Best UK Universities for Law
Studying law in the UK will allow you to practice around the world. Find out the best UK universities for law below.
Best university for law in uk
Best UK Universities for Law
Considering studying at one of the best UK universities for Law? Read on!
Careers in law take many years to train for. Studying law at university is just the beginning of your legal career. Alternatively, many students will complete their degree and decide to pursue an alternative career outside of law, but still utilising their skills from their degree.
Legal systems differ in every country and the transferability of skills must be considered when you make your decision to pursue a law degree in another country. English, Scottish and Welsh law differ, so make sure you study the legal system where you want to practice in.
Careers in law in the England entail a 3 year LLB degree recognised by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) or a Graduate Law Diploma after a degree in an alternative subject. To train as a solicitor or Barrister, you must then do a Legal Practice Course for one year followed by a recognised period of training for two years (a training contract). You can then apply to the SRA for admission as a solicitor in England and Wales. This takes a minimum of six years.
Career progression as a solicitor will start as a trainee solicitor and then you can rise up the ranks if you want to, to become an equity partner.
A Barrister is a qualified legal professional who offers specialist advice representing, advocating or defending clients in the Crown Court, High Court, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.
The UK is a great place to study law for many reasons, especially with the diversity and range of top UK law universities that offer LLB degree programmes or graduate conversion courses. The best UK universities for Law are highly respected, around the world, where students can gain expertise in the legal system in England, Wales or Scotland, developing transferable skills and knowledge to help them pursue their chosen career path.
You can find out more below. Or for a free consultation, contact us now.
UK Law School Rankings
So what is the best university for Law in UK?
The Guardian 2021 rankings, show that the best UK universities for Law, include Oxford, UCL and Glasgow University.
University | Ranking |
Oxford | 1 |
UCL | 2 |
Cambridge | 3 |
London School of Economics | 4 |
Glasgow | 5 |
Kings College London | 6 |
Durham | 7 |
Solent | 8 |
Leeds | 9 |
Aberdeen | 10 |
Roehampton | 11 |
Queen Mary | 12 |
South Wales | 13 |
Dundee | 14 |
West London | 15 |
Best law universities in London
The best law universities in London offer some of the most comprehensive legal training in the world. Securing a place to study law in London is a great way to start your successful legal career.
University College London (UCL) Law School
UCL is ranked the second best university for law for law in UK. They offer a three year and four year LLB programme. The three year LLB programme allows students the opportunity to extend their studies and spend their third year in the USA, Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore. The required grades to study here are A*AA or equivalent and the application can be made through UCAS, the centralised UK application system. Uni Direct is a registered UCAS centre and can support you with your UCAS application and advise you on whether you meet the grades required to apply with your educational qualifications from the country you live in.
London School of Economics Law School
LSE emphasises the connection law has to many different areas, including government, politics, media, the environment and international trade, amongst others. The LLB programme is very highly ranked and ranks highly in terms of research excellence. The campus is situated in central London by the Royal Court of Justice and Lincoln’s Inn. The industry links on the course are highlighted within the programme, as it the cosmopolitan student body, with international students from all over the world studying there.
The best law universities in London require students to sit the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) before their application will be considered. Your LNAT score will then be used alongside your academic grades or grade predictions, by the university to decide whether they will make you an offer.
Top Law Universities in the UK
If you are looking outside of London there are lots of other top law universities in the UK, many of which do not have such rigorous entrance requirements as the top London law schools.
Oxford Brookes Law School
The LLB law programme at Oxford Brookes gives students the ability to tailor their degree programmes in years 2 and 3 to three pathways; a standard LLB, an LLB in Commercial law and an LLB in Criminal Justice. Industry connections allow students to network with top law firms and provide experience mooting and interviewing clients. There are pathway options available for international students who haven’t met the entrance requirements.
The degree programme at Oxfords Brookes allows students the opportunity to do an international study exchange in year three, extending their degree course to four years.
Liverpool University Law School
The LLB entrance requirements at Liverpool are high – AAA at A level or equivalent, reflecting the competitive nature of this programme. A highlight to this degree course is the ability to combine it with another subject, in addition to the ability to study abroad for a year. There are a wide range of optional modules outside of the core modules on offer.
The LLB programme provides a broad knowledge base and will help you develop an understanding of legal concepts and societal needs in the 21st century.
Joint degree options can include law with a minor subject such as criminology, business or politics. Joint degree options allow students to do 50 % LLB and 50 % of their time studying a range of social science options, including social policy, business management or politics.
Law foundation options
If you dont quite have the grades to get direct entry to one of the best UK universities for law you could consider a law foundation course. They add an extra year onto your degree course and give you a good background in academic skills to help you succeed on your degree course when you progress to the full degree programme.
Many universities offer foundation years or you can do integrated foundation programmes, like at Bournemouth University.
Uni Direct can help you apply for foundation programmes to access a law degree at a wide variety of top UK universities for law. Please contact us for support to start your application. We can also assess your educational background to help you determine where you can apply to given entrance requirements.
If you would like to find out more about the best UK universities for law please contact us to speak to one of our advisers.