How is law taught in the UK?
Asked by: Dayana Murray IV | Last update: August 19, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (36 votes)
Every law degree in the UK law covers the same seven core modules that provide the essentials of law and analysis. You can then refine your learning around the areas that interest you most, by selecting specialist modules set by your university, ranging in everything from family law to human rights.
How are lawyers trained in the UK?
Becoming a solicitor via the university route requires you to complete a qualifying law degree (LLB) before taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which will eventually replace traditional routes to qualification such as the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC).
What is the procedure to study law in the UK?
Apply for a 3-year LLB in the UK
Students who already have an undergraduate degree can apply for the fast-track 2-year LLB Senior Status program. Students will normally need a GPA of at least 2.7/4.0 to qualify for this program.
How does law school work in the UK?
In the UK, students who wish to become lawyers can opt to complete a three-year LLB program, or an alternative undergraduate degree plus a one-year GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) conversion course. The GDL is an option for students who did not study law for their undergraduate studies.
How long is law school in the UK?
If you complete an “ordinary” LLB, this takes 3 years. Most students undertake an LLB with Honours, and this takes 4 years. If you study part-time the LLB usually takes 5 years to complete.
Why Everyone Should Go To Law School | Jana Al-Akhras | TEDxNewAlbany
Is UK law difficult?
A law degree is challenging. You will read complex cases, historic legal principles and plenty of academic commentary on subjects, so it is critical that you can extract relevant information and digest it properly. Law degrees can appear daunting but do not let that get in the way of your ambition.
How many years does it take to become a lawyer UK?
How long it takes. It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It will be longer if you study a different subject for your degree and decide later you want to follow a legal career.
Is law school in the UK free?
Undergraduate law and non-law degrees
A student loan for fees (commonly called the 'tuition fee loan') covers the full amount of your fees – the full amount available being set at £9,250 for the academic year 2024/25.
How much do lawyers make in the UK?
The estimated total pay for a Lawyer is £69,439 per year, with an average salary of £60,970 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
What year 9 options should I take to be a lawyer in the UK?
History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages and English Literature are often encouraged for potential lawyers as they can help to broaden your awareness of global and political issues.
Is it hard to get into law school in UK?
The Complete University Guide ranks UCL as the 2nd university in the UK for Law (2025). Not only is it competitive to gain a place at UCL, but the Law course is especially difficult to get into. In 2022, UCL's Annual Admissions Statistical Report revealed that the acceptance rate for Law is as low as 9%.
Which country is best for law study?
The world's best seven countries to study Law courses are the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands.
What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?
Barristers are specialists in advocacy, wearing wigs and gowns whilst representing clients in higher courts. Whilst solicitors handle day-to-day legal work, barristers are typically brought in for complex court proceedings and specialist opinions.
How hard is the bar exam?
The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.
Can you be a lawyer without going to university UK?
Apprenticeships. It's possible to qualify as a solicitor, paralegal or chartered legal executive by completing an apprenticeship. You'll receive a salary and complete classroom and work-based learning. You'll also complete assessments before being admitted to the profession.
What does LLB mean?
The Bachelor of Laws degree abbreviates to 'LLB', due to the traditional name of the qualification derived from Latin, 'Legum Baccalaureus'.
What is the richest type of lawyer in the UK?
You'll find the highest salaries in areas such as commercial and corporate law, while family and personal injury law are less likely to draw big-figure salaries.
Is it difficult to become a lawyer UK?
Becoming a lawyer in the UK is not a quick process by any means. It involves dedication, years of study and work experience, and ongoing professional development.
In which country do lawyers earn the most?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
How many years to study law in the UK?
Bachelor of Law (LLB)
A bachelor's degree in law is the basic undergraduate course for aspiring legal professionals. This course lasts three years of full-time study and includes a wide range of modules. It covers a variety of different areas of law such as commercial, constitutional, civil and criminal law.
Is UK a good law school?
University of Kentucky (Rosenberg) is ranked No. 61 (tie) out of 196 in Best Law Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Can a foreigner become a lawyer in the UK?
From September 2021, lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE allows you to qualify as a solicitor by taking the same exam as domestic candidates.
How long is law school at Harvard?
The J.D. (Juris Doctor) at Harvard Law School is a three-year, full-time, in-person rigorous program of study that first gives students the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice, and then gives students the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of particular interest through advanced classes, ...
Is law a good career in the UK?
Earning potential
With a law degree, you can go on to work as a lawyer in the UK on an average salary of £59,779 (Reed 2024), with the opportunity to earn a lot more; for example corporate lawyers earn an average of £103,495 (Glassdoor 2024).