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‘I’m an international student aiming for a City law career – which law school is right for me?’

By Legal Cheek on May 16 2025 8:23am

Durham vs. Queen Mary

In our latest Career Conundrum, an aspiring BigLaw solicitor from overseas has got offers from two top law schools but can’t decide which will give them the best prospects to meet their goals. In short, Durham or Queen Mary, University of London?

“I am an international student from India waiting to join uni this September. However I’m confused between two law schools — Durham and Queen Mary University of London. I’ve heard both are excellent schools. I have done all the research, talked to senior students, and I’m still unable to decide. It would be a great help if you could tell me which one offers a better graduate employability prospect, which one is more known to big law firms and overall which law school I should choose being an international student myself, which is more suitable.”

If you have a career conundrum, email us at tips@legalcheek.com.

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5 Comments

Helpful

May 16 2025 10:59am

The correct answer to the question is either Oxford or Cambridge.

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Nona

May 16 2025 11:08am

If you want a career in the UK then Durham, if abroad then whichever.

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ex international student turned london trainee solicitor

May 16 2025 11:19am

Queen Mary – better networking opportunities and events for law students in London and easier when you secure open days or vacation scheme as you will already be in the city and have accommodation. Durham is better in terms of optics (slightly) but as an international student you’ll fit in culturally better at QM and in London. You’ll meet more likeminded people in London and at QM than Durham as there are so many international students in the city and you will meet other students from LSE, UCL, Kings etc and the city itself is international. The network you will build in London is better long term. Durham is brilliant for education but a bubble. Sheltered and not in the ‘real world’. You may struggle with the transition from Durham to London after uni. Better to integrate into London life sooner rather than later as well. If you’re coming from India directly I think you’ll find a better support system in London and at QM than Durham.

I’m an international student that did my bachelors and masters in London and now working as a trainee in London, so maybe I am bias. I had an offer from Durham and Kings. I chose Kings – no regrets!

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Anonymous

May 16 2025 11:41am

My suggestion is don’t move to the UK at all. Everyone hates it here.

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MC trainee

May 16 2025 1:14pm

This is not gonna be very nice, but I have met a couple of trainees from Durham (not loads) and no trainees from QM. Overall Durham seems more prestigious for law, though I’m sure QM offers opportunities too. Career wise, it’s a no brainer Durham for me. That being said, keep in mind what these two places are. Having done uni in london and then TC, I can comfortably say that no one needs to be here in uni. Money is scarce and the london student life is rough. Durham on the other hand is a very cold place and if you end up not liking the vibe you’re screwed because there’s nothing else there. But, like, it’s at least a real campus uni experience and half od Durham moves to london on graduation for one reason or the other. Good luck whichever you choose! Both great options

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