Number 2 in the UK for Law (The Complete University Guide 2024)
Law at Cambridge
This course allows you to explore the law beyond the fundamental subjects to consider its interdisciplinary relationship with philosophy, economics, ethics, criminology, social policy, and history.
In your first year you’ll study a range of topics such as Criminal Law and Constitutional Law.
You will then be able to specialise and explore your interests from your second and third year.
The Faculty and University Law Society organise numerous activities, including:
- public lectures
- careers events with leading barristers’ and solicitors’ firms
- social events
- mooting competitions (debates about hypothetical legal cases)
Teaching and facilities
Teaching
You’ll be taught by experts in the field at the Faculty of Law.
Facilities
The Faculty of Law facilities include the David Williams Building, which has:
- lecture theatres
- seminar rooms
- a moot court, where you can take part in mock trials
- the Squire Law Library, one of the finest academic law collections in the UK. The Library offers an extensive collection of printed and electronic resources and excellent computing facilities.
Along with all other students at Cambridge, you'll also have access to:
- our impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries
Student exchange schemes
You may have the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, New Zealand, South Africa and Singapore. The year abroad takes place after you complete the first two years of the course.
You would then return to Cambridge to complete Part II of the course as a fourth year.
You may be given financial support for your Year Abroad, if needed, through a Turing Scheme grant. This is subject to funding being awarded to the University by the Department for Education. Funding is awarded on an annual basis. Eligibility may change depending on the level of funding awarded each year.
Find out more about the student exchange schemes
Course costs
When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).
Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here.
There are no compulsory additional course costs for Law. If you choose to buy your own copies of course books, they usually cost around £15 each.
If you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Faculty.
Becoming a solicitor
If you want to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales you will need to sit two Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE1 & SQE2) after you complete this course. For more information visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority website.
Becoming a barrister
If you want to qualify as a barrister in England and Wales, your undergraduate degree will satisfy the academic component of training for this if you study the following papers throughout the course:
- Criminal Law
- Law of Tort
- Constitutional Law
- Land Law
- Contract Law
- Equity
- European Union Law
You can then study vocational courses that lead to professional accreditation. For more information about qualifying as a barrister visit the Bar Standards Board website.
