Employability and careers

Organisations like Amazon, Unilever and KPMG seek out OU graduates. OU study stands out on a CV, demonstrating initiative and the determination to succeed. Employers across a range of industries are also attracted by the transferable skillsets that our law courses are designed to develop, including problem solving, researching and critical thinking.

If you want to become a solicitor or barrister, then the LLB will help you achieve that goal. It is a competitive market so you will need to demonstrate that you have more to offer than just good degree results. Relevant prior experience and work experience gained while studying will help, as will the advice of your tutors – many of whom are practising lawyers.

It’s worth remembering that law degrees are not just a route into the legal profession. There are many jobs where you will have the opportunity to apply the law – indeed, it is hard to think of jobs where a knowledge of the law would not be an advantage. Employers have a high regard for law students; recognising that they need to have developed analytical minds and an eye for detail – and that OU law graduates in particular clearly have strong determination and time management skills.

Careers advice

Throughout your studies (and beyond), you will have access to exceptional support from our careers advisory service. This includes an award-winning website with information and advice on the process of career planning and career development, including:

• sections on self-assessment, finding job opportunities and applying for jobs, and subject-specific information
• an online vacancy service (JobZone), which has posted nearly 1,500 graduate vacancies across the UK in the last year
• an Employer Showcase, which provides information from employers who are particularly keen to recruit OU students
• themed webinars (some facilitated by alumni or employers) covering topics such as video interviews, graduate opportunities, commercial awareness, decision-making, narrowing down your options, tailored support for students with disabilities, networking with LinkedIn, and opportunities for working from home
• Online career forums for peer to peer support and learning
• preparation for panel interviews with a simulated interview tool – students get feedback from the panel as they go, and find out at the end if they have been successful
• a tool for exploring career options, covering issues like enhancing employability, career development and progression, studying towards particular careers and investigating working abroad.

All current students and those who finished their studies within the last three years are also entitled to a careers consultation to help them plan and identify a Careers Action Plan, identify appropriate jobs or careers, and prepare for selection and interview. We also offer selected services to prospective students and those studying OU-validated modules elsewhere.

Visit our Careers and Employability service.