A Bachelor of Laws sets you up with a strong legal education. It gives you solid legal research skills, a clear understanding of how legal systems work, and opens pathways into everything from international law to community-focused pro bono work. If you’ve ever wondered “what can you do with a law degree?” or asked yourself “is law a good career?”, here’s a straightforward look at the real benefits of studying law.

What studying law can offer you

1. Diverse Career Opportunities

A law degree opens doors to a diverse range of career paths. Sure, you’ve got your traditional roles like solicitor and barrister but a legal career can also set you up for working in business, government, academia and non-profit organisations. Many law graduates move across sectors over time. The bottom line? A law degree is versatile, meaning you can find the perfect role that fits your interests and skills.

2. Advocate for justice and equality

There are a lot of reasons to study law, but justice and equality are some of the most important. Lawyers often work to promote human rights and social justice. That chimes with the Charles Sturt ethos: creating a world worth living in. Advocate for marginalised groups and address injustices and you can make life better for individuals and also communities. Choose to work in public interest law or with non-profits, take on pro bono matters and you can really contribute to meaningful change.

3. Gain expertise in various legal areas

The legal field is broad. And deep. You could go in for any number of diverse legal specialisations, from criminal and corporate law to family or environmental law. As a law student, you have the opportunity to explore different areas to find the one that fires up your imagination. For instance, study a law degree and you’ll learn the foundations of everything from criminal, natural resources, contract and company law, to civil procedure, government law and constitutional law. And that’s just the start.

4. Build a strong professional network

Networking is a key part of a successful legal career. It’s not just what you know, but who. Study law at university and you’ll get tonnes of opportunities to connect with peers, mentors and professionals. Building relationships with people in the legal community can also lead to valuable future career opportunities and collaborations.

5. Achieve personal fulfilment

For many people in the profession, practising law brings a sense of personal satisfaction. Helping clients navigate legal challenges often means offering clear legal advice, supporting them through complex or difficult decisions. As can being part of the drive to enshrine rights or make the legal system more equitable. Intellectual stimulation and personal growth is at the centre of a fulfilling career in law.

6. Access high earning potential

Dollars and cents aren’t everything when it comes to your career, but they can be important. Many law graduates enjoy strong earning potential. While earnings can vary by role and location, many people with careers in law have a high earning potential compared to other fields. This financial stability can provide security and opportunities – such as pursuing postgraduate study later on.

7. Enjoy intellectual challenges

The legal field is intellectually demanding and some of the challenges of studying law come from how complex it can be. It requires focus, resilience and a steady commitment to study. You’ll always have new challenges to explore, complex cases to tackle and updated legislation to apply. Which all makes for a high level of intellectual engagement. So, studying law is ideal if you enjoy solving intricate problems and you want to always be learning new things.

8. Pursue international opportunities

Whether you’re interested in international law specifically, want to work with multinational firms within the global legal landscape, or are considering studying law abroad as part of your degree, there are genuine pathways. After all, everyone, everywhere has laws that need interpreting and applying.

Skills you learn

9. Develop critical thinking skills

When you study law, you’ll be challenged to analyse complex issues – and then come up with well-reasoned decisions. So you’ll get to stretch your brain in a manner of new directions and, in the process, hone your ability to think critically and logically. Now, these are skills that are invaluable in any profession and in everyday life (think digging through the soundbites to get at what a politician really stands for). Learning to dissect arguments and evaluate evidence is excellent preparation to tackle a wide range of problems with a clear mindset.

10. Enhance your problem-solving abilities

Legal training involves identifying problems and crafting solutions. That means everything from resolving disputes to negotiating contracts. And the problem-solving skills you develop when doing those sorts of mental gymnastics are going to stand you in good stead in any field. Put simply, problem-solving skills are useful in legal environments and also when tackling personal challenges.

11. Cultivate strong communication skills

Effective communication is at the heart of all legal practice. Studying law gives you the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively – both written and verbally. These skills are at the heart of negotiation, advocacy and professional interactions, and they’re essential skills for law students, advocates and professionals across all fields.

12. Develop research skills

At the core of your studies is legal research and analysis. You’ll learn to gather and evaluate information, assess legal precedents and apply your findings to complex contemporary issues. You use the past to influence and change the present. As a result, your research skills could lead to new legal knowledge, shaping how the future legal system works, if you undertake a PhD at some point.

13. Strengthen your moral reasoning

Ethical considerations are one of the central tenets of legal practice – and also of laws themselves. Studying law helps you develop a strong moral framework that guides your professional decisions and actions. This ethical reasoning extends beyond the legal field and also influences your broader personal and professional conduct.

Rewarding career

14. Influence the legal system

A lot of the time, when asked ‘why study law’, students will say it’s because they want to make a difference to communities and society. When you study a law degree, you gain an in-depth understanding of how laws are made, interpreted and applied. And that’s very useful to know, but it’s also the starting point for influencing legal reforms and policies, contributing to the development of a fairer and more just legal system. Whether through advocacy or policy-making, you can play a role in shaping the legal landscape – so it works for all citizens equally.

15. Experience a prestigious profession

Given its rich history and centrality to the lives of all citizens, the legal profession is widely respected. A career in law is often associated with prestige and credibility, which can enhance your professional reputation and provide a sense of accomplishment – particularly when allied to making a positive difference.

Why study law? Why not?

Studying law gives you practical skills, broad career options and room to grow personally and professionally. It offers challenge, purpose and the chance to influence real outcomes. At Charles Sturt, you begin with a strong legal education and plenty of support to help you build confidence.

You can develop your experience through opportunities like workshops, events, and simple extracurricular activities that introduce you to people working in the field. If you’re ready to explore your next step, check out our Bachelor of Laws degree and see how your journey could begin.