Last Updated on December 24, 2022
What GCSE grades do you need to be a lawyer? It’s the question that thousands of students will be asking themselves as they count down the days to finishing school. For many, it means the start of a whole new career. But how much do you know about what you’ll be doing when you become a qualified lawyer under the expert guidance of one of these professionals?
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What are the GCSEs you need to be a lawyer? The What GCSE Grades do you need to be a Lawyer has to be one of the most common questions asked by students living in England. It is important to know that there are no specific subjects that are considered suitable for an individual’s application if they are looking for a career in law or with the judiciary. There is no necessity for students who want to follow the path of becoming a lawyer, auditor, or with the judiciary, to focus on subjects with precise subjects. Students most likely will have different reasons for choosing certain subjects.
The article below brings you one of the best information around on What GCSE Grades Do You Need To Be A Lawyer. All you’ve got to do is keep reading to find out more. What’s more, the information is free!
What Subjects Are Needed To Become A Lawyer In Grade 11
The combination of grades you’ll be expected to achieve in order to earn a place on an LLB course will differ slightly depending on the university.
Most students who attend school and college in England and Wales still currently follow the academic route of GCSEs, followed by A-Levels.
The majority of UK universities generally look for a minimum of grade C or B, or level 4 or above, at GCSE in English, maths, and at times a subject such as foreign languages.
The top universities will then also require their prospective students to have studied at least three A Levels with results of AAA or AAB, and in some cases at least one A*.
Courses for the most popular universities are often over-subscribed, so meeting your entry requirements may not always guarantee you’ll get your first choice; universities will also take your personal statement into account, and some will look at your score on the LNAT.
Other accepted equivalent qualifications are generally:
- Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
- University Foundation Programmes
- Cambridge Pre-University (Pre-U) Certificates.
Universities will outline their own entry requirements regarding these qualifications.
What GCSE Grades Do You Need To Be A Lawyer?
To study law, you’ll need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. Courses are competitive, so you should aim for the highest grades possible.
When awarding places, many universities prefer you to have taken traditional academic subjects at A-level (such as History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, English Literature or Language, Science and Maths) so think carefully about what you choose now because it might dictate what you can carry through. It won’t be easy to pick up a Spanish A-level, for example, if you haven’t studied it at GCSE!
History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages and English Literature are often encouraged for potential lawyers as they can help to broaden your awareness of global and political issues.
Which Subject Is Best for Lawyer
Institutions will often give specific subject requirements for courses such as medicine. But what’s the guideline for an LLB?
Ultimately the subjects you choose should teach you skills that will be valuable in your law degree and the rest of your legal career. For example, a law degree is going to involve A LOT of essay writing, so it’s a good idea to take at least one subject that will develop these skills, for example, English language or literature (or combined) or history.
Take a look at your top choice universities and take note of any prerequisites they highlight for the course; if they have a list of “preferred” subjects, you should aim to tailor you subject choices to reflect those requirements—and your strengths!
Universities also recommend that a good spread of subjects is appealing, so a good mix will be wise. General Studies and Critical Thinking are NOT usually counted as one of these main A-Levels.
They can definitely look good alongside three or four strong A-Level results, but most universities will now not accept either of these subjects as a part of their entry requirements.
The majority of universities will also not stipulate A-Level law as a prerequisite for an LLB or or BA law course.
It is perfectly acceptable to apply for law without a law A-Level, so if someone at school or college keeps harping on that they will be taking law A-Level because it’s necessary, then they are most definitely mistaken!
As Maths, English and Science are generally compulsory at GCSE, this leaves you free to fill the rest of your quota with subjects that you will enjoy. To qualify for a medical degree at university, your A-levels will need to be heavily Maths and Science based, so enjoy some variation while you can before you specialise!
What GCSEs Do You Need To Be A Lawyer
What GCSEs Do You Need to Be a Lawyer? Plus Law Degree Tips
A career in law can be very rewarding, and though the route to becoming a lawyer can be academically challenging, it’s a stable and well-paid role. Choosing which GCSEs to study can be a difficult decision to make, but if you know the occupation you would like to pursue in the future, this can help to inform your choice. Understanding the required qualifications to become a lawyer and the entry requirements for those qualifications can help you plan your route to achieve your career goals. In this article, we answer the question ‘What GCSEs do you need to be a lawyer?’ and explain the required higher education to pursue a career in law.
What GCSEs do you need to be a lawyer?
If you’re at the start of your career, you may want the answer to ‘What GCSEs do you need to be a lawyer?’. To become a lawyer, the GCSEs that you study aren’t the most relevant qualifications, but they’re certainly an important part of attaining the required higher education qualifications. A minimum of 5 GCSEs, including level 4 or C grades in maths, English and science, are typically necessary to study law at A-level. Many universities also have entry requirements that include a certain number of GCSEs at grades A*-C, besides relevant A-levels.
While the GCSEs you choose to study may not be so relevant by the time you apply for lawyer roles, they can help to prepare you for further studies in law by providing essential analysis, report writing and presentation skills. Some of the most beneficial GCSEs to consider include:
- English Language
- Maths
- Science
- History
- English Literature
- Geography
- a modern foreign language, such as French or Spanish
What A-levels do you need to study law at university?
