Top ranking Aussie law schools revealed

Which Australian universities are on the list of the world’s best law schools?

In the newly released QS World University Rankings for law, a whopping six Australian law schools made it into the global top 50 for 2015. 

Ranked first in Australia was the University of Melbourne’s Law School, which came in eighth overall.  The University of Sydney pulled in at number 13, followed closely by the University of New South Wales and Australian National University in 15th and 16th place respectively.

Topping the global list was Harvard, followed by Cambridge, Oxford, Yale and NYU.  Professor Cameron Stewart, pro dean at Sydney Law School, said the faculty is delighted to be recognised alongside such impressive global names.

“Sydney Law School is very happy with its latest QS World University Ranking, which places us among a prestigious group of international law schools — such as our strategic partners Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge — and demonstrates the world-class quality of our teaching and research.”

Professor Carolyn Evans, dean of Melbourne Law School said that the list highlighted the strong reputation of Australian legal education.

“The rankings reflect the reputation of law schools, particularly with employers and law teachers around the world,” said Evans.  “The fact that our graduates and academic staff are so highly regarded is a source of great pride to us.  The rankings also reflect the fact that legal education in many Australian law schools is of a very high quality by global standards.”

The results were likewise welcomed by Professor Colin Picker, associate dean (International) at University of New South Wales law school. “These results cement UNSW Law’s place as a preeminent law school, attracting the brightest students and leading academics from around the world. It is testament to the Law School’s commitment to excellence in its teaching and research, the employability of its graduates, and its role in the development of the law - locally and internationally,” he said.

The list below indicates how Australia’s universities placed in the list of the world’s 200 best law faculties:

8.     University of Melbourne
13.   University of Sydney
14.   University of New South Wales
16.   The Australian National University
22.   Monash University
49.   University of Queensland
51-100.  Griffith University, University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia
101-150.  Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Technology, Sydney
151-200.  Deakin University, La Trobe University, University of Newcastle, University of South Australia, University of Tasmania

The annual list is compiled by surveying more than 85,000 academics and more than 40,000 graduate employers to examine law faculties’ academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact.