Many students study law and have no intention of working as solicitors or barristers. Law degrees are academic degrees, not professional training, so conventional career areas are open to graduates. The combination of law and another subject, such as accounting or European studies, may be attractive to students looking towards careers outside the courts or solicitors' rooms.

Legal studies are not just available at degree level. Waterford Institute of Technology and Letterkenny RTC offer certificates in legal studies. Graduates of Letterkenny's certificate may find work as solicitors' assistants, legal executives and law clerks. They may also continue studies and complete add-on diplomas in legal studies in the college. Plans for an add-on degree are under way. Some diploma holders with a distinction or very high merit may be admitted to year two of UCC's BCL course.

WIT offers add-on diplomas in legal studies and in legal studies in internal trade. Graduates of either diploma may be eligible for the college's add-on BA in legal and business studies.