What You Can Achieve with Law at Chester

Sophie

Sophie studied Law LLB at the University of Chester from 2022 to 2025. She chose Chester as it was not too far from home, but a nice distance that she could learn to grow as an individual. "Chester is a city I have grown up around," Sophie says, "and so I can familiarise myself and I felt comforted being somewhere I knew. Chester Law School was also one of the best-rated in the North West."

Post degree, Sophie began work as a private client paralegal at Price Slater Gawne Solicitors in their Chester office by the town hall. "Working in private client (wealth protection) involves dealing with wills, probate and estate administration, lasting power of attorney, trusts and more – my usual day-to-day ensures keeping files up to date, calling and emailing clients and services like HMRC, drafting client care documents, billing for matters and time recording."

Sophie says her time at Chester helped to prepare her for the mannerisms and skills required for practical office work by engaging in pro bono and advocacy projects across her three years. "The valuable skills you learn and don't notice you have covered all underpin the day-to-day life working in law – without the skills learnt behind the mainframe of the degree, I wouldn't have got to where I am now!"

Reflecting on her time at Chester, Sophie recalls: "I took part in as many opportunities which were thrown at me! I completed over 100 volunteering hours across pro bono activities like the Chester community law project, the Chester legal advice clinic, within the student law society, as a student ambassador and a part of the mooting team. I highly recommend getting involved as these activities are what make you stand out to employers and give you the experience to shine in your future career!"

Want a career in law? Sophie says: "I advise going to as many workplaces as possible, either in the area of your preference, or if you are not sure yet, ensuring you have experience in multiple areas and work out a process of elimination so by your final year, you have knowledge of what you want to do. I couldn't have been where I am today without work placements!"

Sumaiya

Sumaiya studied Law LLB, starting with the Foundation Year to build her legal knowledge. She chose Chester as it was a good commuting distance and she didn't want to leave home.

After graduation, Sumaiya will be taking a year out to gain further experience in the legal field before she starts the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to qualify as a solicitor.

"My experience at the University of Chester gave me ample opportunities to develop practical skills alongside my academic pursuits," she says. Studying Law gave her a strong foundation in critical thinking, legal analysis and structured argumentation skills. "These skills have prepared me well to begin my working career in Law. My experiences beyond academics, as a Student Voice Rep and later Student Voice Partner, gave me an opportunity to work collaboratively, listen actively, and these skills taught me how to advocate effectively for my peers in the course.

"I have also engaged in pro bono work alongside my studies. Helping individuals in need has been a rewarding experience. Moreover," she adds, "it has deepened my understanding of access to justice and strengthened my client facing and problem-solving abilities." Overall, Sumaiya says her time at the University of Chester didn't just equip her with legal knowledge; it has also instilled confidence, an excellent skill set and a strong sense of purpose.

For prospective students, she offers this advice: "Stay resilient, committed, and get involved as much as you can beyond the classroom. Studying law can be intense, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Take every opportunity to gain practical experience by volunteering within your community, taking part in initiatives like the Chester Community Law Project (CCLP), legal clinics, and mooting (mock trials). These experiences not only build your confidence but also give you a real sense of what working in law is like.

"Try to attend as many career fairs and networking events as possible – even if you have to go alone. You'll always meet like-minded people, and those connections can be really valuable. Most importantly, use your time effectively. Balance your studies with real-world experience and take care of your wellbeing along the way. Law is challenging, but with the right mindset and support, it's a journey worth taking."

Torquil

Torquil recently graduated from the University, and chose Chester because he wanted to combine his love of law with his love of business. "I knew that I wanted to move away from home," he recalls, "but I specifically chose Chester because of it being much smaller, and a much stronger community feeling than being in a big city." Having always been interested in Corporate and Commercial Law, Torquil has now been accepted onto a Master's Degree at the University of Sheffield, studying LLM Corporate and Commercial Law.

During his time at Chester, Torquil was involved in several aspects of volunteering. “I was a Residential Advisor within the Residential Life team," he recounts. "Within the Law School, I was the Academic Liaison for the UoC Student Law Society, I was involved in a number of projects within Chester Community Law Project, such as Reach Out to CAB, being a McKenzie Friend within the Family Court, and leading a research project into Cheshire West and Chester District Council's Immigration support services. During my Final Year, alongside my friends and course mates, Chloe Lewis, and Sophie Kear, we re-established Cheshire and North Wales Junior Lawyers Division, which helps build and strengthen connections between junior lawyers and local firms."

Torquil's experience at Chester taught him a lot about himself. By balancing the pressures of university, volunteering, and working part time, he says he learnt how to manage his time effectively, motivate himself, and find different hobbies to have a break from university. He says: "The skills I've learnt will aid me greatly in my career, as it will help me prioritise, and focus on the important aspects within my career."

Torquil's advice for prospective students? "Try and grasp as many opportunities as possible! The Law School provides so many different opportunities that prepare you and help you gain skills. Even if you're not sure if law is the route for you, the skills you will gain are interchangeable for any career."

Find out more about how Chester Law School can help you take the next step towards a successful career by exploring our undergraduate courses.