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Old 05-11-2008: 5th November 2008 14:01 #1 
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Default Law School Picks for 2009
 
I am a North American student in the process of finalizing my 5 picks for the UCAS application for law in 2009 and I would be grateful for thoughts on my preliminary choices.

I have looked at the Times League Tables and recognize that they do not tell the full story. I am very interested in your ranking/comments for any of the schools I am considering in any of the following categories:

(i) the quality of the legal education;

(ii) the overall rep of the law school (not just the rep of the University)

(iii) the pros and cons of the campus/location.

My choices at this point are 5 of the following 8:

Warwick
Manchester
Leicester
Sheffield
Sussex
Hull
Kent
Liverpool

Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 05-11-2008: 5th November 2008 15:01 #2 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
I say Warwick, Manchester, Sheffield, Liecster/Liverpool and Kent. that gives you a range of requirements.
 
Old 05-11-2008: 5th November 2008 15:23 #3 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Of those universities then Manchester, Warwick and Leicester are, in my opinion, the strongest. Sheffield and, to a slightly lesser extent, Liverpool are also solid choices. Hull, Kent and Sussex do serve as decent back up choices for an AAA-AAB candidate. All three are decent, Hull being the stronger of the three in my opinion.

In terms of location then: -

Warwick

It's a campus based university, located on the outskirts of the city of Coventry. Some will say it's "in the middle of nowhere" but I don't think this is true at all. It's only 20 minutes or so by bus to Coventry. I don't really like Coventry as a city myself. It saw some terrible bombing during world war 2 and its architecture suffered. It suffered a fair bit from neglect during the 70s and 80s. But the university has an excellent reputation and the law school is, in my opinion, just outside the elite (and alongside Manchester and Leicester). It also has a fairly large international community with quite a diverse student make up.

Manchester

One of the student capitals of the country, it's a large and vibrant city. The university is based in the city itself. Manchester is a city growing in size, strength and international repuation. Its law department has also pulled away from many of the other redbricks (Victorian, redbrick style unis that traditional focussed on science and engineering) like Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle. Bristol is the one redbrick that most people would see as an elite law school. Manchester and Birmingham, however, have pulled away from the other redbricks and probably nestle just outside that elite.

Leicester

Campus based, quite a pleasent campus. I'm not really a fan of campus based universities but I do like Leicester's. The university has a growing reputation and so does the law school (which, in my opinion, matches the strength of any of your other options). It's not as large as Manchester, Sheffield, Warwick or Liverpool. In my opinion it's the ideal size, but this is just my opinion.

Hull

Hull is a university that, amongst the general public and some students doesn't have a great reputation. However, I wouldn't let this put you off. Most people are quite prefudiced and, as Hull itself is quite an unfashionable city (it does have some great deprivation in a number of areas) they think the university must be rubbish. This is not the case at all, Hull can pack a punch and the university has some great strengths (philosophy, politics and, importantly for you, law). Employers and people a bit more clued up may not express that same ignorance.

That campus is based in between the city and a large village/small town (it claims to be the largest village in the country, but even this is misleading as it is a fair size). The campus' location is semi-rural to urban.

Sheffield

Sheffield is a city based university. Sheffield itself is a major city and seen as a good student city. I'm not a great fan of it myself, it's quite an uninspired city architecturally. However, it is quite green and you do have a National Park on your doorstep (the Peak District). I think it's the only city in the country to include a National Park within its city boundaries so it may be a great choice if you want some great countryside nearby. Just briefly going back to Manchester, it too isn't far off some good countryside (both the Peak District and, further afield, the Lake District) but you'd usually need to travel by car or train. The Peak District still isn't as accessible from Manchester as it is from Sheffield.

Sheffied university is a solid "redbrick" (Victorian, redbick style" ) uni and its law department is just that. It's a solid department with a fairly good reptation. It does not excel in law, however.

That's it for now, I'll try and give you more info about Leicester's campus and the (rather limited) knowledge of Kent and Sussex later on.

Edit: -

Have you checked out the university comparison sticky in the law subforum?

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=88536

Also, I've just moved your thread to the law forum. Hopefully you'll get the specialist knowledge you deserve.

Last edited by River85 : 05-11-2008 at 15:26.

Old 05-11-2008: 5th November 2008 17:19 #4 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Warwick, Manchester, Sheffield, Leicester and Kent as insurance...

That's what I would pick...
 
Old 06-11-2008: 6th November 2008 20:04 #5 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Thanks very much for your input, particularly the very helpful response from River 85!

It seems clear that Warwick and Manchester are the top two schools of this grouping.

