In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take required courses and explore other programs of interest through electives.
- Consider taking courses where you can research social issues with community partners, with an experiential learning component, with professional skills development or about social innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Meet with the Sussex Program Coordinator to make key academic decisions.
- Complete your application to the University of Sussex LLB program through UCAS (UK online application service).
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Connect with the Sussex Program Coordinator at Laurier.
- Take courses to gain skills in presenting legal arguments, client interviewing and negotiation, criminal advocacy and legal research.
- Enrol in Canadian Law classes offered at Sussex.
- Choose elective courses based on your interest in a particular area of law such as commercial, criminal, environmental, family, human rights, international, sports and many more.
- Consider applying for one of the law clinics at Sussex for Year 5.
- Apply to the National Accreditation Committee in Canada to seek your Certificate of Qualification.
- Learn about new perspectives and cultures through interacting with other students and opportunities available while in the UK (Sussex has students from more than 80 different countries).
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors and connect with the Career Centre.
- Complete courses to finish your Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc).
- Complete courses to prepare you for the National Accreditation exams and write the exams.
- Register in the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Licensing Process.
- Prepare to write the LSO Barrister and Solicitor Licensing Examinations once admitted to the Licensing Process.
- Learn about Research Assistantship opportunities in your program.
- If you’re applying to graduate school, attend a department information session, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Law Degree (University of Sussex, UK) and Arts or Science Degree (Laurier) student, you can:
- Join student clubs at Laurier such as the Sussex Association at Laurier, Women in Law Laurier, or Laurier Pre-Law Society, and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Join the Canadian Student Law Society and other student clubs at Sussex.
- Participate in Sussex Program networking events and workshops.
- Participate in Moot Court opportunities and competitions at Sussex.
- Apply for summer positions in legal firms in Canada or choose to stay in Europe for the summer.
- Attend professional development workshops with faculty to increase your employability skills.
- Participate in Sussex Clinical Legal Projects to develop and enhance your clinical legal education and deepen your skills for future employment.
- Consider the Articling Program as part of the Lawyer Licensing Process and participate in recruitment activities (summer before final year).
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
- Gain knowledge in the English and Canadian legal systems, legal theory, criminal law, equity and trusts, land law, law and policy of the European Union, public law, law of contract and law of tort.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the unique requirements of legal research, analysis and writing.
- Critically evaluate the arguments of others and debate effectively.
- Think critically about contemporary issues from the perspectives of justice, equality and rights.
- Identify and access a wide range of relevant legal information and resources.
- Learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations, performing both comparative and critical analyses.
Review the Experience and Career Guide for the Arts or Science program you are combining your law degree with to learn about additional program-specific functional knowledge you will develop.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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Further Education
26 Sussex Law/Laurier respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.
Career Options and Resources
Most graduates from the Laurier-Sussex program complete the National Committee on Accreditation process and secure articling positions. Graduates are also employed in policy, fundraising/development, research and court support roles. Please reference your Laurier program Experience and Career Guide for more major-specific career information.
Career and Industry Options
- business/corporate development
- criminal justice
- crime prevention
- community outreach
- diplomacy/international relations
- finance/insurance
- government
- humanitarian aid
- immigration
- intelligence
- journalism/media
- labour rights
- law
- mediation and dispute resolution
- non-profit/advocacy
- policy advising
- political strategy
- real estate
- research/market analysis
- trade negotiations
- writing
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.