Law vs a business degree: which is better for your career?
By Luan KoayPublished on
Are you planning for your future, or a career change? If you’re weighing up your study options, and stuck between choosing a law or a business degree, this guide from student advisor Luan Koay will help you compare the two disciplines.
Trying to decide between a law or business degree?
If you’re interested in a career in the corporate or commercial world, both can be strong options — but they’ll prepare you for quite different kinds of work.
When I speak with students weighing them up, I usually explain that studying law can build skills in areas like providing advice, managing contracts, negotiation and decision making. A business degree, meanwhile, can prepare you for areas like financial management, strategy, marketing and product or service development.
The better fit really comes down to what you enjoy learning and the kind of career you can see yourself building. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key differences side by side.
A quick glance comparison
Here’s a high-level breakdown of the difference between law and business:
Law | Business | |
Learning outcomes | A rigorous understanding of the legal system Specialisation in a field of law The prerequisite knowledge required to undertake Practical Legal Training, such as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (enabling you to practice law) Skill development in logic, analysis and application of the law | Understanding of business theory and strategy Specialisation/opportunity to major in the area you’re most interested in (e.g. product development, business management, marketing) Skills development in critical and creative thinking, analysis, and innovation |
Main qualification for entering the workforce | A Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor. Further practical legal training is also required to practise as a lawyer. | There is no single qualification required to work in business. A Bachelor of Business or Commerce is a common starting point. |
Typical study duration | 3-4 years depending on the qualification (or around 6 years if continuing your studies to become a lawyer). | 3 years. |
Study workload | Often involves substantial reading, case analysis and written assessments. | Varies by course, but commonly involves a mix of readings, projects, presentations and group work. |
Flexibility | Can often be studied online, part-time or one subject at a time, although the degree structure is usually more prescribed. | Can often be studied online, part-time or one subject at a time, with more choice in qualification type, majors and electives. |
Career outcomes | A wide range of outcomes from entry level to senior and executive management. Some possible paths include: Practising law Policy work Media or journalism Teaching/academia Business | A wide range of outcomes from entry to senior and executive management but you can not work in formal legal roles. Some possible paths include: Business development/management Finance Marketing/communications Media or journalism |
Understanding law degrees
Law degrees are structured programs that have high study loads and can have high entry requirements. The most common qualification options are a Bachelor of Laws or, for graduates from another discipline, a Juris Doctor.
That said, it is possible to begin with a shorter qualification or individual subjects before progressing into a degree.
Law degrees will suit students who:
- Want to pursue a career where a law qualification will be useful. This is especially important if you specifically want to be a lawyer, or work in the legal field.
- Enjoy study that involves reading and interpreting texts, as well as demonstrating your writing skills.
- Are comfortable with a more rigid format for study with set degree structures/mandatory subjects.
- Are prepared for a significant study commitment over several years.
Read more about the different qualification options in our law degree guide.
Understanding business degrees
There are many ways to study business, with options ranging from short courses and undergraduate certificates to bachelor degrees and postgraduate qualifications. Business degrees also vary more in length and structure, depending on the course and specialisation you choose.
Business degrees will suit students who:
- Want to gain a strategic understanding of the business sector, including generalist skills in areas such as finance, accounting, marketing, management and business development.
- Want to be equipped for a range of potential careers, from working in corporate environments, to running a small business.
- Enjoy variety in what they study, and want to be able to tailor their degree to their specific interests within the discipline.
The key differences
So what does it all boil down to? Here are the key differences between studying a law versus a business degree:
The entry requirements
Law has a high ATAR requirement, with an average entrance score of between 97 and 99 for an undergraduate degree.
Business degrees are more flexible, with an average range of between 75 to 85, though some universities will have higher ATAR requirements.
If you’re applying as a mature-age student or don’t have a recent ATAR, the good news is there are non-ATAR study pathways for both disciplines, although the range of options is higher in business than law.
Career outcomes
While both law and business give you the qualifications and knowledge to pursue a range of careers, some jobs have a firm requirement for a law degree.
You can study law and pursue a career in business, but not the other way around unless you get another qualification.
Study style
Studying business can include a wide range of exercises, exam types and study styles. For example you might do assessments like an interpretive/analytical essay, a group assessment or a strategic plan.
Law is a bit more rigid – there will be exams that test your exact knowledge, as opposed to testing your strategic thinking and analytical skills (though these are also a key outcome of a law degree).
There is more room for creativity and innovation when you study business in contrast to law.
Flexibility
While the degree structure is more defined for law than business, both can offer flexibility through online and part-time study.