Once you’ve completed your GCSE studies, A-level qualifications are necessary so that you can pursue a law degree at university. Specific entry requirements for law degrees vary depending on the university but typically include three A-levels at AAA-BBB grades. The most important qualification to obtain if you’re interested in becoming a lawyer is a law degree, as it prepares students for a career in the legal environment. If you plan to study law at university, some A level subjects to consider include:
- Law: Although it’s not an essential pre-requisite to studying law at university, gaining an A-level in law sets a firm foundation for you to further develop your law expertise. While some consider a law A level to be a soft subject rather than academic, it can be a great subject to help students decide if it’s a subject they wish to pursue further.
- History: Studying history at A-level prepares students for the extensive essay writing that a law degree entails. History also teaches you to think critically and develop logical arguments, which are valuable skills for law students to have.
- English language or literature: English is another essay focused subject that allows students to develop strong essay writing skills. Studying English at A-level also develops students’ communication skills, which are essential for those wanting to become a lawyer.
- A modern foreign language: Studying a foreign language at A-level provides students with options to keep their university degree choice open. It can also be a helpful tool for lawyers to have further into their careers, especially if they want to work for a global law firm or work internationally in the future.
- Maths: Whilst maths doesn’t develop the writing skills law students require, it helps them to grow their analytical skills and encourages logical thinking. Maths is a well respected academic subject that university admission teams look favourably on.
- Science: Similarly to maths, science subjects don’t provide writing skills, but they do prepare students to think analytically. The problem-solving skills that science A-levels provide are beneficial for law students to have.
- Geography: Geography is another subject that helps students to keep their options open and, as a humanities subject, admissions teams look favourably at it. It’s also another subject that allows students to practise their essay writing skills.
What are Law National Aptitude Tests?
Several universities also use the Law National Aptitude Test (LNat) to assess students. The LNat assesses students’ aptitude for the necessary skill to study law. While there’s no pass or fail in the LNat, students receive a points score upon completion. Some of the skills the LNat assesses include:
- deductive reasoning
- interpretation of information
- verbal reasoning
Your guide to studying a law degree
To become a lawyer, the most important qualification to gain is a law degree. The topics students study during an undergraduate law degree prepare them for a career in the legal field. Once you’ve met the entry requirements for the law degree of your choice, you might be wondering what to expect from the program. Below, we share the important details:
Related: How to become a solicitor
What does a law degree entail?
While specific topics covered in a law degree vary depending on the course and university, they typically cover the following modules:
- Administrative law
- Contract law
- Criminal law
- Equity and trusts
- Land law
- Public law
- Tort law
There are further modules available for those wanting to specialise in a particular area of law, for example, criminal justice or human rights. Much like other undergraduate degrees, law courses typically include both formal lectures and small group tutorials.
How are students assessed?
A variety of methods are generally used to assess students, including:
- coursework
- dissertations
- essays
- examinations
How long do courses take?
BA law degrees are typically three-year courses, but there are four-year programmes available that include either a work placement or a fourth year to cover a specialist subject, such as international law. During the first year of the degree, students build a strong foundation as they study core law modules. In their second and third years, students study in-depth modules in more specialist topics and have the opportunity to undertake optional modules in areas of interest. Many universities offer part-time courses for students that may be working outside of their studies, which can take up to six years to complete.
Career options for law graduates
Law graduates have a variety of career options available to them, including:
1. Paralegal
National average salary: £23,284 per year
Primary duties: A paralegal’s main responsibility is to support lawyers in their work. They may specialise in a specific branch of law, such as banking, corporate, criminal or immigration, but their duties are typically broad-ranging. Duties of a paralegal include taking witness statements, interviewing clients, conducting research for cases and presenting applications to judges.
2. Conveyancer
National average salary: £29,706 per year
Primary duties: Conveyancers work solely within property law. Within England and Wales, they have the same legal authority in conveyancing as solicitors do, but in Scotland, solicitors are only able to do conveyancing work. Typical responsibilities of a conveyance include giving legal advice, monitoring sales progress, preparing contracts and handling probate and litigation tasks.
3. Barrister
National average salary: £38,361 per year
Primary duties: A barrister is a legal professional who provides legal advice to solicitors and other clients. While solicitors are typically the first point of contact for members of the public seeking legal advice, if they need representation for a court appearance, it’s a barrister’s duty to represent them. A barrister’s responsibilities include preparing cases, writing legal documents, cross-examining witnesses, negotiating settlements and representing clients.
4. Solicitor
National average salary: £43,766 per year
Primary duties: The primary responsibility of a solicitor is to provide legal support and advice to both commercial and personal clients. They work in a variety of environments such as private practices, commercial organisations, government or in the court service. Duties for a solicitor include interviewing clients, providing legal advice, preparing papers for court and negotiating with clients and opposing parties.
5. Lawyer
National average salary: £50,489 per year
Primary duties: Lawyers advise their clients on criminal and civil law and represent them in legal proceedings. They typically specialise in a particular area and hold specialist titles, such as divorce lawyer, criminal lawyer, family lawyer or intellectual property lawyer. Their duties include advising clients, writing clients, attending court hearings, researching case studies and collating evidence.
