Best Law Colleges in the UK for International Students: 2025

Studying law gives you an in-depth understanding of legal principles along with analytical thinking and critical reasoning skills, preparing you for careers with high financial stability and job security. You can also apply the skills and knowledge you gain from studying law, such as negotiation and problem-solving, across a variety of different industries and roles such as business consulting, human rights advocacy, policymaking, and even in everyday situations in your personal life. 

The UK stands out as a leading destination for legal education, allowing you to study in prestigious universities with a diverse range of courses on law and legal application. The country also has strong ties to international law, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of global legal systems and leading you towards international career opportunities. 

This guide explores the best law colleges in the UK, focusing on diverse undergraduate and postgraduate courses, entry requirements, costs, and scholarship opportunities for international students like you. Let’s get started.

Why study law in the UK

Whether you are a new law student or a practising professional aiming to expand your knowledge and global career options, the UK can be an ideal choice for your law studies. Here’s why:

• World-class education – UK law colleges are ranked among the best in the world for their teaching and research excellence.

• Shorter courses compared to India – Typically, LLB (Bachelor of Laws) courses in the UK take three years and LLM (Master of Laws) courses take one to two years to complete.

• Diverse specialisations – From corporate law to human rights law, UK universities offer tailored specialisations to suit your academic and career ambitions.

• Global recognition – A law degree from the UK is respected and recognised around the world, opening you up to international opportunities.

• Networking and internships – You can connect with peers, alumni, and faculty, building a strong professional network while accessing many internship opportunities with law firms and organisations in the UK.

• Clear career pathways – The UK offers many opportunities for law graduates to pursue a career in law across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.

The UK offers comprehensive legal education along with many opportunities for you to establish and progress in your career. Next, let’s take a look at the types of law degrees you can pursue in the UK.

Types of law degrees and specialisations in the UK for international students

Law colleges in the UK offer many study options for law and legal studies, starting from undergraduate-level LLB courses to doctoral degrees. Here are some of the most popular types of UK law degrees you can pursue:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – A three-year undergraduate degree providing foundational knowledge in criminal, contract, and constitutional law to prepare you for legal careers.

• Master of Laws (LLM) – A one to two-year postgraduate degree that allows you to deepen your understanding of specific areas of law such as corporate or international law.

• Joint honours – A multidisciplinary course allowing you to combine your degree with another subject like business, politics, or history.

• Law with a placement year – An undergraduate or postgraduate degree integrating practical experience at a law firm, barrister’s chambers, or any other legal organisation, offering insights into conducting legal research and the roles of legal professionals.

• PhD and MPhil courses – A research-driven course that usually lasts three to five years, giving you in-depth knowledge of complex legal issues or gaps in existing law.

Apart from these degree types, you can also choose a specialisation when planning your law studies in the UK. Here are some of the most popular law specialisations to choose from:

• Business law – Covers legal aspects of business operations like contracts and corporate compliance.

• Commercial and corporate law – Examines legal frameworks governing commercial transactions and corporate governance.

• Criminology and criminal justice – Studies the justice system and causes of crime.

• International human rights – Focuses on global and regional human rights laws.

• Law and finance – Explores banking law, investment regulations, and financial policies.

Now that we’ve gone over the options you can consider when choosing a law programme in the UK, let’s take a look at the institutions offering these programmes.

Best law colleges in the UK for international students in 2025

While there are many universities in the UK offering legal education, one key factor you may want to consider when choosing a university is the region you are planning to practice law in the UK: England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

While the legal education system in England and Wales focuses on common law, Scotland has elements of Scots law and Northern Ireland has its own legal frameworks. Some universities offer law courses that apply across all three of these regions, however, some offer courses that apply to a single region. For example, University of Glasgow offers a Scots Law LLB programme and Ulster University offers a course with an Irish LLB, which uses Irish as the main means of communication. So if you are planning to practice law in a specific region in the UK, it’s important to select a law school delivering education that applies to your chosen jurisdiction.

Here are the top 10 universities in the UK offering law and legal studies programmes, ranked according to the QS World University and Guardian University Guide subject rankings. We’ve organised them according to region so you can explore courses based on where you plan to practice law.

There are a wide range of universities in the UK for law and legal studies—if you need assistance weighing your options and choosing the right university and programme that aligns with your future academic and career goals, experts at SI-UK are here to help.

Next, let’s take a look at the most popular LLB, LLM, and doctoral programmes these universities offer so you can consider them when you are exploring your programme choices for law study in the UK.

Best undergraduate law courses in the UK

Undergraduate law courses offered by UK universities include LLB and BA (Bachelor of Arts) programmes. Most of these programmes take three to four years to complete, depending on the degree and specialisation you choose. Here are some of the most popular LLBs in the UK along with course duration, entry requirements, and fees for Indian students.

