To become a lawyer, the subjects you need to study vary depending on the educational stage and country, but generally include the following:
High School Subjects
No specific subjects are mandatory, but certain ones help develop relevant skills:
- English (language and literature) for communication, comprehension, and writing skills
- Public speaking or debate to build verbal argumentation and confidence
- Social studies (history, government, economics) to understand societal structures and legal context
- Mathematics for analytical and problem-solving skills
- Science to develop logical reasoning and evidence evaluation skills
- Foreign languages can be helpful, especially for international law or diverse client bases
- Subjects like sociology and philosophy can also be beneficial for understanding human behavior and ethics
Undergraduate Level
- There is no required undergraduate major to apply to law school; any degree can be acceptable
- Recommended majors include political science, criminal justice, history, philosophy, economics, business, and English as they develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills
- High academic performance and relevant extracurricular activities strengthen law school applications
Law School Curriculum (Typical Subjects)
Once in law school, students study core legal subjects such as:
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Torts (civil wrongs)
- Criminal Law
- Property Law
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Research and Writing
- Evidence
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
These provide foundational knowledge required for legal practice and bar qualification
Additional Notes
- In some countries (e.g., Germany), specialized areas like criminal law, labor law, commercial law, and European law are emphasized
- For non-law graduates, a law conversion course (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Law) is often recommended before taking professional qualifying exams
In summary, aspiring lawyers should focus on subjects that enhance critical thinking, communication, research, and ethical reasoning from high school through university, followed by comprehensive legal studies in law school.
