Best law colleges in the UK

Is the UK your preferred study abroad destination and are you interested in studying law? Obviously, you would want to enrol in the best law college in the UK so that you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills for a successful career in law. We’re here to help you make an informed choice.

We’ll begin by telling you why students choose to study law and what the scope of this subject is in a changing world.

5 reasons why law remains a popular subject

1. The reputation – Be it in India or abroad, practicing law gives comes with an associated reputation. The general view is that the profession requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and intellect. Society views lawyers as highly knowledgeable people with a sharp mind.
2. The vast knowledge that comes with it – You have to do a lot of reading. You will become aware of the rights and duties way better than the people around you. You will also learn about the rules that regulate every other field - politics, economics, entertainment, business, etc. Your knowledge about every field will widen.
3. The ability to make a difference – with the vast knowledge and the skills you develop and master during your studies, you will have the power to make a difference in society. You will have the necessary knowledge when you approach any issue legally. You will be able to question injustice and illegal activities and give back to society in your own way.
4. The career prospects with the sheer number of fields that you can specialise in – Studying law can help equip you for any field. Every field/industry will be governed by laws. You cannot think of any area which is not under the law. Hence you can enter any industry including corporate and securities, employment and labour, education, business, entertainment, health, family, etc. You can also opt for careers which are not related to law.
5. Opportunity to develop the ability to communicate effectively – This might be a skill that you already possess. Studying law will refine it further as you will learn the tactics to convey your thoughts in the best possible way, persuasively. Just like the inspiring courtroom scene in movies. You may enjoy wearing the black robe in real life too.
6. The fact that law will need be out of trend – The subject is constantly evolving. As the world progresses, more and more laws will be made, and old ones will be re-looked at. New scenarios will arise which require new rules.

The competition in this field is high, but having the right education and guidance will prepare you and help you find your niche. It is a good bet to study law abroad. Speak to our counsellors to help you find the right institution from among the best law colleges in the UK.

Why should you study law in the UK?

There are several benefits of studying law in a foreign country. You will acquire a global mindset and your confidence will increase. You can earn more, especially when you make the calculations in terms of rupees. If you do a random google search for the best colleges for law in the world, you might come across the QS World University Rankings based on subjects or the Times Higher Education Rankings by subject. If you analyse these rankings, you will realise that most of the best institutions for the law are abroad. Of these, you will find five to ten universities from the UK listed in the top 50 globally. The UK has a list of more than 180 recognised institutions that offer close to 2,000 courses in law. This includes both postgraduate and undergraduate courses.

There is an increased preference for colleges in the UK because the top preferred destination, the U.S., will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline to pursue a law course. You would also require a good score in the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) which is mandatory for admission to any of the U.S. law schools.

Studying law in the best law colleges in the UK also opens up opportunities to finding a job in the UK. You will be learning more about UK law and you will get to practice in the country. The pay for a lawyer in the UK can be as high as GBP 52000 per year.

Which are the best law schools in the UK?

The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge top the list in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2020, the Times Higher Education Rankings 2020 (THE), and the Complete University Guide subject league table.

University of Cambridge

• The University of Cambridge has an excellent student to staff ratio. They have 10.9 students per lecturer/ facilitator.
• 37 per cent of the total number of students are made up of international students.
• As per the CUG league table, the graduate prospects at Cambridge University are as high as 90 per cent employment rate.
• The university  are among the top ten institutions in the world that have a high employability rate.
• The university also has an unrivalled academic reputation.

Teaching methods

At Cambridge, apart from the lectures, you will also have the opportunity to learn through discussions. This is called ‘supervisions’ and is listed as one of the methods of teaching law at the institution.

Remember that if you are considering applying to the Cambridge University for law, you will have to pass the Cambridge Law Test.

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford has consistently made it into the top ten in the world university rankings. In the 2020 THE World University Rankings based on subject, they beat Cambridge University in having a higher number of international students studying law.

They have a graduate prospect rate of 83 per cent. The university also placed 10^th in the Graduate Employability rankings 2020 and has one of the best law libraries. The University of Oxford offers several courses in law. The one that is similar to the LLB in India is called the BA in Jurisprudence. A degree in this will qualify you to practice law as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. This degree can also find you employment in fields apart from law, notably those areas that require analytical skills.

Teaching methods

A method of teaching that the faculty practices is called teaching by tutorials. A tutor will meet with two to three students weekly to give you intensive training in making arguments. This level of training is sure to enhance your persuasive skills and take you to the next level. No wonder it is marked as one of the best law colleges in the UK and the world!

