University of Birmingham Law School

Established in 1900, The University of Birmingham is a large public research-intensive university located on an extensive beautiful green campus in Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK.  As a member of the elite Russell Group, the University is known for strength of research, graduate employability and is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 in UK national league tables and amongst the top 100 universities globally. The University of Birmingham is the most popular Russell Group Law School for Canadian students, with approximately 200 Canadian students studying Law at Birmingham.  

Study at University of Birmingham Law School

With over 40,000 students, including 12,000 international students from over 150 countries, Birmingham's students are part of a truly vibrant and global community.

The University offers a range of Law degrees:  

• LLB Law (3 years – for students entering from High School)
• LLB for Graduates (2 years - for students who already have an undergraduate degree).  
• LLB Law with Business (3 years)  
• LLB Law with Criminology (3 years)  
• LLB International Law & Globalisation (3 years)
• LLB Law with a Year Abroad (4 years)  
   

HISTORY of UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM LAW SCHOOL 

The University of Birmingham celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2025, and the Law School celebrates its centenary in 2028.  

The founding Dean of Birmingham Law School was a Canadian from Ontario – Charles Smalley-Baker. The first Canadian student to attend Birmingham Law School and complete the NCA exams was Michael Dinkel, who graduated in 1987, and is now a judge in Calgary.  

Birmingham Law School is one of the largest Law Schools in the UK, with approximately 2000 students and over 100 staff, hailing from across the world. The Law School also started to teach Law programmes at the University’s Dubai campus in 2019.  
 

Areas of Legal expertise IN BIRMINGHAM law school 

As one of the largest Law Schools in the UK, Birmingham Law School has expertise across the full range of legal fields, ranging from Corporate and Environmental Law, to International, Criminal and Human Rights Law. The Law School has a particularly strong focus on legal careers and employability, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future legal careers.  

The Law School is also highly diverse and is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive environment to students from all backgrounds via a range of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion initiatives.
 

LIFE ON CAMPUS 

On the main Edgbaston campus there are many facilities and services, and students do not have to go far to reach the library, study spaces, cafes, bars, shops, and food stalls.

At the centre of campus is the impressive Green Heart parkland spanning over 12 acres, as well as the beautiful historic red brick Aston Webb building, Great Hall, Elgar Concert Hall, the modern Library and Teaching and Learning Building and Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower in Chancellor’s Court.  

The campus also boasts a state-of-the-art sports centre including; a 50-metre swimming pool, a large multi-sport hall, a range of activity and fitness studios, extensive gym, six glass-backed squash courts and various other facilities.

There is also a campus in Dubai where students can study a range of subjects including Law at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
 

STUDENT SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

There are a wide range of support services on campus for students including academic skills programmes and support, the allocation of a personal tutor to each student on arrival, disability support, childcare, health and wellbeing services and money advice.  The Chaplaincy also offers faith services for a range of religions.

Students may also take advantage of chatting to current students before arrival on campus, and a range of student mentor schemes are also available. Each College has a welfare team who can offer support in a range of areas, including learning support adjustments, and also signpost to other support services available on campus.

The Student Support Hub offers help and advice to students. Teams of professionally trained counsellors can assist students with any queries or issues. The International Student Team also provides trained and dedicated advisers for international students who have queries relating to immigration, working in the UK, healthcare, finance, personal and academic support. All services are free of charge.
 

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM FACILITIES  

The University of Birmingham has a range of beautiful historic buildings combined with modern state-of-the-art academic buildings and facilities. There are a variety of teaching and learning facilities on campus to support students in their studies such as the 24 hour library and teaching and learning building which offer modern teaching and learning facilities from electronic books and journals, various accessibility facilities and free laptop hire in the library to Canvas the online teaching and learning support system where students access lecture notes and submit assessments.  

The Law School has its own Court room, Legal Advice Clinics and dedicated student study and social spaces.
  

SPORTS AND SOCIETIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

The University’s Guild of Students is home to over 300 societies, including a student Law Society and a Canadian Society. There are also societies covering everything from voluntary and charity work to music, drama and sports, including one of the UK’s few Ice Hockey Societies!  

The University of Birmingham is strong in sports both academically (top 50 in the world) and competitively. Students compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, and the University consistently places in the top 5 each year. Many students, alumni and staff have competed at a high level and include a number of medal winners in World Championships and Olympics over the years. The sports facilities on campus are state of the art and include a range of pitches, track and fantastic sports centre with 50 metre swimming pool.
 

ACCOMMODATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

International students are guaranteed a place in University of Birmingham accommodation for at least the first year of study. There are a range of accommodation options available around the University, from halls of residence to private homes. The three University-owned accommodation villages are based around the campus, and there is also a range of privately-owned Partner Accommodation, featuring different room types such as en-suite, shared bathroom, duplex, self-catered and a flexible catered option.

All University accommodation is within approximately 1 mile of campus (with most accommodation being less than 15 minutes’ walk away) and there are excellent transport links. The University's ‘Living’ team will help give the best housing advice to students during their time at Birmingham.
 

Canadian focus and InterNationalisation  

As the Russell Group University with the largest population of approximately 200 Canadian Law students, Birmingham has an extensive range of initiatives to support Canadian students, including:  

• Several Canadian Faculty.  
• A unique International Careers Program to support students with developing legal careers in Canada, the highlight of which is the annual two-day Canadian Careers Conference.  
• Exclusive summer internships at a range of Canadian law firms.  
• A free one-week Summer School, delivered by NCATutor, to support students preparing for their NCA exams if returning to pursue a legal career in Canada.  
• An optional Canadian Constitutional Law course that students can study as part of their degree.  
• A very active Canadian Society.

The Law School also visits Canada to meet with and support prospective students several times per year, including exclusive “Pre-Departure Events” in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton every summer, at which students can meet and network other Canadian students who will be joining Birmingham with them, and receive support from staff with their move to the UK.  
 

PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS

Students at Birmingham Law School benefit from the opportunity to develop the practical skills and experiences that are sought by Canadian and international legal employers through the Law School’s Centre for Employability, Legal Education & Research (CEPLER), including:  

• A Pro Bono program, providing opportunities for students to gain practical legal experience in over thirty different legal volunteering projects, covering advice on areas ranging from small businesses to immigration and family law.  
• An Advocacy program, featuring mooting (a form of mock trial), debating, client interviewing and legal negotiation. Teams from the University regularly compete in UK and international advocacy competitions.  
• An Employability program, including regular networking and careers events with top UK and international law firms, an annual law fair, and a wide variety of internships.
   

Internships and study abroad options

Students on a three-year Law program have the opportunity to extend their studies by a year and undertake a year abroad at one of over 100 partner universities, including over 15 Canadian universities, universities across Europe, Asia, Australia and even the University’s own Dubai campus.  

The University also offers students opportunities to undertake shorter “Go Global” summer programmes. These are typically 2 to 4 weeks in duration and include a variety of summer schools, volunteering schemes and internships across the world. More than 100 Law students per year typically complete one of these programmes.  
 

EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Birmingham is renowned for producing highly employable and successful graduates. In 2025 the University was the most targeted university in the UK by top employers for the second-year running (The Graduate Market), demonstrating a strong commitment to students and their future. The University has also invested £5m in its graduate careers services and students are offered mentoring and bursaries to support work experience and internships in the UK and overseas. International students enjoy access to a variety of specially tailored events, including coaching and skills workshops on topics such as networking skills, job seeking strategies and job seeking beyond the UK.
 

STUDY IN BIRMINGHAM

The main campus is located in the beautiful leafy suburb of Edgbaston, only a 7 minute train journey from Birmingham city centre. The University has great bus links and has its own train station called ‘University’, meaning journeys into the city are cheap and fast.  

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK and as a result, there is always something to see and explore – from modern art galleries, artisan bakeries, and award-winning street food to botanical cocktail bars, beautiful country parks, and global sporting events. Birmingham hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022 including the hockey and squash on the University campus. The city is also the largest legal centre outside of London, which provides great opportunities for networking and gaining legal experience.  

Birmingham is Europe’s youngest city and similarly to many Canadian cities, is proud to be one of the most diverse cities in the UK. The city has a wide range of churches, Sikh and Hindu temples, mosques and synagogues. It is home to some spectacular Victorian and contemporary architecture as well as venues for art, music, theatre and sport, excellent nightlife (including a vibrant Gay Village), great shopping and eating, including the world-famous Bullring Centre. The city also benefits from being surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Its position in the centre of England makes it a convenient base from which to explore the UK and Europe; the city is less than two hours away from London by road and rail, and has its own international airport. Warwick, Stratford, the Peak District and Wales are also all within easy travelling distance.
 

Why STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham has the best of both worlds for Canadian students. The campus is not only a green and beautiful place to learn but is also a thriving hub of student life. It’s also only a stone’s throw from the city centre, which is perfect for those students who want a balance of a city and a campus experience. The University’s support for Canadian students who are seeking to pursue a successful career in Law is also outstanding given the Law School’s focus on Employability and supporting international students.