Depending on the course, you may also be able to begin with individual subjects or a shorter qualification like an undergraduate certificate before progressing into a degree.
Again, there are more options in business than law, but the best thing to do is chat to a student advisor like myself to get a better sense of your choices.
Which option is right for you?
Now that you’ve learned what studying law or business can entail, how do you actually decide which option is right for you? Based on everything we’ve covered, here’s what to consider.
You should choose to study law if:
- You want a career in a legal field – you’ll need a law degree for most legal positions
- You’re interested in learning about legal systems and law as they apply in the real world
- You enjoy analytical, logical and traditional modes of study, and like working within systems or frameworks
- You are willing to take up to 6 years to become fully qualified (this includes studying the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, which is a requirement after completing a law degree if you want to be a practicing lawyer).
- You want to gain the skills to apply legal knowledge in a different industry.
You should choose to study business if:
- You want more choice in what you study, with the opportunity to tailor your subjects to your interests.
- You want to gain generalist skills in strategic thinking, business development and management that can be applied in a wide range of career environments.
- You prefer applying ideas to practical business problems through projects, case studies and strategic thinking.
- You want the option to enter the workforce with a shorter qualification, rather than committing to many years of a degree.
Can you study law or business online?
Yes, you can study both law and business fully online, including through Open Universities Australia.
Some degrees offer the opportunity to complete professional placements in your local area so that you can develop your networks, but you can choose to avoid this if you prefer. In-person study in law often doesn't become mandatory unless you want to become a lawyer and go on to complete Practical Legal Training after your degree.
Through us, you also have access to a wider range of ways to get started. Depending on the course, this could include studying individual subjects, beginning with a shorter qualification or applying through an alternative entry pathway if you don’t meet the usual degree requirements.
Learn more about what it’s like to study law online or study business online.
Or feel free to reach out to myself and my fellow student advisors if you’d like to chat more about the differences.
Explore your study options through us
Ready to take the next step? Browse online law courses and business courses to compare qualifications from leading Australian universities.
If you're still weighing up your options, try Help Me Choose for personalised course recommendations.
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FAQs about law vs business degrees
Is law harder to study than business?
Law isn’t necessarily harder to study than business, but it does generally have a more prescribed course structure and require substantial reading of cases and legislation, close analysis of complex scenarios, and precise written arguments.
Business is often more about strategic thinking and allows for more creativity. If you are less comfortable with intensive reading, memorising information and applying legal principles to scenarios that have a clear ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answer, you might find law harder to study than business.
Which degree offers more career flexibility?
Both law and business offer a level of career flexibility, but studying law can allow you to pursue both a legal career or a business career, whereas studying business won’t allow you to work in legal fields.
On the other hand, business is applicable to a really wide range of scenarios, including running or supporting a business, working in policy, marketing, corporate environments and more. The main difference is that law provides you with a distinct qualification that offers career options that are limited to people with law degrees.
Can you combine law and business in a single degree?
Yes, you can study law and business at the same time, as a double degree (which takes around the same time as studying a single degree). For example, you can study a combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business, Commerce or Economics.
You can also study a law degree and specialise in business or corporate law, as another way to combine the two areas.
Which degree has better graduate employment outcomes?
Both law and business have strong graduate employment outcomes. It’s difficult to say that one is better than the other, because plenty of graduates pursue careers that don’t directly align with what they studied.
There is some evidence to suggest that business may offer broader career options. Jobs and Skills Australia found that management and commerce graduates work across more than 70 occupational groups, reflecting how widely business skills can be applied.
Law can also lead to careers beyond legal practice, but it tends to involve a more defined professional pathway.
Overall, both degrees offer strong employability, although your results will also depend on your specialisation, experience and chosen career path.
Is law only suitable for aspiring lawyers?
No, law is not only suitable for aspiring lawyers – many people who study law go on to have successful careers in other industries, including policy, foreign affairs, consulting, business, advocacy and more.
A law degree can be very transferable to other industries, because not only does it equip you with a solid understanding of the legal framework, but also teaches skills such as critical reading and analysis, logic and reason, and strategic thinking.
Which degree is better for starting a business?
A business degree is better for starting a business, because it offers a wider range of study options and has more flexibility for you in terms of choosing your degree structure and subjects.
Business degrees can offer you education in product development, market sounding, marketing, financial management and more, whereas a law degree has a more rigid structure.
You can study law and specialise in business or corporate law, but this won’t necessarily provide the broader set of skills to start a business.
