If you want to study law for your undergraduate degree, the UK offers a wealth of world-leading courses. But which are the best universities for law in the UK?
In this guide, we’ll explore the top-ranked British law schools for undergraduate law degrees (BA / LLB) according to official rankings. We’ll analyse their courses, entry requirements, and the universities themselves. You’ll learn the range of options available to you – and understand how competitive applications are if you want to study at one of the UK’s top universities for law.
How Do University Rankings Work?
To determine the best UK universities for law, we’ve used two well regarded league tables: the Complete University Guide and the Guardian.
It’s important to note that league tables are not objective and their verdict is not absolute. These publications assess universities and their courses against a range of different metrics (e.g. budget, quality of faculty research, staff:student ratio, employment outcomes) to provide an overall ranking. However, there is variation between the metrics they assess and how they collect their data which results in discrepancies (sometimes big ones) between how a university performs in one league table vs another.
Secondly, by their nature the league tables are trying to work out which is the best university for the ‘average’ student. Of course, there is no such thing as the average student and everyone who applies will have their own unique preferences, requirements, and ambitions. This means that the course or university that is right for one student may not be the best fit for another.
With that said, these league tables do still offer a useful indicator of a course’s overall standing, quality, and prestige, and they’re a useful starting point as part of your research when deciding where to apply.
So without further ado, let’s see what the best British law schools are according to these rankings.
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British Law School Rankings
NB: In the table below, we’ve ranked the best British universities for law for undergraduate (BA or LLB) degrees. We’re not looking in this guide at the best law schools to take postgraduate qualifications (like the PGDL, SQE, or Bar Course).
| University | CUG | Guardian | Overall Rank |
| Cambridge | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| UCL | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Oxford | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Durham | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| LSE | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| KCL | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Glasgow | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| QMUL | 10 | 12 | 8 |
| Warwick | 11 | 11 | 8 |
| Edinburgh | 13 | 10 | 10 |
As you can see, the best university for law in the UK according to these league tables is Cambridge, as it comes out on top in both rankings. Other members of the so-called G5 group, including UCL, Oxford, and LSE also feature in the top five, with Durham taking fourth place.
The remainder of the top ten features other Russell Group universities. Glasgow and Edinburgh take seventh and tenth place respectively and can be considered the best universities in Scotland for law.
In the next section, we’ll break down the top five in more detail, exploring the universities themselves, their law degrees, and entry requirements.
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Best Universities for Law in the UK
University of Cambridge
Cambridge is ranked as the top university for law in the UK by both the Guardian and CUG.
University Overview
Cambridge is the second oldest university in the UK and one of the most prestigious in the world. It is known for its rich history, collegiate structure (with 31 autonomous colleges spread all over the city), and its small-group teaching known as ‘supervisions’.
Course Overview
The Cambridge Law BA offers a broad and interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to explore related subjects like philosophy, economics, ethics, and more alongside the law. In the first year, students cover core subjects like Criminal and Constitutional Law, with increasing specialisation in later years. The Cambridge degree prepares students for careers in the law, as it meets the academic requirements for qualification as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.
Admissions Requirements
A Level / IB: A*AA at A Level or 41-42 points (with 776 at Higher Level) at IB
Admissions test: LNAT
Written work: Only Pembroke College requires you to submit written work (two pieces)
University College London
UCL ranks second for law in both the Guardian and CUG league tables.
University Overview
With two campuses in London, UCL was founded in the nineteenth century and is a member institution of the University of London. A member of the Russell Group and the G5 or ‘Golden Triangle’, it is one of the UK’s leading universities and highly regarded around the world.
Course Overview
The UCL LLB is a rigorous and flexible course that combines foundational legal training with a broad liberal education, preparing students for careers in law and beyond. The course is taught by leading academics and legal practitioners, with opportunities for hands-on legal experience through mooting, pro bono work, and legal clinics. Students benefit from a central London location which is close to major law firms and courts. The curriculum meets the academic requirements for both the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and training to become a barrister in England and Wales.
Admissions Requirements
A Level / IB: A*AA at A Level or 39 points at IB (of which at 19 at HL)
Admissions test: LNAT
Written work: None
University of Oxford
Oxford ranks as the third best British law school overall, coming fourth in the CUG table and third in the Guardian’s ranking.