BA in Jurisprudence, University of Oxford

This course is the equivalent of an LLB and qualifies you for practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales.

• Course duration: Three years
• Entry requirements: IB score of 38, AAA grades for A-levels, and a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 45 lakhs

BA (Hons) in Law, University of Cambridge

The undergraduate honours degree from Cambridge allows you to study law in its historical and social contexts, qualifying you for practice as a solicitor or barrister.

• Course duration: Three years
• Entry requirements: IB score of 41, AAA grades for A-levels, and a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 29 lakhs

LLB Law (Ordinary and Honours), University of Edinburgh

This LLB course is designed to give you the legal skills and knowledge required for a solicitor or an advocate in Scotland.

• Course duration: Four years
• Entry requirements: IB score of 39, AAA grades for A-levels, and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 30 lakhs

LLB Law, Queen’s University Belfast

The LLB Law programme from Queen’s University Belfast offers core legal knowledge along with multiple specialisation options, providing a comprehensive understanding of law at local, national, and international levels.

• Course duration: Three years
• Entry requirements: IB score of 36, AAA grades for A-levels, and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 23 lakhs

Best postgraduate law courses in the UK 

If you want to take your knowledge and mastery of law to the next level and work toward becoming an expert, you may also consider a postgraduate law course. You can pursue a masters course in law after completing a bachelors degree in law, social sciences, or a relevant subject. LLMs in the UK typically take one to two years to complete, offering you in-depth knowledge of chosen subjects and preparing you for diverse opportunities in the legal field. Here are the most popular LLMs in the UK along with course duration, entry requirements, and fees for Indian students.

MSc in Law and Finance, University of Oxford

Taught jointly by the Law Faculty and the Saïd Business School, this course provides an advanced understanding of economic and financial concepts and their application in law.

• Course duration: 10 months
• Entry requirements: A first-class or a very strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in law or an equivalent recognised qualification. A minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 58 lakhs

LLM, University of Cambridge

This course offers advanced legal studies tailored for postgraduate students with a choice of specialised courses.

• Course duration: Nine months
• Entry requirements: A first-class undergraduate degree with honours in law or an equivalent recognised qualification. A minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 46 lakhs

LLM, University of Edinburgh

The LLM programme from the University of Edinburgh allows you to develop broad expertise in law, giving you a broad overview of law and legal practice across a range of subject areas in law.

• Course duration: One year
• Entry requirements: An upper second-class honours undergraduate degree in law or social sciences or an equivalent recognised qualification. A minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 33 lakhs

Law and Technology LLM, Queen’s University Belfast

This course explores how law and technology interact, focusing on areas like generative AI (Artificial intelligence), autonomous vehicles, and algorithmic decision-making to give you specialised, up-to-date knowledge on governance and intellectual property.

• Course duration: One year
• Entry requirements: A second-class lower division honours undergraduate degree or an equivalent recognised qualification. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 23 lakhs

Best doctoral courses in law in the UK 

A doctorate in law is the highest academic qualification in law and legal studies in the UK, with UK universities offering highly individualised, research-intensive courses that take three to five years to complete. These courses are a good choice for students who want to become complete experts in law and take their career to the greatest possible heights. Here are some of the most popular PhD programmes in law in the UK, along with course duration, entry requirements, and fees for Indian students.

DPhil in Law, University of Oxford

The DPhil in Law is considered the most prestigious research degree from the Law Faculty at University of Oxford, and as a doctoral law student, you are required to present a thesis that contributes significantly to your area of study.

• Course duration: Three to four years
• Entry requirements: A first-class undergraduate degree with honours in law and a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 32 lakhs

PhD in Law, University of Cambridge

This PhD programme includes three to four years of full-time study of supervised independent research for a thesis not exceeding 100,000 words.

• Course duration: Three to four years
• Entry requirements: A first-class honours undergraduate degree and a minimum IELTS score of 7.5 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 34 lakhs

PhD in Law, University of Edinburgh

The PhD in Law programme requires you to produce original research material presented as a publication-ready thesis of up to 100,000 words.

• Course duration: Three years
• Entry requirements: An upper second-class honours degree in law, arts, or social sciences, a masters degree with at least 60% in the taught section and 65% or more in the dissertation, or equivalent qualifications, and a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 30 lakhs

PhD in Law, Queen’s University Belfast

This programme offers supervision across diverse legal fields such as human rights, justice, and law and governance as you undertake research, giving you further opportunities to teach, publish, and engage with the legal profession and judiciary.

