The University of Law: What it's really like
Learn all about The University of Law
Looking for a professional degree that prepares you for the real world? The University of Law may be exactly what you’re looking for.
At a glance:
| Founded | Traces their origins back to a legal tutorial firm founded in 1876, and received their university designation in 2012. |
| Locations | UK campuses in Birmingham, Bristol, Guildford, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Nottingham; international campuses in Berlin and Hong Kong; Online campus. |
| Length | 2 years, 3 years, 4 years with foundation year, or part time degrees (usually 4-6 years) |
| Courses | Key departments are Law, Business, Politics, Policing, and Criminology, with multiple courses within these categories. |
| Students | 3000 undergraduates |
| Great for | Students who know they want to pursue a focused, practical course to prepare for a professional career. |
| Not for | Students looking for a broader academic programme or who want a large campus experience. |
Pete Edge, Director of Admissions, Access, and Participation at The University of Law, explains what makes The University of Law special - and how to put together a strong application.
What is The University of Law?
The University of Law is home to the UK’s largest undergraduate law faculty, and provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in law and related areas. Its origins go back to 1876, and it received official university designation in 2012.
For undergraduate study it has seven campuses across the UK, plus two abroad - one in Berlin, and one in Hong Kong. It also offers a range of degrees entirely online.
Why apply to The University of Law?
The University of Law consistently ranks extremely highly in the UK’s National Student Satisfaction Survey - a survey that all final-year undergraduates can take assessing their satisfaction with the course that they’re about to complete. In 2019, The University of Law achieved top ten rankings for five core areas of the survey, and in 2020 was named the best university in England for overall student satisfaction. Basically, students at The University of Law tend to be really happy with their choice.
Part of the reason for these high levels of satisfaction may be that the educational style is extremely practical. 90% of your teachers will be professionally qualified in the field that they’re teaching, be it policing or law or business, and the focus of the degree is very much to prepare you for real-world employment.
Plus, if you’re from the UK, the seven UK campuses mean that you really aren’t limited by location. If you want to stay close to home, there’s likely a campus near you - or you can seize the chance to try someplace you’ve always wanted to live! Each of the different campuses has a different feel, so you can find a location that’s right for you.
Who isn’t the right fit for The University of Law?
If you’re dreaming about wandering around a traditional campus university surrounded by thousands of fellow students, The University of Law may not be right for you. The campuses tend to be smaller, and many of the students commute from home rather than living in halls of residence. However, a smaller student body means you’re much more able to quickly feel part of the student community and have the opportunity to connect with your teachers.
It’s also worth remembering that The University of Law is focused on offering courses linked to the professions. So if you’re dreaming of studying music or French literature, The University of Law might not be for you.
Any application tips?
Universities want to see that you’re making informed decisions, both in terms of the subject you want to study and the institutions you want to study at. Use your Personal Statement to demonstrate the reasons behind the choices, the relevant skills you’ve developed, and the experiences you’ve had (both in and out of the classroom) that have set you on this path. The main aim is to persuade whoever is reading your Personal Statement that you will be an excellent student once you’re on the course.
A great way to find appropriate experiences, and also to demonstrate that you are keen, is to engage with events and resources that universities are putting out there! There are so many online opportunities, like webinars, that can introduce you to potential courses and institutions. Make use of what the universities themselves are offering, and you’ll not only be able to make a more informed choice, it helps you show how committed you are.
Remember, Unifrog’s Personal statement tool can help you make sure you’re really explaining why you’d be a great choice for a course, while the Activities tool can help you keep track of all the exciting things you’ve done outside of school.