What is the pass rate for law school in the UK?

Asked by: Hollie Will  |  Last update: January 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (67 votes)

Law school pass rates range from 100% to under 30% depending on where you study, a report by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed. For the academic year to 31 August 2018, the proportion of students who passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) ranged from 29% to 100% among 25 postgraduate institutions.

What is the pass rate for law degrees in the UK?

Law At University Statistics

The number of legal graduates in law across England and Wales for the 2021-22 academic year reached a record high 18,927. 27% of graduates achieved a first-class degree while 55% recorded a 2:1 degree.

Is UK law school hard to get into?

UK Law School Entry Requirements

You will typically need high school grades of 70% (or at least 60%) or a university degree with a 2.6 GPA. No matter what your grades we can find a route to Law school in the UK for you!

What is the acceptance rate for law school in the UK?

The LSAT measures reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning. UK Law ranks #95 in terms of student selectivity with an acceptance rate of 48.0% among those who applied for admission.

What is the failure rate for law school?

In 2023, the collective attrition rate across all law schools was 3.8 percent, underscoring a significant yet frequently underestimated factor in the assessment of legal education.

What we wish we knew about UK Law School - applying, structure, LNAT, Watson Glaser and acing it all

29 related questions found

How many people pass the bar in the UK?

The table above aggregates all the attempts by candidates at all Providers at both the Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation examinations across all five sittings from December 2020 to April 2022. The average pass rate is 53.93%.

Is law a hard degree in the UK?

Kieran's tips for students considering a law degree

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.

How long is law school in UK?

Length of Study

Gaining a practicing Law degree can take seven years in Canada, but just three years in the UK. A quicker qualification means lower total costs for your degree and a quicker route into paid work. Students who have already completed a first degree can do an undergraduate Law degree in just two years.

Is a UK law degree worth it?

Law qualifications from UK universities are commonly recognised as some of the best in the world. High standard of teaching, research led programmes and emphasis on practical law skills are among some of the reasons why a UK law degree is so valued.

What GPA do you need for law school UK?

For the class of 2019, the UK College of Law's minimum GPA and LSAT requirements were 3.36 and 154, respectively. For the class of 2023, the minimum accepted GPA and LSAT were 3.17 and 152. To be on the safe side, aim to score higher than the accepted minimum GPA and LSAT of the previous year.

Can you practice law in America with a British degree?

United States:

Although the legal system differs significantly from that of the UK, many UK law graduates find rewarding careers, particularly in states like New York and California. To practice law in the U.S., you'll typically need to pass the state bar exam.

How difficult is the bar exam in the UK?

Passing the bar exam for aspiring barristers is a lengthy and demanding process that should not be taken on lightly as only those who persevere and get very high marks usually make it through to the end.

What is the average age of lawyers in the UK?

Of these qualified solicitors: 3,827 are female and 2,523 are male. the average age entered onto the roll in 2021-22, across both genders, is 30 years. the average for males is 32.5 and the average age for females is 30.6.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

What degree has the highest dropout rate UK?

In conclusion, the degrees with the highest dropout rates in the UK are typically in the fields of engineering, computer science, and business. Factors that contribute to high dropout rates in these programs include the challenging coursework, lack of support from faculty, and unrealistic expectations of the field.

What percentage of lawyers are white in the UK?

And 77% of lawyers are from White groups, down from 78% in 2021. The Office for National Statistics employment figures from 2023 showed that 15% of the workforce in England, Scotland and Wales were from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds (6% Asian, 4% Black, 2% Mixed/Multiple and 4% Other) and 85% were White.

What percentage of law students get a first UK?

Law is one of the UK's most popular degrees. With only 22.6% of students receiving firsts, it sits alongside Business Studies degree students with a similar attainability percentage of 23.5%. However, in degrees such as Computing, far more graduates, 42.6% in fact, receive first-class degrees.

What is the hardest degree in the UK?

While Medicine may top the list, the UK offers a range of other challenging degrees. Whether you're considering a BA Hons or a BSc Hons, here's a more detailed look at the top five hardest degrees. Medicine: As mentioned, Medicine is the toughest degree due to its length, complexity and the sheer volume of material.

Which year of a law degree is the hardest?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

Is passing the bar a big deal?

People who pass it within a few tries are proving they understand legal ethics and can handle pressure, advocate for consumers and communicate in writing.

How much is the UK bar exam?

From Autumn 2021, the route to qualifying is changing. The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is expected to cost between £3,000 to £4,000.