• Course duration: Three years
• Entry requirements: An upper second-class honours degree in law, or another relevant discipline, a masters degree with an average above 60% or equivalent qualifications, and a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent
• Fees: INR 22 lakhs

The UK has a diverse range of study options for your law education, from undergraduate degrees focusing on the foundational aspects of law to doctorates encouraging you to examine legal systems both locally in the UK and globally. While choosing a programme from these options is an important step, there are other key elements to consider in addition to your programme preference when choosing a UK university to study law. 

Factors to consider when choosing a law college in the UK

Considering your academic and career goals of studying law in the UK as well as the student experience you are looking to gain from a law college in the UK is essential when researching universities in the UK. Let’s take a look at how evaluating your goals and considering the potential student experience at universities can help you decide where to apply:

• Your postgraduate plans

You may be studying law to pursue a career as an attorney, or your goal may be to conduct legal research and pursue a career in academia. If your goal is to build a legal career, a university with high rates of graduate employability can serve you better. On the other hand, if you are aiming to join academia and conduct original research, you may want to choose a university known for its research expertise and contributions. 

• Campus facilities and student support

Your university experience is shaped by the student community, campus facilities, and social activities, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a well-balanced student life allowing for academics as well as various extracurricular activities that lead to personal and professional growth. You may want to look into accommodation options, recreational facilities, and student support services like career counselling, clubs, and societies on campus to understand the student life you can expect at your chosen university. 

• Networking and internships

Universities are a great place to make connections and build a professional network with your peers, professors, and mentors, opening doors to future career opportunities. You can also access valuable practical experience through internships, so it’s best to look for universities that offer a wide variety of these types of opportunities.

Considering these factors can make it easier to choose a law college in the UK that enriches your student experience and supports your academic and professional goals. Additionally, it’s also important to consider the cost of studying in the UK when choosing your law college, which we will explore in the next section.

Cost of studying law in the UK for Indian students

The main expenses you need to keep in mind when planning for your studies in the UK are tuition fees, pre-arrival fees such as the visa application and university application fees, and the cost of living in the UK. In the next few sections, we’ll be breaking down the costs you can expect when pursuing law studies in the UK so you can start planning your finances early.

Tuition fees for the best law colleges in the UK

The average cost of tuition for law colleges in the UK depends on the type and study level of the degree you’re pursuing and can vary between different institutions. Generally, undergraduate and doctorate courses cost the highest, with masters courses costing around INR 10–15 lakhs lower on average. Here are the average costs of each of these courses in the UK:

• Undergraduate programmes (LLBs and BAs) – INR 30–45 lakhs

• Masters programmes (LLMs and MScs) – INR 20–30 lakhs

• Doctorate programmes (PhDs) – INR 30–35 lakhs

Pre-arrival fees for law students in the UK

These are the costs involved in the application and admission process. The expenses can vary for each student, but a general breakdown may look like this:

• Student visa fee: £490 (Approx. INR 53,000)

• Language proficiency tests: Approx. £115 (Approx. INR 12,500)

• UCAS application fee for 2025 entry (Mostly applicable for undergraduate courses): £28.50 (Approx. INR 3000)

• Initial deposit paid out to the university to confirm your place in the programme: Approx. £1,000 (Approx. INR 108,000) This depends on the programme and some universities do not charge this fee

Cost of living in the UK

In addition to your tuition fee for the course and pre-arrival expenses, it’s important to consider the cost of living where your chosen university is located. The cost of living in the UK ranges between £1,425 and £2,035 (INR 150,000–INR 230,000) per month in 2025, depending on your lifestyle and location.

Here’s a general breakdown of the living expenses you can expect when studying in the UK:

Tuition fees, pre-arrival fees, and living expenses in the UK can seem like a lot to keep track of as an international student at first, which is why you may want to consider applying for scholarships. Scholarships can help you offset some of these costs and support your law studies in the UK, so let’s take a look at the scholarships you can apply for as a student aiming to study law in the UK next.

Scholarships and funding options for the best law colleges in the UK

The UK government, universities, and private donors offer scholarships for international students like you to pursue their studies in the UK. Understanding the costs they cover and their eligibility criteria can help you decide which scholarship to apply for. Here are some of the most popular scholarships you can apply for as an Indian law student.

GREAT Scholarships for justice and law

The British Council, the GREAT Britain Campaign, and participating UK higher education institutions fund and offer these scholarships to students studying one-year postgraduate courses.

LLB and LLB for Graduates Scholarships

University of Birmingham offers these scholarships for students aiming to study undergraduate law courses at Birmingham Law School.

Norman Palmer Partial Scholarship

Queen Mary University of London offers this scholarship for students aiming to study the LLM Art, Business, and Law course.

Commonwealth Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to students from Commonwealth countries, including India, who are pursuing masters programmes in the UK.

