Pursuing Law is a popular study abroad option for a large number of Indian students. However, studying Law in a foreign country has its own complications which arise from the difference between the laws of different countries.
For example, an Indian student studying Law in the U.S will learn primarily about the U.S Law, which is very different from Indian Law. But what happens if such a student wants to practice in India after finishing his/her course from the U.S? Or what happens if such a student wants to practice in the U.K? The process will not be straight forward as the student will not be well – versed with Indian or U.K Laws.
Indian Student with a Foreign Law Degree, wants to practice in India
Indian students with foreign Law degrees who wish to work in India will need to appear and qualify in the ‘All India Bar Council Exam’ to be able to practice in India as a Lawyer. However, do keep in mind that this is subject to whether or not your foreign degree is recognized by the All India Bar Council.
The Bar Council has certain set criteria and conditions that your degree needs to meet in order to be considered as equivalent to the Indian Law degrees. Before you decide to study abroad, you must make sure that your degree meets these conditions and is recognized by the All India Bar Council. Lists of the programs of popular foreign universities that are accepted by the All India Bar Council are mentioned on their website: http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/.
Indian Student with a Foreign Law Degree from one country wants to practice in another country
Suppose you’re a student who completed a course in Law from a university in the U.K. However, for some reason, you wish to practice in Singapore. This creates a problem as the laws of U.K and Singapore are different.
In a lot of countries, you will be required to qualify in certain exams/tests conducted by their Law Association to practice in that country as a Lawyer. On the other hand, there are a lot of countries that do not allow students with Law degrees from foreign universities to practice in their country. A lot depends on the level of commonality between the laws of the two countries (the one you graduate from and the one you wish to practice in).
Ideally, it is best to study Law in the country you wish to practice Law in. This will not only ensure that you are well – versed with that particular country’s law, but will also create a much simpler pathway to becoming a professional Lawyer in that country.
Law Courses in different countries
U.S
Unlike most other countries, Law in the U.S can only be pursued as a postgraduate course. To pursue Law in the U.S, you will need to have completed your graduation in any subject.
Even though certain universities offer ‘Pre – Law’ courses, these are not compulsory as there are no specific pre – requisite subject requirements to pursue Law in the U.S. You can pursue Law with an undergraduate degree in any subject, such as Painting, Engineering, and Management etc.
Most Law Schools in the U.S offer a ‘J.D’ or Juris Doctor degree upon completion of the course. The duration of this degree is 3 years. Many U.S. universities offer accelerated J.D degrees that finish within 2 years. Some universities also offer joint undergraduate and J.D programs that finish within 6 years (3+3). Upon completion of your J.D degree, you can pursue Master’s courses in Law such as LLM or Doctorates in Law in the U.S.
To gain admission into a U.S Law School, you will be required to appear and qualify in an entrance exam known as the LSAT or the Law School Admission Test. Visit the following website for more details: http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/about-the-lsat/.
Admissions into a U.S Law school will be based on your previous academic record (school and under graduation GPA), your LSAT score, the quality of your Personal Essays, your Recommendation Letters along with some other factors.
Typical Costs of JD Degree in the U.S (yearly) in US Dollars:
University of Minnesota – $ 66,434
Harvard University – $ 81,900
Columbia Law School – $ 85,755
Cornell Law School – $ 79,429
Chicago Law School – $ 80,697
Canada
Just like in the U.S, Law is offered primarily as a postgraduate course in Canada as well. To pursue a course in Law at a Canadian Law School, you will need to have completed your under graduation in any subject as there no specific pre – requisites.
Most Canadian Law Schools provide a 3 year J.D or Juris Doctor degree. Do keep in mind that this is a Canadian J.D degree and is not the same as the American J.D degree. A few Canadian universities, like the McGill University, offer Law as a joint undergraduate course with another subject.
To gain admission into a Canadian Law School, you will be required to appear and qualify in the LSAT or the Law School Admission Test. Visit the following website for more details: http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/about-the-lsat/.
Admissions into a Canadian Law school will be based on your previous academic record (school and under graduation GPA), your LSAT score, the quality of your Personal Essays, your Recommendation Letters along with some other factors.
Typical Tuition Fee* Costs of JD Degree in Canada (yearly) in Canadian Dollars:
McGill University – $ 35,074
University of Toronto – $ 40,530
University of Alberta – $ 32,253
York University – $ 24,424
* Excludes Living Costs and Other Expenses
U.K
Law is offered as an undergraduate course in the U.K, like it is in India. You are generally provided with a 3 year LLB degree upon completion of the course. Some U.K universities offer LLB degrees as joint degrees with other subjects in the following format – B.A LLB. The duration of such degrees varies between 3 – 4 years, depending upon the subjects and the university. Postgraduate courses such as Masters and Doctorates in Law are also offered.
Admissions into U.K universities are based on your previous academic record, academic and other achievements etc. Personal Statements and Recommendation letters are also required by a lot of universities. To pursue Law at some universities (mostly competitive ones), you might be required to appear for a university level entrance exam such as the Cambridge Law Exam.
Typical Tuition Fee* Costs of LLB Degree in the U.K (yearly) in Pound Sterling:
University of Oxford – £21,770
University of Cambridge – £15,063 + (5,500 – 6,500)
University of Bristol – £15,200
University of Liverpool – £13,400
* Excludes Living Costs and Other Expenses
Australia
Australian Universities offer Law as an undergraduate as well as a postgraduate course. At the undergraduate level, most Australian universities provide an LLB in combination with another subject, such as B.A LLB. The duration of such courses is 5 years. Some universities also offer an LLB (Hons.) degree, the duration of which is normally 4 years. Master’s and Doctorate courses are also offered.
Many Australian Universities offer Law courses at the postgraduate level as well through 3 year J.D (Juris Doctor) degrees. To pursue a J.D degree, you need to be a graduate in any field.
Admissions into a Law courses (B.A LLB or J.D) are based primarily on your past academic record and extra – curricular activities.
Typical Costs of LLB Degree in Australia (yearly) in Australian Dollars:
University of Sydney – $ 35,100
Australia National University – $ 33,168
Typical Costs of J.D Degree in Australia (yearly) in Australian Dollars:
University of Sydney – $ 40,400
Australia National University – $ 34,800
University of Melbourne – $ 36,416
Singapore
Law is offered as an undergraduate course in Singapore. You are generally provided with a 4 year LLB degree. Many universities also offer 5 year LLB degrees in combination with another subject, such as BA LLB. Master’s and Doctorate courses are also offered.
Many Singaporean universities also offer LLBs at the postgraduate level. The duration of such courses is 3 years and they are known as Graduate LLB courses. You can pursue such courses with an undergraduate degree in any subject.
Admissions into the LLB courses at Singaporean universities are primarily based on your previous academic results. However, for competitive universities like the National University of Singapore, other aspects like extra – curricular activities, Personal Statements, Recommendation Letters etc. will be taken into account.
Typical Costs of LLB Degree in Singapore (yearly) in Singapore Dollars (subsidized):
National University of Singapore – $ 23,300
Singapore Management University – $ 24,100
