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London is almost synonymous with high-quality education, displaying increasing levels of enrolment, with 92 universities and colleges situated in and around the city. The study field that most people associate with the U.K. and with London is Law.
Britain’s pioneering role in the establishing of modern Law as we know it started in 1215 with Magna Carta Libertatum, the first bill of rights. No place represents this British judicial tradition better than London, the capital and creative heart of the country.
Obtaining a Law degree (LL.M.) from a reputable London university or college can have a very strong impact in consolidating your career. So, read on and see why you should get a Bachelor’s or Master’s of Law from a London law school!
Find Bachelor’s degrees in Law in London
Why study abroad in London?
The U.K.’s education system is highly competitive worldwide, being properly designed for international students and potentially more affordable than many counterparts in the U.S., Europe or elsewhere.
London has 96 universities and higher education institutions which have become international hotspots for diversity, culture and professional development. Many of the institutions occupy top places in international rankings, mainly thanks to their focus on highly funded research projects. These, in turn, result in prestigious citations worldwide.
Being such a competitive higher education market, London’s numerous top law schools and universities makes it more likely you’ll get the best student services in addition to top quality education. Moreover, London has a rich cultural heritage, which ensures that established fields such as Law are handled with experience, as well as modern insight.
There are so many things to visit in London, specially tailored for every kind of traveller: for history buffs, there’s the huge British Museum which offers free entrance for students and for thrill seekers, there’s the dizzying London Eye and the harrowing London Dungeon.
The best London experience is with its traditional open tour buses, which offer a refreshing blend of sights, history, art, architecture and activities, all from the left side of the road.
And don’t forget the top international student destinations, and multicultural environment – you’ll find a lot of internationals such as yourself, making it easy to fit in a foreign country.
Why study a Law degree in London?
Law is a field which inspires discipline, strong communication skills, problem-solving, functional administrative skills and ethical awareness, all characteristics fully embraced by British culture and organisational culture.
As a large cosmopolitan metropolis of over 7 million people, London has a long-lasting tradition and experience in higher education and it functions not only as the capital of the U.K., but also as headquarters for institutions belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations, Amnesty International and the International Maritime Organisation.
These organisations have added to the experience of London-based universities, enabling them to offer targeted Law study programmes, aimed at training capable Law professionals.
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Teaching style in London universities and colleges
They offer widely recognised degrees, comprehensive and up-to-date curricula and an international academic staff who maintains the balance, objectivity and relevance of courses regardless of field or specialisation.
In the U.K., the study of Law is generally divided into practical domains, which can also become study majors: Constitutional Law, European Law, Business Law, Criminal Law and Private Law. The focus is on peer to peer interaction in the educational process, encouraging debates, discussions, creative thinking and stimulating individual research confidence.
Top universities offering Law degrees in London
City University of London
Queen Mary University of London
King’s College London
London School of International Business
Regent’s University London
Richmond, the American International University in London
Birkbeck University of London
University of West London
London Metropolitan University
University College London
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Westminster
Brunel University London
London South Bank University
Career perspectives for Law graduates in London
Throughout the U.K., Law professionals are divided into solicitors and barristers, depending on the jurisdiction of their chosen career option. Therefore, graduates must choose for one or the other, being issued a practising certificate which is not compatible with the other.
Given the highly complicated nature of integrating U.K. Law with European Law, as well as with International Law, most London-based companies have ample legal departments in search for well-trained graduates, experts in the specifics of British Law.
Moreover, the historic and cultural similarities between the U.K. and its former colonies means that most Commonwealth nations (especially Australia, Canada and New Zealand), but also former colonies like Hong Kong or Singapore, recognise and appreciate the value of a Law Degree from a London University.
Also, Commonwealth countries have modelled their higher education system to imitate the British model and are constantly searching for staff educated in the UK.
Finally, the recent Brexit decision means that there will be a considerable demand for legal professionals to implement the results and implications of the legal transition out of the EU.
Living in London: accommodation and transport
Given that the U.K. is one of the most expensive cities in the world for expats, prospective international students need to pay great attention to budgets and costs. The average living cost for London is between 1,137- 2,157 GBP/month, but it may reach higher levels due to accommodation demands.
For accommodation in London, you would have to pay just over:
1,632 GBP/month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
around 1,120 GBP/month for outside of the centre
However, most universities offer multiple housing options, both on-campus and farther away. These offers will be significantly more affordable for students, especially since they involve shared accommodation and facilities between students. Additionally, the costs for on-campus living averages at 200 GBP/week, including utility and cafeteria fees.
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Transport in London
Transport is also very expensive, but there are many options for travelling in and around the city, including subway, taxis, buses or trains. A fully-priced monthly pass for London public transport is 130 GBP, while a one-way ticket is around 2.5 GBP.
