Gaining a thorough understanding of fundamental legal concepts and principles is the goal of law school in the UK, as doing so will help you develop into a reputable attorney. Additionally, your law degree in the UK aims to give you a broad range of abilities and information from various fields where legal issues are related. You have come to the right place if you are looking for the top 10 Law universities in the UK to study LLB and LLM. For more information, keep on reading.
Types of Law Degrees and fees
The two most popular types of law degrees sought by international students are the bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) and the master’s degree in law (LLM). LLB typically lasts three years, while LLB only lasts one year. The cost of studying law at the undergraduate level in the UK ranges from about £12,000 to about £20,000 per academic year. On the other hand, postgraduate-level tuition is significantly more expensive. The cost of an LLM in the UK is between £14,000 and £30,000 pounds. The following are the several law degrees offered at UK universities.
- LLB – Bachelor of Law.
- Graduate LLB – Fast track LLB leading to a postgraduate law degree
- LLM – Master of Law.
- GDL –Graduate Diploma in Law.
- LPC – Law Practice Course.
- BPTC – Bar Professional Training Course.
- QLTS – Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme
Brief History of UK laws
Three distinct legal systems exist in the UK, one for each of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Despite being a part of the United Kingdom and having the Westminster Parliament as their primary legislature, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems. Although Scotland joined the United Kingdom more than 300 years ago, Scots Law has remained remarkably different from English Law. The United Kingdom Supreme Court is the highest civil appeals court in the UK, and its decisions and those of its predecessor, the House of Lords, are enforceable in all three UK jurisdictions.
Legislation, Common Law, human rights law, and EU law are the four main ways English Law is created. The common law legal system of England and Wales is known as English Law. It primarily consists of criminal Law and Civil Law, with each branch having its own courts and procedures. Although the common Law has historically served as the primary source of English Law, statutory legislation, which includes Acts of Parliament, regulations, and by-laws, is the most authoritative body of Law. The common Law, which is based on judicial decisions, usage serves as the remaining source of Law in the absence of any statutory legislation.
Why Study Law in the UK?
Even though studying Law in the UK can be difficult, it is worthwhile considering the advantages it will provide in the future. Let’s find them out.
- Career opportunities
Graduating from a UK law school will provide you with numerous career opportunities, including a paralegal, legal executive, court clerk, or legal administrator. . Hundreds of international law firms have offices in the United Kingdom, particularly in London. So you won’t be lacking in options.
- International student opportunities
International students who study Law in the UK improve their English language skills and gain a much deeper understanding of British culture. Whatever job you choose after graduation, whether in the UK or your home country, you’ll have learned valuable skills that you can apply as you begin your career.
- Internationally acknowledged
The legal system in the United Kingdom is over 900 years old and has influenced legal systems all over the world. You can study English Commercial Law as well as European Law. As a result, once you graduate, you will have internationally recognized credentials.
Top 10 Law Schools in the UK
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest and one of the best public universities in Oxford, United Kingdom. The University has 48% international academic staff and more than 41% international students. It comes in at number one in Times Higher Education and number four in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
The three-year BA in Jurisprudence, four-year BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe, BA in Jurisprudence with Senior Status, and one-year Diploma in Legal Studies are some of the top legal degrees offered by the University of Oxford in the UK. The Law Department has been around for 800 years, and individualized tutorials guarantee the best one-on-one support possible throughout your degree.
2. University of Cambridge
The fourth-oldest University in the world is the University of Cambridge. More than 25,000 people are currently enrolled in the University and nearly 39% of its full-time students come from abroad. The University is ranked third and fifth for the year 2022, respectively, by QS World University and Times Higher Education.
Since the thirteenth century, Cambridge has included the Faculty of Law. The University of Cambridge’s law programs enables students to learn about the Law in its historical and social contexts. Students who participate in these programs improve their ability to interpret, analyze, and reason logically. Cambridge graduates have a high employability rate because of their strong reputation in the labor market. The BA Law, LLM Law, and Master’s in Corporate Law are the programs you can study at Cambridge.
3. University College London (UCL)
A diverse and progressive community of scholars, students, alumni, and researchers make up the UCL Faculty of Laws. It is considered one of the top law schools in the UK and the entire world. UCL is ranked eighth in the QS World University Rankings in 2022. UCL is ranked 18th worldwide in the 2022 edition of the Times Higher Education Rankings.
The Faculty of Law at UCL provides a variety of opportunities for students to advance their legal education and build relationships with their peers. Many different LLB programs are available there, including LLB Law, LLB Law with French Law, LLB Law with German Law, etc. At UCL, the LLM program can be completed full-time in 10 months, part-time over two academic years, or flexible over up to five academic years.
4. London School of Economics
One of the leading universities in the world for legal studies and research is LSE Law. It is situated in the center of London, England and has 79% international students. LSE was ranked 49th by QS (Top Universities) in 2022 and 27th by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2022.
