Law
A Law degree is the initial step to pave the path towards a career in the legal sector. It is followed by further studies to become a practicing solicitor or barrister. Here’s a complete lowdown about Studying Law abroad, the entry requirements, career options, and more.
Law degrees abroad
Law degrees are sought after by many international students with a legal career in mind. The completion of a law degree abroad doesn’t certify you to work in the legal profession; however, it’s a great first step towards it.
If you want to qualify as a lawyer in a specific country, it is important to research the exact steps you need to take as the process varies.
Law program structure
In the US and Canada you must hold a bachelor’s degree before going on to study a postgraduate degree specifically in the law, at Juris Doctor (J.D) degree level.
A bachelor’s degree in law will take you around three years to complete, which is the same as a liberal arts degree in the US.
A law master’s will then take an additional year to complete following a bachelor’s. However, to study for a J.D in the USA will take as long as three years.
Law program structure
In the US and Canada, you must hold a bachelor’s degree before going on to study a postgraduate degree specifically in the law, at Juris Doctor (J.D) degree level.
A bachelor’s degree in law will take you around three years to complete, which is the same as a liberal arts degree in the US.
A law master’s will then take an additional year to complete following a bachelor’s. However, to study for a J.D in the USA will take as long as three years.
The range of courses encompasses graduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate and advanced degrees. Graduate courses such as the three year Llb (Bachelor of Law) or the five year Llb (Bachelor of Law Combined Degree) provide basic legal education, knowledge base and skill building. Advanced courses such as Llm (Masters in Law), PhD in Law are focused on specialization and research. The Graduate Llb is a fast track course that results in a postgraduate law degree.
In addition, abroad universities also offer special courses including, Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL); Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) to prep candidates for the Bar Exam; Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme (QLTS) that gives licence to foreign attorneys to practice law in the abroad.
Graduate courses aimed at first time candidates; introduce a student to the fundamentals of law, building knowledge and critical skills. During the course, projects, social work and student internships prepare the budding lawyer with practical training, networking and expansion of ideas. Moot courts provide practical experience, better communication skills and international exposure.
No matter which course you choose to boost your career, gaining a law degree from the abroad is certainly a feather in the cap, and goes a long way to mould candidates into successful legal professionals.
Career opportunities for new law graduates may begin with internships or on-the-job training. Several institutes in the abroad have excellent placement programs for law graduates and even coordinate with national and international corporates and organizations. Postgraduate and research degrees may land you placements higher up the career totem pole.
A law graduate may choose to become an advocate, solicitor, judicial officer, academician, legal researcher, legal aid and social worker and also explore ancillary fields, such as mediation and arbitration, policy making and even politics. Career options can be chosen according to a candidate’s interest, area of specialization, personal abilities and individual skills.
- Arbitrator
- Barrister
- Barrister’s clerk
- Chartered legal executive (England and Wales)
- Company secretary
- Costs lawyer
- Detective
- Licensed conveyance
- Paralegal
- Solicitor