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Lawyer

A lawyer helps people and companies understand the law and protect their rights. They draft contracts, give advice, speak in court and make sure things are done by the rules. If you enjoy arguing with solid reasons, notice when something is unfair and can pick exactly the right words, you might enjoy this career.

Lawyer

Lawyers do very different jobs: defence attorneys, prosecutors, judges, notaries and in-house lawyers at companies. Some are in court almost every day, others work with documents in an office. What they share is a lot of reading, careful attention to wording and responsibility, because a person's future or a big deal can depend on their work.

What the job involves

  • Advises clients on legal questions
  • Drafts and reviews contracts and other documents
  • Studies laws, court practice and case materials
  • Represents clients in court and in negotiations
  • Helps a company comply with the law

Skills you need

  • Logical thinking

    Building strong arguments and spotting weak points in the other side's case.

  • Clear speaking and writing

    Precise wording in documents and persuasive speech in court.

  • Attention to detail

    One word in a contract can change its meaning.

  • Stress resistance

    Disputes, deadlines and responsibility call for a calm head.

  • Integrity

    Client trust and reputation are built on professional ethics.

Who it suits

Personality types

Strong intelligences

  • Linguistic
  • Logical-mathematical
  • Interpersonal

UNT subjects to take

State grants 2026

  • Law B049

    135 grants, passing score from 126, median 130

Main competition, full-time study. Quotas and separate state orders can have lower scores. Check your chances

Where to study

To become a lawyer you need a 4-year bachelor's degree in Law (Jurisprudence) or International Law. The UNT profile pair is world history and fundamentals of law. Law is taught, for example, at Maqsut Narikbayev University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

After grade 9 you can study law at a college for about 3 years and then continue at university. To work as a defence attorney, judge or prosecutor, after university you need an internship plus extra selection and exams. School debate clubs and law olympiads are great preparation.

Outlook

In Kazakhstan, lawyers work at law firms and bar offices, banks, companies, government agencies, courts, the prosecutor's office and notary offices. There is noticeable competition among graduates, so those who know languages well and specialise in a field such as IT, tax, real estate or international trade stand out.

Frequently asked questions

Which UNT subjects do I need to become a lawyer?

For the Law programme the profile pair is world history and fundamentals of law. You also take the compulsory subjects, including the history of Kazakhstan.

What is the difference between a lawyer and an advocate?

Lawyer is a general term for anyone with a law degree. An advocate is a licensed lawyer who defends people's interests, including in criminal cases.

Does a lawyer need to know languages?

Kazakh and Russian are very important, because laws and documents exist in both. English helps if you want to work at international companies or with foreign clients.

Is this career right for you?

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