What year 9 options should I take to be a lawyer UK?

Asked by: Joseph Adams MD  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (63 votes)

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.

What GCSE do you need to be a lawyer in the UK?

Qualifications. To be accepted for a law degree, you'll usually need: at least five GCSEs at grade C or above, in English, Maths and sometimes a subject such as a foreign language. a minimum of two A levels, and three A levels at A grade for the most popular courses.

Which subject is best for a lawyer in grade 10?

There is no particular subject to choose after your 10th which law demands. But it will be helpful to you if you take Arts or Commerce with economics as it will make your degree course a little easy as compared to a PCM student. I opted for PCM and now pursuing BALL. B.

What are the best GCSE options for law?

A good combination of A levels would be Business studies, History, English Literature, and Government and Politics. This is only if you are REALLY committed about going down the Law path however.

What are the best subjects to take to become a lawyer?

To be a lawyer you need classes in English, Speech and a grounding in History and political science. Obviously on a high school level, you can have the English , History and Speech but few if any teach political science on the high school level. Classes in philosophy and economics can also help.

Year 9 GCSE Options Choices | What's Next for You?

40 related questions found

How to prepare to be a lawyer in high school?

What are the best classes to take in high school? While there are many helpful classes you can take, English, History, and Political Science offer interdisciplinary skills and foundational knowledge that is most relevant to law school and becoming a lawyer.

Do lawyers need math?

Although not directly linked to legal studies in a formal sense, studying mathematics can definitely aid in the development of thinking and problem- solving abilities, and such skills are essential in the field of law.

What year 9 options should I take to be a barrister in the UK?

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.

What subjects are best for a lawyer?

If you know early on that you want to study law, some of the best undergraduate degrees for law school include English, political science, business, criminal justice or economics. Think about what type of law you would like to practice so you can take related courses in your undergraduate studies.

Is 7 GCSEs enough?

GCSEs can determine the sixth form you go to

Entry requirements for school and college sixth forms vary – ranging from four to five grade 5-4s, with 6-5s in the subjects you want to study, through to at least six GCSEs at 7 or above for the most selective colleges.

Which subject is best in 11 for law?

Arts/Humanities: This stream is ideal for law aspirants. Subjects like Political Science, History, and English align well with CLAT. Commerce: If you're interested in business or economics, Commerce with Economics and Mathematics can help with logical reasoning and quantitative techniques.

How many hours do lawyers work?

Most lawyers work full-time, and some regularly exceed the standard 40-hour workweek. The size of their practice significantly impacts how many hours lawyers typically work each week. For example: Lawyers at small- and medium-sized firms work an average of 42-54 hours per week.

How to study law in the UK?

There are generally four stages to becoming a fully qualified lawyer in the UK.
  1. Stage #1: Gain A-level qualifications or an equivalent Law Foundation. ...
  2. Stage #2: Complete an Undergraduate degree. ...
  3. Stage #3: Do a Legal Practice Course (LPC) ...
  4. Stage #4: Complete any specialist training. ...
  5. What does a barrister do?

Is becoming a lawyer hard in the UK?

It involves dedication, years of study and work experience, and ongoing professional development. It's a highly respected profession and requires a varied skillset, from working alongside clients, public speaking, research and analytical skills to planning legal strategies and more.

What GCSE options should I take?

If you are looking for a future career or course in science then choose double or triple Science. If you want to have a career in art or design in the future, then choose an arts focused GCSE. If you want to deal with customers from other countries or work abroad then a language will be very useful.

How much do lawyers get paid in the UK?

The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is £69,439 per year, with an average salary of £60,970 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £8,469 per year.

What lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.

Is pre-law hard?

The Major Is Not That Difficult

Even though a pre-law major can introduce you to the basic concepts that are taught in law school, the courses associated with it are not considered to be that difficult.

How to pick law school classes?

6 Tips for Choosing Your Law School Classes Wisely
  • #1 – Credits and timing matter. ...
  • #2 – Know class types and check the evaluations. ...
  • #3 – Look to learn from the experts. ...
  • #4 – Know your bar exam requirements. ...
  • #5 – Consider the season and semester. ...
  • #6 – Don't shy away from classes with J.D. students.

How old is the youngest barrister UK?

18 year-old called to the Bar this week

An 18 year-old has become the youngest person in the history of the English and Welsh legal system to be called to the Bar.

How many GCSEs do you need for Oxford?

Oxford University Requirements

The average applicant that successfully gets accepted in Oxford University should have around 8 or 9 GCSEs as a minimum. However, GCSEs are just the beginning because you are going to need A-Level grades that Oxford University requires for the course you are applying for.

Which subject is best for a lawyer in high school?

9 subjects to study for becoming a lawyer
  1. English. Attending high school English language and literature classes can help aspiring lawyers develop their spoken and written communication skills and comprehension abilities. ...
  2. Public speaking. ...
  3. Social studies. ...
  4. Science. ...
  5. Mathematics.

Is being a lawyer worth it?

Lucrative career

They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

What is the hardest thing for a lawyer?

12 common challenges that lawyers face
  • Outsourcing. ...
  • Law school debt. ...
  • Establishing a reputation. ...
  • Debate. ...
  • Long hours. ...
  • Challenging clients. ...
  • Work-life balance. ...
  • Occupational stress. Occupational stress refers to the sum of all challenges that a lawyer may face during their career.

How difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.