Study Law Abroad: Legal Degrees in the UK, USA, and Europe 2026

Are you sitting in a civics class, listening about the separation of powers, but a different question is swirling in your mind: what if, instead of studying law at a local university, you could go to London, New York, or Amsterdam? What if your legal career could begin not with civil codes in a quiet library, but with case law in Oxford’s Bodleian Library or constitutional law in Manhattan with a view of Central Park?

This isn’t a pipe dream. Every year, high school graduates worldwide gain admission to legal studies at the best universities globally: from Oxford and Cambridge, through LSE and UCL, to Yale, Harvard, and Leiden. However, the path to a law degree abroad looks completely different depending on the country you’re aiming for. In the UK, you study law from day one after high school. In the USA, you must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree, literally in any subject, before you can even enter law school. In the Netherlands, you can study law in English for a fraction of the British costs.

This guide will walk you through each of these paths, from the perspective of an international high school student looking to make an informed decision. We’ll cover admission requirements, costs, entrance exams, career prospects, and the real differences between the systems. If you’re just starting to think about studying abroad, first read our comprehensive guide to studying abroad, then return here for specifics on law.

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Legal Studies in the UK – LLB straight from high school

The United Kingdom offers the most straightforward and quickest path to a law degree for an international high school graduate. Why? Because in the UK, law is an undergraduate degree. You apply through UCAS directly after high school, get admitted to a three-year LLB (Bachelor of Laws) program, and after three years, you have a degree that allows you to begin your journey into the legal profession.

This is a fundamental difference compared to the USA, where law is a postgraduate degree. In the UK, you don’t need to complete another degree first; you go straight into law. This means that by the age of 21-22, you can hold a full law degree, while your peers in the USA would only be in their second year of college.

What does an LLB program look like?

The three-year LLB program includes a Qualifying Law Degree, a set of seven “foundation subjects” that you must complete for the degree to open the path to the profession:

1. Contract Law
2. Tort Law (civil liability)
3. Criminal Law
4. Public Law / Constitutional Law
5. Land Law / Property Law
6. Equity & Trusts (specifically Anglo-Saxon law)
7. EU Law / International Law (evolving post-Brexit)

In addition to these compulsory modules, you have the option to choose specializations: commercial law, human rights law, medical law, intellectual property law, criminology, environmental law, and many others.

Top universities for law in the UK

University	QS Law Ranking 2026	Acceptance rate (Law)	Specifics
Oxford	#2 worldwide	~14%	Tutorial system, LNAT required, intense academic focus
Cambridge	#3 worldwide	~13%	Supervision system, no LNAT, strong emphasis on private law
LSE	#6 worldwide	~8%	London, lowest acceptance rate, strong international law
UCL	Top 15	~10%	London, LNAT required, interdisciplinary approach
King’s College London	Top 20	~12%	London, Dickson Poon School of Law, strong human rights focus
Edinburgh	Top 25	~15%	Scottish system (4-year LLB), Scottish law ≠ English law
Durham	Top 25	~13%	Collegiate system like Oxbridge, strong ranking position

If you’re considering other British universities beyond law, check out our guides to Imperial College, St Andrews, or Warwick.

The LNAT Exam – what it is and who requires it?

The LNAT (Law National Admissions Test) is an exam required by some British universities as part of their law admissions process. It consists of two parts:

• Section A: 42 multiple-choice questions based on 12 texts (testing your ability to analyze arguments, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension, 95 minutes)
• Section B: an essay on one of three given topics (40 minutes)

LNAT is required by Oxford, UCL, King’s College London, Durham, Bristol, Glasgow, and Nottingham, among others. Cambridge does not require LNAT. LSE does not require LNAT but has its own Personal Statement requirements.

The exam is taken online at authorized test centers worldwide. Registration opens in September, and the exam is taken between September and January. The LNAT score does not have a cutoff point; universities interpret it in the context of the entire application.

Costs of legal studies in the UK

Post-Brexit, students from the EU/EEA pay international rates, just like students from the USA, China, or India.

University	Tuition/year (international)	Living costs/year (estimated)
Oxford	£29,700–£37,500	£15,000–£18,000 (Oxford)
Cambridge	£28,000–£35,000	£14,000–£17,000 (Cambridge)
LSE	£25,000–£32,000	£18,000–£22,000 (London)
UCL	£26,000–£34,000	£18,000–£22,000 (London)
Edinburgh	£22,000–£28,000	£12,000–£15,000 (Edinburgh)
Durham	£22,000–£27,000	£11,000–£14,000 (Durham)

In total, a 3-year LLB in the UK is an investment of around £120,000–£180,000, including tuition and living costs. This is a significant amount, but remember that in the UK, you finish after 3 years, while in the USA, it’s after 7 (4 years undergraduate + 3 years law school).

