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)
| Country | Programs listed | Sourced fees |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1,188 programs | ≈ $762–$24,130 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| France | 887 programs | ≈ $192–$270 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| China | 303 programs | ≈ $1,410–$3,525 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| United States | 270 programs | ≈ $7,850–$29,072 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Australia | 251 programs | ≈ $11,309–$28,535 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| The Netherlands | 185 programs | ≈ $351–$16,000 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Ireland | 115 programs | ≈ $2,700–$18,600 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Germany | 72 programs | ≈ $150–$2,797 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| United Arab Emirates | 66 programs | ≈ $10,892–$20,302 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Italy | 65 programs | ≈ $357–$2,268 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Spain | 56 programs | ≈ $274–$1,096 (min–median, USD-approx) |
| Canada | 35 programs | ≈ $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)
- Program
- Business Law
- School & country
- FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences — Germany
- Tuition
- ≈ $161 (sourced)
- Program
- Angewandtes Wirtschaftsrecht
- School & country
- Furtwangen University — Germany
- Tuition
- ≈ $190 (sourced)
- Program
- BUT - Carrières juridiques
- School & country
- I.U.T de Villetaneuse - Université Sorbonne Paris Nord — France
- Tuition
- ≈ $192 (sourced)
- Program
- BUT - Carrières juridiques
- School & country
- IUT de l'Université de Lille - site de Roubaix — France
- Tuition
- ≈ $192 (sourced)
- Program
- BUT - Carrières juridiques
- 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)
| Program | School & country | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München — Germany | ≈ $150 (sourced) |
| Business Law | FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences — Germany | ≈ $161 (sourced) |
| Angewandtes Wirtschaftsrecht | Furtwangen University — Germany | ≈ $190 (sourced) |
| BUT - Carrières juridiques | I.U.T de Villetaneuse - Université Sorbonne Paris Nord — France | ≈ $192 (sourced) |
| BUT - Carrières juridiques | IUT de l'Université de Lille - site de Roubaix — France | ≈ $192 (sourced) |
| BUT - Carrières juridiques | I.U.T Jean Moulin de l'Université Lyon 3 — France | ≈ $192 (sourced) |
| BUT - Carrières juridiques - en apprentissage | IUT de VILLETANEUSE - UNIVERSITÉ PARIS 13 - CFA SUPALIA — France | ≈ $192 (sourced) |
| Double licence - Droit / Géographie et aménagement - | Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne — France | ≈ $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 feesGetting 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
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
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
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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
| Jurisdiction | Regulator / requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — SQE route | 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 |
| England and Wales | Bar Standards Board (BSB) — barrister route | 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 |
| United States | American Bar Association (ABA) — no required major | The ABA says there's no single undergraduate major that prepares you for law school; students are admitted from almost every academic discipline. source |
| United States | National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) — MPRE | Required for admission to the bar in every US jurisdiction except Wisconsin and Puerto Rico. source |
| Canada | National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) | 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.
- Route
- Turkiye Scholarships
- 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.
| Route | Funder | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| DAAD Study Scholarships — Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Postgraduate or master's study at a state or state-recognized German university, across all academic disciplines. |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | European Union Erasmus+ program | Full scholarships covering participation costs plus a contribution to travel, visa and living allowance — check the current catalog for a relevant law program. |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Fulbright Program | 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. |
| Turkiye Scholarships | Republic of Turkiye | 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?
If I study law in the UK, can I practice in the US afterwards?
What's the difference between qualifying as a solicitor and a barrister in England and Wales?
Do I need to take the LNAT to study law in the UK?
Can a foreign-trained lawyer practice in Canada?
Are there scholarships for studying law abroad?
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How to verify this page
- Global Admissions — Law program listings
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Bar Standards Board (BSB)
- National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)
- National Committee on Accreditation (NCA), Canada
- GOV.UK — Student visa money requirements
- 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.
