Dreaming of pursuing law after 12th is a bold and challenging decision in itself. Studying law abroad can be the foundation of a powerful and meaningful legal career. You will gain global exposure by pursuing a law degree abroad. All you need is the proper planning and strategy to choose the best country and university for studying abroad, from selecting the correct country to understanding admission requirements, entrance exams, fees, and future career guidance. This blog will walk you through all the points that you need to keep in mind before making a big, bold step toward your dream career.
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Why Study Law Abroad After 12th?
Studying law abroad will give you global exposure, and the international learning environment will expose you to cross-border legal systems and practices along with a diverse peer network. Some of the significant benefits of studying law abroad are as follows:
- International career prospects: Studying law abroad prepares you for careers in corporate law, Human rights law, and immigration law. In corporate law, you get to work in multinational companies, and with immigration laws, you can practice in countries where immigration laws are a major legal service.
- Access to modern legal education frameworks: Foreign-based universities emphasize practical-based learning more than theory-based learning. You will get the opportunity to learn practically and solve real-world problems. Universities offer moot courts and legal clinics for students, along with advanced legal technology tools and digital research resources.
- Internships at global law firms and NGOs: Most universities offer real-world experience through internships with global firms, NGOs, and courts, which can lead to better job offers. These internships can be done while you’re studying law or after you have graduated. It opens doors for a good start to a career when you link yourself with global law firms like the United Nations or the World Bank and various NGOs.
- Improved soft skills through intercultural exposure: When you study abroad, your communication skills, interpersonal skills, and global networking abilities grow through intercultural exposure. You get the experience and view the different legal structures and approaches that are different from your homeland. You get to experience the global classroom and internship firsthand.
- Opportunity to settle or practice abroad: Many countries offer post-study work visas for a few years, which open doors to a long-term international career and allow one to settle there permanently in the future. You get to build a strong foundation for a job by joining global firms, and practicing there can be beneficial in seeking high-paying jobs across the world.
Also Read: How to Study Law Abroad After the 12th
Entrance Exams to Study Law Abroad
To study law abroad, students need good marks in school. Most universities ask for 60-70% in Class 12. Here are some standard exams you need to take for law courses abroad.
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
All ABA-approved law schools around the world accept LSAT. Many universities in the US, Canada, and other countries accept LSAT scores for law courses. The LSAT 2025 exam dates have already been announced. The test will happen in January, February, April, and June 2025. The LSAT has three main parts: two Logical Reasoning sections and one Reading Comprehension section. There is also one unscored section called the variable section.
- National Admission Test for Law (LNAT)
LNAT is a popular exam for getting into undergraduate law courses in the UK and some other countries. The LNAT UK is managed by the LNAT Consortium and conducted by Pearson VUE. Students can use LNAT scores along with their school marks to apply to top law universities in the UK. Some universities outside the UK, like Singapore University of Social Science and IE University, also accept LNAT scores. The LNAT has two parts: one multiple-choice test and one essay.
Top universities that accept LNAT scores:
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Durham University
- University of Glasgow
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics
Popular Law Programs to Study Abroad
- Juris Doctorate (J.D.) – This is a 3-year program offered in countries like the USA. Unlike India, the USA does not provide a 3-year LLB program.
- LLB (Bachelor of Law) – Countries like the UK offer the LLB program. In Cambridge, the LLB mainly covers English law. So, students should check the syllabus before choosing. For example, Cambridge is not the best choice if you want to study Indian law. EU law and International law are also taught.
- LLM – LLM is a common law degree that many international students pursue abroad.
Admission Requirements for Studying Law Abroad
- Academic Qualification: Students must pass their school or college exams with the required marks. The minimum marks may vary for each university.
- English Language Proficiency: Students must take English tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Each university has its score requirements.
- Letters of Recommendation: Most law schools ask for 2 to 4 recommendation letters. These letters should be written by teachers or professionals who can explain the student’s academic skills and career goals to the admission team.
Best Countries to Study Law
For Indian students, English-speaking countries are the best options to study law. When studying law abroad, students usually learn the law of that country. However, studying in these countries helps students understand law from a global view.
Here are some of the best countries to study law:
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- Australia
- Singapore
Best Universities to Study Law
Many good law colleges are available for Indian students abroad. The best university depends on the student’s interest and the law subject they want to study. However, some universities are known worldwide for their law programs. These include:
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Oxford University, UK
- Stanford University, USA
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- National University of Singapore
Step-By-Step Guide on How to Study Abroad After 12th?
Getting into a foreign law university is a long, challenging, yet rewarding process. One needs proper planning and strategy to gain admission to their dream college, which involves a combination of academic excellence and thorough preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating the admission process.
