ucl or Edinburgh for law

I’ve got offers from ucl and edinburgh for law (both A*AA) but I genuinely have no clue what to pick… I’m a bit scared of going to uni in London (even tho it’s closer to home) bc I feel like it would be harder to make friends but also prestige of ucl is hard to decline?? my course for edi is global law and 4 years (with a year abroad) so dont know if that’s helpful or not? Can anyone help pleade

Reply 1

cksiu

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Orla234r

Don't overly rely on prestige, rankings or employability. But if you insist, UCL and Edinburgh won't differ too much. Maybe you could look into their course modules to see which one you like.

Distance to home is sometimes critical, especially during first year. Uni is a completely new experience, some students did require family emotional support. UCL has an advantage here.

You can make friends everywhere. The clue is whether you want to, be sincere and frank.

Edinburgh's 4 year curriculum might put extra financial burden on you or your family.

Reply 2

Stiffy Byng

As you may know, the Edinburgh course would not by itself qualify you to read for the Bar in England and Wales. You would have to obtain a PGDL first. To become a solicitor in England and Wales, you would not formally require a PGDL, but most law firms prefer that candidates who do not have degrees in English law obtain a PGDL before taking the SQE.

I like Edinburgh a lot, as a university and a city, and regard a four year course as a plus, subject to affordability, but I have a slight bias in favour of the UCL Faculty of Laws, because I do some part time teaching of postgraduate students there. NB UCL is quite crowded. Try to visit both universities and go with the one which feels right to you. As mentioned above, don't fret about rankings or career prospects. Edinburgh and UCL are both great universities.

Reply 3

tiny birds

Unless you want to practice in Scotland, you should go for UCL. Going to Edinburgh wouldn't be fatal to your ability to practise in England but UCL would make things more straightforward.

(edited 4 weeks ago)

Reply 4

hollytogher

Original post by Stiffy Byng

As you may know, the Edinburgh course would not by itself qualify you to read for the Bar in England and Wales. You would have to obtain a PGDL first. To become a solicitor in England and Wales, you would not formally require a PGDL, but most law firms prefer that candidates who do not have degrees in English law obtain a PGDL before taking the SQE.
I like Edinburgh a lot, as a university and a city, and regard a four year course as a plus, subject to affordability, but I have a slight bias in favour of the UCL Faculty of Laws, because I do some part time teaching of postgraduate students there. NB UCL is quite crowded. Try to visit both universities and go with the one which feels right to you. As mentioned above, don't fret about rankings or career prospects. Edinburgh and UCL are both great universities.

Would you be able to elaborate on this I am in a similar situation and am conflicted in regards to the conversion from Scots law to English law?

Reply 5

Stiffy Byng

Original post by hollytogher

Would you be able to elaborate on this I am in a similar situation and am conflicted in regards to the conversion from Scots law to English law?

If you have a degree in Scots law, you need to obtain a PGDL in English law to read for the English Bar.

Reply 6

Marc Asquith

Original post by hollytogher

Would you be able to elaborate on this I am in a similar situation and am conflicted in regards to the conversion from Scots law to English law?

Scotland and England are different Jurisdictions and have different legal systems. Qualifying in Scotland does not allow you to practise in England and vice versa. As others have said, if you obtain a Scottish Law Degree, you will need to complete the one year conversion course to English law.

Scotland is a much smaller legal community with fewer openings.