You can read about scholarships for studying in the UK and Europe in our guide to scholarships in Europe.

What after an LLB? The path to the profession in the UK

An LLB degree is just the beginning. In England and Wales, you have two paths:

Solicitor: Since 2021, the new SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) has been in effect, a two-part exam + 2 years of practical experience (training contract). SQE1 is a written exam on substantive law, and SQE2 is a practical exam on legal skills.

Barrister: You must complete a Bar Course (a one-year course) and undertake a pupillage (a one-year apprenticeship with an experienced barrister). Barristers work in the courtroom. These are the lawyers in wigs you see in films.

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Legal Studies in the USA – a long road through the JD

Here, a completely different game begins. In the USA, there is no such thing as an undergraduate law degree. To even apply to law school, you must first complete a four-year undergraduate program, in any subject. You can study philosophy, history, biology, computer science, or English literature. It doesn’t matter what you study for your undergraduate degree; what matters is that you have a bachelor’s degree.

Only after completing college do you apply for a three-year JD (Juris Doctor) program: this is the actual law degree in the USA. In total: 4 years undergraduate + 3 years law school = 7 years after high school. For comparison, in the UK, you have an LLB degree after 3 years.

How to get into law school in the USA?

Admission to a JD program is based on three pillars:

1. GPA (Grade Point Average) from your undergraduate degree. Top law schools expect a GPA of 3.8+ on a 4.0 scale.
2. LSAT (Law School Admission Test), an exam testing logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical reasoning. Score: 120–180. Top schools: 170+. Some universities have started accepting the GRE as an alternative.
3. Personal Statement and letters of recommendation (a personal essay and 2–3 recommendations from professors).

The LSAT is a completely different exam from the LNAT. The LSAT is longer (approx. 3 hours), more difficult, and has a very competitive scoring system: a score of 170+ places you in the top 3% of test-takers. Preparation for the LSAT usually involves 3–6 months of intensive study.

Top law schools in the USA – T14

In the world of American law, there is the concept of T14, fourteen law schools that have dominated rankings for years and guarantee the best career prospects:

Rank	University	Median LSAT	Median GPA	Tuition/year
#1	Yale Law School	175	3.95	~$72,000
#2	Stanford Law School	174	3.93	~$70,000
#3	Harvard Law School	174	3.94	~$71,000
#4	Columbia Law School	175	3.90	~$74,000
#5	University of Chicago	174	3.92	~$72,000
#6	NYU School of Law	174	3.91	~$73,000
#7	Penn Law (Carey)	173	3.90	~$72,000
#8	UVA School of Law	173	3.92	~$68,000
#9	Michigan Law School	172	3.87	~$66,000
#10	Duke Law School	172	3.85	~$68,000

Costs – a brutal calculation

Legal studies in the USA represent one of the most expensive educational investments in the world:

• Undergraduate (4 years): $30,000–$60,000/year (top private universities) = $120,000–$240,000
• Law school (3 years): $60,000–$74,000/year = $180,000–$222,000
• Total: $300,000–$460,000

This is an astronomical sum. But (and this is an important “but”) graduates of T14 law schools in the USA enter the job market with salaries that compensate for it. In 2025, the starting salary in Big Law (the largest law firms) was $225,000 annually, not including bonuses. After a few years of experience, salaries exceed $300,000–$400,000.

Of course, not every law school graduate ends up in Big Law. But if you graduate from a T14 school, your chances are very high.

Details on the costs of studying in the USA can be found in our guide to the costs of studying in the USA, and on scholarships in our scholarship guide.

The path for an international high school student: what it really looks like

If you are in high school and dream of an American law school, your path looks like this:

1. High school diploma + application to a college in the USA (or UK/Europe, as your undergraduate degree doesn’t have to be from the USA)
2. 4 years undergraduate (study anything, but build a strong GPA and develop analytical skills)
3. Prepare for the LSAT (usually in your 3rd–4th year of undergraduate study)
4. Apply to law school (LSAT scores + GPA + essay + recommendations)
5. 3 years JD (American law from scratch)
6. Bar Exam (state exam qualifying you to practice)

If you’re planning undergraduate studies in the USA, start with our guide to the application process. Information on the SAT exam and extracurricular activities will also be useful.

