Bristol Law vs. UCL Law?
I simply cannot decide between Bristol and UCL offers for undergrad Law study later this year. 
I have looked at both of them and although the course at Bristol is more appealing and I adore the city, for some reason, I am drawn to London life.
Which is better for reading Law and any advice on how to choose?
I have looked at both of them and although the course at Bristol is more appealing and I adore the city, for some reason, I am drawn to London life. Which is better for reading Law and any advice on how to choose?
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Reply 1
18
I would say UCL is better overall. What is appealing about Bristols course? I would have thought they would all be pretty much the same
Reply 2
the components on the Bristol course are more varied and, generally,the course requires you to do more subjects throughout the three years than UCl- hence, I thought perhaps the degree received at the end would be more rounded (so to speak). However, UCL is much higher in terms of lthe tables etc... hence the dilemma! 
hehe
heheReply 3
Ucl Ucl Ucl!
Reply 4
beazzz
Ucl Ucl Ucl!
haha, that says it all!!
Reply 5
12
hannah_sissons05
haha, that says it all!!
It doesn't really. Bristol/UCL- similar reputations overall, but UCL is a particularly strong law school, whereas Bristol isn't traditionally strong in law. Neither will hold you back though. It's hardly as if Bristol is awful.
I've looked at the course in Bristol and it looks very interesting. You're right there is much more variation; I noticed you could do a module in Jewish law??? I haven't seen anything like that at any other university. I did R.S. at A Level and really enjoyed it though, so that would definitely interest me. I don't know if you're into that though.
And then there's the London v Bristol debate, which I'm sure we could go through over and over again.
I really think Bristol is a beautifully picturesque city and I'd be quite happy to spend three years of my life there. I wouldn't want to spend my student life in London.
So overall, I'd actually go to Bristol over UCL because I prefer the city (as a student location) and the course. I don't think the reputation is so massively different as to make it worth enduring 3 years of London over Bristol.
If you prefer London as an option then by all means go there. I don't think you can simply rule out Bristol as some people seem to suggest though. They are both excellent places to read law.
Reply 6
13
hannah_sissons05
the components on the Bristol course are more varied and, generally,the course requires you to do more subjects throughout the three years than UCl- hence, I thought perhaps the degree received at the end would be more rounded (so to speak). However, UCL is much higher in terms of lthe tables etc... hence the dilemma! hehe
heheReply 7
What's this about Bristol having a 'not so good reputation for Law'???!!
Also, another typical TSR approach: vote for the London uni when there's no difference therefore making the person feel they're making the wrong choice if they decide to go elsewhere.
Just visit and choose, don't rely on what half of the peopel on here say as they are either going on some personal preference or some trumped up idea that one uni is better than another based on... well, very little, and mostly their subjective again. Cumulative stances like that where everyone says UCL make no differece. After all, no matter how many times you add 0 together, you still get 0... and that's how much weight their opinions should carry. So please, people, stop posting things like "UCL, ucl, cul!!!" as if it's the obvious choice and the person would be stupid. London is not for everyone at undergrad level and even if it is, I would say that Bristol is every bit as good and is definitely a really nice place.
Also, another typical TSR approach: vote for the London uni when there's no difference therefore making the person feel they're making the wrong choice if they decide to go elsewhere.
Just visit and choose, don't rely on what half of the peopel on here say as they are either going on some personal preference or some trumped up idea that one uni is better than another based on... well, very little, and mostly their subjective again. Cumulative stances like that where everyone says UCL make no differece. After all, no matter how many times you add 0 together, you still get 0... and that's how much weight their opinions should carry. So please, people, stop posting things like "UCL, ucl, cul!!!" as if it's the obvious choice and the person would be stupid. London is not for everyone at undergrad level and even if it is, I would say that Bristol is every bit as good and is definitely a really nice place.
Reply 8
TommehR
What components do you find attractive on the Bristol course? Also, how many subjects are you required to do in the three years?
well, for example, in the Bristol course criminal law is compulsory alongside advance tort&contract, whereas at UCL these are merely optional units. Overall, at Bristol one would expect to read around 12 compulsory units in comparison to 8 at UCL. There are the same number of optional units, which are generally more varied...
However, the problem is they simply are so similar in terms of all else they offer, thus it comes down to having to weigh up these kinds of things for my own personal choices.
Reply 9
Lol, if they're options at UCL that's better... you might not actually enjoy contract or tort, in which case you certainly wouldn't want to take their advanced versions! The less compulsory, the better IMO.
Reply 10
hmmm, that's rather true! didn't take that view on it!
Reply 11
12
Lewisy-boy
Lewis- you know that I'm not biased towards the London Unis at all (having turned down LSE and probably UCL as well- I think we can safely say that).
All I'm saying is that UCL is known for its law department. I'd go so far as to say it's one of its main strengths (and this is at a university that has a lot of strengths).
Bristol is known for other subjects, but not so much law (in my opinion, and this opinion has been shaped by the advice I received from school, who I would expect to know a bit). I never said it wasn't so good though. Clearly it's still a very good place to go (hence why I would go there over UCL).
It's ridiculous to dismiss a university like Bristol out of hand.
