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    Study law abroad

    Law (LLB) Degrees Abroad: Costs, Countries, and Qualifying to Practice at Home

    Law is highly route-dependent internationally — the degree, exam, and licensing sequence changes sharply between places like England and Wales, the US, and Canada, so studying abroad and qualifying to practice at home are two separate decisions you need to plan together. Global Admissions lists 3,789 verified law programs across 12 countries, with sourced tuition running from a few hundred dollars to over $37,000 a year.

    Every fee below comes from Global Admissions' own program listings, not an estimate. Use it to build a shortlist, then map how the degree you're considering actually connects to qualifying wherever you plan to practice — that's the piece most destination comparisons skip.

    • The United Kingdom lists the most law programs (1,188), with France close behind at 887, but sourced tuition on the UK's own listings runs from £762 to £37,500 a year.
    • In England and Wales, the SQE route to becoming a solicitor requires a degree or equivalent, passing both SQE1 and SQE2, two years of qualifying work experience, and character and suitability checks — a foreign law degree doesn't skip any of those steps.
    • In Canada, foreign-trained lawyers go through the National Committee on Accreditation's assessment process, earn a Certificate of Qualification, and then apply to a provincial or territorial bar — a distinct chain from both the UK and US routes.

    3,789

    Programs listed

    Global Admissions catalog

    12

    Countries compared

    bachelor's + master's only

    ≈$150

    Cheapest sourced tuition

    Germany, per Global Admissions

    2 years

    SQE qualifying work experience

    England & Wales, on top of exams

    Where you can study law abroad

    Every country below has verified programs listed on Global Admissions. Figures are the cheapest-to-median sourced tuition per country, not a currency conversion — tap through to the sample programs below for individual, linkable listings.

    Law (LLB) Degrees Abroad: Costs, Countries, and Qualifying to Practice at Home — tuition by country

    Country
    United Kingdom
    Programs listed
    1,188 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $762–$24,130 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    France
    Programs listed
    887 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $192–$270 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    China
    Programs listed
    303 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $1,410–$3,525 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    United States
    Programs listed
    270 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $7,850–$29,072 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Australia
    Programs listed
    251 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $11,309–$28,535 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    The Netherlands
    Programs listed
    185 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $351–$16,000 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Ireland
    Programs listed
    115 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $2,700–$18,600 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Germany
    Programs listed
    72 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $150–$2,797 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    United Arab Emirates
    Programs listed
    66 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $10,892–$20,302 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Italy
    Programs listed
    65 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $357–$2,268 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Spain
    Programs listed
    56 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $274–$1,096 (min–median, USD-approx)
    Country
    Canada
    Programs listed
    35 programs
    Sourced fees
    ≈ $5,790–$19,723 (min–median, USD-approx)

    Figures are the fee as recorded on Global Admissions from each program's own listing — basis (per year, per semester, or per credit) can vary by program; verify the exact figure directly on the university's own page before budgeting.

    Sample programs

    A cheapest-first sample of individual, sourced programs — each one links to its own page on Global Admissions.

    Cheapest sourced programs

    Program
    Law
    School & country
    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München — Germany
    Tuition
    ≈ $150 (sourced)
    School & country
    FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences — Germany
    Tuition
    ≈ $161 (sourced)
    School & country
    Furtwangen University — Germany
    Tuition
    ≈ $190 (sourced)
    School & country
    I.U.T de Villetaneuse - Université Sorbonne Paris Nord — France
    Tuition
    ≈ $192 (sourced)
    School & country
    IUT de l'Université de Lille - site de Roubaix — France
    Tuition
    ≈ $192 (sourced)
    School & country
    I.U.T Jean Moulin de l'Université Lyon 3 — France
    Tuition
    ≈ $192 (sourced)
    School & country
    IUT de VILLETANEUSE - UNIVERSITÉ PARIS 13 - CFA SUPALIA — France
    Tuition
    ≈ $192 (sourced)
    School & country
    Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne — France
    Tuition
    ≈ $192 (sourced)

    Fees as recorded from each program's own listing; verify on the university's page before budgeting.

    The famous names

    These law schools come up constantly once you start researching — here's what each one actually is, so you can look past the name recognition and check the qualifying route for yourself.

    University of Leiden

    Netherlands

    One of the oldest universities in the Netherlands, with a well-established international law program.