Based on what I hear regarding quality of teaching, research and student satisfaction, I would think that the law school at Leicester would be third in this grouping, but many still seem to favour Sheffield and Liverpool. Is this based on merit of the LAW SCHOOL or just a function of giving more weight to the reputation of redbricks as good, internationally known universities? Any insights would be appreciated as I am concerned about attending a school like Sheffield or Liverpool on the basis that the uni has a good reputation if the law school itself is inferior to my other picks.

Also, which of those three do employers favour?

There seem to be divided views as between Kent and Hull. I am wondering why that is and also why Sussex was not mentioned by anyone who responded. Is Sussex less desirable than Kent and Hull and why?

Again, thanks for your help.
Old 06-11-2008: 6th November 2008 20:15 #6 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
I can't comment on it's perceived reputation, but for what it's worth, I think Sussex is a lovely university with a good, solid law degree. When I went to the open day (subjective I know!) I loved it. Definitely a campus based university- everything, including first year accommodation, is on site; nice campus, lots of trees, and fairly modern. The facilities and everything seemed good (library etc.) and I got the impression that the law department itself is perhaps more highly regarded than the university as a whole would be. Brighton is also a very vibrant city to live in, lots going on and a good place to be a student. It's also not too far from London on the train, if you wanted to go further afield.

It made a very good impression on me, and although an insurance choice, I would be quite happy to end up there. Also, I completed work experience at a mid-range UK solicitor's firm, and the partner I was working for spoke very highly of Sussex and the course there.

Just my two cents- as you said, no one had mentioned Sussex yet, so Personally, I would put it above Kent, and possibly Hull? I'm not positive though!

Last edited by LadyJane : 06-11-2008 at 20:19.

Old 06-11-2008: 6th November 2008 21:33 #7 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Originally Posted by dialogue
Based on what I hear regarding quality of teaching, research and student satisfaction, I would think that the law school at Leicester would be third in this grouping, but many still seem to favour Sheffield and Liverpool. Is this based on merit of the LAW SCHOOL or just a function of giving more weight to the reputation of redbricks as good, internationally known universities?

I think that's probably it. Sheffield and Liverpool are both in major cities and large redbricks. They are more established names (despite Leicester still being a fair age). I'd say Leicester's superior to those two (and all redbricks with the exception of Bristol and possibly Mancester). But don't get too obsessed about the difference. It's small (particularly Leicester and Sheffield) and shouldn't be a great concern. I'd base my decision more on location and other factors.

Originally Posted by dialogue
I am wondering why that is and also why Sussex was not mentioned by anyone who responded. Is Sussex less desirable than Kent and Hull and why?

I was going to return and mention Sussex but didn't have the time, sorry. But LadyJane has mentioned it all, really. I can't add to that.
Old 07-11-2008: 7th November 2008 19:49 #8 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
thanks. Am I correct then that after Warwick, Manchester and Leicester, you would rank Sheffield and Liverpool ahead of Sussex, Hull and Kent? Also, where would Southampton fit in to the mix and what do you think of that law school?
Old 07-11-2008: 7th November 2008 19:54 #9 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Originally Posted by dialogue
thanks. Am I correct then that after Warwick, Manchester and Leicester, you would rank Sheffield and Liverpool ahead of Sussex, Hull and Kent? Also, where would Southampton fit in to the mix and what do you think of that law school?

Yeah, pretty much, personally speaking I'm not sure whether I'd place Hull alongside Sussex and Kent. I think it's stronger than those two, but still weaker (certainly no stronger) than Liverpool.

I don't really know Southampton's law school that well. The uni is very good, about typical solid redbrick standard. The law school isn't much different as far as I'm aware. About the same as Sheffield.
Old 07-11-2008: 7th November 2008 20:09 #10 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
okay. So would this be your view of groupings(in descending order):

Warwick
Manchester
Leicester

Sheffield
Southampton

Liverpool

Hull

Sussex
Kent

Last edited by dialogue : 07-11-2008 at 20:11.

Old 07-11-2008: 7th November 2008 20:23 #11 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
Originally Posted by dialogue
okay. So would this be your view of groupings(in descending order):

Warwick
Manchester
Leicester

Sheffield
Southampton

Liverpool

Hull

Sussex
Kent

Not far off, Liverpool still just about in that Sheffield and Southampton group.

Just don't exaggerate the difference between each group. The difference between the Warwick, Manchester and Leicester group and that headed by Sheffield isn't particularly large. The gap between Hull and then Sussex and Kent even less so. But, yes, in my opinion there are still slight gaps in between them.
Old 07-11-2008: 7th November 2008 20:55 #12 
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Default Re: Law School Picks for 2009
 
that very helpful. Thanks. Does anyone else have a view on these schools?
 
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