Note that, if you are planning to apply for law studies in the UK, you will have to sit for the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). Don’t worry, you needn’t have any knowledge of the subject, it is just to assess your interest and aptitude for studying law.

There has been a consistent increase in the number of applications received for law studies in the UK. However, not everybody can make it to the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. Let’s take a look at some of the other universities chosen by your peers and what makes them special?

Queen Mary University of London

The Queen Mary University of London is quite popular among Indian students interested in learning law. The university ranks 30^th for law in the QS World University Rankings by subject. They have consistently improved their rankings jumping from the 37^th position in 2017 to 30^th position for 2020. The university is one of the best for law in the UK and ranks 7^th in the country. They have five campuses spread across London.

Courses offered

They offer eight undergraduate courses. LLB (Hons) in Law, LLB (Hons) in Law and Politics, LLB (Hons) in Global Law are some of them. 48 postgraduate courses in Law are offered and these include interesting ones like the Art Business and Law LLM, Competition Law  LLM, and Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM. Some of the courses can be done on a part-time basis. Apart from the undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Queen Mary University of London also grants research degrees in law. The university conducts career workshops to prepare students for professional life.

Teaching methods

Most of the courses will have two hours of lectures per module which are supported by a one-hour weekly or fortnightly small group tutorial. The courses require that you spend two or three hours of independent study for every hour spent in class.

Indian Interests

More than 500 Indian students are studying at the Queen Mary University of London at various study levels. Courses that are popular among Indian students are LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law and LLM Intellectual Property Law and Master of Law (LLM). Among the undergraduate courses, LLB Honours are in trend. Other popular courses include LLM International Business Law, LLM Human Rights Law, and LLM Public International Law.

The application requirements for each course might vary. Make sure you speak to our counsellors for the latest updates.

University College London

University College London ranks 10^th in the QS World University Rankings 2020. They have retained their position in the top ten best universities in the UK and the world over the years. They rank 16^th in the subject of law and are the fifth-best university in the UK for studying law. According to the Complete University Guide rankings, their graduate prospects are as high as that of Cambridge University, with 90 per cent of students finding employment after graduation.

Courses offered

They offer the standard LLB Law degree and other specialisations at undergraduate level. This includes, but is not limited to, LLB Law with French Law, LLB Law with German Law, and LLB Law with Hispanic Law. They also offer individual modules to law students and students from other departments.

Teaching methods

The faculty of law also conducts activities and competitions which are led by students, to practice what they learn. The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, and tutorials. There will be regular class discussions, team works, and presentations too. The latest update is that the master's course (LLM) will now be a ten month course from the academic year 2020/ 2021. You can choose to do it on a full-time basis, completing in one year or on a flexible basis, completing in two years. The course will be spread across three terms.

Indian Interests

Postgraduate courses offered by this institution are more popular among Indian students than the undergraduate offerings. LLM and Intellectual Property LLM are the preferred qualifications. LLB(Hons) is the undergraduate course that is most sought after by students.

The London School of Economics and Political Science

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is higher up in the world university rankings and is also preferred by Indian students. It ranks 8^th for law studies when considering the best universities in the world for law (THE World University Rankings 2021). They stand out in the number of international students in the institution, with 71 per cent of their students from countries outside the United Kingdom. There is one staff member per 12 students at the institution, making for more personalised teaching. The department of law at LSE also contributes to the development of law through their legal research.

Courses offered

LSE offer a Bachelor of Law degree or the LLB programme at the undergraduate level. In the second year of study, students have the option to apply for the double degree programme. If admitted to this programme, students will be transferred to Columbia Law School for two years. This is if you meet the criteria set by the Columbia Law School. At the postgraduate level, they offer the LLM, Executive LLM, and MSc in Law and Accounting. Executive LLM is for individuals who have at least three years of post-degree work experience in law.

Teaching methods

Lectures and small classes will be the mode of delivery for large courses. Much importance is given to opportunities for interaction. Classes will involve a group of around 15 students with academic staff or a research student. They also conduct seminars which are two hour classes with around 25 students. Group discussions and student-led presentations will be part of these seminars.

Indian Interests

The courses that Indian international students opt for at LSE include LLM and LLB(Hons).

Other notable universities that are ranked as some of the best universities for studying law in the UK and the world while also being quite popular among Indian students include The King’s College, London, Kaplan University, the University of Bristol, and the University of Leeds.

As you can see there are several factors that may decide what the best university is for you if you’re interested in studying law. We’ve given you some background and ideas, but professional guidance will help you make the right choices. Contact our experts today to start your journey.