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Legal Studies in Continental Europe – an alternative few talk about

Not only the UK and USA offer law degrees in English. Continental Europe has an increasing number of English-taught law programs that are more affordable, more accessible, and provide solid career prospects.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is probably the best option in Continental Europe for an international high school graduate interested in law:

• Leiden University: the oldest university in the Netherlands, LLB in Law (3 years, in English). Strong international law focus; the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located near Leiden.
• University of Amsterdam: LLB Law, an English-taught program with an emphasis on European law.
• Maastricht University: European Law School, an innovative program with Problem-Based Learning (PBL).
• University of Groningen: LLB International and European Law.

Tuition: ~€2,530/year for students from the EU. Living costs: €900–1,200/month. Total for a 3-year LLB: €35,000–€50,000, a fraction of the costs in the UK or USA.

You can read more about studying in the Netherlands in our guide to Dutch universities.

Ireland

• Trinity College Dublin: LLB (4 years), one of the oldest English-speaking universities in Europe, strong common law tradition (similar to the UK).
• University College Dublin (UCD): Bachelor of Civil Law, a strong program in commercial and corporate law.

Tuition for EU students: €5,000–€8,000/year. Ireland uses a common law system, so the degree is more “compatible” with the UK than degrees from the Netherlands or France.

More about studying in Ireland: guide to Irish universities.

France

• Sciences Po: not a typical law program, but offers a Bachelor in Political Science with a strong legal component, and graduates often continue their studies at Parisian law faculties.
• Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas: traditionally considered the best law university in France, although English-taught programs are limited.

Tuition in France: €170–€380/year at public universities (yes, that’s not a joke). The problem: most law programs are taught in French.

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UK vs USA vs Europe – which path to choose?

This is a question with no single answer. Everything depends on where you want to practice and what career you envision.

Choose the UK, if:

• You want to start studying law right after high school
• You are interested in common law (precedent-based law)
• You plan a career in the UK, the Commonwealth, or international law
• You prefer a shorter path (3 years LLB + 1–2 years professional qualification)
• You have a strong Personal Statement and good high school results

Choose the USA, if:

• You are interested in American law (corporate, constitutional, technological)
• You are ready for a 7-year path (4 years undergraduate + 3 years JD)
• You dream of Big Law and starting salaries of $225K+
• You want to study a broad range of subjects for your undergraduate degree before deciding on law
• You have a financial plan to cover costs or realistic chances for a scholarship

Choose Continental Europe, if:

• Costs are a key factor (Netherlands: €2,530/year tuition for EU citizens)
• You are interested in European, international, or human rights law
• You plan a career in EU institutions (European Commission, Court of Justice of the EU)
• You want to study in an international environment close to your home country

If you need help choosing a path, book a free consultation with a College Council advisor – we’ll help you tailor a plan to your goals and capabilities.

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Diploma Recognition – Practicing Law with a Foreign Degree

This is one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself before deciding where to study law. The short answer: it depends on the country where you want to practice.

Returning to Your Home Country with a Foreign Degree (e.g., Poland)

In many civil law countries, including Poland, local law requires passing an entrance exam for a legal traineeship (for advocates, legal advisors, notaries, or prosecutors) and completing a 3-year traineeship. A foreign degree is recognized as equivalent to a local Master of Laws degree, but:

• You must go through the diploma recognition procedure (a formal verification of whether your studies correspond to the local law curriculum).
• Local law (e.g., Polish law) is a completely different system from common law (UK/USA). You must independently master civil code, criminal code, civil and criminal procedure, administrative law, etc.
• In practice, many graduates from the UK/USA do not return to their home country to practice local law. They work in international law firms, EU institutions, or international law.

Practicing in the UK with a UK degree

Simple: you have a Qualifying Law Degree, pass the SQE or Bar Course, and practice. But beware: the right to work in the UK after studies is limited. Post-Brexit, you need a Graduate Visa (2 years) or a Skilled Worker Visa (sponsored by an employer).

Mobility in the EU

Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications allows lawyers from one EU country to practice in another after fulfilling specific conditions, usually requiring passing a qualifying test in the target country.

If you’re interested in how your high school diploma translates to foreign university requirements, read our guide on your high school diploma and studying abroad.