The Law degree will prepare you for a demanding career and a competitive market with a top-notch education, flexible study options, and a distinctive, forward-thinking educational approach. Some of the popular degrees offered at LSE Law School include the LLB Bachelor of Laws, LLM Master of Laws, Executive LLM, MSc Law and Accounting, and PhD Law.
5. University of Edinburgh
Because of its exceptional reputation abroad and unparalleled educational standards, the University of Edinburgh is one of the top universities in the United Kingdom. In 2022, it is ranked 30th in the Times Higher Education Rankings and 16th in the QS World University Rankings.
Students at the University of Aberdeen are exposed to a broad range of legal topics to deepen their understanding of the basics of legal concepts, which will improve their employability in the future. At Edinburgh Law School, there are several undergraduate programs available, including LLB (Honours & Ordinary), Joint LLB Honours, and Graduate LLB. LLM general law, LLM international law, LLM public international law, and LLM international trade law are a few examples of LLM programs.
6. King’s College London
One of the top law schools in the UK is widely regarded to be the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London. This University is the one for you if you don’t just want to study Law for academic purposes. Along with their core coursework, they have a proactive student body that participates in nonprofit activities. It is ranked 35th in both the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Rankings for 2022.
Its law degrees seek to recognize and address prevalent issues in the modern world, such as global finance, international relations, and climate change. The King’s College London offers the LLB Law, LLB English Law & Spanish Law, LLB Politics, Philosophy & Law, LLB English Law & French Law, and LLM Master of Laws degrees.
7. University of Manchester
The law programs that the University of Manchester offers are designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of legal issues and significantly shape your professional capacities. The University is ranked 27th in the QS World University Rankings and 50th in the Times Higher Education Rankings in 2022.
They offer 3-year LLB and-year LLM programs. The general LLM will give you a firm foundation in legal theory while also giving you the freedom to pursue your own interests with the assistance of a teaching staff that is actively engaged in research. Numerous eminent experts on its academic staff will support and mentor you as you pursue a well-rounded education. Most importantly, this University places a high value on law degrees due to the graduates’ high employability.
8. University of Warwick
Warwick Law degrees extend the study of Law beyond the competencies necessary to practice Law. They produce graduates who are able to evaluate the Law critically, including its advantages and disadvantages as well as its potential to advance society. In 2022, the University is ranked 61st overall by QS World University Rankings and 78th by Times Higher Education Rankings.
The University employs a committed and varied staff with academic and professional experience who are committed to helping students realize their full potential. They provide law degrees for postgraduate as well as undergraduate studies. Law with French Law LLB, Law with German Law LLB, LLM International Economic Law, and LLM Commercial Law are a few of the programs.
9. University of Glasgow
For 2022, the University of Glasgow is ranked 86th in the Times Higher Education Rankings and 73rd in the QS World University Rankings. The law program at this University will give you a solid understanding of Scottish and Common Law while also allowing you to develop additional analytical and critical thinking skills that are highly valued by potential employers.
The University of Glasgow’s School of Law offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in Law. Scots Law LLB, Common Law LLB, Corporate and Financial Law LLM, International Commercial Law LLM, International Competition Law & Policy LLM, and International Economic Law LLM are some of the law programs available at this University. Their undergraduate degrees emphasize the development of your analytical and critical thinking skills in addition to the fundamental concepts of the Law. The University also offers some internships and employability events opportunities.
10. Durham University
Durham Law School is a world-class institution for legal education and research. Durham’s law programs are highly competitive and attract a wide range of students. In 2022, the University is ranked 162nd in the Times Higher Education Rankings and 82nd in the QS World University Rankings. The law school is in the top 50 in the QS World Rankings.
The three-year, full-time LLB program offers flexibility. Students can gain a deeper understanding of English and Welsh Law as well as legal research and practice through this degree. Postgraduate Research and Taught Postgraduate programs are also offered by Durham Law School. Students have the option to focus on a variety of optional modules, including corporate and international Law, Public Law and human rights, and modules in other subjects.
Entry Requirements to Law Schools in UK
- International Baccalaureate requirements: 34 points
- A-level requirements: AAB
- International High School Qualifications: 10+2, 12th Grade, OSSD, HSC, Intermediate or High School qualifications
- English language requirements: 6.5 overall, with no lower than 6.0 in any one component
Alternative Law entry: High school students with low academic results still have the chance to get admitted through a Foundation degree in Law. Pathway providers like StudyGroup, Navitas, and INTO provide access to the best law degrees in the UK, such as Durham, Sheffield, Queen Mary, Manchester, Queens, etc., with foundation pathway degrees. Although the student still may need to sit for the LSAT for law entrance to the world’s best public law schools.