Edinburgh Law School ranked third in the UK: what's behind the rankings
Fri 25 September 2026
Edinburgh Law School, part of the University of Edinburgh, has risen to 3rd in the UK for Law in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, up from 17th in the 2026 guide.
It follows strong results in the 2026 global subject rankings: 15th in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and 47th in the Shanghai Ranking 2026, where the School returned to the top 50 for the first time in a decade.
Each ranking uses its own methodology, but most look at similar things: research quality, teaching, student satisfaction, graduate prospects and international outlook. Behind each of those measures are people and opportunities, so here's a look at what's behind the numbers.
Practical legal experience: clinics, mooting and societies
Edinburgh Law School has been shaping legal research and education for over 300 years. Today, we focus on giving students a wide range of opportunities to develop the skills, confidence and connections they need to succeed.
There are lots of ways to get involved in what matters most to you. We have almost 20 legal societies, mooting teams that take part in international competitions, and legal advice clinics where you can help real clients. Our award-winning Scottish Tax Clinic gives LLB students the chance to work on real cases under the supervision of volunteer tax professionals.
Miguel, a 2023 LLB graduate, reflects: "Some of the highlights include being part of the Tax Clinic… It's won numerous awards: Outstanding Course, Community Impact. To have witnessed all of that is just amazing."
Learning beyond the classroom on our LLM programmes
Our LLM programmes also offer opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Students on the LLM in European Law visited the UK Supreme Court, a chance to see high-level oral advocacy and judicial decision-making first hand. Each year, students on the LLM in Intellectual Property Law can apply to serve as Assistant Editors for SCRIPT-ed, the online peer-reviewed journal of the Scottish Research Centre for IP and Technology Law. As well as contributing to a longstanding, highly regarded journal, they work alongside others from across the School community, including fellow LLM students, PhD candidates and academic staff.
Ryan, a 2025 LLM in Human Rights graduate, said: "The faculty within this program are practised experts in their fields, and regularly enhance their lectures with personal experiences that made their lessons invaluable… I also had the opportunity to participate in both the Human Rights Clinic and a Work Based Placement, where I gained hands-on experience applying academic concepts to active projects in Scotland."
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice: commercial awareness and AI
We design our programmes to prepare students for a changing legal world. Our Diploma in Professional Legal Practice won the 2026 LexisNexis University Commercial Impact award for embedding commercial awareness throughout its curriculum. Students manage a notional investment portfolio and practise client interviews using an AI-powered simulation tool.
Research with real-world impact
Edinburgh Law School's research and collaborative engagement have real-world impact, influencing political debate, transforming policy and improving legislation and practice, both nationally and internationally. Over the last ten years, the School has been awarded over £20 million for fellowships and projects, supporting research across a wide range of areas.
Law graduate careers
Our graduates go on to a wide range of careers around the world, working in law firms, government, international organisations, public service, NGOs and business. Some recent graduates have gone onto further studies, international law firms including Addleshaw Goddard, Slaughter and May, Latham and Watkins, and academic careers.
Across the University, Edinburgh is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for graduate employability (Times Higher Education Global Employability University Ranking 2026), and is home to one of the most entrepreneurial student bodies in the country: University of Edinburgh student startups secured more than £11.8 million in investment, grants and funding in 2024-25.
Staying connected
Graduates also join a global community of more than 16,000 Edinburgh Law School alumni. They stay in touch through international meet-ups, a quarterly alumni newsletter and events throughout the year, and many choose to give back, whether that's sharing their experiences with students, supporting our mooting teams or donating to support the School.
From the Tax Clinic to the Supreme Court, it's these opportunities, and the people who make them happen, that sit behind the numbers.
Applications for our undergraduate programmes are open now, and applications for all our LLM programmes open in October 2026.