You want to pursue law as a career but cannot decide if you should consider studying abroad?
Here are some things which you can consider while making your decision.
Admission
A majority of foreign universities take LSAT (Law School Admission Test) score of the candidate into consideration. You must also give an exam for English proficiency like ILETS or TOEF.
Getting admission in a renowned foreign university depends not just on your entrance test scores but also on extra-curricular activities which you participate in. Your personality plays an important role in securing a seat in these prestigious foreign universities.
The type of law degree which you can pursue varies on the country you go to
In US, Canada and Japan you can pursue a three- year Judicial Degree (JD) (often referred to as Juris Doctor) and you may go for a one year degree called LLM (Masters of Law).
In UK, Australia and New Zealand, you can study an undergraduate degree called LLB (Bachelor of Law) and then go for Masters.
Pros of Studying Abroad
Both American and British Law Schools enjoy prestigious reputation worldwide. If you can hold a degree from these law schools, then you will be welcomed to practice law in almost every nation.
The specialization of law offered in foreign law schools are more than those offered in India. Furthermore, LLM in foreign is of one-year compared to the two-year courses in India.
In law schools abroad, you have the option of joining a legal clinic. These are places where you are put in real life situations and are asked to solve your client’s problems. This exercise helps in building your resumé and also prepares you for the life after you graduate from law school.
Studying abroad gives your a chance to interact with people of all counties which helps you engage your communication skills.
Cons of Studying Abroad
Pursuing law from a foreign university is highly expensive. You will easily get a burden of student loan on your head which you will spend a lot of amount on repaying. Typical cost of JD Degree in some of the universities in US:
University of Minnesota – $ 66,434
Harvard University – $ 81,900
Columbia Law School – $ 85,755
Cornell Law School – $ 79,429
Chicago Law School – $ 80,697
Cost of LLB Degree in some of the universities in UK:
University of Oxford – £21,770
University of Cambridge – £15,063 + (5,500 – 6,500)
University of Bristol – £15,200
University of Liverpool – £13,400
If you plan to become a lecturer in India after graduation, it is better not to study abroad as studying from a foreign land can produce confusion.
If you wish to practice in India, you will have to appear in the All India Bar Examination. 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.
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