Careers support and law placements at The University of Brighton 

• Author: Morenike Kuye, Llb (Hons) Law 

I’m Morenike, a Law student here at Brighton, and I’ve gained placements and legal work experience through the support of our Careers Hub and the Careers and Employability team. If you’re a college student thinking about studying Law and want a degree that helps you build real experience, here’s what my journey has looked like and how Brighton helped me every step of the way. Hopefully this blog will reassure you, answer any questions on how to secure law placements, internships or help with concerns about studying law in Brighton. 

What it’s really like to study Law at the University of Brighton 

Studying Law at Brighton has honestly been a transformative journey for me. I chose the University of Brighton because the Law course felt real, it wasn’t just about reading cases but actually doing the kind of work lawyers do. What influenced me most was the mix of hands-on learning and real-world examples woven into every module. From negotiations to podcasts, team presentations to report-writing and advice letters, everything mirrors what happens in practice, and that really shaped my confidence. 

What I love is how my work experience keeps connecting back to what I learn. When I’m applying for roles, I can clearly link my course activities to the skills employers want. It makes studying Law here feel like more than a degree, it feels like preparation for real life. 

How I found my Law placements and legal work experience 

I found most of my law placements and internships at uni through Careers Connect, which honestly feels like the University of Brighton’s own version of Indeed but better. It made everything easier because I could filter roles that actually matched my interests. In first year, I got an internship at a London law firm after attending a uni session with the 10,000 Interns Foundation. Before the interview, I booked about three or four sessions with my careers advisor, who helped me practise proper industry-style interview questions. 

I am also subscribed to the Careers Hub newsletter, which keeps me updated on jobs, placements, and workshops for CVs, applications, and practicing online tests. Some roles came directly through the university too, like my one-week legal placement with the Brighton & Hove City Council and a 100-hour paid charity internship. The opportunities are always ready once you are ready. 

What my Law placements involved 

I did two legal placements, the first was a six-week placement at Womble Bond Dickinson, I got a real taste of day-to-day legal work. Most of my time was spent in the Real Estate team, drafting leases and contracts, doing due-diligence checks, researching legal issues, and sitting in on client calls. I also handled smaller admin tasks like verifying client details and sending follow-up emails which built my confidence within the professional setting. 

Just before third year, I spent a week with Brighton & Hove City Council, which showed me how law actually plays out in everyday community decisions. Outside pure legal work, my internship with a gender-based violence charity added a completely different perspective, which has been invaluable as I head into studying Family Law. All together, these experiences shaped my skills, my awareness, and the way I show up as a future lawyer. 

Types of legal work experience I gained through Brighton 

My placements showed me how different legal settings shape the work a lawyer actually does. At Womble Bond Dickinson, everything felt fast-paced and commercial. I was drafting leases, doing due-diligence checks, researching tricky points, and joining client meetings. It pushed me to be sharper, more organised, and more confident when working with real documents that mattered. 

In contrast, my week at Brighton & Hove City Council was slower but surprisingly eye-opening. I saw how legal decisions affect people’s daily lives, housing, planning, community matters. It reminded me that law isn’t just paperwork; it’s public impact. What surprised me most was how much teamwork and communication went into every decision. 

Both experiences built skills I now use in my degree; clearer writing, better research, and the confidence to tackle complex problems without overthinking. They made my studies feel less abstract and more connected to real life and the solicitor pathway I’m working towards. 

How this practical experience helped with my Law studies 

Studying law and actually working in legal environments has shaped the kind of impact I want to make after university. I hope to build a career where I can combine strong technical skills with genuine awareness of people’s lived experiences. The drafting, research, and problem-solving skills I developed in my placements will definitely help, but so will the perspective I gained from working with a gender-based violence charity. It taught me that law has a human side that can’t be ignored. 

Brighton prepared me by giving me space to test myself in placements, in seminars, and in real-world environments where my confidence had to grow quickly. Going forward, I want to contribute to work that actually improves people’s lives, whether in family law, community-focused work, or broader access-to-justice projects.  

How I hope to make an impact after University 

Studying Law has really shaped the kind of impact I want to make after university. My ambition is to build a career where the law isn’t just something you study but something you use as avenue to solve problems for people. Whatever area I go into, I want my work to make things easier and clearer for the communities and people I support. 

The skill that will help me most is the ability to think critically and communicate effectively in a way people actually understand. Brighton played a big part in developing that, from seminars that pushed me to think deeper, to lecturers who encouraged clarity and simplicity over complicated legal language. 

My placements were the real turning point. They gave me exposure I can keep building on, and they showed me how the law works in practice. Together, they gave me perspective, confidence, and a sense of the wider impact a lawyer can have beyond the office. 

My advice for future Law students nervous about placements 

If you’re a law student stressing about placements, internships, work experience, that’s fine but honestly, breathe! You don’t need to know everything before you walk through the door. Placements are literally designed to help you learn, not to test whether you’re already an expert. Everyone starts somewhere, and most people on your team will remember exactly what it felt like to be in your shoes. 

The best thing you can do is show up curious. Ask questions, take notes, and don’t be afraid to admit when something doesn’t make sense. Half of real-world legal work is learning how to figure things out as you go. Every task, even the small admin ones teaches you something about how the legal world really works. And trust me, the confidence you gain from your first placement/work experience is unmatched. So go for it, even if you feel nervous. That’s normal, and it’s part of the journey. 

Careers and placements FAQs for Law students at Brighton  

How do law students get placements at university? 

Most law students get placements through a mix of university support and their own applications. Careers services usually post opportunities through their online portal called Careers connect, and many firms reach out directly to universities with short placements, insight days, and internships. Some placements are competitive, like vacation schemes, while others are more flexible, such as shadowing and local government opportunities. 

A good starting point is attending law fairs, employer talks, and networking events run by the university. These give you direct access to firms and organisations looking for students. You can also apply independently by emailing law firms, charities, council legal teams, and local organisations who may be open to hosting students. The key is to start early, stay open-minded, and treat each experience big or small as part of your learning. 

What support does Brighton Uni offer for Law students? 

Brighton offers a lot of support for law students, especially if you’re trying to build practical experience. The Careers and Employability team regularly shares placement opportunities, runs CV workshops, and helps students prepare for interviews and assessment centres. The law school and law society also brings in guest speakers from the legal profession, hosts networking events, and sets up links with local firms and organisation. 

There’s also academic support — seminars, skills sessions, and tutors who genuinely want you to succeed. And if you want hands-on experience, Brighton encourages external volunteering, pro bono opportunities where available, and short-term placements. Even modules like Land and Criminal Law are taught with an eye on how they apply to real situations, which helps you feel more prepared when you step into a professional environment. 

My final advice for anyone considering Law at Brighton 

Thanks for reading, I hope this helped shed some light on what studying law at Brighton is really like, both inside the classroom and out in the real world. Placements, internships, and hands-on experiences shaped my confidence more than anything else, and I genuinely believe they make the journey feel more meaningful. If you’re just starting your degree or thinking about applying, know that you don’t need to have your whole career figured out yet. Each step teaches you something new. 

Whether you’re aiming for a big commercial firm, local government, or something completely different, the skills you develop along the way will open doors in ways you don’t expect. Stay curious, stay open, and take opportunities even when they feel a bit intimidating. They’re all part of your growth. Hope this helped and wishing you all the best on your own path. 

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If you’re thinking about studying Law at the University of Brighton and want to build real legal experience while you study, explore our Law courses and see how Brighton could support your journey.