Best Law Universities in UK: Rankings, Fees & More

A land that has produced numerous scientists, writers, jurists and intellectuals for centuries is also known for its excellent education centres. , Studying in UK is one of the traditionally popular choices for those wanting to pursue higher studies abroad. UK has some of the highest-ranked universities in the world and is the study destination for over 5,00,000 international students every year. One of the most sought-after courses in UK is that of law.  Because of its state – of – art education facilities, top-notch professors and a multitude of opportunities, a law degree in the UK continues to be amongst the most coveted degrees in the world. It is said that at least 1 in 4 of the world’s greatest leaders have a law degree from the UK  If you dream of achieving big things, then pursuing law from the UK could be the first step to it. Here is a list of the best universities for law in the UK.

Why Study Law at UK Universities?

Law degrees in the UK have gained traction from all over the world. Here are some of the reasons why students are drawn to law courses in the UK every year:

1. The qualifications that you will gain after studying in the UK are well recognized all over the world, organizations and law firms. Having one such degree is a gateway to opportunities on a global level.
2. The curriculum is designed in such a way that it gives emphasis to utility-based knowledge over textbook learning. This enables students to acquire critical thinking and analytical skills along with creative ability in their chosen discipline.
3. As compared to other countries, the UK education system is shorter and more intensive. Therefore, students can complete their degree sooner, without compromising on the quality of education.
4. International students studying in the UK will have access to free medical treatment while studying in the UK through national health services. The students will have to pay a small  International Health Surcharge (IHS). 

Also Read: Here is a List of Best Entrance Exams in India and Abroad

List of Top 10 Best Law Universities in the UK

According to the Times Higher Education Report, the rank of the best universities for law starts from the 3rd position. Here is a list of the top 10 best law universities in the UK, you may find your dream university in the given table below along with its QS World University rankings for 2025 – 

UK Universities for Law	QS World University Rankings 2025	QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Law & Legal Studies
University of Oxford	03	02
University of Cambridge	05	03
University College London (UCL)	09	14
The University of Edinburgh	27	20
The University of Manchester	34	57
King’s College London	40	15
The London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)	50	07
University of Glasgow	78	68
Durham University	89	48
Queen Mary University of London	120	38

University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is regarded as one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world and the largest in the UK. The faculty of law offers a wide variety of legal and interdisciplinary specialisms the university ranks 10th as per QS rankings and offers masters levels of legal education that equals few. It is also extremely research-oriented and is renowned for its collaboration with numerous discussion groups and colloquia. Some of the courses offered by the University of Oxford include:

• Bachelor of Civil Law – full-time – 10 months
• Law Dphil – full time – 3-4 years
• Law Mphil – Full time – 1 year
• Magister Juris (Mjur) – Full time – 10 months

Check Out – How to Get Admission Into Oxford University?

University of Cambridge

Next on our list is the University of Cambridge. It is one of the oldest and finest universities that is renowned for its cutting-edge legal research, especially in the fields of international law and criminology. Dating back to the 13th century, the university has 11 research centres, 31 professors, 6 readers and over 70 other staff. The University of Cambridge ranks third as per the QS rankings and is one of the best law universities in UK. It offers a wide range of programmes such as:

• BA Tripos Undergraduate Degree – full time – 3 years
• Masters of law – full time – 1 year
• MCL Masters Degree in Corporate Law – full time – 9 months
• PhD – full-time – 3 years
• MLitt – full-time – 2 years

University College London

University College London hosts an intellectually competent community of legal scholars. The university adopts a multidisciplinary approach to research and teaching practices. University College London follows the tradition of engaging in debates and discussions and this uses this as a tool to inculcate critical thinking and sharpen the reasoning skills in the students.  University College London is also home to a vibrant student community that organizes various events. The courses offered by the university include:

• LLB – 3 years –  full time
• LLM – 10 months – full-time / 20 months – part-time
• M Phil – full-time – 1 year
• D Phil – full time – 3-4 years

London School of Economics

Not only is the London School of Economics Law School among the best in the UK, but it also enjoys a stellar reputation internationally. The University also pioneered the study of taxation law, banking law, corporation law, labour law, and civil litigation, as well as studies of the legal profession and the legal system. The LSE was ranked first for its research output in the most current Research Excellence Framework.

