Prospective employers value a law graduate's intellectual training, particularly the ability to analyse issues. The Law Department at Aberystwyth offers specialist advice and guidance for students interested in the legal profession and, with the University's Careers Service, provides an expert service for all Law students. The legal profession in England and Wales has two distinct branches. The vast majority of professionally qualified lawyers are solicitors. Most solicitors are employed in private firms, undertaking general or specialist legal work, ranging in size from one solicitor high street practices to multi-national City practices.
Solicitors are for most people the first contact with the legal profession.
The guaranteed place scheme is available to students throughout their course of study at Aberystwyth. A barrister in private practice at the Bar is self-employed, working out of a set of Chambers, and may be based in London or in one of the cities or large towns in England and Wales. Barristers specialise in offering legal advice in difficult cases and in preparing, and presenting, cases for trial. Advocacy is an essential aspect of a barrister's training and skill. Many barristers do not practise privately, but work in such areas as business, politics, journalism and universities.