This is a tough question, honestly. Based on the rankings alone, you couldn’t go wrong either way!

If you want to get a sense of life in the UK beyond London itself, then you should go for Durham. If you want to have a taste of life in London sooner, then go for QMUL.

Financial situations make a difference, as one of the other commentators pointed out. However, if that isn’t an issue…I recommend going to Durham. Because as wonderful as London can be, there’s more to life in a country than its capital city.

Another commentator does not recommend reading Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) or at City Law School. (The latter is now part of City St George’s, University of London.)

I respectfully disagree. I’ve heard good things about the education at SOAS. SOAS also counts eminent lawyers among its alumni. The UK’s current Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, read Law at SOAS.

As for City…I know it has good legal scholars, such as Professor Andrew Boon and Professor Jason Chuah. Obviously, two scholars do not make a whole Faculty of Law, but I doubt that City has terrible teaching. Eminent lawyers are also counted among City alumni: Herbert Henry Asquith, Clement Attlee, Tony Blair, Mahatma Gandhi, and Margaret Thatcher all went to the Inns of Court School of Law. (The Inns of Court School of Law is one of the forerunners of City St. George’s.)

Now, to get back on track…you could hardly go wrong with any of these offers. When it comes right down to it, however, it seems like you’re choosing between the UK’s capital city and a cathedral city in northern England.

I encourage you to take the road less travelled, because there’s more to the UK than London.

Finally, to expand on one point another commentator made…where you end up at for university is important, but what you make of university matters FAR more.

Durham is a better university in terms of ranking and prestige but I don’t think you are at a disadvantage for going to QM at all. If you are looking at where you will get the best experience and adjust the best go to QM. Your network in London will be bigger and better because you have access and exposure to the city and people in London. Your network will be wider from an international perspective being in London. Durham is fantastic but not a strong international community and network. Beyond your studies London is better to live in if you are looking to build you network internationally. At the end of the day whether you get a training contract will depend on how good your grades are you the quality of your work experience. A person with 2.2 from Durham will not get a training contract just because they went to Durham. A person with a 1st from QM and good experience will. Two people with 1sts and good work experience from Durham and QM stand the same chance at getting a TC at a top law firm. Durham has probably better social prestige but honestly, you are not guaranteed a TC just because you went to Durham.

That said the only universities in London I would encourage going to are LSE,QM,Kings and UCL for law. Anything outside of this I would say go to Durham. Don’t go to City or SOAS (referring to your comment on your offers below)

DEFINITELY Durham

“Gonna ,” ” But, like” – cringe Americanisms strike again !

Strong disagree. Durham is significantly more prestigious and networking opportunities are as good as in London due to strong Law Societies and Law School. Anyone can apply for an open day. Anecdotally a lot more Durham at Silvers and Magics than QM. At top US firms comparatively more Durham too for TC/ VS cohorts.

Serious error to consider Durham as bad for employability as it’s far from London. Grad recs flock there for a reason.

Statistically speaking Durham sends more graduates to MC firms. So the main advantage of going there would be the connections.

But in practice, from a recruiter’s POV, the difference in reputation between the two unis (or most RG unis barring Oxbridge) would be marginal.

I have offers from – Durham, Queen Mary, SOAS, City University for law. As an international student which one do you think would be better
which provides – good job prospects after graduation, networking opportunities, good reputation and overall a good uni experience.

Apart from the location, are there any other differences in law of school of kings and queen Mary?
(In job prospects, reputation in the legal world, networking opportunities etc.)

I’m an international student that did my bachelors and masters in London and now working as a trainee in London, so maybe I am bias. I had an offer from Durham and Kings. I chose Kings – no regrets!