Taxis are slightly more expensive, at 3.89 GBP/km. While personal cars might seem more affordable with relatively reasonable fuel costs (around 1 GBP/litre), remember that traffic is high and you would have to drive on the left side.
Compare Law Master’s degrees in the UK
Tuition fees for Law degrees in London
While tuition fees in the U.K. vary widely, the average for a Master’s programme ranges from 6,000 to 10,000 GBP/year, while those for Bachelor’s degrees can be anywhere between 4,000 to 16,000 GBP/year.
Some of the tuition fees you can find in London are:
King’s College, Master’s Degrees in Law for 5,600 GBP/year
University of West London, Master’s Degree in Legal Practice for 3,700 GBP/year
University College London, Master’s in Social Justice and Education for 15,525 GBP/year
City University of London, Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice for 14,000 GBP/year
London School of Economics and Political Science, Masters in Laws for 18,251 GBP/year
Find out more about tuition fees in the U.K.
Scholarships and grants for Law students in London
Some of the universities such as King’s College, University College London organise their own scholarship programmes, including for their Law degree programmes. There are also external scholarship and grant options, offered by institutions such as The Royal Society or the Commonwealth of Nations (for students coming from member states), as well as governmental plans.
Law degree entry requirements
If you’ve decided law is the university course for you, then nice one; you’re over the first decision hurdle. You’ll be well aware that you’ll be expected to earn your place at your university of choice by meeting their specified law degree entry requirements.
Law, particularly the LLB, is a popular choice for many prospective university students. There were 127,640 law applications via UCAS in the 2018-19 application session—that’s an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.
Owing to this amount of competition and the challenging nature of the subject, universities are keen to attract the top students to their courses. This can only mean one thing: high entry requirements…
Typical law degree entry requirements…
The combination of grades you’ll be expected to achieve in order to earn a place on an LLB course will differ slightly depending on the university.
Most students who attend school and college in England and Wales still currently follow the academic route of GCSEs, followed by A-Levels.
The majority of UK universities generally look for a minimum of grade C or B, or level 4 or above, at GCSE in English, maths, and at times a subject such as foreign languages.
The top universities will then also require their prospective students to have studied at least three A Levels with results of AAA or AAB, and in some cases at least one A*.
Courses for the most popular universities are often over-subscribed, so meeting your entry requirements may not always guarantee you’ll get your first choice; universities will also take your personal statement into account, and some will look at your score on the LNAT.
Other accepted equivalent qualifications are generally:
Scottish Highers
International Baccalaureate
University Foundation Programmes
Cambridge Pre-University (Pre-U) Certificates.
Universities will outline their own entry requirements regarding these qualifications.
Preferred A-Levels: is there a subject blacklist?
You’ve probably heard a lot about top UK universities supposedly having a “blacklist” of A-Level subjects and the contentious issue of “hard” subjects vs. “soft” subjects.
“Hard” subjects are otherwise referred to as traditional academic subjects, such as English literature, history, maths, foreign languages and the core science subjects (i.e. physics, biology and chemistry).
The so-called “soft” subjects, on the other hand, are those that are more recent editions to the range of A-Levels available and tend to involve more vocational or practical elements in their syllabus, such as in theatre studies, media studies, business studies or psychology.
It has been reported that the top universities will not consider an applicant if they have studied one or more of the so-called soft subjects. In reality, it’s not as clear-cut as chucking an application in the bin as soon as they spot a “softie”.
Some universities have, however, stated they have a list of “preferred” subjects; though this will not necessarily be a determining factor in their final decision.
This leaves budding university students in a bit of a pickle when it comes to choosing their A-Level subjects, and quite rightly questioning how on Earth they are supposed to know which subject combination will be best for their chosen degree and institute (and that’s if they even know at this stage!)
So what’s the best A-Level choices for law?
Institutions will often give specific subject requirements for courses such as medicine. But what’s the guideline for an LLB?
Ultimately the subjects you choose should teach you skills that will be valuable in your law degree and the rest of your legal career. For example, a law degree is going to involve A LOT of essay writing, so it’s a good idea to take at least one subject that will develop these skills, for example, English language or literature (or combined) or history.
Take a look at your top choice universities and take note of any prerequisites they highlight for the course; if they have a list of “preferred” subjects, you should aim to tailor you subject choices to reflect those requirements—and your strengths!
Universities also recommend that a good spread of subjects is appealing, so a good mix will be wise. General Studies and Critical Thinking are NOT usually counted as one of these main A-Levels.
They can definitely look good alongside three or four strong A-Level results, but most universities will now not accept either of these subjects as a part of their entry requirements.
The majority of universities will also not stipulate A-Level law as a prerequisite for an LLB or or BA law course.
It is perfectly acceptable to apply for law without a law A-Level, so if someone at school or college keeps harping on that they will be taking law A-Level because it’s necessary, then they are most definitely mistaken!
