School of Law

About the school

Founded by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, the University of Virginia - School of Law is a name to reckon with. It is the second-oldest law school in the U.S., still standing tall and serving the country. Established in 1819, this law school offers 250+ courses yearly, including 24 clinics, 11 international exchange programmes, 14 dual-degree programmes, and four external degree programmes.

With a talent pool of 23,000+ students and a top-tier faculty of over 2,300, UVA has secured a place among the nation’s top public universities since 1984.

UVA Law has 20,000+ alumni worldwide. Some of its noted alumni are Nicholas Cirella (first general counsel of Fin Capital), Tahesha Way (lieutenant governor of New Jersey), and Al Browne (member, Law 360's Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board).

Princeton Review’s recent rankings show UVA at the #1 position in Quality of Life, #2 in Best Career Prospects, and #4 for having the best Professors, Classroom Experience, and Federal Clerkships.

Where is the school located?

The University of Virginia - School of Law is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The city has a bustling life with historic spots, scenic parks, urban amenities, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and diverse neighbourhoods welcoming students and visitors alike.

Life at the School of Law

Life on campus for students is exciting, with a friendly learning environment. With access to 10 resourceful academic journals, 70+ student organisations, dynamic social clubs, and proactive legal aid groups, students get the scope to expand the horizon of their legal experiences while receiving a well-rounded education.

The Office of Student Affairs is a one-stop destination for students needing individual counselling and a proper understanding of policies safeguarding their interests in case of personal problems. The Office team plans and coordinates extracurricular activities, takes charge of disability accommodations, and facilitates interaction between students and faculty.

UVA offers various graduate housing options. Enrolling students are advised to arrange their living accommodations before arriving at the University due to high demand for proper facilities and limited availability. Many law school students explore and settle for off-campus housing options. UVA’s Off-Grounds Housing website offers the best housing search support.

Regarding on-campus housing options, graduate students can access apartments in Copeley Hill and University Gardens. The latter has one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Copeley Hill is a more spacious complex with bedroom apartments, with single and triple rooms.

Single students can stay at the Faulkner Drive Rooms, equipped with furnished rooms and all the modern amenities. Single students can also explore Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village.

Regarding dining options, students can use Flex dollars (tax-free for food) or meal swipes to purchase food on campus. Meal swipes can be used in the three academic dining halls, or they can opt for Meal Exchange options at UVA Dine.

Student Flex dollars can be used at the UVA Dine location or for Papa John’s delivery. Whether it is exploring meal plans or Flex dollar accounts, students need to add it to their ID cards via the e-registration link.

UVA offers a seamless transit system. The blue and orange UVA buses operate free, enabling students, faculty, and staff to commute easily. The bus stop is close to the Law School, and buses are available almost every 10 minutes to the Central Grounds and the adjacent areas.

Additional benefits of studying at the School of Law

• World-class Facilities: The Arthur J. Morris Law Library supports students in imbibing knowledge and conducting rigorous research with an excellent collection of top-quality resources. The Law Library is a mine of major law databases where students can study, learn, unlearn, and start their research.

• Well-rounded Professionals: Among the 70 student organisations in the Law school, 19 affinity groups foster a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty. They enhance a sense of connection and belonging, while aiming for professional growth. The UVA Law School has made an impactful commitment to the study of race and law. In upcoming sessions, 40% of participants are people of colour, while 16% will identify with the LGBTQ+ community.

Admissions criteria

To apply for admission to the UVA School of Law, here’s a quick overview of the admission requirements:

• A graduate school application
• Students need to register with the LSAC Document Assembly Service
• Provide official academic transcripts
• Proof of school-certified degree and documents
• An official statement of class rank earned from the first institution of law
• Letters of recommendation; minimum two and maximum four to be sent to LSAC
• International applicants need to submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores to be submitted to LSAC or to UVA

Fees and other expenses

Estimated cost that students may to bear in a year:

Student health insurance: $3,673

Living expenses: $25,370

Books and supplies: $1,800

Note: The costs mentioned here are estimates; please visit for exact details.

For specific guidelines, please visit

Job placements

• Extensive Career Services: The UVA School of Law offers students commendable support for advancing their careers in private and public service assistance, judicial clerkships, networking with potential employers, and gaining well-rounded support from alumni for career assistance.

• Lucrative Job Placements: UVA's School of Law holds the second position for the number of alumni leading the top 100 law firms in the U.S. The School holds the fifth position for placing Supreme Court clerks between 2007 and 2022. It ranks third for having chief legal officers holding positions in the top 500 companies of the U.S.