    KU Leuven

    Belgium

    A long-established Belgian law faculty with a strong European and international law focus.

    Sciences Po

    France

    A Paris-based institution known for its law and political science programs.

    National University of Singapore (NUS)

    Singapore

    One of Asia's largest law faculties, with a strong regional and international reputation.

    London School of Economics (LSE)

    United Kingdom

    A well-known London law department with entry requirements Global Admissions cites directly.

    University of Amsterdam

    Netherlands

    A large Dutch law faculty with a range of English-taught international law tracks.

    What law programs actually cost

    LSE lists an overseas student fee of £37,500 a year for its LLB in 2027/28 — near the top end of what Global Admissions sources for this subject. Germany sits at the other extreme: its cheapest sourced law programs, including part-time and blended-learning master's routes, start around $150 a year, though the qualifying path and language of instruction differ sharply from a UK LLB.

    There are also field-specific costs to plan for beyond tuition: Cambridge states the LNAT admissions test costs £75 at UK or EU test centers and £120 elsewhere in the world.

    source: LSE — LLB fees

    Getting in

    King's College London lists A*AA at A level for its Law LLB, and requires every applicant to take the LNAT by 31 December for equal consideration — the same admissions test LSE requires, which must be sat within a defined autumn window for the following year's entry. UCL's Law LLB is explicit that no previous knowledge of law is assumed or required, which is typical across UK law degrees.

    The LNAT is a distinct cost and scheduling commitment on top of your regular application — check the exact deadline and fee for your target intake before you assume grades alone decide admission.

    Where you study and where you qualify are two separate decisions

    Non-official law-abroad guides usually compare countries and degree labels, but that flattens qualification models that are genuinely very different from each other. Search demand backs this up — a lot of it is portability questions like "UK LLB, but I want to be a US attorney" or "US student wanting to practice in the UK." The honest answer in almost every case is that your first degree is a starting point, not a finish line.

    In England and Wales, the SRA's SQE route requires a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, passing SQE1 and SQE2, two years of qualifying work experience, and character checks — while the Bar route runs through an academic component, a vocational component, and pupillage, with membership of an Inn required before vocational training starts. In the US, the ABA says there's no single required undergraduate major, but the NCBE's MPRE is required for admission to the bar in every state except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. In Canada, the National Committee on Accreditation runs a separate assessment and certification process for anyone trained outside the country before you can apply to a provincial bar.

    Before you shortlist a law program

    A few checks specific to law admissions and qualifying to practice, worth running through before you apply.

    1. 1

      Book your admissions test early and separately from your application

      The LNAT has its own deadline (commonly 31 December for the following year's entry) and its own fee — treat it as a separate task, not something you'll sort out alongside your personal statement.

    2. 2

      Map the qualifying route in the jurisdiction where you actually want to practice

      A law degree doesn't automatically qualify you to practice anywhere else. Research the SQE route in England and Wales, state-specific bar admission in the US, or the NCA's assessment process in Canada — before you pick a school.

    3. 3

      Check whether the degree needs to be a qualifying law degree for your target route

      Some routes (like the Bar in England and Wales) accept a non-law degree plus a conversion course; others expect a specific law qualification. Confirm which applies to your plan.

    4. 4

      Budget for post-degree qualifying work experience, not just tuition

      England and Wales' SQE route requires two years of qualifying work experience on top of passing both exam stages — factor that time and the likely need to find a training role into your overall plan.

    Qualifying to practice, by jurisdiction

    A law degree is the starting point everywhere. Qualifying to practice is a separate, jurisdiction-specific process — and the chain looks nothing alike across England and Wales, the US, and Canada.

    Qualifying to practice, by jurisdiction

    Jurisdiction
    England and Wales
    Regulator / requirement
    Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — SQE route
    What it means for you
    Requires a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification, passing both SQE1 and SQE2, two years of qualifying work experience, and meeting character and suitability requirements.
    source
    Jurisdiction
    England and Wales
    Regulator / requirement
    Bar Standards Board (BSB) — barrister route
    What it means for you
    Three components: an academic component (a law degree, or a non-law degree plus the Graduate Diploma in Law, at least a 2:2), a vocational component, and pupillage — you must also join an Inn before vocational training starts.
    source
    Jurisdiction
    United States
    Regulator / requirement
    American Bar Association (ABA) — no required major
    What it means for you
    The ABA says there's no single undergraduate major that prepares you for law school; students are admitted from almost every academic discipline.
    source
    Jurisdiction
    United States
    Regulator / requirement
    National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) — MPRE
    What it means for you
    Required for admission to the bar in every US jurisdiction except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico.
    source
    Jurisdiction
    Canada
    Regulator / requirement
    National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
    What it means for you
    Candidates trained outside Canada apply for an NCA assessment, meet its assigned requirements, obtain a Certificate of Qualification, and then apply to a provincial or territorial bar admission process.
    source

    Licensing and registration rules change; verify directly with the named regulator before relying on this table.

