What A Levels Do You Need to Study Law at University?
This is one of the most common questions I get from students — and one of the most misunderstood. There’s a stubborn myth floating around that you must take certain subjects, or even A Level Law itself, to get into a law degree. So let me clear it up right at the top, because it’ll save a lot of unnecessary worry.
For the vast majority of law degrees, there are no specific required A Level subjects. That surprises people. But it’s true — and once you understand why, you can make much smarter choices about what to actually take.
The Honest Truth About Law Degree Requirements
Most universities, including the most competitive ones, don’t demand particular A Level subjects for a law degree. What they care about far more is your grades and your ability to think, read, and argue well.
Why? Because a law degree teaches you the law from scratch. They’re not assuming you arrive knowing contract or criminal law already. What they want is evidence that you can handle dense reading, construct a logical argument, and write clearly under pressure — and you can demonstrate those skills through all sorts of subjects, not just one.
So the real question isn’t “which subjects am I forced to take?” It’s “which subjects will best prove I’ve got what a law degree demands?” That’s a much more useful way to think about it.
So What Grades Do You Actually Need?
This is where the focus really should be. Law is a competitive degree, and the grades reflect that.
The most selective universities typically ask for top grades — often in the region of A*AA to AAA. Strong but less ultra-competitive universities tend to ask for AAB to ABB. And there’s a broad range of good law programme with more accessible requirements below that.
The key takeaway: your grades matter enormously, and they matter more than your specific subject choices. Three strong grades in subjects you can genuinely excel in will serve you far better than average grades in subjects you picked because someone told you that you “should.”
The Best A Levels for Law (Even Though None Are Required)
Just because no subjects are mandatory doesn’t mean all choices are equal. Some A Levels build the exact skills law degrees love to see. Here are the ones I’d point aspiring lawyers toward.
English Literature or English Language. Brilliant for law. They develop your reading comprehension, your analysis of dense text, and your written argument — all central to studying law. If you want one subject that signals “I can handle a law degree,” English is a strong shout.
History. Another favorite among law applicants, and for good reason. History trains you to weigh evidence, build arguments, and write persuasive, structured essays. The overlap with legal reasoning is significant.
A Level Law. Not required — but genuinely valuable. Taking it gives you a real head start, since the topics you study (the legal system, criminal law, contract, tort) map directly onto subjects you’ll meet again in your LLB. It also tells admissions tutors you’ve tested your interest in the subject and stuck with it. More on this in a moment.
Politics, Economics, or Sociology. All solid choices. They develop critical thinking, an understanding of how society and institutions work, and the kind of analytical writing law rewards.
A facilitating subject like Maths. Respected universally, keeps options open, and demonstrates logical, structured thinking. A safe, strong choice in any combination.
Does Taking A Level Law Help You Get Into a Law Degree?
This deserves a proper answer, because students agonies over it.
Taking A Level Law won’t be required by almost any university, and not taking it won’t count against you. But — and this is the part worth hearing — it does carry real advantages. It gives you a genuine foundation in legal concepts before university even starts, so you arrive already comfortable with how legal reasoning works while your classmates are starting cold. It demonstrates a sustained, tested interest in law, which strengthens a personal statement. And honestly, it helps you confirm for yourself that law is actually what you want to study before you commit years and tuition fees to it.
So while it’s not a box you must tick, it’s a genuinely smart subject for an aspiring lawyer to take. Think of it as an edge, not a requirement.
Subjects That Won’t Hold You Back — and One Myth to Drop
Let me also reassure you on the flip side. A common worry is that taking a “non-traditional” subject will somehow disqualify you. For the most part, it won’t. A balanced combination of respected academic subjects is what matters, and there’s room for variety in there.
The one myth to drop entirely: that you need science subjects, or that law somehow requires a maths-heavy profile. It doesn’t. Law is about language, reasoning, and argument far more than numbers. Pick subjects that build those skills and you’re on the right track.
How to Choose Your Combination for Law
Here’s the simple framework I’d give any student aiming for a law degree.
Pick subjects you can genuinely score top grades in, because grades are the thing that matters most. Lean toward essay-based, analytical subjects that build reading and argument skills — English, History, Politics, Law, and the like. Keep a balanced, academically respected combination rather than a quirky one. And if you’re keen on law specifically, seriously consider A Level Law for the head start and the demonstrated interest it gives you.
Do that, and you’ll have a combination that both keeps your law ambitions wide open and plays to your strengths.
Common Questions
Do I need A Level Law to study law at university?
No. Almost no university requires it. It’s helpful and gives you a head start, but it’s not a requirement, and not taking it won’t disadvantage you.
What A Level grades do I need for a law degree?
It varies by university, but competitive programme typically ask for around A*AA to AAA, with strong programme asking AAB to ABB. Good options exist below that too. Grades matter more than specific subjects.
What are the best A Levels for law?
Essay-based, analytical subjects like English, History, Politics, Economics, Sociology, and A Level Law itself. They build the reading, reasoning, and writing skills law degrees value.
Will a science or unusual subject stop me getting into law?
Generally no. A balanced combination of respected academic subjects is what counts. You don’t need science subjects for law at all.
Final Thought
So, what A Levels do you need to study law at university? The honest answer is that you have far more freedom than you probably thought. No specific subjects are required for most law degrees — what matters is strong grades and choosing subjects that develop your reading, reasoning, and writing. Lean toward essay-based, analytical subjects, aim high on grades, and seriously consider A Level Law for the genuine head start it offers.
And if you do decide to take A Level Law, make sure you’ve got expert teaching behind it. At A Level Law Teacher, Sir Owais Mirchawala teaches the full Cambridge AS and A2 Law syllabus online to students across Pakistan, the UK, India, the UAE, and beyond — with over 15 years of experience, structured lectures, past paper practice, and direct feedback. If law is your future, it’s the perfect place to begin. Take a demo lecture and see for yourself.