Careers
Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with skills and experiences that will prove valuable in any career.
Undergraduates
A high proportion of our graduates go on to complete legal training relevant to that of a solicitor (Legal Practice Course) or barrister (Bar Professional Training Course), whether or not they have secured a training contract or pupillage.
Those seeking careers outside of law use their degree to gain access to a wide variety of professions and organisations such as consultancies, business advisory services, marketing, civil service, public relations, accountancy and campaigning.
Recent graduate destinations
- Avery Dennison
- BAE Systems
- Clifford Chance
- GlaxoSmithKline
- London Stock Exchange
- NHS
- Oxford University Press
- PwC
- SAP
86.70% of undergraduates from the School of Law secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £27,539.
HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017-2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
Overseas practice
Law graduates from the University of Nottingham may be eligible to practise overseas including in Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Singapore, where admission to the Bar (or equivalent) can be attained subject to meeting the jurisdictions' conditions.
Postgraduates
Our postgraduate students move into a wide range of careers. Many graduates either go into the legal profession or return to their previous legal careers with their experience and prospects enhanced by their experiences on the course.
A large number also work with NGOs, or return to their countries with the relevant skills to help add to the future development of that country.
82.5% of postgraduates from the School of Law secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £29,009.*
The University of Nottingham's law graduates are the 6th most highly paid in the UK above King’s College London and University College London.**
* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.
** Chambers Student law firms preferred universities study 2019.
Alumni profile
Thanks to my Nottingham qualification, my career has been expanded rapidly and profoundly compared to most of my peers both at home and abroad.
Hongsheng previously worked as a United Nations' expert on a mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His qualification helped him progress to a professor role at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
Support from the legal profession
As well as holding presentations and training workshops for the students, many firms and barristers chambers provide additional support to the school. This could be:
- supporting student events through the various student societies
- sponsoring of scholarships and prizes
- the provision of facilities and resources such as the Slaughter & May Computer Room
I believe that my studying experience in the University of Nottingham is very valuable for current and future employment. It has been a good opportunity to develop not only my technical expertise, but also management skills within a firm framework.
Placements and internship programme
Our faculty work placements and internship programme provides valuable work experience, self-confidence and a practical application of your studies.
Optional placement year
Many companies offer placements which will develop your skills in a real-world setting, and often result in a graduate job offer. An optional placement year is available for undergraduate students whose course does not have a compulsory placement or study abroad element (available on BA and LLB Law). The university's Careers and Employability Service will support you in arranging this.
Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university's control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.
Careers and Employability Service
The Careers and Employability Service offers excellent careers guidance, information and resources, and holds workshops on CV writing, completing application forms and interview techniques. As a University of Nottingham graduate, you can receive lifelong support from the service. Find out more about careers in law.
Annual Law Fair
The service also organises legal firm presentations and the annual law fair, one of the largest fairs of its kind in the country. This event is central to legal recruitment at Nottingham and attracts over 70 legal organisations including international and local law firms, barristers' chambers, the Government Legal Service, representatives of the justice sector and legal education providers.
Nottingham Advantage Award
The award-winning Nottingham Advantage Award recognises and rewards your extracurricular activities. With a choice of over 200 modules across all our campuses, you can hone the key skills employers want and unlock your potential. You will leave university with demonstrable experience that sets you apart from your competitors.