    Scholarship and funding routes worth checking

    None of these are law-specific schemes — they're broad government, EU, or bilateral routes that may cover a law-related master's if the individual program and your nationality qualify. Verify the current call before treating any of them as a plan.

    Government or bilateral scholarship route — real, but limited seats and a slow process.

    None of these are law-specific schemes — they're broad government, EU, or bilateral routes that may cover a law-related master's if the individual program and your nationality qualify. Verify the current call before treating any of them as a plan.

    Scholarship & funding routes

    Funder
    German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
    What it covers
    Postgraduate or master's study at a state or state-recognized German university, across all academic disciplines.
    Funder
    European Union Erasmus+ program
    What it covers
    Full scholarships covering participation costs plus a contribution to travel, visa and living allowance — check the current catalog for a relevant law program.
    Funder
    Fulbright Program
    What it covers
    Support for graduate students and young professionals from abroad to study or research in the United States — eligibility and field coverage vary by country program.
    Funder
    Republic of Turkiye
    What it covers
    Fully funded master's and PhD support including tuition, stipend, accommodation and health insurance across many disciplines — confirm current law-program availability.

    Each route name links to its official source. Verify the current call and eligibility before applying — cycles and seat counts change annually.

    Study law abroad: common questions

    Which countries have the most law programs on Global Admissions?
    The United Kingdom lists the most at 1,188, closely followed by France at 887 and China at 303. Sourced tuition varies enormously within each country: the UK alone ranges from £762 to £37,500 a year, so use the full comparison table rather than a country average.
    If I study law in the UK, can I practice in the US afterwards?
    Not directly. A UK LLB doesn't automatically qualify you to practice in the US — you'd typically need to meet a US jurisdiction's own education and bar admission requirements, which the ABA notes vary by state, and pass the NCBE's MPRE (required everywhere except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico). Plan the qualifying route for your target jurisdiction from the start, not after you graduate.
    What's the difference between qualifying as a solicitor and a barrister in England and Wales?
    The SRA's SQE route to becoming a solicitor requires a degree or equivalent, both SQE1 and SQE2, two years of qualifying work experience, and character checks. The BSB's barrister route has three components instead: an academic component, a vocational component, and pupillage, plus joining an Inn before vocational training begins.
    Do I need to take the LNAT to study law in the UK?
    Many leading UK law schools require it — King's College London and LSE both require every applicant to sit the LNAT by a set deadline (commonly 31 December for the following year's entry). The test has its own fee, £75 at UK or EU centers and £120 elsewhere, so budget and schedule it as a separate step from your main application.
    Can a foreign-trained lawyer practice in Canada?
    Only after going through the National Committee on Accreditation's process: an assessment, meeting its assigned requirements, and earning a Certificate of Qualification, before applying to a provincial or territorial bar admission process. It's a distinct chain from both the UK and US routes.
    Are there scholarships for studying law abroad?
    There's no dedicated global law scholarship, but broad routes like Germany's DAAD master's scholarships, Erasmus Mundus joint master's, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, and Turkiye Scholarships may cover a law-related master's if the specific program and your nationality qualify — verify the current call directly with the funder.

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    Prefer to talk it through?

    An admissions advisor can shortlist programs that fit your budget, profile, and timeline. Most students hear back the same day.

    How to verify this page

    • Confirm the university or school is officially accredited in its own country before applying.
    • Cross-check the tuition figure on the university's own official fee page — not a third-party agent site.
    • Confirm the teaching language matches what you can actually study in.
    • Check whether the fee you're comparing is the domestic or international rate — they often differ.
    • Ask what the fee does and doesn't include — application fees, materials, placements, and living costs are often billed separately.
    • If this field is a regulated profession in your home country, check your home regulator's rules for a foreign degree before you commit.