Queen’s Belfast or Leicester for my LLB
Hi everyone,
I’m an international student planning on doing my LLB this year and have Queen’s University Belfast as my firm and University of Salford as my insurance on UCAS. However, I was able to make an extra application to University of Leicester through an agent.
My two options now are Queen’s and Leicester since they’re both very strong for law (Salford has been ruled out). Most people tell me that Queen’s is really good for law but when I ask why and/or do my research, the only answer I get is that it’s a Russell group. Nothing about the teaching or the dynamics, just that it’s a Russell Group uni. (Also correct me if I’m wrong, but Queen’s law is mainly focused on Northern Irish law instead of English law — which means I’d have to relocate to England for my SQE, which would be expensive)
On the other hand, Leicester seems more hands-on in terms of having lots of societies and mooting competitions for students to participate in. Leicester itself seems like a good city to live in and looks more lively than Queen’s.
I’m somebody who’s also really big on diversity and would love to be somewhere where there’s lots of people from different nationalities and races — I guess that’s from going to international schools most of my life. Queen’s doesn’t seem very diverse and doesn’t look like there’s much to do in Northern Ireland besides activities within the university.
Additionally, I have an automatic scholarship of 3k from Queen’s but it continuing is subject to me receiving a 60% at the end of my second year (I think that’s achievable — I could be wrong). Leicester offer a 3k/5k scholarship every year of my studies, which would be more ideal for my parents since my dad’s salary has been affected due to the US’ new foreign policies.
I want to do arbitration/energy law and/or work my way into Magic Circle law.
What would your recommendations be? Queen’s or Leicester?
I’m an international student planning on doing my LLB this year and have Queen’s University Belfast as my firm and University of Salford as my insurance on UCAS. However, I was able to make an extra application to University of Leicester through an agent.
My two options now are Queen’s and Leicester since they’re both very strong for law (Salford has been ruled out). Most people tell me that Queen’s is really good for law but when I ask why and/or do my research, the only answer I get is that it’s a Russell group. Nothing about the teaching or the dynamics, just that it’s a Russell Group uni. (Also correct me if I’m wrong, but Queen’s law is mainly focused on Northern Irish law instead of English law — which means I’d have to relocate to England for my SQE, which would be expensive)
On the other hand, Leicester seems more hands-on in terms of having lots of societies and mooting competitions for students to participate in. Leicester itself seems like a good city to live in and looks more lively than Queen’s.
I’m somebody who’s also really big on diversity and would love to be somewhere where there’s lots of people from different nationalities and races — I guess that’s from going to international schools most of my life. Queen’s doesn’t seem very diverse and doesn’t look like there’s much to do in Northern Ireland besides activities within the university.
Additionally, I have an automatic scholarship of 3k from Queen’s but it continuing is subject to me receiving a 60% at the end of my second year (I think that’s achievable — I could be wrong). Leicester offer a 3k/5k scholarship every year of my studies, which would be more ideal for my parents since my dad’s salary has been affected due to the US’ new foreign policies.
I want to do arbitration/energy law and/or work my way into Magic Circle law.
What would your recommendations be? Queen’s or Leicester?
Reply 1
At Queen's you would study English law. The law of Northern Ireland is very similar to the law of England and Wales.
Belfast is a regional capital. Leicester is a frankly dull place.
Why do you want to work in a Magic Circle law firm? Are you aware of the working practices in such firms? Do you really wish to work from 8 or 9 am until 2am?
Belfast is a regional capital. Leicester is a frankly dull place.
Why do you want to work in a Magic Circle law firm? Are you aware of the working practices in such firms? Do you really wish to work from 8 or 9 am until 2am?
Reply 2
Original post
by konja777Hi everyone,
I’m an international student planning on doing my LLB this year and have Queen’s University Belfast as my firm and University of Salford as my insurance on UCAS. However, I was able to make an extra application to University of Leicester through an agent.
