Part of the University of Southampton, a top 1% global University (QS University World Ranking 2018) and founding member of the Russell Group, Southampton Law School delivers legal education of the highest quality, taught by enthusiastic academics who are actively engaged with the legal issues of the day through their research.

“At Southampton Law School we challenge and inspire you to give your best. Our goal is to educate the next generation of lawyers to be smart, independent thinkers, open minded and able to contribute to a better society, from within the legal profession and beyond.”

Professor Brenda Hannigan

Head of Southampton Law School

Ranked among the top 20 English law schools (QS World University Subject Rankings 2017), we inspire and challenge our students within a dynamic, supportive, learning community. Our graduates combine in-depth knowledge of the law with strong critical thinking and communication skills fit for the modern workplace.

At Southampton Law School, you will be part of a close-knit, friendly, academic community. As a relatively small law school, we can offer a high level of support to ensure you achieve your personal and academic ambitions. A team-building induction, guidance from student mentors, small-group learning opportunities and academic support from your personal tutor will ensure you make the most of your time with us. Whatever your career aspirations, we will help you to achieve your goals through our dedicated employability skills programme, careers fairs, pro bono opportunities, and prestigious marshalling schemes and prizes.

You will graduate from a highly-regarded school with an in-depth knowledge of the law and the ability to think independently and communicate effectively – a firm foundation for a career in law as a solicitor or barrister. You will also be well placed for success in the world of industry, banking, government, the media or politics. Our graduates work in law firms, barristers’ chambers, industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations worldwide.

Our LLB programmes are formally accredited by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales as qualifying law degrees (QLD) for students wishing to undertake further professional training to become solicitors or barristers.

“The staff at the Law School are experts in their fields, meaning that you’re always getting the highest quality of education. Interacting with so many leading academics provides such an inspirational and stimulating environment, and the staff are always willing to go above and beyond to support their students. I could not have had a better experience at another law school.”
Lara Ali, LLB (Hons) 2016

Professional links
Our strong links with the legal profession enhance your career options. Solicitors and barristers – many of them former students – regularly visit to give guest lectures and career talks, giving you helpful insights into the profession and how to build a career. Our links with the profession mean that we can offer a range of prizes and placements for high-performing LLB students, sponsored by leading law firms, which could enhance your CV and boost your employment prospects.

There are opportunities to get involved, for example by:

• applying for a place on one of our prestigious marshalling schemes, shadowing a senior member of the judiciary in the High Court or Court of Appeal
• working with legal professionals to provide advice through the Housing Clinic or Small Business Clinic
• researching a legal topic to present to sixth-form college students as part of the Streetlaw programme

In addition, our student-run societies hold employability skills workshops, mooting competitions, guest lectures and networking events. Societies include the University of Southampton Law Society, Inns of Court Society, Mooting Society, Lawyers without Borders and the Canadian Law Society.

Key Facts
Our rigorous qualifying law degrees offer the freedom to follow your interests through optional modules and an in-depth research project. You’ll learn from inspiring, expert academics, many of whom have written key text books in their specialist areas. You will join a close-knit, friendly learning community in which you will be challenged and supported to achieve your ambitions. Our students benefit from a bespoke careers programme, including recruitment fairs that attract the ‘magic circle’ of law firms and leading sets of barristers – key career destinations for our law students.

Visit Us
Our Open Days give you the chance to find out about the subject you are interested in studying and how it is taught at Southampton. Explore our beautiful campuses and experience what your life would be like here as a student. Click here for more information.