University Overview
Like Cambridge, Oxford is a medieval collegiate university. One of the most prestigious and high-ranking universities in the world, Oxford is highly regarded for its tutorial system of teaching and outstanding academic reputation.
Course Overview
The Law course uses Oxford’s distinctive tutorial system, with students typically studying one or two subjects at a time and preparing essays for weekly one-to-two-hour tutorials in small groups. In the first year, students study Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, and Roman Private Law, while later years cover core subjects such as Contract, Tort, and EU Law, alongside two optional modules. As well as the ‘standard’ Law course, Oxford offers Law with Law Studies in Europe, a four-year course where students spend their third year studying abroad.
Admissions Requirements
A Level / IB: AAA at A Level or 38 points (including 666 at HL) at IB.
Admissions test: LNAT
Written work: None
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Durham University
Durham ranks third for law in the CUG league table and sixth in the Guardian’s, meaning it takes fourth place overall.
University Overview
Founded in the nineteenth century and located in north east England, Durham is a collegiate university like Oxford and Cambridge. It is a member of the Russell Group and has as good academic reputation, especially within the UK.
Course Overview
Durham’s LLB offers a rigorous, research-led legal education that forms the first stage of qualification as a solicitor or barrister. The course combines core legal subjects with a wide range of optional modules in public, private, and international law, allowing for individual specialisation. Students benefit from high-quality teaching, small-group tutorials, and access to excellent facilities including a moot court and pro bono room. Opportunities for a year abroad and involvement in student-led law societies further enhance the academic and professional experience.
Admissions Requirements
A Level / IB: A*AA at A Level or 38 points (666 at HL) at IB
Admissions test: LNAT
Written work: None
London School of Economics
LSE takes fifth spot in our ranking of the top UK universities for law.
University Overview
Another high-ranking member of the Russell Group and G5 group, LSE is a social sciences university based in London. Founded in the late nineteenth century, its alumni include many world leaders.
Course Overview
The LSE LLB offers a distinctive approach by examining law through a social science lens, exploring its influence on society, politics, economics, and business. Taught by world-leading researchers, the course equips students with the legal knowledge required for the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam, while also developing skills applicable to careers in fields like banking, politics, and education. Its central London location provides access to the legal district and top firms, with a vibrant Law Society offering mooting competitions, guest talks, and social events.
Admissions Requirements
A Level / IB: A*AA at A Level or39 points at IB (766 at HL)
Admissions test: LNAT
Written work: None
Conclusion
If you want to get into a top UK university for law, you’ll need excellent grades at A Level, IB or equivalent (AAA / 38 points or better). For selecting A Level subjects, you might find our guide on which A Levels are needed for law useful. You’ll also need to perform strongly in the LNAT, as all of the top five in our list require this test.
In practice, this list should only be the starting point of your research. The best law course for you ultimately depends on your personal academic goals, preferred course structure, and learning environment. We recommend you carefully research a wide range of courses to understand which suits you best.
For expert, personal advice, you can work with our law admissions consultants. They have supported countless law applicants and can optimise your chances of acceptance to the best-fit university for you. From shortlisting courses to LNAT prep, personal statement, interview and more, we can optimise your chances of admission.
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At Dukes Plus, we’ve been helping law applicants get into leading universities since 1999 – including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and more. Our law admissions consultants are experts who can support you with everything from LNAT preparation to personal statements and interviews.
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FAQs
According to both the Complete University Guide and the Guardian, the University of Cambridge is currently ranked as the best university for law in the UK. Other top institutions include UCL, Oxford, Durham, and LSE.
Yes, all of the top five universities listed – Cambridge, UCL, Oxford, Durham, and LSE – require applicants to take the LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) as part of the admissions process.
Most top law schools in the UK require high grades: typically AAA or A*AA at A Level or 38–42 points at IB, often with 6s or 7s at Higher Level subjects. Exact requirements vary slightly by university.
Yes, all of the undergraduate law degrees mentioned provide the academic foundation required for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and are recognised by the Bar Standards Board for those wishing to become a barrister.
Rankings offer a useful starting point, but they don’t tell the full story. It’s important to also consider course structure, teaching style, location, and your personal preferences when choosing a university.
Yes, many top universities such as Oxford, UCL, and Durham offer study-abroad options as part of their law programmes. These may involve spending a year at a partner university in Europe, Asia, or the US.