Birkbeck Law Through University of London

1. Birkbeck Law Through University
of London
By: Rachel Lader

2. Birkbeck Law Through University of London
Rachel Lader, a legal intern at Hach & Rose, LLP, is on track for completing her law degree from
New York Law School. As a part of her post-graduate studies, Rachel Lader spent a summer at the
University of London at Birkbeck.

3. Birkbeck Law Through University of London
Since its inception in 1992, Birkbeck’s law program has gained stature as both a leading research
and educational program. The school has very interesting beginning because it selected its
inaugural class based on the characteristics the committee at the time believed embodied the
school’s student profile. The school only has 65 seats available and had to pour over 800
applications, but the committee accepted students from diverse backgrounds. That first class was
comprised of an Irish aristocrat, a Harrod’s shop keeper, a libertarian bookseller, Ph.D holders in
math and physics, law clerks, and retired psychoanalysts, in addition to unemployed Londoners.

4. Birkbeck Law Through University of London
The school’s first year was a success with the school being recognized for achieving important
benchmarks, for example achieving Qualifying Law Degree Status. This success built the
foundation for the school’s growth, especially in academics. The school was able to increase its
academic staff while also establishing a seminar that would focus on legal theory, among other
projects.

5. Birkbeck Law Through University of London
Today, the school is not only one created for the 21st-century student, but it is also considered a
leading research institution in Britain and in the top three in London. The school has grown
considerably to employ 38 staff members and admits a class of 1,000 students (on average)
annually. Since opening, the school’s focus is on critical legal theory, philosophy, and socio-legal
approaches to law.