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International Law – a career path without borders

If you don’t want to limit yourself to a single legal system, international law opens doors to a career without borders:

International organizations

• UN (United Nations): legal offices, tribunals, commissions
• International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague
• International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague
• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg
• European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg

International law firms

The largest law firms in the world (the so-called Magic Circle in the UK: Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Allen & Overy, Freshfields, Slaughter and May; and Big Law in the USA: Cravath, Sullivan & Cromwell, Skadden, Wachtell) have offices worldwide and employ lawyers from various jurisdictions.

NGOs and human rights

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR: organizations that need lawyers with an international education.

The best path to international law? An LLB from a strong university (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Leiden) + an LLM (Master of Laws) from another university, ideally in a different country. For example: an LLB from Cambridge + an LLM from Harvard, or an LLB from Leiden + an LLM from LSE.

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LLM – a Master of Laws for those who want more

An LLM (Master of Laws) is a one-year master’s program that allows you to specialize and, equally importantly, build an international network. An LLM is particularly valuable if:

• You already have an LLB degree and want to specialize in a specific field (corporate law, IP, human rights).
• You want to change jurisdiction (e.g., you have an LLB from the UK and want to practice in the USA; an LLM + bar exam makes this possible in many states).
• You want to improve your position in the job market (an LLM from Harvard, Yale, or LSE is a powerful signal to employers).

Top LLM programs worldwide:

• Harvard LLM: ~$72,000 per year, most prestigious.
• Yale LLM: ~$72,000, small program (approx. 25 students/year), most selective.
• LSE LLM: ~£26,000, London, strong commercial law.
• Cambridge LLM: ~£35,000, intensive, academic.
• NYU LLM: ~$73,000, strong tax and corporate law.

An LLM in the USA offers an additional benefit: in many states (including New York and California), an LLM graduate with a foreign law degree can sit for the bar exam and obtain a license to practice American law.

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Personal Statement for Law in the UK – what it must contain

The Personal Statement for law in the UK is one of the most challenging to write, as universities expect something very specific: proof that you understand what law is and that you have the aptitude to study it.

What must be included:

• Motivation: why law? Not “I’ve dreamed of justice since childhood,” but a specific moment, reading, or experience that sparked your interest.
• Extracurricular readings: named books, articles, podcasts. E.g., “Reading Tom Bingham’s The Rule of Law challenged my assumption that…” or “Helena Kennedy’s Eve Was Framed prompted me to examine gender bias in criminal sentencing…”
• Legal analysis: demonstrate your ability to analyze arguments from two sides. Take a specific case or statute and show how you interpret it.
• Transferable skills: debates, essays, projects that develop critical thinking, text analysis, argumentative writing.
• Work experience (if you have it): internship at a law firm, observing a court hearing, volunteering at a legal aid clinic.

What to avoid:

• Quotes from Wikipedia or school textbooks.
• Generalities like “law fascinates me because it helps people.”
• Listing activities unrelated to law (a UCAS Personal Statement for law is ~80% about law).

If you need help with your Personal Statement, our College Council mentors work with law applicants regularly – book a consultation.

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Exam Preparation – LNAT, LSAT, and beyond

Law entrance exams require specific preparation:

LNAT (UK)

• Preparation time: 4–8 weeks
• Materials: official LNAT website (lnat.ac.uk) with practice tests, The Ultimate LNAT Guide (book), LNAT practice papers.
• Strategy: Practice reading comprehension under time pressure, learn to identify logical flaws, write timed essays.
• Good score: 25+ out of 42 (median is approx. 22).

LSAT (USA, law school)

• Preparation time: 3–6 months
• Materials: LSAT official prep (lsac.org), Khan Academy LSAT prep, Blueprint, 7Sage, PowerScore.
• Strategy: Logical reasoning and reading comprehension are key; logic games require systematic practice.
• Good score: 170+ for T14 (scale 120–180, median ~152).

Language exams

Regardless of the country, you’ll need proof of language proficiency. For the UK, typically IELTS (7.0+ overall, 7.0 in each section for law). For the USA: TOEFL (100+ iBT). Prepare with prepclass.io or check our application timeline to plan your exam dates.

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How College Council can help you?

Studying law abroad is a decision that shapes your entire career. The choice between an LLB in the UK, a JD in the USA, or a law degree in the Netherlands is not just about costs; it’s about who you want to be in 10 years and where you want to work.

