What are the ‘top ten’ universities in the U.K.?

It really depends what you're looking for.
Do you want to go to a university that is internationally recognised or one that is prestigious within the UK? If you want to be a barrister in the UK, then why would it matter what employers of other countries think about your university?

I guess Oxbridge are widely recognised as the 'best' universities for law, but all the universities you mentioned are also fantastic, and many more also are. Also, comparing universities is practically impossible. There is practically no such thing as the 'best' university. I think you should worry less about what the university's reputation is and more about how your skills and knowledge will develop there.
Eve Cornwell studied at Bristol and is now a trainee lawyer at LinkLaters. Bristol isn't bad but it's not the 'top' university for law, and yet it was her skills, enthusiasm, dedication, knowledge, experience etc that landed her that position. That's what 'graduate prospects' actually means. :smile:

Reply 3

999tigger

19

Tbf there are lots of carefully compiled definitive ranking tables on TSR, use one of those.
If you went and got a high first at Oxford that makes things a bit easier and youd have more beer time, so just do that like most of TSR except the deviants who go to LSE.

Original post by chloenix

It really depends what you're looking for.
Do you want to go to a university that is internationally recognised or one that is prestigious within the UK? If you want to be a barrister in the UK, then why would it matter what employers of other countries think about your university?

I guess Oxbridge are widely recognised as the 'best' universities for law, but all the universities you mentioned are also fantastic, and many more also are. Also, comparing universities is practically impossible. There is practically no such thing as the 'best' university. I think you should worry less about what the university's reputation is and more about how your skills and knowledge will develop there.
Eve Cornwell studied at Bristol and is now a trainee lawyer at LinkLaters. Bristol isn't bad but it's not the 'top' university for law, and yet it was her skills, enthusiasm, dedication, knowledge, experience etc that landed her that position. That's what 'graduate prospects' actually means. :smile:

I thought OP is wanting to do a history course

Reply 5

avacados1

Original post by londonmyst

It varies according to subjects, specialist area, employer perceptions of the uni/alumni and country that they are based in.
Within England I'd go with:

Oxford
Cambridge
LSE
UCL
KCL

Maybe add Warwick, Manchester, York, DMU and Sussex.

Imperial?

Reply 6

Nishigawa

5

University of East London should legit be a Russell Group Uni. The facilities are exceptional. And you get world class education.

Reply 7

londonmyst

19

Original post by avacados1

Imperial?

No, not for law.
Probably would for stem.

Reply 8

avacados1

Original post by londonmyst

No, not for law.

oh sorry didn't see that bit :smile:

Reply 9

Wired_1800

Original post by Mayataylor

I see so many people referring to the top ten when talking about employment and graduate prospects (especially for law). I want to be a barrister and i will probably apply to Cambridge, LSE, ucl, Durham and one of Bristol, Warwick, editor St. Andrews. However, I’m confused as to which of these Unis would feature in this so called top ten in the eyes of employers. Ik league tables aren’t everything but I’m just interested. St. Andrews comes 3rd or 4th on most U.K. league tables for mys subject (history) but never on international tables and it is also not a Russel group (Ik this is due to research but would this Change the judgement of employers). Contrarily, Edinburgh comes high up on international league tables but not home ones.

I think a good degree classification and relevant work experience from a decent uni may be better than a rubbish degree class from a top uni.

For overall ‘top ten’ in UK, I’d say the following (my opinion):

Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Manchester, Durham, Edinburgh, Kings College London and Warwick.

Reply 10

OP

What are people’s thoughts on St. Andrews?

Reply 11

OP

Original post by PetitePanda

I thought OP is wanting to do a history course

I think she thye meant for a law career

Reply 12

OP

Original post by londonmyst

It varies according to subjects, specialist area, employer perceptions of the uni/alumni and country that they are based in.
Within England I'd go with:

Oxford
Cambridge
LSE
UCL
KCL

Maybe add Warwick, Manchester, York, DMU and Sussex.

Interesting. DMU and Sussex but not durham, Bristol or Edinburgh.

Original post by Mayataylor

I think she thye meant for a law career

Ohhh fair enough. If you do want to do a law career after history degree, you need to make sure you are doing stuff to show you are planning to go to a law career and it isnt a random idea :biggrin:

Reply 14

chloenix

Original post by PetitePanda

I thought OP is wanting to do a history course

Oh sorry! I only saw the bit about being a barrister and assumed they wanted to study History, however everything I said applies to all courses (in my opinion):
-There is no such thing as an exact ranking
-The job you get depends on much more than the university you graduated from
-If you plan to live and work in England, what does the opinion of international employers matter?

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 15

OP

Original post by chloenix

Oh sorry! I only saw the bit about being a barrister and assumed they wanted to study History, however everything I said applies to all courses (in my opinion):
-There is no such thing as an exact ranking
-The job you get depends on much more than the university you graduated from
-If you plan to live and work in England, what does the opinion of international employers matter?

It’s because international rankings tend to focus more on reputation, research and employability whereas U.K. ones tend to focus heavily on student satisfaction

Reply 16

Dechante

15

Tbh rankings are so hard to go by bc they aren't comparable. For example, in the QS world rankings Sheffield is high up (I think top 75 when I last checked) but in the UK it's not seen to be this high. Like you said, international ranking focus more on research but UK ones take into account the satisfaction of the student. I would say you have defo got some good choices there and I have heard great things about Bristol, UCL, Cambridge and Durham (my best mate goes there). You're clearly smart and will have a great time wherever you go. My only recommendation is defo pick a 'safe' uni too for your backup especially with LSE and Cambridge having the lowest acceptance rates in the UK (I'm not saying you won't get in though). Best of luck!

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 17

OP

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by Dechante

Tbh rankings are so hard to go by bc they aren't comparable. For example, in the QS world rankings Sheffield is high up (I think top 75 when I last checked) but in the UK it's not seen to be this high. Like Maya, said international ranking focus more on research but UK ones take into account the satisfaction of the student. I would say you have defo got some good choices there and I have heard great things about Bristol, UCL, Cambridge and Durham (my best mate goes there). You're clearly smart and will have a great time wherever you go. My only recommendation is defo pick a 'safe' uni too for your backup especially with LSE and Cambridge having the lowest acceptance rates in the UK (I'm not saying you won't get in though). Best of luck!

Thank you!

Reply 18

5hyl33n

21

Original post by Mayataylor

I see so many people referring to the top ten when talking about employment and graduate prospects (especially for law). I want to be a barrister and i will probably apply to Cambridge, LSE, ucl, Durham and one of Bristol, Warwick, editor St. Andrews. However, I’m confused as to which of these Unis would feature in this so called top ten in the eyes of employers. Ik league tables aren’t everything but I’m just interested. St. Andrews comes 3rd or 4th on most U.K. league tables for mys subject (history) but never on international tables and it is also not a Russel group (Ik this is due to research but would this Change the judgement of employers). Contrarily, Edinburgh comes high up on international league tables but not home ones.

I wouldn't recommend putting all those universities down as they all have quite high entry requirements. Put down at least one safe option (AAB - ABB), just in case.

Reply 19

chloenix