The UK has a global reputation for the quality of its law schools. From pioneering research to expert faculty, law graduates in the UK enjoy globally accredited degrees and favourable career outcomes. It's no surprise that international students continue to choose the UK for qualifications in law. We’re here to take you through the best law schools in the UK and what they offer.
To provide you with a comprehensive analysis of the top universities in the UK for law we’ve used three renowned rankings. These are the Complete University Guide League Tables 2024 (CUG), the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (THE)and the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 (QS).
University of Oxford
As one of the top universities in the world, it’s not surprising that the University of Oxford is also ranked by the Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2024 as the top institution for law in the UK. It is also considered a top 10 university for law by THE. The Faculty of Law at Oxford consists of 30 law schools across the university’s colleges, making it one of the biggest in the UK. Students experience significant interaction with university lecturers, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1.
Students studying law at Oxford benefit from a unique approach to teaching and learning using tutorials and classes. Qualifications offered at the undergraduate level include:
- BA in Jurisprudence
- BA in Jurisprudence with Senior Status
- BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe
- Diploma in Legal Studies
If you want to study for an undergraduate law degree at Oxford, you will need a AAA A-Level result or equivalent. This is an International Baccalaureate result of 38, with at least 666 at a higher level. In addition, you must take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT), which is a general aptitude, logic and argumentation.
If you are a prospective postgraduate student, you can select from several taught and research degrees in the subject. Some of these qualifications allow you to specialise in a particular area of law. Some examples of what you could study, include:
- MSc in Law and Finance
- MSc in Taxation
- MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- MSc in Human Rights Law
- MPhil and DPhil in Law
- MPhil and DPhil in Criminology
Discover more institutions in the UK where you could study.
University of Cambridge
Ranked by the QS World University Rankings 2024 at number two globally, the University of Cambridge is internationally regarded for its educational expertise. The CUG Subject League Tables rate Cambridge as the number two university in the UK for law. THE places the institution at number three worldwide for the subject.
The Faculty of Law at Cambridge traces its history to the 13th century and is home to experts in almost every aspect of the law. The faculty is home to six per cent of the total student population at Cambridge, and approximately 750 undergraduate and 250 graduate students study there. The faculty has a dynamic research environment, including dedicated research centres, where publishing papers, articles and books are common. This sometimes even includes LLM and DPhil students producing research work.
At the undergraduate level, you can study for a BA Law degree at Cambridge. The degree is a three-year qualification, with each year having a distinct focus. Some of the essential areas you will cover include:
- Civil law (Year 1)
- Criminal law (Year 1)
- Constitutional law (Year 1)
- Tort law (Year 1)
In your second year, you refine and develop your knowledge of these areas. By your final year, you may feel confident enough to take up the option of writing a dissertation instead of examinations. You can also take up the option of studying law abroad for one year with partner institutions in France, Germany, the Netherlands and even South Africa. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be in a good position, as 89 per cent of Cambridge law students find work within six months.
Read more about the best student cities in the UK.
University College London (UCL)
University College London (UCL) was established in 1826, and in 1878 became the first university in England to admit women as students. This pioneering spirit has continued with the university now home to over 41,000 students, of whom 61 per cent are international from 150 countries. UCL is considered a top-five institution for law in the UK by CUG and a top 20 globally for the subject by THE.
The UCL Faculty of Laws has a 200-year history, contributing to academia, law, and public policy ever since. UCL was rated number one for law research quality in the UK by the Research Excellence Framework (2021). The university offers numerous degree options at undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes LLB, LLM, MPhil and PhD qualifications. For an LLB degree, you can select from various options and combinations, including:
- LLB Law
- LLB Law with French Law
- LLB Law with German Law
- LLB Law with another legal system
- LLB Bachelor of Laws
You will need an A*AA result at A-Level or equivalent for entry into the LLB programme at UCL. This is a score of 39 for the International Baccalaureate, with a total of 19 points in three higher level subjects with no score below 5. You must take the LNAT and have an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or above with no band lower than 6.0.
Explore more on the different law specialisations you can study.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is frequently ranked amongst the top universities in the world. It is placed in the top 50 globally by QS and number four in the UK for law by CUG. LSE is known for its international outlook, with more than 70 per cent of its 12,000 students from international backgrounds. Based in the heart of London, LSE also enjoys a favourable rating for graduate employability by QS at 49th worldwide.
The LSE Law School has a reputation as a pioneer, including in areas such as labour law, taxation law, and welfare law. With a history dating to 1895, the law school offers qualifications at different levels and for different interests. The main law courses you can pursue at LSE, include:
- LLB
- LLM
- Executive LLM
- PhD
- Online certificate courses
- Data: Law, Policy and Regulation
- Regulation Strategy
- The Law and Economics of Mergers and Acquisitions
- Short courses
- EU Digitial Services Act
- Global Finance Regulation
- State Aid and Subsidies Regulation
- Advanced EU Competition Law
If you choose to study an LLB Bachelor of Laws at LSE, you will undertake a three-year course. In your first year, you take five compulsory courses, which include:
- Legal systems and legal study skills
- Criminal law
- Contract law
- Public law
- Tort law
In your second year, you study a full course on property law and half-year courses in transnational law and legal theory. You will also choose from a further two courses from specialisations, including:
- Medical law
- Human rights law
- Environmental law
- Media law
- Competition law
- Family law
Your third and final year is a selection of four courses from various legal specialisations. Entry into the LLB Bachelor of Laws at LSE is competitive, with only 190 places available and an average of 2,500 applications a year. You will need an A-Level result of A*AA or equivalent for admission. This is an International Baccalaureate result of 36 points, with 766 at a higher level. You must also take the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) to be considered.
Discover more about the undergraduate grading system in the UK.
King’s College London, University of London
King’s College London was established more than 200 years ago and has remained a top-rated institution throughout this time. The university is ranked in the top 50 globally by the QS World University Rankings 2024. Additionally, it has an excellent reputation for law, with CUG rating it at number five in the UK and THE ranking it in the world’s top 30 for the subject. The university has just under 33,000 students studying there and 53 per cent are international.
The Dickson Poon School of Law is one of the oldest in England and has advised governments and worked on key commissions throughout its history. The school offers an LLB at the undergraduate level with pathways to LLM and JD programmes. You can select specific streams once enrolled, including:
- English law and additional country legal system (for example Spain)
- Politics and Philosophy
- Law and Transnational Legal Studies
The LLB course is delivered as a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials. In your first year, you must take five modules, namely:
- Criminal law
- Elements of the law of contract
- European law
- Public law
- Legal reasoning and legal services
In your second year, there are three compulsory modules in property, tort and trusts law. In addition, you must select from a variety of optional modules, including:
- Commercial law
- Company law
- Competition law
- Anti-discrimination law
- Enterprise law
- Environmental law
Your third year follows a similar pattern but with more optional electives and one compulsory course in Jurisprudence and legal theory. For admission into the LLB qualification at King’s College London, you must have an A-Level result of A*AA or equivalent. This is an International Baccalaureate result of 35 points, with 766 at the higher level. It is also necessary to take the LNAT. Your IELTS score should be 7.0 with no band lower than 6.5.
Read more on the reasons to study for a master’s degree in the UK.
What are the top 10 law schools in the UK?
The top 10 law schools at universities in the UK based on The Complete University Guide Subject league tables 2024 are:
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- University College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- King’s College London
- Durham University
- University of Glasgow
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
- Queen’s University Belfast
Now you know more about studying law in the UK, you might want to find out more about studying there. Check out our guide to the higher education system in the UK, the top scholarships for international students, and famous alumni from UK universities.
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