What are the odds of getting into Cambridge Law?

Asked by: Benton DuBuque  |  Last update: June 15, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (19 votes)

Getting into Cambridge Law is highly competitive, with undergraduate offer rates around 12-18% (meaning 1 in 5 to 1 in 8 applicants get an offer), while postgraduate LLM offer rates are higher, around 35%, but still require top academic performance, typically a First Class degree. Success hinges on stellar grades, a strong LNAT score, excellent references, relevant extracurriculars, and a standout interview performance.

How hard is it to get into Cambridge Law?

Academic requirements

The minimum academic entry requirement for the Cambridge LLM is a First Class degree in law from a UK university or its equivalent from an overseas institution. This means you will typically be placed well within the top 10% of law students in your jurisdiction.

How competitive is law at Cambridge?

Academic Criteria

MCL enrolment is typically restricted to no more than 25 students per year, meaning competition for places is intense. The normal minimum academic entry requirement for law graduates seeking admission to the Cambridge MCL is a top 5-10% ranking in their class.

What is the hardest course to get into at Cambridge?

The toughest courses to get into at the University of Cambridge are Computer Science with the acceptance rate of 7.6%, Medicine with the acceptance rate of 10%, and the total acceptance rate is around 16-17%.

What percentage of Cambridge law applicants get an interview?

Cambridge doesn't release official data on the number of students who get interviews. However, it's estimated that the interview rate is a lot higher than Oxford: around 75-80% of applicants get a Cambridge interview.

HOW TO GET INTO CAMBRIDGE TO STUDY LAW

33 related questions found

What are the top 3 hardest degrees?

The most difficult majors require extensive study time, more STEM courses, and a solid foundation in math. Chemistry, engineering, and physics are generally considered some of the hardest college majors available to undergraduates.

What is the #1 law school in the world?

While rankings vary slightly by source, Harvard University and Yale University consistently rank as the #1 or #2 law schools globally, often trading places with University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Stanford University, depending on the specific ranking methodology (like QS, THE, or U.S. News). Harvard often leads in overall reputation and resources, while Yale excels in selectivity, and UK universities like Oxford and Cambridge are top contenders. 

Which UK university is best for law?

Best Universities For Law UK: 8 Best Law Schools

  • University of Oxford.
  • University of Cambridge.
  • University College London.
  • Durham University.
  • King's College London.
  • University of Glasgow.
  • University of Edinburgh.
  • Queen Mary University of London.

How much do Cambridge lawyers make?

Lawyer salaries in Cambridge

How accurate is an average base pay range of £42K-£71K/yr? Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.

How many people apply for law at Cambridge?

In this article, we'll go through the entry requirements for Law at Cambridge. The degree sees extremely high competition, with less than 20% of applicants achieving a place on the course. There are typically 230 – 260 total places available across all colleges with nearly 1,600 students applying each year.

What is the easiest university to get into for law?

The criteria for the easiest law schools to get into can vary depending on acceptance rates, GPA and LSAT scores, but some of the easiest law schools to get into include the Vermont Law School, University of North Dakota, Whittier Law School and Oklahoma City University.

How hard is it for Americans to get into Cambridge?

Getting into Cambridge as an American is extremely difficult, requiring near-perfect academic records (typically 5s on 5+ AP exams, 1500+ SAT/32+ ACT), subject-specific tests, and showcasing deep passion for your chosen subject, often at a level exceeding typical US high school achievement, with lower acceptance rates for US applicants compared to the global average. It's a highly focused academic application, not holistic, meaning exceptional depth in your chosen field is crucial. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes yearly and depends on metrics, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (around 3-4%) and fierce competition, though some sources might point to Minerva University (1%) or The Juilliard School for arts. Harvard is often cited as the most famous, while Caltech is known for STEM, and Minerva for its unique global program. 

What is the hardest law school to get into in the UK?

In the UK, LSE is considered to be the most competitive, just 9% of applicants gain admission.

What grades do I need for Cambridge law?

The typical offer for Law is A*AA or equivalent. For the full list of equivalent qualifications, see the University's website. The BA Law degree does not have any specific requirements for which subjects you study at A level or equivalent.

What are the top 3 law schools?

The top 3 law schools consistently ranked by sources like U.S. News & World Report are typically Yale University, Stanford University, and Harvard University, often followed closely by the University of Chicago, forming the elite "T3" or "T14" group, though rankings shift slightly year to year, with Stanford sometimes leading.
 

Which Russell Group is best for law?

Top 10 Best Russell Group Universities for Law

  1. University of Cambridge. ...
  2. University of Oxford. ...
  3. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) ...
  4. University College London (UCL) ...
  5. King's College London. ...
  6. Durham University. ...
  7. University of Bristol. ...
  8. University of Manchester.

What are the top 3 universities in the UK?

All of the league tables also rank universities in individual subjects. As of 2025, the top-five ranked universities in the United Kingdom are Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE), St Andrews, and Durham, with Imperial College London, Bath and Warwick also appearing in the top ten of all three rankings.

Is Cambridge law prestigious?

The latest university rankings for law place three US universities in the top spots, while Cambridge beats its rival Oxford outside of the top three.

What are the big 3 law schools?

The "Big Three" law schools traditionally refer to Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, known for their extreme selectivity, prestige, and leading placement in BigLaw, though rankings shift, with Chicago, Columbia, and NYU often forming an adjacent elite tier (T-14) with strong BigLaw outcomes. These top schools, especially Yale, Harvard, and Stanford, consistently boast the lowest acceptance rates and attract the most top-tier applicants for lucrative careers in large law firms, academia, or federal clerkships. 

What is the toughest law school to get into?

The hardest law schools to get into consistently include Yale, Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Chicago, known for extremely low acceptance rates (often under 10-15%) and requiring exceptional LSAT scores (median 170+) and GPAs (median 3.9+) for admitted students, alongside holistic review processes. Other highly selective schools are Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Northwestern, and UVA, making up the top tier with fierce competition for limited spots. 

Which degree leads to the highest burnout?

Architecture. Architecture is known as one of the degrees that leads to the highest mental burnout due to its intense studio culture, long working hours, and demanding design expectations. Students often spend nights completing models, drawings, and critiques, which can lead to stress and exhaustion.

What is the #1 easiest major?

There's no single #1 easiest major, as it depends on your strengths, but Psychology, Communications, Education, and English consistently rank as easy due to less math/science, focus on soft skills (writing, speaking), and broad application, with Psychology often topping lists for its focus on human behavior and lower technical demands for undergrads. Other popular "easy" choices include Sociology, Social Work, and General Studies.