Also Lewis- firstly isn't Criminal Law one of the core 7 modules anyway. And secondly even if "Advanced Tort and Contract" are taught non-compulsarily, surely you'll have to do something else instead, as another option? Perhaps someone from UCL could actually clear this up. Given that I'm still considering UCL (faintly)- I'd be interested to know.
Reply 12
13
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/prospective/undergraduate/index.shtml?llb_hons
Everything is there.
First Year: Public I, Contract, WLO, Property I
Second Year: Public II, Tort, Property II, Jurisprudence, Option
Third Year: Option, Option, Option, Option, Dissertation
Just had a look at the Bristol site, for some reason they split Public I into two separate elements (Law and State + Constitutional Rights).
If you especially like Criminal Law then it would seem that the Bristol course would be better for you as there are two compulsory criminal units plus one option. Although, you can do all the same units as options at UCL if you wish.
Yes, Bristol does seem to have some more varied options such as Jewish Law but I'm not really sure how useful some of those units will be.
Again, I'll say what other people have been saying, it's going to have to be your decision based on your personal preference as to which City you prefer and which course looks better for you. The Bristol course looks like you might have to cover too much too soon but if that sounds good to you then go for it.
Everything is there.
First Year: Public I, Contract, WLO, Property I
Second Year: Public II, Tort, Property II, Jurisprudence, Option
Third Year: Option, Option, Option, Option, Dissertation
Just had a look at the Bristol site, for some reason they split Public I into two separate elements (Law and State + Constitutional Rights).
If you especially like Criminal Law then it would seem that the Bristol course would be better for you as there are two compulsory criminal units plus one option. Although, you can do all the same units as options at UCL if you wish.
Yes, Bristol does seem to have some more varied options such as Jewish Law but I'm not really sure how useful some of those units will be.
Again, I'll say what other people have been saying, it's going to have to be your decision based on your personal preference as to which City you prefer and which course looks better for you. The Bristol course looks like you might have to cover too much too soon but if that sounds good to you then go for it.
Reply 13
defo UCL!
Reply 14
17
Bristol -Faculty of Law set up in 1933 but have been teaching law since it got its charter in 1909, RAE rating of 5 and Teaching of Excellent.
God what a crap reputation indeed.
I'd personally go for Bristol based as Adam said on the place, I couldn't live in London as a student, i'd feel extra poor for one lol. Yes one can't undoubtedly deny the fact UCL are excellent for Law, but so are Bristol and it won't be a travesty to go to Bristol in the slightest.
Biggest question i guess is to ask, do you want to live in London as a student? if your indifferent, work out if you can afford it, realistically.
God what a crap reputation indeed.
I'd personally go for Bristol based as Adam said on the place, I couldn't live in London as a student, i'd feel extra poor for one lol. Yes one can't undoubtedly deny the fact UCL are excellent for Law, but so are Bristol and it won't be a travesty to go to Bristol in the slightest.
Biggest question i guess is to ask, do you want to live in London as a student? if your indifferent, work out if you can afford it, realistically.
Reply 15
20
hannah_s_2007
the components on the Bristol course are more varied and, generally,the course requires you to do more subjects throughout the three years than UCl- hence, I thought perhaps the degree received at the end would be more rounded (so to speak). However, UCL is much higher in terms of lthe tables etc... hence the dilemma! hehe
heheEvidently, you're an imbecile. Choose neither.
Reply 16
20
AdamTJ
It doesn't really. Bristol/UCL- similar reputations overall, but UCL is a particularly strong law school, whereas Bristol isn't traditionally strong in law. Neither will hold you back though. It's hardly as if Bristol is awful.
Also b*llocks. To all intents and purposes, Bristol and UCL are academically equivalent for Law. The net impact in terms of employability of opting for Bristol over UCL or vice-versa, will be null and void; excepting such as is self-evident (e.g. UCL's geographic proximity to city firms, relative to that of provincial institutions).
Reply 17
Profesh do you like the word 'evidently' by any chance? There are some really good people from Bristol on my BCL btw.
There are some really good people from Bristol on my BCL btw.Reply 18
12
Profesh
Also b*llocks. To all intents and purposes, Bristol and UCL are academically equivalent for Law. The net impact in terms of employability of opting for Bristol over UCL or vice-versa, will be null and void; excepting such as is self-evident (e.g. UCL's geographic proximity to city firms, relative to that of provincial institutions).
Hold on, read my post, I agree, they are academically similar. I'm talking about in the subject. In the RAE ratings (or whatever they're called) UCL comes out as a 5* university, whereas Bristol is 5- still very good but not 5*. Which would suggest the actual standard of the department is slightly higher.
I'd still go to Bristol though, because it doesn't make a massive amount of difference.
Reply 19
I may be wrong but don't the RAE ratings refer to research. If they do then it is of very little relevance to undergrads whether somewhere has a 5 or a 5* rating.
In terms of reputation they are both very good and I believe that it would make no difference when it comes to getting TC's (even in the city). Just look at the number (and the quality) of law firms that come to Bristol outside of law fairs to hold schmoozing events.
So put simply, it's up to the individual concerned where she would like to go.
In terms of reputation they are both very good and I believe that it would make no difference when it comes to getting TC's (even in the city). Just look at the number (and the quality) of law firms that come to Bristol outside of law fairs to hold schmoozing events.
So put simply, it's up to the individual concerned where she would like to go.
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