The worst thing you can do is make an impulsive decision when it comes to your future. With that in mind, it is vital to take the time to research numerous law colleges before you determine the best option for you.
Below, we take a look at ten of the best law colleges in the UK and offer advice, as qualified lawyers here at Legal Expert, on what career paths you could take.
What To Look For In A Law College?
If you’re looking to go to college or university to study law, there are a few things to look out for that can help guide you:
- How satisfied other students are with the teaching
- How much feedback tutors provide
- The ratio of staff to students. This can impact the level of direct support you receive
- The chances of getting a job in law once you graduate
- The options available in terms of studying abroad
- And the city or town itself—does it align with what you’re looking for, such as a lively place with good nightlife and social activities, or a quieter, smaller place?
Let’s take a look at some of the best law colleges in the UK.
UCL University College London
University College London
Firstly, we have the University College London, often abbreviated to UCL. The University College London has an exceptional reputation all over the world, consistently ranking in the top 20 global universities.
UCL also leads the way in terms of research, boasting a status as the UK’s top-rated university for research strength.
In terms of course options, their Law LLB degree is a popular choice. This is a three-year programme that combines research and theory with skills-based training and application. At the end of the second year, students have the option of spending part of their degree studying abroad in Singapore, Australia, or the USA.
In regards to student feedback, UCL has a glowing reputation. 97% of students find a job in the legal industry within fifteen months. UCL also has an impressive student to staff ratio: 14.2.
According to The Guardian’s law school league table, UCL is ranked the top law school in the UK.
Cambridge University
Cambridge University
As you may have expected, no article that mentions Oxford is complete without giving a nod to Cambridge. Cambridge University was founded in 1290 and has an exceptional reputation for those interested in a law degree.
Currently in second place in The Guardian league table, it boasts an overall score of 94.3.
Where Cambridge excels over other universities is in terms of how many students find a job in the legal sector within six months – a huge 96 per cent.
Cambridge University also impresses in terms of resources and facilities that are available. The Faculty and University Law Society organise various activities, ranging from lectures and formal meetings to hypothetical legal cases and social events.
In terms of choice of courses, however, there are just two options: one that focuses on land economy and another law degree with an optional year abroad.
Oxford University
Oxford University
Oxford University is one of the largest law schools in the UK. The prestigious institution has long been considered a solid choice for those who want a career in law. It hosts the biggest doctoral programme in Law in the English-speaking world.
There are six Law courses available at Oxford University. One is a four-year course and the other is a three-year course. The former follows the same syllabus, however, the extra year is spent abroad in places like France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Student feedback makes positive reading too. According to The Guardian, 94% of students find a career within fifteen months. It currently ranks in third place in The Guardian’s law school leaderboard, with an overall score of 92.9.
London School Of Economics
The London School of Economics is home to LSE Law, a law school that has a worldwide reputation for excellence in terms of research and teaching. With a score of 90.2, the law school is the 5th highest-rated in the country.
LSE Law has a great reputation, with 87% of law students finding a career within fifteen months.
The Law Department has played a key role in policy-making and debates and in the education of law teachers and lawyers worldwide.
In fact, there are a number of vital subjects that were first examined systematically and taught from an academic viewpoint at the LSE. This includes studies of the legal profession and system, aspects of welfare law, family law, health and safety and accident at work law, company law, civil litigation (such as personal injury and medical negligence), taxation law, and banking law.
In terms of course offerings, students can pick from an LLB with an optional year abroad or a BA in Anthropology and Law with an optional year abroad.
Leeds University
Leeds University
While Leeds University has slipped down the league table in recent years, but it still boasts one of the biggest and most modern law schools in the country, which was opened by new Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Leeds University boasts the highest student-to-staff ratio out of all universities in the league, and by a considerable degree.
So, what can you expect when learning law at Leeds University? Their Qualifying Law Degree, LLB Law, enables students to learn about law, both in regards to seeing law as a social institution and thinking like a lawyer. It’s also possible to study Hispanic law too.
Students also have the opportunity to take part in pro bono work like The Innocence Project.
With a teaching satisfaction score of 82.3%, Leeds is up there, but where it falls down is with feedback, scoring just 57.7%. This could be down to the high ratio of students to staff, which is at 23.1.
Graduates still enjoy good career prospects, however, with 85% in a career after 15 months.
Durham University
Durham University is considered a global leader in legal research and education. The academic staff at the university have won awards for their groundbreaking research, which has had an impact on public engagements across the country and the rest of the world.
In the United Kingdom’s last national Research Excellence Framework, Durham’s research was ranked third. Not only this, but the law school features in the top 40 QS World Rankings for law schools.
Durham also excels when it comes to employability and student satisfaction, with a score of 86.5%.
90% of law students found careers within 15 months of finishing their degree.
Durham University graduates include some leading figures within the legal industry, including current Members of Parliament, members of the Court of Appeals, and the UK Supreme Court.
King’s College London
King’s College London’s law school is known as The Dickson Poon School of Law and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as doctoral positions too.
The school is recognised globally as a premier law school, with teaching led by leading academics and practitioners from global law firms.
The College also proudly offers a range of pastoral care and student well-being support, like peer-to-peer network support.
It currently ranks 4th in The Guardian League Table with an impressive overall score of 92 out of 100. 90% of students are satisfied with teaching and 94% find themselves in a career after 15 months.
York
York College
Not only is York a historic and beautiful city, but also it provides the perfect place for aspiring law professionals to learn and start their careers in the industry.
89.5% of law students have stated that they are satisfied with teaching at York University.
Their LLB (Hons) Law course is described as an innovative and radical approach to the academic study of law. This is one of the factors that appeal to a lot of students; it is a new and fresh course.
They also offer law and criminology, which takes more of a focus on criminal injuries and the court process.
Students learn to use their judgment, reasoning, and analytical skills to tackle topical questions with social, political, and ethical dimensions. Students will walk away with a Qualifying Law Degree, which the Bar Standards Board and Solicitors Regulation Authority regulate.
Where To Learn More About Legal Careers
There is a wide range of options available in the legal industry in terms of career choice. Going to law school is just the first step. Armed with a law degree, you could become a:
- Solicitor
- Barrister
- Barrister’s Clerk
- Fee Earner
- Paralegal
- Legal Marketer
- Law Tech and Development
- Legal Administration and Compliance
- Legal Costs
We recommend keeping your eyes open to the wide range of jobs available in the sector. That’s why at a young age we advise getting work experience in different places to see for yourself what a job is like.
If you’d like to get in touch with us about work experience, please contact us here or head here to learn more about working with us.
