Study Law
Shape the legal landscape globally—pursue a legal education abroad, gaining a comprehensive understanding of international law and fostering a sense of justice worldwide.
Everything you need to know about Law programs
The field of law promises a rewarding career to aspirants with a gift of the gab and sharp intellect to engage in legal arguments defending clients and the drive to uphold justice in society. The rewards of a legal career are multi-faceted, including social recognition, financial benefits, and the prestige of being in the profession of change-makers like Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and more.
While the premises of a legal career may seem lofty, the actual work to build one is not. You can get on with legal studies right after completing your high school diploma and proceed to research at the doctorate level. Your study area would cover almost every potential issue under the sky – human rights, business, international relations and trade, economics, politics, and the environment. You’d learn how to resolve conflicts of modern society and morality by studying important legal tenets and landmark judgements delivered globally over time.
Teaching methodology includes classroom lectures, participation in seminars, presentations, and debates. An essential component is practical training in a courtroom setting known as the mooting session which helps students gain crucial legal skills like research, analysis, argument formation and presentation, and public speaking.
Post-qualification, usually after the Bachelor’s degree, you need to clear the National Bar or Law Society examinations in the country you intend to practice in, to earn your lawyer’s license. In countries where law education starts at the graduate level, you can get your practicing license only after completing the Master’s program in Law.
Why study law in abroad?
Pursuing law courses abroad will help you gain a global perspective besides learning about the legal system of the country where you are studying. Classroom interactions with fellow students who come from different countries will give you an insight into the prevailing laws in those countries as well. Besides, law-abroad programs usually have practical sessions in real-life settings included in the course that will give you an idea about how legal work is conducted globally. All this will give you a comprehensive idea of how the law works in different parts of the world.
As it is for foreign degrees, studying overseas gets you much-needed international exposure that sets you up for professional success. Study law in abroad in a high-ranking institution in a country like the US, UK, Canada, or Australia and learn concepts in a way that you may not do in a familiar home environment. Further, law abroad programs at some institutions comprise a semester abroad, giving the participants an extended opportunity to imbibe the legal system of yet another country.
Different countries have a legacy of specializing in different legal aspects. The US, for example, has many top-rated specialized law programs related to technology whereas Switzerland has set a standard in banking and financial law. Although at the beginning of your education, you wouldn’t have the clarity to understand which specialization you would like to pursue in the law abroad programs, the knowledge helps in the long run.
Often, law courses abroad allow students to gain valuable experience and skills working with real-life clients on a pro bono or voluntary basis. Such pro bono work will boost your candidature when applying for jobs later. Thus, not just law-abroad programs in your resume will brighten up your prospects of getting hired, but the practical global exposure would earn you an edge over other candidates in the same field in your home country.
Most countries allow international students to stay back and work after graduating from their institutions. During this tenure as well as during the pursuit the law courses abroad, you can make some valuable professional connections that could open up opportunities to work with international organizations on foreign shores.
Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Reality
Eligibility Conditions for Law Courses Abroad
The eligibility conditions required to study law in abroad vary with the destinations. Here we compare the prior qualification requirements that you need to fulfill for each level of study in different countries.
UK
A-levels or equivalent & LNAT scores might be required
USA
High school diploma & LSAT scores might be required
Canada
High school diploma & LSAT scores might be required
Australia
High school diploma & LNAT scores might be required
Germany
Abitur or equivalent & Test for Legal Studies (TMS) scores might be required
France
Baccalaureate or equivalent
Ireland
High school diploma & LNAT scores might be required
New Zealand
NCEA level 3 or an equivalent
UAE
High school diploma & standardized test scores might be required
Europe
Varies with countries
UK
Bachelor’s in a related field & LNAT scores might be required
USA
LLB or Juris Doctor degree & LSAT scores might be required
Canada
LLB or Juris Doctor degree & LSAT scores might be required
Australia
LLB or Juris Doctor degree & LNAT scores might be required
Germany
First State Examination scores
France
Prior Master’s degree
Ireland
Bachelor of Civil Law or an LLB & LNAT scores might be required
New Zealand
LLB or Juris Doctor degree
UAE
LLB or equivalent degree & standardized test scores might be required
Europe
LLB or equivalent degree
UK
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
USA
Juris Doctor degree & clear the Bar exam to get a license to practice.
Canada
Juris Doctor degree & clear the Bar exam to get a license to practice.
