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There's more than one route into a legal career. Whether you're planning ahead or looking for an alternative to Clearing after Results Day, The Open University gives you the flexibility to study Law in a way that fits your life – not just your grades.

Apply by 12 January 2027 to start this February.

Whether you’re planning your next steps before Results Day, exploring alternatives after receiving your A-level results, or considering a different route into higher education, The Open University offers a flexible way to begin start your journey in Law.

Gain a respected law degree while staying where you are, continuing to work, and developing valuable skills and experience alongside your studies.

More than 30,000 applicants were accepted onto Law courses in 2025, and UCAS forecasts increased demand for Law Clearing places in 2026. The Open University is outside the UCAS Clearing process, meaning you can apply directly to us without waiting for a Law Clearing offer.

We’re a great choice if you want to:

I'd recommend the OU to anyone who's looking for a way to learn flexibly around other priorities in life.

The Open University Law School has helped more than 60,000 students study law since 1998 and offers one of the UK's most popular undergraduate law degrees in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Whether you're aiming for a legal career or want a degree that develops sought-after professional skills, you'll learn from a university with decades of experience in flexible legal education.

Choose our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) LLB, or combine your study of law with subjects such as business, criminology, or French, German or Spanish to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions.

What you'll study

Law affects almost every part of our daily lives. You'll explore how legal systems work, how laws are created and interpreted, and how they shape society. As your studies progress, you'll cover topics such as:

You'll also develop the legal reasoning, research and analytical skills needed for both legal and non-legal careers.

See our full list of Law courses.

A Law degree opens doors across many sectors. Whether you're interested in pursuing an academic law degree, studying the Foundations of Legal Knowledge, or preparing for the first stage of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1), you'll have flexibility to shape your studies around your goals.

Law graduates go on to careers in:

Even if you don't become a lawyer, the analytical and communication skills developed through legal study are highly valued by employers.

Watch our Virtual Open Day on-demand to help you decide. Dive into subjects with exclusive videos, hear from academics and students, and explore our dedicated support and careers advice, all in one place and at a time that suits you.

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