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

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By Legal Cheek on

17

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.

17 Comments

Helpful

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

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(40)(10)

Nona

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

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(8)(4)

ex international student turned london trainee solicitor

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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(29)(14)

Gauri Pandey

Apart from the location, are there any other differences in law of school of kings and queen Mary?
(In job prospects, reputation in the legal world, networking opportunities etc.)

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(1)(0)

ex international student turned london trainee solicitor

Durham is a better university in terms of ranking and prestige but I don’t think you are at a disadvantage for going to QM at all. If you are looking at where you will get the best experience and adjust the best go to QM. Your network in London will be bigger and better because you have access and exposure to the city and people in London. Your network will be wider from an international perspective being in London. Durham is fantastic but not a strong international community and network. Beyond your studies London is better to live in if you are looking to build you network internationally. At the end of the day whether you get a training contract will depend on how good your grades are you the quality of your work experience. A person with 2.2 from Durham will not get a training contract just because they went to Durham. A person with a 1st from QM and good experience will. Two people with 1sts and good work experience from Durham and QM stand the same chance at getting a TC at a top law firm. Durham has probably better social prestige but honestly, you are not guaranteed a TC just because you went to Durham.

That said the only universities in London I would encourage going to are LSE,QM,Kings and UCL for law. Anything outside of this I would say go to Durham. Don’t go to City or SOAS (referring to your comment on your offers below)

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(3)(0)

US Elite FTS

Strong disagree. Durham is significantly more prestigious and networking opportunities are as good as in London due to strong Law Societies and Law School. Anyone can apply for an open day. Anecdotally a lot more Durham at Silvers and Magics than QM. At top US firms comparatively more Durham too for TC/ VS cohorts.

Serious error to consider Durham as bad for employability as it’s far from London. Grad recs flock there for a reason.

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(16)(0)

Anonymous

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

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(29)(9)

MC trainee

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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(16)(6)

Gauri Pandey

I have offers from – Durham, Queen Mary, SOAS, City University for law. As an international student which one do you think would be better
which provides – good job prospects after graduation, networking opportunities, good reputation and overall a good uni experience.

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(2)(0)

Likelihood of getting good TC

DEFINITELY Durham

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(4)(0)

anonymoose

Statistically speaking Durham sends more graduates to MC firms. So the main advantage of going there would be the connections.

But in practice, from a recruiter’s POV, the difference in reputation between the two unis (or most RG unis barring Oxbridge) would be marginal.

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(7)(0)

Cowboy

“Gonna ,” ” But, like” – cringe Americanisms strike again !

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(3)(1)

Abid Hussain

Durham is excellent your first and last choice of the two

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(4)(3)

20PQE US

Both options will not prohibit you from getting interviews – from there it’s up to you…

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(11)(0)

In house

I’ve worked in five decent law firms including top paying City firms. I have met plenty of juniors and mid level solicitors from Durham. Not one from QM. That is my experience. I have supervised at a pro bono clinic at QM on a regular basis for several years (not currently). The quality of the students I supervised was very variable. A couple were memorably strong.

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(6)(0)

Truthman

Look up ‘Law firms preferred universities’on chambers student. Real data real answers for you- the choice for ultimage prestige should be Durham. Simple

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(3)(0)

An International Student

Should I be reading Law at Durham University or Queen Mary, University of London?

This is a tough question, honestly. Based on the rankings alone, you couldn’t go wrong either way!

If you want to get a sense of life in the UK beyond London itself, then you should go for Durham. If you want to have a taste of life in London sooner, then go for QMUL.

Financial situations make a difference, as one of the other commentators pointed out. However, if that isn’t an issue…I recommend going to Durham. Because as wonderful as London can be, there’s more to life in a country than its capital city.

Another commentator does not recommend reading Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) or at City Law School. (The latter is now part of City St George’s, University of London.)

I respectfully disagree. I’ve heard good things about the education at SOAS. SOAS also counts eminent lawyers among its alumni. The UK’s current Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, read Law at SOAS.

As for City…I know it has good legal scholars, such as Professor Andrew Boon and Professor Jason Chuah. Obviously, two scholars do not make a whole Faculty of Law, but I doubt that City has terrible teaching. Eminent lawyers are also counted among City alumni: Herbert Henry Asquith, Clement Attlee, Tony Blair, Mahatma Gandhi, and Margaret Thatcher all went to the Inns of Court School of Law. (The Inns of Court School of Law is one of the forerunners of City St. George’s.)

Now, to get back on track…you could hardly go wrong with any of these offers. When it comes right down to it, however, it seems like you’re choosing between the UK’s capital city and a cathedral city in northern England.

I encourage you to take the road less travelled, because there’s more to the UK than London.

Finally, to expand on one point another commentator made…where you end up at for university is important, but what you make of university matters FAR more.

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(4)(4)

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