Australia
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
Germany
Second State Examination in Law
France
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
Ireland
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
New Zealand
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
UAE
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
Europe
Relevant Master’s degree with research proposal
Types of Law Abroad Programs
Full - Time
Full-time programs are oft-opted for by international students as visa norms in most study abroad destinations require them to be enrolled in one. A full-time law degree can be at the undergraduate or master’s level, depending upon the country where you are pursuing the program. The full-time law courses abroad allow you to remain focused on the study program, prepping hard for a full-throttle leap ahead into your career.
Part-Time
Part-time programs are best for professionals who are seeking to upskill themselves with additional expertise. If you work as a paralegal, legal transcriptionist or secretary, compliance officer, etc., and would like to get into the core legal profession, then a part-time law program leading to a recognized qualification can help you.
Online
Online law programs are a trend in modern times, although not all countries accept legal qualifications acquired online. Institutions offering law courses in the online or hybrid mode claim to have structured the program rigor at par with the on-campus counterparts. If you are partaking in an online law program, it is best to check the accreditation of the same to be sure of its acceptability in the job market.
Exchange Programs
Exchange Programs are exciting parts of standard law degrees wherein you can attend one or two semesters of your program at an institution abroad that is in partnership with your home institution. For example, at Harvard Law School, students can travel to a foreign country to study for a semester and receive ungraded credit towards their degree. Such programs enhance intercultural connections and broaden the legal knowledge base, adding brownie points to the participants’ resumes.
Joint/Dual Degree
Joint/Dual Degree programs often combine either a JD and a Master’s in Law or degrees in law and any other subject such as business, medicine, international relations, etc. Joint degrees are gaining popularity because participants can acquire multiple qualifications within the timeline of one, thus enhancing their career prospects. Please note that Joint degrees are available only at the graduate level of studies.
Approximate Cost of Attending Law Abroad Programs
It is crucial to factor in the investment required for an international legal education. A large chunk of this investment is the cost of attendance of law courses abroad. Let us take a look at the average tuition fees in the major countries that international students choose to study law in abroad.
Country | Average Annual Tuition Fee |
UK | £10,000 – £35,000 |
USA | $20,000 – $80,000 |
Canada | CAD 14,000 – CAD 40,000 |
Australia | AUD 25,000 – AUD 50,000 |
Germany | Low or no tuition fees at public universities. |
France | €200 – €3,000 |
Ireland | €10,000 – €30,000 |
UAE | AED 60,000 – AED 120,000 |
New Zealand | NZD 25,000 – NZD 50,000 |
Europe | Varies by destination and institution |
Duration of Law Courses Abroad
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Courses
At the postgraduate level, pursue an LLM in the UK, Ireland, UAE, and New Zealand for 1 year. In the USA, a JD is of three-year duration. In Canada and Australia, you pursue an LLM or JD for 1 – 3 years and 1 – 2 years, respectively. The duration of Law postgraduate programs varies in Germany and other European countries whereas in France, you spend 2 years to acquire a PG degree in Law.
Doctorate Courses
To complete a PhD in Law in the UK and Australia, you must spend 3-4 years. Timeline for all other doctorate studies around the world, like an American SJD or PhD in Law, Canadian PhD in Law, German Dr. iur., French Doctorat en Droit, and Ph.D. in New Zealand, UAE, Ireland and other European countries varies with the destinations.
Top Universities to Study Law Courses Abroad
UK
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- London School of Economics and Political Sciencee
USA
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
Canada
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
Australia
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
France
- University of Paris-Sud
- University of Strasbourg
- University of Lyon
Germany
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- University of Heidelberg
Ireland
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
New Zealand
- University of Auckland
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Otago
UAE
- University of Sharjah
- United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)
- Zayed University
Europe
- University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- University of Barcelona (Spain)
- University of Vienna (Austria)
- University of Zurich (Switzerland)
- Leiden University (Netherlands)
- University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
Scholarships to Study Law in Abroad
Wondering how to foot the bill of pursuing law courses abroad? Here is a list of some institutional scholarships offered by renowned law schools worldwide to study law in abroad with them.
USA
- NYU School of Law, USA has several scholarship awards for both incoming and existing students of full-time programs. Most of these merit/need-based aids are funded by the Dean’s Award scholarships and can cover up to full tuition fees.
United Kingdom
- The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships has several different awards to support the citizens or permanent residents of Commonwealth countries who wish to study in the UK for Master’s or PhD degrees in a CSC development theme that is most relevant to their country of origin. Most of the scholarships are fully funded and you need to apply through the CSC official portal.