Myth-buster: You need an LLB to become a lawyer…
And while we’re at it, sit down that smug character in the front row, because you are wrong, sir, wrong! Well, in an undergraduate sense at least.
You DON’T have to have studied a BA or LLB in law in order to become a lawyer once you’ve graduated. In fact, even law graduates are only halfway there once they’ve completed their degree; they still need to complete either an LPC or BPTC before securing a training contract or pupillage!
Non-law graduates can take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)—the law conversion course—to get on track to train as a solicitor at barrister. There is also the opportunity to miss out university completely, choosing a legal apprenticeship instead. At this stage, choose to study law at undergraduate level because you want to, not because you think you have to.
How long does it take to become a lawyer?
If you study full time, it generally takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor. This includes a three-year law degree, a one-year LPC and finally a two-year training contract with a law firm. Studying a non-law subject for your degree means you’ll need to take the GDL conversion course before your LPC, which adds one year to the total.
Becoming a fully-fledged barrister takes five years – including three years for your law degree, one year for a Bar course and a one-year pupillage in chambers. Again, add an extra year for the GDL if your degree wasn’t in law.
Meanwhile, if you’re studying to become a lawyer via the CILEx CPQ each stage will take between 18 months and two years – although students can progress at whatever speed suits them – meaning a student could qualify as a CILEX Lawyer in five to six years.
Which A-level subjects should I choose?
There are no essential subjects that you must take at A-level (or equivalent) to become a lawyer.
However, to demonstrate that you have the skills, choose subjects that involve research, analysis and communication – such as history, geography, modern languages, sciences or maths – as these can give you an edge. Be aware that many universities do not accept general studies or critical thinking A-levels.
Legal work is intellectually challenging and competitive, so universities expect excellent A-level grades as evidence that you’ll be able to cope with the demands of studying law. Entry requirements for an undergraduate law degree at top universities typically range from A*AA to AAB. Other institutions have less stringent criteria, so check when searching for courses.
Some universities specify required GCSE grades in English, maths and possibly a foreign language.
In addition, to study law at university you’ll often have to take the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) as part of your application. This does not test your knowledge of law – instead, it assesses your aptitude for the required skills.
Do I need a law degree?
You can become a lawyer without a law degree. When you have completed your undergraduate study in a different subject, you’ll need to take a one-year law conversion course known as the GDL.
The GDL will put you on an equal platform with those who took a law degree. Non-law students are not at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for training contracts and pupillages. In fact, the additional skills and wider experience of having studied another subject at degree level can be beneficial.
However, if you study law at undergraduate level you should ensure that your course is a qualifying degree. This means it’s approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the BSB – a requirement if you’re to become a practising lawyer.
As previously mentioned, it’s possible to join the legal profession without going to university at all. The CILEx CPQ route (where you can study to become a paralegal (Foundation), advanced paralegal (Advanced) or lawyer (Professional)) does not require a degree, or equivalent qualifications and experience.
Legal apprenticeships are also available and these provide another viable alternative to university study.
Can I become a lawyer with a 2:2 or a third?
Law is such a competitive sector that even candidates with top grades can sometimes struggle to get a training contract or pupillage after their studies. You’ll find that a 2:1 degree is often the minimum requirement for entry.
Nevertheless, you can become a lawyer with a 2:2 or a third. You’ll need to ensure that your applications stand out in other ways, for example by gaining extensive and varied work experience, such as pro bono work or court marshalling. It’s a good idea to make speculative applications to smaller high street solicitors, rather than applying to major city firms.
If there are genuine mitigating circumstances that led you to a 2:2 or third instead of a higher grade, explain this on application forms or contact recruiters directly. Find out more about writing a legal CV and cover letter.
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What skills will I need?
In addition to strong academic grades, there are certain skills you’ll need to demonstrate to become a lawyer.
A good indicator of what’s required is the LNAT, which is used by many universities as an entrance exam for law degrees. It assesses your:
verbal and written reasoning skills
ability to understand and interpret information
inductive and deductive reasoning abilities
ability to analyse information and draw conclusions.
To find out more about specific skills, see 7 skills for a successful law career.
How do I get legal work experience?
Getting plenty of law work experience is vital if you want to become a lawyer – it’ll help you to develop required skills and learn whether it’s the right career for you.
Organise informal work experience with high street legal firms before going to university. For example, this could be a couple of weeks spent work shadowing a solicitor and carrying out general office duties. Placements like this, arranged independently, look good on applications for law degrees or GDL conversion courses.
During your studies apply for formal work placements. These include vacation schemes at law firms, which take place during academic holidays, and mini-pupillages in barristers’ chambers.
Other ways of gaining useful experience include undertaking pro bono work (advising and representing people on a voluntary basis), court marshalling (sitting with a judge for a few days) and getting involved in your university’s law or debating society.
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