Europe is one of the most fascinating continents for pursuing higher education. It is rich in culture, history, and opportunity. Moreover, students at European universities can experience a diverse range of traditions across the continent. One of Europe’s prominent academic fields is law. This article introduces top European universities with notable law offerings.
Top Law Schools in Europe
1. University of Cambridge
Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is one of the world’s oldest universities and a leading academic center. It developed after scholars taking refuge from hostile townspeople in Oxford migrated to Cambridge and settled there. Today, the University of Cambridge includes 31 colleges, six schools, and more than 150 faculties and departments. Instead of having one main campus, its colleges, departments, libraries, museums, and research facilities are spread throughout the city of Cambridge. This gives students the chance not only to study at the university but also to get to know the city.
At the University of Cambridge, law has been a subject of study since the 13th century. During the early years of the university, legal study focused mainly on Roman law and the canon law of the Church. Formal teaching of English law began in Cambridge after the Downing Professorship of the Laws of England was established in 1800. The modern undergraduate Law Tripos has its origins in reforms of the 1850s. Today, Cambridge offers undergraduate, taught master’s, and research pathways in law, including the BA Law, the LLM, and Ph.D. research in law.
2. Vrije University Amsterdam
- Study Program
- Location: Netherlands | Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, also known as VU Amsterdam, is a research university located in the capital city of the Netherlands. Founded in 1880 as a private Protestant Christian university, it was established to be independent from both the government and the Dutch Reformed Church. Its student body currently numbers more than 31,000 students across 146 programs. VU Amsterdam is internationally ranked; recent ranking tables place it outside the world’s top 150 overall, while Times Higher Education places its law subject in the 126–150 band for 2026.
Established in 1880, the VU Faculty of Law was one of the university’s three original constituent faculties. From the beginning, it has been connected to the university’s mission of societal development and public service. The faculty also takes pride in its alumni, including prime ministers and senior judges. One prominent alumnus is Peter Kooijmans, a Dutch Minister of State and former judge at the International Court of Justice, after whom the Kooijmans Institute for Law and Governance is named.
3. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of the most prestigious research institutions for higher education. There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form by 1096. In a way similar to Cambridge, Oxford University does not have a single central campus. Instead, its colleges, departments, libraries, museums, and academic buildings are spread throughout the city. The university is also home to the Ashmolean Museum, the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology, founded in 1683 and described by Oxford as Britain’s first public museum.
Oxford’s Faculty of Law is one of the leading law schools in the world. Its undergraduate and postgraduate courses are designed to help students understand legal reasoning, analyze legal situations critically, and present and debate their interpretations with confidence. For doctoral study, Oxford offers the DPhil in Law, which usually takes three to four years full-time or six to eight years part-time.
4. University College London
Although it is younger than Oxford and Cambridge, University College London is one of the best-known research institutions in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1826, UCL was the first university to be established in London and the first entirely secular university in England to admit students regardless of religion. Over time, UCL has developed into a major global university with a strong reputation for teaching and research.
With respect to its Faculty of Laws, University College London has a long history of legal education. UCL Laws traces its foundation to 1832 and describes itself as an inclusive law school. In 1839, three UCL students were awarded the first degrees in English law, the Bachelor of Laws. Today, UCL Laws offers Bachelor of Laws programs, Master of Laws courses, and MPhil/Ph.D. research degrees. The faculty continues to focus on legal issues at national and international levels while encouraging students to explore new approaches to law and legal reform.
5. London School of Economics and Political Science
Founded in 1895, the London School of Economics and Political Science is one of Europe’s best-known social science universities. In addition to its academic reputation, the university is appealing because of its location. LSE is based on one campus in central London, with Westminster, the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Courts of Justice, and Covent Garden all nearby.
LSE Law School is one of the largest and most prominent departments at LSE, with more than 60 academic members of staff and an international academic community. It offers the LLB, LLM, Executive LLM, MSc Law and Finance, and Ph.D. programs. The law school describes its community of students, staff, and alumni as bringing an international and interdisciplinary outlook to teaching and research. Its legal community has also played a major role in policy debates, policymaking, and the education of lawyers and law teachers globally.
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