Your career development

There are many different reasons for studying a Masters degree in the School of Law. Whether you want to boost your career prospects or continue on to a research degree, a Masters can help you to stand out. Many students choose a Masters to explore, in greater depth, a subject they are passionate about, or to specialise in a particular area.

Studying at postgraduate level will enable you to build on the skills you acquired as an undergraduate, allowing you to become a sophisticated and independent learner. You will, in particular, be given the opportunity to develop:

•    Critical and analytical thinking
•    Research skills
•    Oral presentation and writing skills
•    Advanced knowledge in your chosen subject area

Rewarding careers

A postgraduate degree from the School of Law provides an excellent foundation for work in a range of legal careers, whether here in the UK or in your home country if you are an international student. In recent years Masters graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles including:  

•    Police Officer
•    Lawyer
•    Project Manager
•    Senior Policy Advisor
•    Human Rights Advisor
•    Accountant
•    Senior Lecturer
•    Teacher
•    Compliance Officer
•    State Attorney

A number of our Masters students also progress onto research degrees to pursue careers in research or academia. 

Find out more about research degree opportunities

Careers support

A Masters degree can really help you to stand out in today’s competitive job market. Our award-winning Careers Service is on hand to support you to get to where you want to be, with a variety of support including: 

•    Career guidance appointments
•    Support with your CV
•    Interview advice and practise
•    Careers fairs and employer presentations
•    Access to a vacancy database advertising local, national and global vacancies

Once you graduate you will still have access to the University of Leeds Careers Centre services.

For those graduates who can't visit the Careers Centre in person, but need advice, then you can ask your questions using the e-guidance service. Alternatively, you can contact the Careers Centre on +44 (0) 113 343 5295 or email: careerscentre@leeds.ac.uk

You can register for a graduate log in to access the exclusive MyCareer database of local, national and international job opportunities, as well as many student and graduate internship opportunities. 

You also have access to the Leeds Network – an online careers networking tool where you can find out about career opportunities from our alumni across the globe.

To get an idea of where some of our alumni have gone, check our prominent alumni page.

School specific careers support 

The School has two dedicated Employability Officers, Marika Hildebrandova and Mischa Wilmers, who will support you with personal development and career planning throughout your time with us. As a student in the School of Law you will be able to book one-to-one appointments with Marika and Mischa to get advice on how to make the most of your time with us and to discuss your career aspirations.

Our Employability Officers also organise a number of opportunities for you to get ahead in your career, including:

•    Annual Stay in Leeds Law Fair
•    Annual Law Fair
•    Annual Criminal Justice careers and volunteering fair
•    Work experience opportunities
•    Talks by law firms or criminal justice employers
•    A marshalling scheme with local courts
•    Mock interviews with local law firms
•    Bespoke open days for Leeds students at law firms

For further information on any of the opportunities outlined above, please contact Marika Hildebrandova and Mischa Wilmers.

Leeds for Life

Your personal tutor, who you’ll meet with regularly, will be involved with guiding your academic and personal development. Using Leeds for Life, they will encourage you to keep a personal and active record of all you have done and achieved. This will help you complete application forms and prepare for interviews.