Pursuing Law At Queen's: An Undergraduate's Guide

can i do law at queen

Queen's University Belfast offers undergraduate law programmes, including a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme and a Queen's Certificate in Law. The LLB programme is ranked as one of the top law schools in the UK and Ireland, with approximately 1000 undergraduate students enrolled. The programme offers a blend of lectures, small-group tutorials, and a year abroad in Europe, providing students with valuable skills for both legal and non-legal professions. The Queen's Certificate in Law, on the other hand, is an accelerated undergraduate programme designed for Queen's University Arts and Science students who want to gain fundamental knowledge of Canadian law and various legal specialisations.

Characteristics Values
Number of undergraduate students 1000
Number of postgraduates 350
Number of PhD students 70
Number of academic staff 80
Location Belfast
Year of study abroad Between second and final year
Countries where students can study abroad France, Spain, China, North America, and Europe
Number of mooters 75+
Number of graduates in employment or further study 6 months after graduation All
Date of data 2019/2020
Courses covered in the Queen's Certificate in Law Canadian Law, Aboriginal Law, Workplace Law, Corporate Law, Public & Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property, and International Law

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Queen's University Belfast School of Law

The School of Law at Queen's University Belfast is ranked as one of the top Schools in the UK and Ireland. The school has approximately 1000 undergraduate students, 350 postgraduates, over 70 PhD students, and almost 80 members of academic staff. The School of Law is located in a purpose-built facility on the main university campus. The building provides a variety of innovative teaching spaces to support a pioneering culture of learning, including a fully interactive Moot Court room, a One Button Recording Studio, bookable study rooms, and a wellbeing room.

The School of Law has a commitment to small group teaching, with small group tutorials in addition to lectures. Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions, and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups. In their final year, Single Honours students may carry out a significant piece of research on a chosen topic. Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during their time in the School. Tutors meet with their students on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

The School of Law offers students access to world-class facilities and resources. Students will also have access to an excellent law section in the McClay Library, one of the finest libraries in the world, and extensive IT facilities. The School operates a proactive system of student support. Advisers of Studies are allocated to each degree programme, tasked with guiding and supporting students throughout their time at the School, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. The careers team offers one-to-one guidance, employability skills sessions (e.g. CV writing and interview techniques), and job search advice. Recruitment fairs and presentations from a variety of employers and alumni also help students gain important insights to help shape their future careers.

The School has active relationships with universities in China, North America, and throughout Europe, through which opportunities for study abroad and staff exchanges are fostered. Students have the opportunity to take part in overseas exchanges with partner universities in Europe, North America, and China, and to spend a year at a partner institution in Europe. Law students have the unique opportunity of working with industry leaders through commercial awareness events and other negotiation exercises that offer insight into the legal practice world, but also provide an enhanced skills development experience.

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Queen's Certificate in Law

The Queen's Certificate in Law is an undergraduate program that was launched in 2017 to meet the growing demand for legal education in Canada. The program is delivered online and is open to a wide range of students, both on and off-campus. It offers seven courses, each covering a unique aspect of Canadian law, including an introduction to Canadian law, as well as courses in Aboriginal law, workplace law, corporate law, public and constitutional law, intellectual property, and international law. The program is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the law and how it can impact them personally and professionally.

The Queen's Certificate in Law can be a great way for current Queen's students to enhance their degrees and stand out when they graduate. For instance, two 200-level law courses may count as electives towards degree requirements, and current undergraduate students can take advantage of this opportunity to gain academic credit. However, it is important to note that courses at the 700-level do not count towards degree requirements but are included in the overall GPA. Additionally, students who do not meet academic progression in a law course have the option to either re-take the course or enroll in another law course.

The program has seen significant demand and growth since its inception in 2017, with students and graduates from across Canada and even as far away as India and China. The online format of the program eliminates geographical barriers, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their legal interests. The Certificate in Law is also applicable to a broad range of professionals, including those working in business, public service, and other sectors, who can benefit from enhancing their legal literacy and career prospects.

The Queen's University Faculty of Law is committed to increasing Indigenous representation within the legal profession and welcomes applications from Indigenous Peoples. The Faculty considers applications based on a range of factors, including academic performance, LSAT results, employment history, letters of reference, and a Personal Statement. Additionally, Queen's University is the only law school in Canada with its own study abroad facility at the Bader International Study Centre in England, offering international law certificate programs and exchange opportunities.

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Entry requirements

The Law School at Queen's University Belfast is ranked as one of the top Schools in the UK and Ireland, with approximately 1000 undergraduate students enrolled in the School. The School has a commitment to small group teaching, with small group tutorials in addition to lectures. Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).

Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during their time in the School. Tutors meet with their students on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. This is an essential part of life as a Queen's Law student when important private reading and research, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback, and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

The School operates a proactive system of student support. Advisers of Studies are allocated to each degree programme tasked with guiding and supporting students throughout their time at the School, together with the School's experienced and helpful administrative staff. The School's facilities include a state-of-the-art Law building with superb teaching facilities, a moot court, study and wellbeing spaces.