1. Research the Right Destination and Program
The first and foremost step is to choose the country you are interested in and see if it offers the program that you want to pursue. Not all universities provide law programs after 12th grade, so be sure to consider those that do. Different universities have different specialties in law, such as corporate law, immigration law, public policy, or international law. Research well about the structure of the program your university offers and the curriculum, along with the faculty, campus, location, and facilities it’s going to provide you. Look out for what tests are required to get into a specific college and what the requirements of the program you are applying for are, compare the fee structure to different options of universities available, and how much it is going to cost you from fees to stay, and what scholarship programs they are offering. Researching well is the key to your dream college.
2. Prepare for Entrance Exams
Most universities abroad require you to clear some standardized tests to get admission into the program offered by them. Look out for the entrance tests that your chosen university requires for the admission process. Prepare for these tests in advance to increase the overall chance of getting into your dream program. Some of the standard exams that are needed are as follows:
- SAT (School Admission Test): It’s the most common exam required by most universities in the USA for undergraduate programs.
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test): The LSAT is the standard test for law schools in many countries, including the United States and Canada.
- IELTS/TOEFL: To test the English proficiency of students, these tests are required, especially for students from countries where English is not a first language.
3. Maintain Academic Excellence
Your 12th result is going to majorly affect the chances of you getting admission to your chosen university. Most universities have set up a standard grade to allow admission into a specific program, so you must score as high as possible in your 12th standard exams. Along with academic excellence, being actively involved in public speaking, internships, and volunteerism shows involvement and abilities such as leadership, communication, and passion for law.
4. Build a Strong Application
The majority of colleges and foreign universities require you to submit applications, provide a letter of recommendation, and write essays on why you want to pursue law and what your career goals are, so it’s very crucial to build a strong application to get into your dream college. Focus on creating strong components like:
- Essay: Create an interesting and creative essay showing your interest in law and why you want to pursue it at the specific university.
- Letter of recommendation: Get a letter of recommendation from your teachers or mentor who can back you with strong academic details and curricular activities.
- Extra Curricular Activities: Show your extracurricular activities that are relevant to your program, like debates, internships, and volunteerism.
5. Financial Planning
After applying to various universities of your choice and preference, financial planning is the next big thing that is crucial and will decide what program you should go for, keeping in mind all the expenses it’s going to take. Research well about the scholarship programs offered by universities, look out for various government or private scholarships targeting your country and plan wisely. Some of the scholarships for Indian students provided by top universities:
- Chevening Scholarships: If you are going to study in the UK, check out Chevening Scholarships.
- Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship: This is for education in the United States of America.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: For the programs in Australia, Australia Awards Scholarships are available.
- NUS Undergraduate Scholarships: Scholarship for students of the National University of Singapore.
Also Read: 12 Best Apps for International Students to Simplify Life Abroad
Career Opportunities of Studying Law Abroad After 12th
Studying law abroad opens a pool of career opportunities in the legal sector. A law degree from abroad opens up a world of career opportunities across various borders, industries, and legal specializations. Let’s walk you through some of the career paths that you can take after completing your law degree overseas.
- Corporate Law and In-house Legal Departments: Many Multinational companies hire foreign graduate lawyers for their legal compliance, contract negotiation units, and risk and regulatory departments. You can work as a legal analyst or a corporate counsel in various sectors, such as tech, finance, or pharma.
- Join International Legal Organizations: Many international organizations take students for internships or jobs after completing their law degrees. The organizations include the United Nations (UN), World Bank, Amnesty International, International Criminal Court (ICC), and International NGOs, where you can work in roles like human rights, environmental laws, or public laws.
- Practice Law in the Country Where You Studied: You can apply for higher law programs and even practice law in the country where you studied, as most countries offer a post-work visa for around 2-4 years, depending on the country. Join law firms or apply for training contracts. Most countries have a local bar exam that you can use to become a licensed solicitor.
- Legal Academia and Research: A law graduate from a reputed university can become a law professor in an international university, work on publishing journals and legal publications, join research bodies, and build a career as a legal researcher. You may need to pursue an LLM or PhD for permanent roles, though.
- Alternative Legal Careers: You can apply for legal roles in government departments of the country you are a resident of and join the embassy or consulate legal sections. Other alternative legal careers include legal journalism and legal consulting.
Also Read: Top 10 Differences Between Education in India and Abroad
Conclusion: How to Study Law Abroad After 12th?
Studying abroad is a dream for many students, and the process and chances of getting into one can be tiring and challenging sometimes. Still, with the proper guidance and aspiration, you can turn your dreams into reality by preparing for them in advance. To transform your aspirations into reality, begin by researching well about the program and universities you are interested in, plan your finances well, look out for scholarship programs provided by your university, and build a strong application to enhance the chances of getting into your dream college. Studying law abroad will give you a better look into the global legal systems and will help you build a great future after you complete it at top universities abroad. For more such informative blogs visit Glocaled!