Every year thousands of students decide they want to become lawyers and immediately assume they should study Law at university.
It seems logical.
You want to become a lawyer, so you study Law.
The problem is that commercial law firms are not necessarily looking for students who have spent three years memorising legal concepts.
They are looking for people who can analyse information, build arguments, communicate clearly and understand complex problems.
That is why History and English are often excellent degrees for future commercial lawyers.
Commercial lawyers advise businesses on transactions, contracts, mergers, acquisitions and disputes.
The work often involves understanding industries, markets and commercial objectives.
A lawyer who can understand people, analyse evidence and communicate persuasively is often more valuable than someone who simply knows legal theory.
History teaches students how to:
These are exactly the skills commercial lawyers use every day.
When reviewing hundreds of pages of documents, analysing competing arguments or preparing advice for a client, the ability to think critically becomes incredibly valuable.
Commercial law is a profession built on communication.
Clients pay lawyers to explain complex issues clearly.
English graduates spend years learning how language works, how arguments are constructed and how to communicate ideas effectively.
Strong writing is one of the most underrated skills in professional services.
The ability to draft a concise and persuasive document can make a significant difference throughout your career.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you must study Law to become a solicitor.
That is simply not true.
Many successful commercial lawyers studied subjects such as:
After completing their degree they then completed the necessary legal qualifications before securing training contracts.
Many firms actively recruit students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds.
Students often perform best when studying subjects they genuinely enjoy.
A student who loves History and achieves a First Class degree may be in a stronger position than a student who struggles through a Law degree simply because they thought it was required.
Academic excellence matters.
Passion matters.
Enjoying your subject often leads to better outcomes.
If your goal is commercial law, your degree is only one part of the equation.
You should also focus on:
The students who secure competitive opportunities are usually the ones who build a complete profile rather than relying solely on their degree title.
If you are considering History, English, Law or another degree and want to understand which option aligns best with your long term goals, I can help.
Book a personalised strategy call:
https://michaelmaz.co.uk/book/
Together we can build a realistic plan based on your interests, strengths and career ambitions.
I regularly break down degree choices, careers and university strategy.
Commercial law is not simply about knowing the law.
It is about analysing problems, communicating clearly and understanding how businesses operate.
History and English develop many of those skills exceptionally well.
Do not choose a degree because you think it is the obvious path.
Choose a degree that allows you to perform at your best and build the skills that employers actually value.