The School has active relationships with universities in China, North America and throughout Europe through which opportunities for study abroad and staff exchanges are fostered. Students have the opportunity to take part in overseas exchanges with partner universities in Europe, North America and China, and to spend a year at a partner institution in Europe.

In terms of academic requirements, to be a competitive applicant, you should have at least an "A-" average (grade point average (GPA) of 3.7) in the top 2 years of your undergraduate degree program at a full course load along with an LSAT score of at least 157. The School will consider applications based on any personal or professional experiences that allow an applicant to contribute to the law school community and further the law school's goal of building a representative and diverse class cohort. The School will also consider other factors such as academic performance, LSAT results, employment history, letters of reference, and a Personal Statement.

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Student experience

The School of Law at Queen's offers a rich and diverse student experience, providing a range of opportunities for undergraduates to develop their legal knowledge and skills. The School has a strong reputation for its teaching quality and offers a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Undergraduate law students at Queen's can expect a rigorous and challenging academic programme, delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical exercises. The curriculum covers a broad range of legal subjects, including constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, property law, and human rights law. Students also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, allowing them to specialise in areas of particular interest, such as international law, environmental law, or legal theory.

The School of Law places a strong emphasis on student engagement and encourages active participation in class discussions and debates. Small group teaching and tutorial sessions provide a supportive environment for students to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, and to apply legal principles to practical scenarios. The School also offers a range of extra-curricular activities, such as mooting competitions, client interviewing competitions, and pro bono legal projects, which allow students to gain hands-on experience and develop their professional skills.

Life as a law student at Queen's extends beyond the classroom, with a vibrant social scene and a range of student-led societies and clubs to get involved in. The Law Society, for example, organises social events, guest lectures, and career development workshops, providing opportunities for students to build their professional network and gain insights into different areas of legal practice. There are also a number of sports teams and cultural groups specifically for law students, offering a great way to make friends and build a support network during your time at university.

In addition, the School of Law offers a range of support services to help students get the most out of their time at Queen's. This includes academic mentoring and tutoring programmes, as well as access to personal development workshops and career counselling. The School also has a dedicated team of staff who can provide advice and guidance on issues such as internships, placements, and study abroad opportunities, helping students to make the most of their undergraduate experience and prepare for their future careers. Overall, the student experience at Queen's School of Law is designed to be academically rigorous, professionally rewarding, and personally enriching.

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Career prospects

Queen's University Belfast's School of Law has over 100 years of achievement in both education and research. It is ranked as a leading centre for legal research in the UK, and its academics are recognised experts in the field. The university's base in Belfast gives it direct contact with the legal profession and judiciary, allowing excellent access in terms of the study of law and legal practice.

The university offers a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD), which means that students will study modules required for the academic stage of legal qualification. The degree covers the fundamental principles of the general law of torts, informed by a theoretical, practical and comparative approach. It also covers key aspects of private and public law alongside wider socio-legal perspectives. Students will develop a wide range of transferable skills, relevant to their future careers.

Queen's University Belfast's Law School is ranked 11th in the UK for Law (Complete University Guide, 2025) and joint 3rd in the UK for Law Graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025). The university's strong alumni network provides opportunities to build relationships with graduates and explore career opportunities with potential employers.

Typical career destinations of Law graduates include Solicitor, Barrister, Legal Analyst, Compliance Officer, Business Analyst, and Research and Policy Officer. Students can also join a number of student-led initiatives within the school, including the Law Society, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, the Women in Law group, and the Street Law project.

Queen's University's Faculty of Law in Canada is also committed to increasing Black representation within the legal profession and supporting Black students who choose Queen's. The university provides career counselling and workshops to help students discover how their law degree will work for them and to assist them in entering the workforce. Queen's Law is proud of its employment placement rates, with most students (97.5%) securing articles by graduation.

Frequently asked questions

The Law School at Queen's is ranked as one of the top Schools in the UK and Ireland. Students are taught by world-leading experts in the areas of Law, Human Rights, Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies. The school has a commitment to small group teaching, with small group tutorials in addition to lectures. Students also have access to world-class facilities such as a fully interactive Moot Court room, a One Button Recording Studio, bookable study rooms and a wellbeing room.

Students will learn the key components necessary for a Qualifying Law Degree. Critical thinking is pivotal to the LLB programme, with every module focused on developing this crucial skill. Students will also gain invaluable and transferable skills, with the opportunity to spend a year at a partner institution in Europe.

A law degree from Queen's will provide a solid platform for graduates to excel in their careers. Students can go on to become judges, barristers, solicitors, in-house solicitors, reporters, or business leaders. The careers team at Queen's offers one-to-one guidance, employability skills sessions, and job search advice to help students gain important insights to shape their future careers.

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