Applying for these scholarships can make your education more affordable, with many scholarships granting full or partial coverage on tuition fees. Certain scholarships also offer additional allowances, so researching these scholarships, especially the ones that your chosen university offers, can help you choose the ideal one to fund your law studies in the UK. 

Now that you know the factors you may want to consider when choosing a university and programme for your law studies in the UK, let’s take a look at your prospects after graduation. We will explore the career opportunities available for law graduates in the UK in the next section.

Job roles and opportunities after studying law in the UK

Law graduates in the UK have the opportunity to pursue a wide range of public, private, and voluntary sector career pathways. Once you’ve completed your academic qualification and the internship (if applicable) you can enter the civil service through the Civil Service Fast Stream, become a legal practitioner, pursue roles in academia, or serve as legal counsel for private organisations, charities, and not-for-profit organisations. Here are some of the most popular job roles for law graduates in the UK, along with their average annual salaries:

*Salary data accessed from PayScale in December 2024.

Whether you are planning to practice law, act as legal counsel, or go into academia, studying law in the UK opens up many lucrative and globally respected career pathways. Next, let’s take a look at the final step you need to get through to start your studies in the UK as an international student—the visa application.

Student Visa to study law in the UK as an Indian Student

Applying for a UK Student visa is an essential step for Indian students planning to study in the UK. Here’s how you can navigate the process.

Visa application process to follow as an Indian student

• Step 1: Fill in your student visa application form via the GOV.uk site
• Step 2: Submit your documents, either:
• Online when filling out your application 
• At a visa application centre 
• Step 3: Book a biometrics appointment with your closest visa application centre 
• Step 4: Attend your biometrics appointment and if you’ve chosen to do so, submit your documents on the same day
• Step 5: Attend a visa interview if you’re asked to do so

If you need support with your visa application at any point, our visa experts can help you through our visa assistance service.

Documents needed for visa as an Indian student

Here are the documents you need to get a visa for the UK as an Indian student:

• A current passport 
• The CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your university 
• Documents to show financial evidence, which can include:
• A letter confirming an educational loan
• Bank documents of current accounts, deposits, savings accounts, pensions, and/or investment accounts
• A letter from your parents or guardian if they’re funding your studies, along with a legal document showing your relationship to them and their financial documents
• A letter from your financial sponsor, if you have one, which includes their contact details and the amount of money they’ll provide for you
• Your TB test results 
• Written consent from your financial sponsor (if applicable)

If you need more information on how to put these documents together and the visa application process, you can check out our guide on UK Student Visa: Checklist of Documents You’ll Need To Apply.

The UK’s top ranking universities and its recognition as one of the best countries in the world for legal education make it an ideal destination for studying law—giving you the opportunity to gain a world-class education, specialise in various fields, and build a rewarding and lucrative career. Whether you’re just starting your law education or looking to deepen your knowledge, the extensive selection of law courses available in the UK at some of the world’s best universities for law can set you on the path to success, helping you become a well-rounded legal professional.

If you need help choosing a university to study law, understanding the entry requirements, or exploring scholarship opportunities, experts at SI-UK are ready to help. You can book a free consultation online or at one of our local offices today.

FAQs

How much does it cost to study law in the UK?

The average cost of tuition for law colleges in the UK depends on the type and level of the degree you’re pursuing. Here are the average costs of law programmes in the UK:

• Undergraduate programmes (LLBs and BAs) – INR 30–45 lakhs
• Masters programmes (LLMs and MScs) – INR 20–30 lakhs
• Doctorate programmes (PhDs) – INR 30–35 lakhs

Is studying an LLB in the UK worth it?

Yes. The average annual salary of an attorney in the UK is £54,709 with the potential to earn more depending on specialisations and different career pathways. The UK has many opportunities for law graduates, with roles across public, private, and voluntary sectors, so studying for an LLB in the UK can certainly be valuable.

What are the eligibility criteria for studying law in the UK?

Generally, universities expect an IB score of 35+, A-levels or an equivalent qualification, and an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher for LLBs. For LLMs and PhDs, you may need an undergraduate degree in law or a relevant subject with minimum second upper-class honours. Eligibility criteria for law programmes in the UK can vary depending on the university and programme you choose and the level of study you are applying for.

Are there scholarships available for international students studying law in the UK?

Yes, the UK government, universities, and private donors offer a range of scholarships for law students aiming to study in the UK. Some of the most popular scholarships for law students in the UK are GREAT scholarships for justice and law, LLB and LLB for Graduates Scholarships from the University of Birmingham and the Norman Palmer Partial Scholarship from Queen Mary University of London.

Can I work while studying law in the UK?

Yes, international students studying law on a Student visa in the UK can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. You can also get a two-year post-study work visa once you complete your studies.

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