At College Council, we help international high school students at every stage:

• Strategy: Which path to choose? LLB or undergraduate + JD? Oxbridge or LSE? Netherlands or Ireland? We tailor a plan to your goals, budget, and academic profile.
• Exam preparation: SAT/IELTS/TOEFL with prepclass.io, materials on okiro.io. We also help plan LNAT preparation.
• Personal Statement and essays: We work with law applicants, helping them write a PS that demonstrates legal thinking, not just a vague declaration of interest.
• UCAS and Common App application: From A to Z, step by step. Guides: UCAS, Common App.

Book a free strategic consultation —> We’ll help you design your path to your dream law school.

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Studying Law Abroad

Can an LLB from the UK allow me to work as a lawyer in my home country (e.g., Poland)?

Yes, but it requires additional steps. You must go through diploma recognition, pass an entrance exam for a legal traineeship (for advocates or legal advisors), and complete a 3-year traineeship. In practice, you must independently master local substantive and procedural law, because an LLB from the UK teaches English law (common law), while your home country uses a civil law system. Many UK graduates choose careers in international law firms or European law instead of returning to the local system.

Can I study law in the USA immediately after high school?

No. In the USA, law (JD) is a postgraduate degree. You must first complete a 4-year undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree) in any subject. Only then do you apply to law school. The entire path takes 7 years after high school. If you want to study law immediately, choose the UK (LLB, 3 years) or the Netherlands (LLB, 3 years).

How much does the LNAT cost and how do I register?

The LNAT costs approximately £70 for candidates outside the UK (2025/2026 price). Registration takes place on the lnat.ac.uk website. The exam is taken at authorized test centers, available worldwide. Registration opens in September, and the exam is taken from September to January. Section A results are available immediately after the exam and are automatically forwarded to universities.

What high school subjects are required for law in the UK?

British universities do not require specific subjects for law, unlike, for example, medicine, where biology and chemistry are compulsory. Subjects that develop analytical and writing skills are valued: history, social studies, English language, philosophy, mathematics. Oxford requires AAA at A-levels (or equivalent on your high school diploma), Cambridge A*AA. Check the details in our guide on converting your high school diploma.

Does an LLM from Harvard allow me to practice law in the USA?

Yes, but not automatically. An LLM with a foreign law degree enables you to sit for the bar exam in many US states (including New York and California). After passing the bar exam, you can practice law in that state. This is a popular path for lawyers from Europe who want to work in American law firms. Not all states accept an LLM; check the requirements for the specific state.

What are the earning prospects after studying law abroad?

Prospects depend on the country and career path. In the USA, Big Law (T14 graduates): starting salary $225,000/year + bonuses. In the UK, Magic Circle (Clifford Chance, Linklaters, etc.): starting salary £50,000–£55,000 on a training contract, rising to £100,000+ after qualification. In international law (UN, ICC): $65,000–$100,000 to start. In your home country after diploma recognition: prospects similar to graduates of local law faculties, with the added value of English language proficiency and an international perspective.

Is it worth considering a gap year before law school?

Yes. Both British and American universities view a gap year positively, provided you use it productively. An internship at a law firm, volunteering at a legal organization, or working for an NGO focused on human rights are experiences that will strengthen your application. On UCAS, you can apply and simultaneously defer your start (deferred entry). In the USA, a gap year is increasingly accepted, and Harvard, MIT, and Princeton explicitly encourage admitted students to take a year off.

Are law degrees from the Netherlands recognized in the UK and USA?

An LLB degree from a Dutch university is recognized in the EU (including your home country), but it does not directly grant the right to practice in the UK or USA. In the UK, you would need to pass the SQE or QLTS (Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme). In the USA: an LLM + bar exam. However, a Dutch degree is an excellent foundation for a career in European law, EU institutions, and international law firms with offices in Brussels, Luxembourg, or The Hague.

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Read also

If this guide was helpful to you, here are more articles to deepen your knowledge:

• Study Abroad – A Comprehensive Guide for Future Students: everything you need to know about studying abroad in one place
• How to Apply Through UCAS – A Guide: step-by-step through the British admissions system
• How to Write a Personal Statement for UK Universities: a detailed guide, essential if you’re applying for law in the UK
• Study at Oxford University – A Guide: admissions, college system, and student life in Oxford
• Study at LSE – A Complete Guide: a guide to the London School of Economics, one of the best universities for law

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Article updated in February 2026. Data regarding tuition fees, rankings, and admission requirements compiled based on official university websites, QS World University Rankings 2026, UCAS 2025/2026, and LSAC 2025/2026.