The United Kingdom has a rich history of legal education, with some of the world's oldest and most prestigious law schools. International students seeking a career in law have a wide range of options available to them in the UK. International students who wish to pursue a career in the legal sector can gain the necessary knowledge and skills by studying for a law degree in the UK. The program includes compulsory modules like contract law, criminal law, EU law, land law, and administrative law.
Those who want to become certified lawyers must complete the foundational legal subjects as part of their law degree and then receive vocational training with a law firm or barrister's chambers.
The top UK universities for law also offer joint degrees in combination with other disciplines such as economics, business, history, and politics. Law degrees are available at the bachelor's, master's, and PhD/MPhil levels.
In this article, we will discuss the top 10 law schools in the UK based on their reputation, academic excellence, and employability.
Why study Law Degree in the UK?
- High-Quality Education: UK universities are known for providing high-quality education, especially in law. Many universities in the UK, such as Oxford and Cambridge, are world-renowned for their law programs.
- A broad range of specializations: UK universities offer a wide range of law specializations, including commercial law, international law, human rights law, and more. This allows students to choose a specialization that aligns with their career goals.
- Prestigious Qualification: A law degree from a UK university is highly respected globally and is recognized by employers worldwide. This can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Internship opportunities: The UK's thriving legal industry provides law students with many internship and networking opportunities. Students can gain practical experience and make valuable connections that can help them secure employment after graduation.
- Diverse student body: UK universities attract a diverse student body from all over the world, allowing students to learn from different cultures and perspectives.
Entry Requirements
- Academic Qualifications: Typically, you must have completed your secondary education or equivalent, with good grades in subjects such as English, math, and social sciences. You may also need to have completed A-levels or an equivalent qualification, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
- English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency if English is not your first language. This can be done by achieving a minimum score on an approved English language test, such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
- Personal Statement: Most universities require you to submit a personal statement in which you explain why you want to study law and demonstrate your motivation, enthusiasm, and relevant skills.
- Entrance Exam: Some universities may require you to take an entrance exam, such as the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT).
Popular Law Courses in the UK
Many popular law courses are offered in the UK at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Here are some examples:
- LLB (Bachelor of Laws): This is an undergraduate degree that provides a comprehensive education in law. It is the most popular law degree in the UK.
- LLM (Master of Laws): This is a postgraduate degree that allows students to specialize in a particular area of law, such as commercial law, international law, human rights law, or environmental law.
- BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course): This postgraduate course provides training for aspiring barristers in the UK. It is a requirement for those who want to practice as barristers in England and Wales.
- LPC (Legal Practice Course): This postgraduate course provides training for aspiring solicitors in the UK. It is a requirement for those who want to practice as solicitors in England and Wales.
- GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law): This is a conversion course for students who have a degree in a subject other than law and want to pursue a career in law. It provides a comprehensive foundation in the fundamentals of law.
- Criminology: This is a popular interdisciplinary subject that combines law, sociology, psychology, and other fields to study crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system.
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Top Law Schools in the UK
- University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law
- University of Oxford - Faculty of Law
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - Department of Law
- University College London (UCL) - Faculty of Laws
- King's College London - Dickson Poon School of Law
- Durham University - Durham Law School
- University of Bristol - School of Law
- University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh Law School
- University of Warwick - School of Law
- University of Glasgow - School of Law
Tuition Costs
Law School |
Program Offered |
Tuition Cost (per year) |
University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£29,235 for UK/EU students, £39,159 for international students |
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law |
BA in Jurisprudence, LLM, DPhil |
£26,770 for UK/EU students, £36,065 for international students |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - Department of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£18,792-£20,736 for UK/EU students, £23,112-£24,276 for international students |
University College London (UCL) - Faculty of Laws |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£18,010-£22,280 for UK/EU students, £29,440-£32,240 for international students |
King's College London - Dickson Poon School of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£18,900-£22,500 for UK/EU students, £23,850-£31,500 for international students |
Durham University - Durham Law School |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£9,250 for UK/EU students, £18,600 for international students |
University of Bristol - School of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£9,250 for UK/EU students, £19,400 for international students |
University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh Law School |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£19,000 for UK/EU students, £22,900 for international students |
University of Warwick - School of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£9,250 for UK/EU students, £19,460 for international students |
University of Glasgow - School of Law |
LLB, LLM, PhD |
£9,250-£19,750 for UK/EU students, £21,020-£25,880 for international students |
Scholarships
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Scholarship Amount |
Law School(s) |
Cambridge Trust Scholarships |
All nationalities accepted for admission to a degree course at the University of Cambridge |
Varies based on financial need |
University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law |
Oxford Law Faculty Graduate Scholarships |
UK/EU and international students accepted for admission to a graduate program at the University of Oxford |
Varies based on financial need |
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law |
LSE PhD Studentships |
UK/EU and international students accepted for admission to the PhD program at the London School of Economics and Political Science |
Full tuition fee coverage and a living stipend |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - Department of Law |
Law Schools in the UK: Career Scope
Law schools in the UK offer a range of programs that prepare graduates for various legal careers. Some of the most popular career paths for law graduates in the UK include:
- Solicitor: A solicitor advises clients on legal matters and acts on their behalf in legal negotiations and court proceedings. Many law graduates become solicitors after completing the necessary training and qualification requirements.
- Barrister: A barrister is a specialist legal advocate representing clients in court proceedings. To become a barrister in the UK, law graduates must complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) and undertake pupillage with barristers' chambers.
- Legal Executive: Legal executives are qualified lawyers specialising in a particular law area. They work alongside solicitors and may undertake some of the same tasks, such as drafting legal documents and representing clients in court.
- In-house counsel: In-house counsel is lawyers who work within a company or organization, providing legal advice and support to their employer.
- Legal academia: Law graduates interested in research and teaching may pursue a career in legal academia, working as lecturers or professors at universities.
- Government legal service: Law graduates can work for the government as legal advisors or policymakers, helping to shape and implement laws and regulations.
- Alternative legal careers: Some law graduates may pursue careers in related fields such as journalism, human resources, or management consulting.