My two options now are Queen’s and Leicester since they’re both very strong for law (Salford has been ruled out). Most people tell me that Queen’s is really good for law but when I ask why and/or do my research, the only answer I get is that it’s a Russell group. Nothing about the teaching or the dynamics, just that it’s a Russell Group uni. (Also correct me if I’m wrong, but Queen’s law is mainly focused on Northern Irish law instead of English law — which means I’d have to relocate to England for my SQE, which would be expensive)
On the other hand, Leicester seems more hands-on in terms of having lots of societies and mooting competitions for students to participate in. Leicester itself seems like a good city to live in and looks more lively than Queen’s.
I’m somebody who’s also really big on diversity and would love to be somewhere where there’s lots of people from different nationalities and races — I guess that’s from going to international schools most of my life. Queen’s doesn’t seem very diverse and doesn’t look like there’s much to do in Northern Ireland besides activities within the university.
Additionally, I have an automatic scholarship of 3k from Queen’s but it continuing is subject to me receiving a 60% at the end of my second year (I think that’s achievable — I could be wrong). Leicester offer a 3k/5k scholarship every year of my studies, which would be more ideal for my parents since my dad’s salary has been affected due to the US’ new foreign policies.
I want to do arbitration/energy law and/or work my way into Magic Circle law.
What would your recommendations be? Queen’s or Leicester?
I’m an international student planning on doing my LLB this year and have Queen’s University Belfast as my firm and University of Salford as my insurance on UCAS. However, I was able to make an extra application to University of Leicester through an agent.
My two options now are Queen’s and Leicester since they’re both very strong for law (Salford has been ruled out). Most people tell me that Queen’s is really good for law but when I ask why and/or do my research, the only answer I get is that it’s a Russell group. Nothing about the teaching or the dynamics, just that it’s a Russell Group uni. (Also correct me if I’m wrong, but Queen’s law is mainly focused on Northern Irish law instead of English law — which means I’d have to relocate to England for my SQE, which would be expensive)
On the other hand, Leicester seems more hands-on in terms of having lots of societies and mooting competitions for students to participate in. Leicester itself seems like a good city to live in and looks more lively than Queen’s.
I’m somebody who’s also really big on diversity and would love to be somewhere where there’s lots of people from different nationalities and races — I guess that’s from going to international schools most of my life. Queen’s doesn’t seem very diverse and doesn’t look like there’s much to do in Northern Ireland besides activities within the university.
Additionally, I have an automatic scholarship of 3k from Queen’s but it continuing is subject to me receiving a 60% at the end of my second year (I think that’s achievable — I could be wrong). Leicester offer a 3k/5k scholarship every year of my studies, which would be more ideal for my parents since my dad’s salary has been affected due to the US’ new foreign policies.
I want to do arbitration/energy law and/or work my way into Magic Circle law.
What would your recommendations be? Queen’s or Leicester?
Hello @konja777
Ultimately, you need to pick somewhere where you will be the happiest. Many people decide to go to Russell Group universities just because they are Russell Group and then later regret this decision. In my opinion, Russell Group Universities are not all they make themselves out to be. Leicester in comparison, is still one of the best law schools in England; it is friendlier than any of the Russell Groups, it achieved Gold for its teaching in the Teaching Excellence Framework, which is the highest level. It is also a research-intensive university.
Leicester is definitely very hands-on in many ways, whether that is through the variety of assessment methods, the competitions run by the law society, including mooting, mock trials, client interviewing, negotiation and arbitration competitions, to name just a few. We also have an award-winning Pro Bono society with many different projects. I am part of the Legal Advice Clinic, offering free, real legal advice to members of the local community. There are also many other societies which focus on a specific part of the law.
Leicester is one of the most diverse cities in the United Kingdom and one of the only plural cities. This means that in Leicester, there is no majority race group. We are also the Curry Capital of the UK for 2025, which, as a lover of Indian food, is amazing! But because of this diversity, there are many different events which take place throughout the year celebrating these different cultures, including the biggest Diwali festival outside of India, Eid festivals and even the Caribbean festival, to name just a few. There are also many other events which go on throughout the year, many of which are free. There is always something to do in Leicester and it has excellent transport links so you can easily travel as well.
The University of Leicester and the city of Leicester as a whole is so very friendly and everyone is incredibly welcoming, which makes the transition to a new university and city much easier.
I hope this helps you make a decision which is right for you. If you have any further questions or anything at all please do let me know.
Charlie
Law LLB Student
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