- The GREAT Scholarships: International students from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Thailand willing to study PG program in law in the UK can apply for the GREAT Scholarships funded by the British Council, the GREAT Britain Campaign, and participating UK higher education institutions in partnership with the Ministry of Justice. The award is valued at a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees.
- Global Scholarships: University College London Law School offers Global Scholarships for both undergraduate and master’s level programs to aid international students with a demonstrated need to pursue their UCL degree in law.
- Queen Mary University London: Students pursuing postgraduate studies at the School of Law - Queen Mary University London can avail a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and studentships, provided they meet the conditions.
- International students enrolled across all LLB programs at the Birmingham Law School can access scholarship programs amounting to £3,000 per year towards tuition fee payments.
Canada
- The Faculty of Law at McGill University, Canada offers a host of merit-based, need-based, and opportunity-based scholarships at the undergraduate level as well as post-graduate and travelling scholarships to eligible BCL/JD students.
Australia
- The University of Sydney Law School offer more than $500,000 worth of scholarship awards for incoming as well as existing students across undergraduate, postgraduate and research levels. The awards are either in recognition of high achievement or academic potential or to support demonstrated need.
Germany
- The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Program, funded by the Federal Foreign Office in Germany, supports international students with a first academic degree in political science, law, economics or administration and pursuing a German Master’s degree that is relevant for the social, political and economic development of their country of origin.
New Zealand
- University of Auckland, New Zealand offers several scholarship programs and prizes to meritorious students as well as students with demonstrated needs.
Netherlands
- The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) and the Mr Julia Henriëtte Jaarsma-Adolfs Fund Scholarship and several other financial aid programs from the University of Amsterdam Law School for talented students from within and beyond the EEA.
Career progression after Law Studies Abroad
After Undergraduate Studies:
After completing your undergraduate law courses abroad, you can take up internships, or entry-level positions such as para-legal or legal associate, etc. At this stage, you can expect a salary in the range of $40,000 to $60,000 per annum.
After Postgraduate Studies
Postgraduate studies in law lead to specialization options in various legal aspects, legal practice after getting hold of a practicing license or the role of an academician. Lawyers may start their practice with an annual pay package ranging between $60,000 to $100,000.
After Doctorate Studies
A doctorate in law is the highest degree in the field and holders are often seen to proceed into academia and research, or specialized areas of law. In the USA, you have to hold an SJD or Doctorate in Juridical Sciences to become a Judge. With a PhD in Law, your pay range can be between $80,000 to $150,000 or more, depending upon your prior experience and the role you serve.
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FAQs
Why Study Abroad With UniApplica?
UniApplica provides a comprehensive solution for all aspects of student needs, covering everything required for a successful academic journey.
To succeed in a legal career, you should have the ability to think critically, analyze and reason with appropriate logic, besides communicating clearly and persuasively. You must speak well in public and also have distinctive leadership skills.
The different specialization options available for you to consider are:
- Animal Law
- Civil Rights
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Law
- Education Law
- Employment/ Labor Law
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Family and Juvenile Law
- Health Law
- Immigration Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Law
- Municipal Law
- Real Estate Law
- Securities Law
- Sports and Entertainment Law
- Tax Law
It is always advisable to check the application documents list of the university you are applying to. However, the documents that are generally required for your candidature review are
- A copy of your passport and/or national ID
- Recent photographs
- High School Diploma (for undergraduate law courses abroad)
- University Diplomas or accepted Access/Foundation course certificate (for graduate law abroad programs)
- All academic transcripts of qualifications obtained so far
- Standardized test scores (LNAT, LSAT, GRE, etc.)
- Proof of language Proficiency
- Personal Statement
- Academic reference
- A research proposal (for Doctorate applications)
- Updated CV listing relevant professional experience (if required)
To make a strong impact with your application for admission to study law in abroad, you must have a high GPA in your qualifying exam, be it a High school Diploma or undergraduate degree certificate. Although the GPA requirement may vary with institution and study destination, the minimum acceptable GPA across Faculties of law in abroad is 3.0
Considering English as the primary language of instruction in HEIs around the globe, the majority of law schools accept IELTS and TOEFL scores besides PTE and C1 Advanced. You should have a minimum overall score of 7.0 in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL. In countries like Germany and France, you may be asked to showcase proficiency in the prevailing language of instruction, i.e. Germany and French, respectively.
You can practice as a lawyer in a country other than where you pursued your law degree provided you clear the respective Bar Council exam and register yourself to obtain a license to practice.
