loved music and wanted to explore the industry properly, so after a couple of years of figuring things out, I applied to UAL, and I’m now studying MA Music Management. Honestly, I’m really glad I didn’t rush into a Master’s straight after graduating.
Working first gave me the time to test things, understand what I didn’t want, and get much clearer on what I did want. It’s actually a good sign that you already know you don’t want to become a lawyer. From here, the key thing is figuring out what direction does feel right for you and then deciding whether a Master’s will help you get there.
You mentioned being interested in languages and linguistics, which is a broad area, so it might help to narrow down what part actually excites you. Is it translation? Teaching? Communication? Intercultural work? Also, think about which parts of your law degree you genuinely enjoyed (for example: researching, writing, analysing, presenting). Those clues can help you map out roles that would suit you.
There are quite a few career paths where a law background is still an advantage even if you don’t want to practise law, for example:
Once you find a few areas that interest you, check whether they actually require a Master’s because some do and some don’t.
If you do decide postgraduate study is the right next step, courses like Applied Linguistics, Translation Studies or Intercultural Communication could be a good fit if you want to stay close to the language side. If you’re more interested in the analytical/business direction, something like Business Analytics, Innovation, or Strategic Management could work well too.
And if you end up leaning toward the creative or communication side, UAL has quite a few interdisciplinary Master’s that accept students from all sorts of academic backgrounds. I’ve found it a really supportive environment for people who are pivoting into a new area as a lot of students arrive here after realising their first path wasn’t the one they wanted.
If you’re still unsure, you don’t have to rush into a Master’s. Even 6 to 12 months of work or internships can give you so much clarity on what you would like to do in the future.
If you want to chat through anything UAL-related or get insight from a current postgrad, feel free to ask me. Hope this helps!
-Anaïs
I’m Anaïs, a Postgraduate Ambassador at UAL, and I thought I’d share my experience because I was in a very similar position after my undergrad.
I studied Business Management, went straight into work in the tech/fintech world, and eventually realised it wasn’t the right path for me. I’d always loved music and wanted to explore the industry properly, so after a couple of years of figuring things out, I applied to UAL, and I’m now studying MA Music Management. Honestly, I’m really glad I didn’t rush into a Master’s straight after graduating.
Working first gave me the time to test things, understand what I didn’t want, and get much clearer on what I did want. It’s actually a good sign that you already know you don’t want to become a lawyer. From here, the key thing is figuring out what direction does feel right for you and then deciding whether a Master’s will help you get there.
You mentioned being interested in languages and linguistics, which is a broad area, so it might help to narrow down what part actually excites you. Is it translation? Teaching? Communication? Intercultural work? Also, think about which parts of your law degree you genuinely enjoyed (for example: researching, writing, analysing, presenting). Those clues can help you map out roles that would suit you.
There are quite a few career paths where a law background is still an advantage even if you don’t want to practise law, for example:
•
Regulatory compliance, policy analysis, legal tech or contract management
•
Roles in international organisations, NGOs or cultural institutions
•
Language-focused roles (translation, communication, research)
•
Business or analytical roles that value strong critical thinking and communication skills
Once you find a few areas that interest you, check whether they actually require a Master’s because some do and some don’t.
If you do decide postgraduate study is the right next step, courses like Applied Linguistics, Translation Studies or Intercultural Communication could be a good fit if you want to stay close to the language side. If you’re more interested in the analytical/business direction, something like Business Analytics, Innovation, or Strategic Management could work well too.
And if you end up leaning toward the creative or communication side, UAL has quite a few interdisciplinary Master’s that accept students from all sorts of academic backgrounds. I’ve found it a really supportive environment for people who are pivoting into a new area as a lot of students arrive here after realising their first path wasn’t the one they wanted.
If you’re still unsure, you don’t have to rush into a Master’s. Even 6 to 12 months of work or internships can give you so much clarity on what you would like to do in the future.
If you want to chat through anything UAL-related or get insight from a current postgrad, feel free to ask me. Hope this helps!
-Anaïs
Reply 9
Original post
by chalksMy question would be whether you think a Masters will really "open doors" to alternative career paths - whether that's studying language/linguistics, or something else. Or are you simply postponing the inevitable i.e. throwing yourself into the job market?
You might be better flipping this around. Consider what career paths are attractive to you, based on your skills, experience and interests. From there, look at what you may be lacking in terms of academic qualifications and work experience. If a Masters would plug some of those gaps, then go for it. Otherwise the risk is that you spend another year studying and you're no further forward.
You might be better flipping this around. Consider what career paths are attractive to you, based on your skills, experience and interests. From there, look at what you may be lacking in terms of academic qualifications and work experience. If a Masters would plug some of those gaps, then go for it. Otherwise the risk is that you spend another year studying and you're no further forward.
As someone working in postgrad admissions I'd agree strongly with this. You really need to know what you want to do with it to justify the cost, (and not just the cost of the course, the lost earnings by staying out of work for another year).
Reply 10
17
Original post
by Admit-OneAs someone working in postgrad admissions I'd agree strongly with this. You really need to know what you want to do with it to justify the cost, (and not just the cost of the course, the lost earnings by staying out of work for another year).
I don't know what I would want to do after uni, but I know I don't want to work in a shop forever, which is the only realistic option
Reply 11
Original post
by Username123abI don't know what I would want to do after uni, but I know I don't want to work in a shop forever, which is the only realistic option
Most people don’t, but a Master’s without a specific goal doesn’t really improve your employability position.
Reply 12
17
Original post
by Admit-OneMost people don’t, but a Master’s without a specific goal doesn’t really improve your employability position.
I realise that, I’m no longer planning to a masters
Reply 13
Hi, thanks for your question.
I understand how you feel.
I am a postgraduate law student aiming to qualify as a barrister. But I also had a period where I had to think about what direction suited me. It is very common to enjoy the academic side of law whilst feeling unsure about the expectations of traditional legal practice. Working out your path is part of the process, and it does not mean you are behind or doing anything wrong. A law degree gives you a substantial foundation. The skills you develop in analysis, research, and communication are valued across many different careers, and you are not limited to being a solicitor or a barrister if that does not feel right for you. It's also true that many people take some time after their degree to explore different options and settle on what they want to do. If you especially enjoy studying, further postgraduate study may be a good way of following the subjects you value.
Given your interest in languages and linguistics, you could consider Master's programs in those areas or related fields such as communication, education, policy, or international studies. These areas usually welcome students from legal backgrounds. Outside of additional study, law graduates explore roles in policy, research, the civil service, charities, compliance or project work. These roles use the skills you have developed without requiring you to practice law. The important thing is that you have options, and your law degree is a strong asset whichever path you choose. If you want to share the parts of your degree you have enjoyed most, I’m happy to help you think about what might suit you next.
Kind regards,
Faith – Law MA Conversion Student and ULaw Ambassador
I understand how you feel.
I am a postgraduate law student aiming to qualify as a barrister. But I also had a period where I had to think about what direction suited me. It is very common to enjoy the academic side of law whilst feeling unsure about the expectations of traditional legal practice. Working out your path is part of the process, and it does not mean you are behind or doing anything wrong. A law degree gives you a substantial foundation. The skills you develop in analysis, research, and communication are valued across many different careers, and you are not limited to being a solicitor or a barrister if that does not feel right for you. It's also true that many people take some time after their degree to explore different options and settle on what they want to do. If you especially enjoy studying, further postgraduate study may be a good way of following the subjects you value.
Given your interest in languages and linguistics, you could consider Master's programs in those areas or related fields such as communication, education, policy, or international studies. These areas usually welcome students from legal backgrounds. Outside of additional study, law graduates explore roles in policy, research, the civil service, charities, compliance or project work. These roles use the skills you have developed without requiring you to practice law. The important thing is that you have options, and your law degree is a strong asset whichever path you choose. If you want to share the parts of your degree you have enjoyed most, I’m happy to help you think about what might suit you next.
Kind regards,
Faith – Law MA Conversion Student and ULaw Ambassador
(edited 1 week ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- PPE then law conversion??
- Value of LLM/ BCL for solicitors/ barristers?
- Working as a Lawyer in Canada with a UK Law degree?
- Second Baccalaureate
- Is University Of Huddersfield any good for Law?
- Advice on how to study postgraduate in the UK
- Is Law really worth it??
- Question about International Law!
- Graduated in Law Master’s Advice, Is MSc in Banking & Finance a Good Move?
- Law or International Relations?
- How do science students versus Arts students fare at Law ?
- Will I get a TN to Kirkland & Ellis
- Law Conversion Routes
- Question for students in Oxford please
- Dauphine-PSL or McGill ?
- LLB Masters - is it needed ?
- Careers for non-accredited biomedical course ( at QMUL)
- Uni of warwick for politics or Law at University of leicester
- Applying for mechanical engineering with an aerospace engineering personal statement
- Second Degree at 25?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 5 months ago
I accidentally fixed a problem at uni and now I'm stuck. What would you do?Last reply 5 months ago
Am I too old? - Career Change - MSc Psychology ConversionLast reply 6 months ago
Have I missed my opportunity for UoM postgrad this year?Last reply 7 months ago
Does undergraduate class matter as much if you do a masters?Last reply 10 months ago
Guidance on Institutions that could guarantee hire after graduation.Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
