Best Law Schools in UK (Times)

Oxbridge law programs are widely considered among the most prestigious and highly regarded in the UK, if not the world. The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, collectively known as "Oxbridge," have long been at the forefront of legal education, producing many of the world’s leading legal minds, judges, and policymakers. The two universities not only offer rigorous and intellectually stimulating programs but also provide students with an unparalleled academic environment that encourages critical thinking, debate, and scholarly inquiry. As top-ranking law schools, Cambridge and Oxford stand at the pinnacle of legal education, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees that cater to different academic needs and career goals.

At the University of Cambridge, the law program is consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. The university offers five law degree programs: the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Master of Laws (LL.M.), the Master of Letters (M.Litt.), the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and the Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). Each of these programs is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of legal principles and to develop their analytical and reasoning skills, preparing them for careers in both the public and private sectors.

The undergraduate BA in Law at Cambridge is one of the most sought-after law programs in the world. The program is typically completed in three years and provides a comprehensive foundation in both core and specialized areas of law. The BA in Law is designed to be intellectually demanding, with a curriculum that covers subjects such as constitutional law, tort law, criminal law, and legal theory. Additionally, Cambridge encourages its students to develop a critical perspective on legal concepts, urging them to explore the wider implications of legal practices and their impact on society. Students are also encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities such as mooting, debating, and legal research, all of which contribute to the well-rounded legal education that Cambridge is known for.

In addition to the BA in Law, Cambridge offers several postgraduate law programs, including the LL.M., M.Litt., Ph.D., and LL.D. The Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at Cambridge is one of the most prestigious in the world and attracts students from all over the globe. It is a one-year taught program that offers advanced legal education in a wide range of subjects, including international law, human rights law, commercial law, and constitutional law. The program is designed for both law graduates and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of legal issues and expand their career prospects.

The M.Litt. program at Cambridge is a more specialized research degree, typically undertaken after the completion of an LL.M. It is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced research in law, and the program culminates in a dissertation. The Ph.D. and LL.D. programs are even more specialized, offering students the opportunity to conduct original research in a particular area of law. These programs are intended for those who are interested in a career in academia or legal research, with the LL.D. being the highest-level academic qualification available in law at Cambridge.

Oxford University, similarly, offers a range of highly regarded law programs, with its law school regularly ranked among the best in the world. The University of Oxford offers three undergraduate law programs: the three-year Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law), the four-year BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe (a program that includes a year abroad), and the one-year Diploma in Legal Studies. Oxford’s law degree programs are known for their academic rigor and for emphasizing the development of critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and a deep understanding of legal systems.

The three-year BA in Law at Oxford is one of the most prestigious law programs globally, providing a comprehensive education in the foundations of law. The program includes subjects such as contract law, tort law, constitutional law, and criminal law, and places a strong emphasis on developing students’ ability to analyze and interpret legal texts. Like Cambridge, Oxford encourages its students to engage with legal theory and to think critically about the law’s role in society. The university’s tutorial system, which pairs students with tutors for one-on-one sessions, fosters an intellectually stimulating environment where students can engage in deep discussions and receive personalized feedback on their work.

The BA in Law with Law Studies in Europe is a four-year program that includes a year of study abroad in a European country. This program is designed for students who wish to gain exposure to different legal systems and cultures. By studying law in a European context, students develop a comparative perspective on legal issues, which can be invaluable for those who wish to work in international law or pursue careers in multinational organizations.

Oxford also offers postgraduate programs in law, including the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) and the Master of Jurisprudence (MJur). The BCL is a one-year program designed for graduates of common-law systems who wish to deepen their understanding of civil law and comparative legal studies. The MJur, on the other hand, is aimed at non-common-law graduates and provides them with the opportunity to study English law in-depth. Both programs are known for their academic excellence and attract top students from around the world.

For students who are more interested in specialized areas of law, Oxford also offers a range of taught postgraduate programs, such as the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice, the Master of Science in Law, and part-time programs in intellectual property law. These programs allow students to focus on specific fields of law while benefiting from the world-class resources and faculty that Oxford provides.

One of the key factors that distinguishes Oxbridge law programs from others is their long-standing reputation for academic excellence and their role in shaping legal thought worldwide. Both Cambridge and Oxford attract some of the brightest and most ambitious students, and they are widely regarded as the training grounds for future leaders in law and government. The rigorous nature of the law programs at both universities, coupled with their emphasis on independent thought and intellectual challenge, ensures that their graduates are among the most highly sought-after legal professionals in the world.

The University College London (UCL) is another law school that competes with Oxbridge in terms of academic reputation. UCL Law is ranked highly in the UK and offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in law. UCL’s law faculty is known for its expertise in areas such as commercial law, human rights law, and international law. Like Oxbridge, UCL provides students with access to world-class resources, a diverse academic community, and numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement. However, Cambridge and Oxford remain the dominant forces in UK legal education, and their law schools consistently top rankings due to their centuries-old history, research output, and the exceptional quality of their students and faculty.

Best 20 Law Schools:
1 Cambridge
2 Oxford
3 Univ Coll London
4 LSE
5 Aberdeen
6 Durham
7 Nottingham
8 Edinburgh
9 King's Coll London
10 Manchester
11 Leeds
11= Warwick
13 Glasgow
14 Strathclyde
15 Queen Mary
16 Dundee
17 Queens, Belfast
18 SOAS
19 Bristol
20 Kent

Source: Times Good University Guide 2007