Focused course: LLB Law Bachelor’s

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow’s School of Law provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate programmes in law. Over 1,000 students are studying for law degrees at Glasgow at the moment, and there are 49 full-time academic staff members. Special study abroad possibilities also guarantee that you can, if you so want, further widen your horizons.

Focused course: LLM in international law

Queen Mary, University of London

Since its founding in 1965, the Queen Mary University of London School of Law has grown to become one of the largest colleges of law in the UK. The Department of Law and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies are the two organisational divisions that makeup Queen University’s School of Law. 92% of the research entries from Queen Mary were rated as excellent or world-leading worldwide in REF 2021.

Focused course: LLB (Hons)

King’s College London

King’s College London’s Dickson Poon School of Law has been imparting legal knowledge since 1831, and nearly 200 years later, research and instruction are still influencing the brightest minds.

Focused course: LLM in law

Durham University

One of the world’s top institutions for legal education and research is Durham University Law School. The university’s academic faculty has won awards and is well-known for conducting ground-breaking research. They are also involved on a national and international level. The student body in Durham’s legal programmes is diverse and the courses are quite competitive.

Focused course: Master of Laws

List of Courses Offered by the Best Universities for Law

Below is a list of the best Universities in the UK for Law along with their courses offered both at Degree and Post-graduate levels-  

UK Universities for Law	Degree law courses	Post-Graduate law courses
University of Oxford	Law BA (Hons) Bachelor of Civil Law  BA in Jurisprudence	Magister Juris (MJur) MSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice MSc in Law & Finance
University of Cambridge	Law BA (Hons)	LLM
UCL	Bachelor of Laws + LLB	LLM
University of Edinburgh	Law LLB (Hons)	Law (Grad Entry) LLB LLM
University of Manchester	Law LLB (Hons)	LLM
King’s College London	Law LLB (Hons)	LLM
LSE	LLB (Hons)	LLM
University of Glasgow	Common Law LLB (Hons)	Common Law (Grad Entry) LLB General LLM
Durham University	Law LLB (Hons)	Law LLM
Queen Mary University of London	Business with Law BSc (Hons) Global Law LLB (Hons)	LLM

Also Read – LLB in UK

Application Process to Pursue Law Courses in the UK

The application process is different for each university, based on the location, university and course. The general admission process that is followed is –

• Select a university and decide on a course. 
• Once you have chosen, fill out your application on the University’s official site. You will need to make a new account and register.
• Pay the application fee, which might not be refundable.
• Your application will require additional documents. 
• Ensure you meet all the criteria and submit these documents. 
• After receiving your offer letter, there might be an interview requirement.
• Upon receiving your unconditional offer letter, proceed with applying for a visa. 
• After successfully passing the visa interview, you are prepared to travel to the UK.

Also Read – LLM in UK

Eligibility Requirements

The general eligibility requirements for pursing law courses are – 

• Applicants must be under the age of 18 or 17, or older.
• To enroll for degree, students need to pass class 12th. 

• Most law schools in the UK require applicants to have achieved a grade C or B, or a level 4 or higher, in English, Math, and sometimes, a subject like foreign languages at the GCSE level.
• The top law schools in the UK will then expect applicants to have completed at least three A-Levels with AAA or AAB grades, and in some cases, at least one A-Level.
• The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is mandatory in part, depending on the university’s requirements.
• For students coming from abroad, a high level of English Language Proficiency is essential. The average score for English Language Proficiencies are as follows:

• TOEFL: 80-90
• IELTS: 6-6.5
• PTE: 55-59

Documents Required

The necessary documents required are – 

• Class 10 and 12 academic transcripts for bachelors.
• Bachelors Degree transcripts (for Masters)
• Letter of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume
• Proof of IELTS or TOEFL
• Valid Passport

Scope of Pursuing Law in UK

The scope of law opens the door to many excellent opportunities. You can become a lawyer, like a solicitor or barrister or use your skills in other fields like business or teaching. After finishing your studies, you can work in various roles such as barrister, solicitor, legal advisor, magistrate, or legal researcher. You might also work in law firms or government or non-profit organisations. Some of the other opportunities can be – 

Barristers	Solicitors
Advocate	Legal Advisor
Magistrate	Subjudge
Legal Analyst	Legal Researcher

Explore The Cost of Living in the UK

We hope this blog on the best universities for law UK helped you gain clarity as to which college you should apply to. If you still have doubts regarding colleges and their admissions, get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu.