Postgraduate courses in Public Law

There are a few different routes you can take within the area of law. Below, are a few examples of courses you can take in relation to Public Law. 

Whether you’re looking to improve your knowledge and develop your career in a new direction, there are many courses to choose from. We also have a list of courses in Criminal and Civil Law should that suit your interest better. 

Bear in mind, if you’re hoping for a degree as a barrister or solicitor, there are other courses you will need to take so researching your specific needs in detail is important. If you’re already practicing in your ideal role, why not develop your knowledge and skills even more?

What is public law?

Public law is the type of law that governs the conduct of public bodies. It refers to the relationship between individuals and the government. In the UK, public law is made up of three different elements – constitutional/administrative law, tax law and criminal law. 

Courses

There are many courses to choose from in this area across the UK. A postgraduate course in this area can help you on your way to becoming a solicitor, lecturer, work in the area of public law or whatever path it is you choose to follow. Some courses offer the option of studying both part-time or full time. Some courses may have restrictions or changes due to Covid-19. More detail on courses can be found on university websites or course overviews. Examples of courses include:

Public International Law

Students gain a knowledge of international law while also looking at trends and current developments in this area. Topics include International Law’s role in preventing international terrorism, the protection of human rights and the current legal climate’s change regime.

Other courses include Public Procurement Law and Strategy, Public Interest Law and Policy, Public Law, Development and Human Rights, Human Rights and International Development Law and Human Rights, to name a  few. 

Entry requirements 

Entry requirements may change from course to course and University to University so it is important to research your specific course to be sure you meet the criteria. In most cases, a bachelor’s degree in law or a relevant discipline is required. In some cases, any bachelor’s degree will suffice. Some courses will look for a 2.1 degree while a 2.2 may suffice in others. More detailed course outlines can be found on University websites and course overviews. 

Typical employers

Typical employers may include: 

• Central government bodies
• Local government bodies
• International government bodies
• Non-governmental organisations (eg. charities, campaigning organisations)
• Universities – lecturer/researcher

Job options

If you study law at an undergraduate or postgraduate degree and don’t want to become a solicitor, there are plenty of other options within the field that your degree will help you get to. We often assume a solicitor is one of the main options, and while there are many who do want to follow that path, it is not the only path. We’ll take a look at some jobs within the law field you could go for: 

• Solicitor 
• Researcher
• Lecturer
• Legal secretary 
• Civil Servant 
• Barrister (must take a Bar course and pass the exam)
• Barrister’s Clerk (run administration and business activities of barrister’s chambers)

Salary 

The law sector in the UK pays some of the highest salaries in the country to graduates. They may differ from company to company and location plays a large role too. The average salary for solicitor jobs in the UK may be around £42,500 depending on the company and location. The average salary of a legal secretary in the UK is believed to be around £37,731 and varies with location. 

If you decide to take the route of becoming a lecturer in a University, you can earn between £35,211 and £58,089. All figures are based on estimates and only used as a guide. 

Skills and requirements 

Skills and requirements needed in this area include:

• An understanding of Public Law
• Ability to work well with others
• Strong communication skills
• Problem solver
• Critical thinker
• Organisation skills
• Attention to detail 
• Time management skills
• Confidence
• Ability to be vocal in front of others