4 UK law schools transforming students into future leaders

The UK may be home to one of the world’s oldest legal systems, but it is still a favourite for anyone seeking an advanced legal education to keep up with the disruptions the legal industry is facing currently. Much of this is due to the fact that the UK is at the forefront of technological advancements today. This gives students crucial insights into how the offerings and services of legal firms and the public sector are changing in line with how technology is moving at the speed of sound.

Beyond this, what draws many to postgraduate law degrees in the UK is the promise of gaining future-forwards skills. The best law schools here equip students with more than just technical knowledge. They understand that to step up to the next stage of their career, lawyers need soft skills like critical thinking, creative problem-solving and effective communication. Mastering these is a given at these top institutions — ensuring graduates emerge with the confidence and know-how to thrive come whatever new circumstance or events. At the four UK universities below, graduates achieve all of this and more.

University of Bradford

Located in the heart of West Yorkshire, the University of Bradford School of Law is the ultimate destination for students looking to become the lawyers of the future through a combination of rigorous legal education, staff research expertise, and the opportunity to develop clinical skills via the School’s bespoke Law Clinic. Here, undergraduates and postgraduates can pursue full and part time degrees on campus or via Distance Learning. Research degrees are available, too.

The school actively supports world-class interdisciplinary research in three main strands: Technology and Commerce; Environment, Sustainability Regulation (ES&R); and Human Rights, Equality, and Diversity. Source: University of Bradford

Each programme has been designed in collaboration with the School’s Law International Advisory Board and its network of public and private legal service partners to ensure market relevance and graduate employability. Programmes are also informed by the research activities of the school’s academic community who engage in world-class work in emerging areas such as Fintech, Ai as well as in the development of more traditional areas such as Energy Law, Human Rights and Corporate Governance. The School also offers an annual International Summer School that provides an update on emerging areas and reiterates Bradford School of Law’s commitment to remaining ahead of the curve.

Bradford School of Law believes nothing prepares students for real-world challenges better than practical learning. Students’ knowledge and understanding will grow alongside their legal and clinical skills through the provision of pro bono legal advice, placements, career-focused workshops, advocacy competitions, international exchange programmes, visits from guest speakers and accomplished alumni, as well as bespoke mentorship opportunities.

All offerings are available to LLM students. In fact, Bradford School of Law’s LLMs have been specifically designed to be as accessible as can be — as well as to non-law students with prior sector experience. The school offers a diverse range of subjects to guarantee everyone builds a solid foundation, and, once learners gain a clearer picture of their long-term aspirations, they can tailor-make their very own specialisation.

Further underlining its progressiveness, Bradford School of Law will launch its new MLaw programme in September 2024. This offers a clearly defined and supported career pathway to qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales and supports students through Stages 1 & 2 of the SQE and provides opportunities to gain qualifying work experience during their studies. This is the first of its kind in the market.

Finally, the school boasts partnerships with leading institutions in the UK and beyond to offer training, scholarships, and placements that enrich academic journeys. The lineup includes the UK Government Legal Department, key law firms, and reputable universities across India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Ghana. To learn more, click here.

Queen’s University Belfast

As a prestigious member of the reputed Russell Group of universities, Queen’s University Belfast is a sterling representative of global higher education. Originally established in 1845, Queen’s is the ninth-oldest higher education provider within the UK sector, presenting over 170 years of academic heritage that perfectly blends global recognition with an innovative culture and a life-changing student experience.

Queen’s University Belfast ranks 5th for Law Graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024). Source: Queen’s University Belfast

Ranked fourth in the UK for law (QS World University Rankings, 2024), the School of Law offers diverse teaching and learning opportunities to equip students with the skills and attributes essential for successful careers in various professions.

A broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate options gives students the chance to excel and realise their ambitions. This, paired with the institution’s world-class reputation means Queen’s law graduates receive global recognition, giving them a competitive edge in an increasingly competitive job market. In fact, the institute ranks fifth for law graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).

Being a research-intensive university, Queen’s Law School designs its programmes based on the latest research developments. Academics engage in traditional and contemporary legal scholarship. These areas encompass human rights and public law; law, innovation and technology; criminology and criminal justice; private and commercial law; European and transnational studies; and transitional justice.

To find out more about Queen’s University Belfast’s Law School, click here.

Swansea University

Few purpose-built campuses can house award-winning teaching, world-class research and fun-filled excursions the way Swansea University can — making it an apt choice for aspiring law students on the hunt for an enriching education.

Learning the law at Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law is a dynamic journey. It is where impact is emphasised, and quality student experiences are prioritised. This commitment to excellence is demonstrated by the school’s impressive third ranking in the UK for course satisfaction. Whether you are an aspiring undergraduate or a postgraduate with ambitions of becoming a future leader in law, you can find valuable opportunities here.

Swansea students benefit from unique and contemporary education, from undergraduate to PhD level, boosting their prospects with experiential learning opportunities, such as working with Law Clinic, and placements with a range of key partners.

Programmes here include Business Law, LLB (Hons), Law, LLB (Hons), Law (Senior Status), LLB (Hons), Law with Criminology, LLB (Hons), Law with Criminology with a Foundation Year, LLB (Hons), Law with a Foundation Year, LLB (Hons).

Each programme comes with access to supportive faculty members, outstanding facilities and experiential learning opportunities — a winning formula for a well-rounded law education. The university’s industry connections play a pivotal role in helping learners evolve into well-equipped professionals capable of meeting professional demands.

To learn more about Swansea University’s law programmes, click here.

University of Dundee

The city of Dundee is Scotland’s fourth-largest city with a population of 150,000 — there is one student for every seven people. The  University of Dundee’s city centre campus is located in its vibrant West End, with plenty of shops, cafés, and restaurants nearby — making it perfect to explore local culture.

All of Dundee Law School’s programmes are highly flexible to help students prepare for a future career in law. Source: University of Dundee

Home to 18,000 students from over 100 countries, the University of Dundee is one of the UK’s leading research institutions.  It was named Higher Educational Institution of the Year at the Herald Higher Education Awards 2023, given a 5-Star rating by QS Quacquarelli Symonds (international higher education specialists), and one of the top 200 universities in the world for graduate employment rate. The Dundee Law School is just as renowned and is in the top 20 for law in the UK in numerous rankings. 

As such, it’s little wonder that aspiring lawyers and legal experts choose the University of Dundee. The school provides undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Scottish and English law, permitting students to qualify into all three UK legal jurisdictions. All of Dundee Law School’s programmes are highly flexible and help students develop transferable skills to prepare for a future career in law and beyond. Law (General) LLM students can choose from a range of modules to make their own bespoke master’s programme. 

For those passionate about the environment, its Environmental Law LLM is for you. It equips students with a broad range of knowledge, covering everything you need to know, both domestically and internationally. You will gain an understanding of the main legal issues related to environmental protection and sustainable development. Law students can apply for a global internship with Pagoda Projects to become career-ready too.

Learn more about Dundee Law School and its suite of specialised LLM programmes here.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International