4 vibrant UK law schools that prepare students for legal practice

Crowned as one of the best student cities in the world, London has retained its top spot in the QS Best Student Cities 2023 ranking. For aspiring legal professionals, that number is an assurance of the choice they make to pursue their legal studies in a country which houses one of the world’s oldest legal systems. Despite a pandemic, the number of international students applying to study at UK universities has increased by 238% over the last decade.

The statistics paint a clear picture: international students are flocking to UK law schools to make the most of their time studying abroad. In this case, the grass is greener on the other side. Active student law communities, reputable law schools, and passionate educators that believe in shaping students to become grounded legal professionals — these are strong motivators to gain a legal education in the UK.

For those looking for a law school with a vibrant student community that prepares you to be a well-rounded legal professional, here are our top picks: 

University of Nottingham

Source: University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is a dynamic institution that provides high-quality education. Its School of Law is no exception. 

The School offers programmes that boast innovative and outstanding teaching, informed by and led by some of the world’s foremost legal scholars. Here, Law LLB students thoroughly cover the foundations of English law through core modules covering tort, trusts, contract law, public law, criminal law, EU law and land law — in the best possible environment to do so. 

Unlike many other law schools, the School emphasises  small-group teaching, limiting the size of tutorial groups to six to eight students. You’ll not only learn through lectures and seminars, but also get to contribute to the learning process too. The environment is supportive, collaborative, and friendly – you’ll never be lost in the crowd. All staff are involved in tutorial teaching and ensure all students count and know that they do.

Another feature that sets studying law at UoN apart is how it provides unique opportunities for students to study abroad in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore or the US through their direct-entry international degree programmes or LLB/BA Law with a year abroad programmes. You’ll have the chance to build your foundation in a different legal system and stand out as a law graduate with a global perspective. 

UoN law graduates will also hold a degree recognised by the Bar Standards Board – a professional qualification sought out in many countries. 

The best part? An award-winning law student community. The Law Society, which coordinates an annual career fair, won Best Careers Event at the most recent National Law Society Awards. The Bar Society was referred to as the overall “best law society” by LawCareers.Net in 2019 and continues to help those considering or aspiring to achieve a successful legal career. Find out more about UoN’s School of Law here.

King’s College London

King’s College London research and teaching address pressing issues. Source: King’s College London

The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London is not only one of the oldest law schools in England, but also recognised as one of the best in the world. The school was established in 1831. 

Their research and teaching address pressing issues, including those that relate to equality and human rights, the legal implications of climate change, globalisation, international relations, trade, competition and global finance. 

Its long-established LLB degree is a highly regarded programme, recognised worldwide for its teaching excellence and access to expert faculty members. It prepares students to practise as a solicitor or barrister and a range of other careers in which legal knowledge is an asset. First-year LLB students can apply for a dual degree or study abroad option. The LLB pathways currently include Law with North American Legal Studies LLB, Law with Transnational Legal Studies LLB, and English Law with Australian Law LLB, among others.

Situated in the heart of the best student city in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2023), Dickson Poon School of Law has a wide range of student societies for law students to participate, engage and interact. They include the Anglo-German Law Society, Bar and Mooting Society, Law Society, Postgraduate Law Society, Politics, Philosophy and Law Society, Pro Bono Society, Anglo-French Society, and the Law Council. 

University of Bristol

Aspiring lawyers seeking an opportunity to discover the most challenging legal questions facing today’s global society will find their ideal programmes at UoB. Source: University of Bristol/Facebook

The University of Bristol (UoB) is one of the most popular and successful universities in the UK. It is ranked 61st globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and third in a list of universities targeted by leading graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2022, High Fliers Research).

UoB graduates are highly regarded by employers. The institution is known for its high-quality, research-led education; its courses are defined by its incorporation of the very latest thinking, plus real-life projects with academics who are experts in their field.

Aspiring lawyers seeking the answers to the most challenging legal questions facing today’s global society will find their ideal programmes at UoB. Its Bachelor of Laws programme is an intellectually demanding, rich curriculum that will provide you with a grounded appreciation of law in business and society and an ability to demonstrate excellent legal, analytical and reasoning skills.

That’s not all. UoB has a rich international student community with over 400 sports clubs and societies to choose from — the highest numbers of any student union within the UK. Supported by the law school, student societies at UoB help law students prepare for the realities of legal practice and facilitate activities for law students to hone their legal skills outside the classroom.  

Teesside University

Source: Teesside University/Facebook

Tees Valley is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets. Teesside University’s friendly town campus is located in the heart of Middlesbrough, with plenty of shops, cafés, and restaurants nearby — making it perfect for student life. Teesside University Students’ Union also has over 100 active sports clubs and societies for students to choose from, which includes the Law Society. 

Teesside University is renowned for its achievements and awards. It was named the “University of the Year for Social Inclusion” in the Good University Guide, ranked in the 301-350 band of 539 global universities in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, and one of 96 global universities for overall satisfaction in the International Student Barometer Survey. The Teesside University Law School is just as renowned and has over 30 years of experience delivering high-quality education in law and criminal justice. 

As such, it’s little wonder that aspiring lawyers and legal experts choose Teesside University. The school blends traditional teaching methods with modern learning approaches, such as its Adobe Creative Campus, to shape aspiring legal professionals into creative problem solvers. Students will also have the opportunity to spend time in their replica courtroom or obtain practical work experience by providing pro-bono legal advice to the local community at Teesside University’s Law Clinic. 

Study the subjects you need to proceed towards practising Law in all common law jurisdictions globally in an inclusive and friendly environment. Learn more about Teesside Law School and its suite of undergraduate law programmes here.

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