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    Study legal studies abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying legal studies as an international student.

    Find legal studies programs

    Explore legal studies programs abroad

    See other programs in legal studies

    Legal studies degrees abroad

    Legal studies degree programs are designed to give students a broad understanding of the law. You can use a legal studies qualification as a stepping stone to further studies, or to gain employment within areas like law, politics, or public affairs.

    This is an ideal program for those with a keen interest in law, but are not sure which area they’d like to specialize in. You’ll develop legal, academic, and transferable skills and study national and international legal issues, legal systems, and the relationship between the media and the law.

    Legal studies programs can differ widely between countries, so make sure you do your research before you apply. By studying abroad you’ll get to examine another country’s legal system up close, and get real experience of how the law works on an international scale. Not only that but studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to see the world, broaden your horizons and gain a world-class education.

    Legal studies program structure

    Legal studies programs are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In some countries, like the UK, you can only study legal studies as a certificate-level program as an undergraduate. These one-year programs are designed to prepare you for further law studies at the bachelor’s level or to pursue an entry-level career in a law-related role.

    You can study legal studies as a BA, which will take up to four years to complete. In the USA, you can choose legal studies as your major concentration and study it alongside general studies and other subjects.

    Master’s in legal studies, or closely related subjects, are more common and are often combined with other areas like accountancy, politics, psychology or business management. These programs can help you improve your employability, and give you a focussed understanding of how the law can impact specific areas.

    Legal studies programs are predominantly taught through lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Law schools often invite prominent figures to give talks, and some programs will give you the opportunity to work on a relevant work placement.

    The modules and topics covered in each legal studies program will vary by degree level and university. However, some of the subjects you can expect to cover include:

    • Philosophy of law
    • Law in context
    • National legal systems
    • Law, society and ethics
    • The administration of justice
    • Political science
    • International law
    Legal studies program structure

    Legal studies programs are available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In some countries, like the UK, you can only study legal studies as a certificate-level program as an undergraduate. These one-year programs are designed to prepare you for further law studies at the bachelor’s level or to pursue an entry-level career in a law-related role.

    You can study legal studies as a BA, which will take up to four years to complete. In the USA, you can choose legal studies as your major concentration and study it alongside general studies and other subjects.

    Master’s in legal studies, or closely related subjects, are more common and are often combined with other areas like accountancy, politics, psychology or business management. These programs can help you improve your employability, and give you a focussed understanding of how the law can impact specific areas.

    Legal studies programs are predominantly taught through lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Law schools often invite prominent figures to give talks, and some programs will give you the opportunity to work on a relevant work placement.

    The modules and topics covered in each legal studies program will vary by degree level and university. However, some of the subjects you can expect to cover include:

    • Philosophy of law
    • Law in context
    • National legal systems
    • Law, society and ethics
    • The administration of justice
    • Political science
    • International law

    Alternative law degrees

    Best countries to study legal studies

    Best universities to study legal studies

    See all universities offering legal studies programs

    How to study legal studies abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Legal studies study abroad programs

    Legal studies undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in legal studies

    • false

      Agribusiness: Pre-Law - BSc University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      27,000 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 27,000 USD

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Agribusiness: Pre-Law
    • false

      General Business - Legal Studies Emphasis - BBA Stephen F. Austin State University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,564 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,564 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about General Business - Legal Studies Emphasis
    • false

      Criminal Justice - Legal Studies - BSc Auburn University at Montgomery, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      20,336 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,336 USD

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Criminal Justice - Legal Studies
    • false

      Criminology with Pre-Law (Concentration) - BA Mount Aloysius College, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      23,110 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 23,110 USD

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Criminology with Pre-Law (Concentration)
    • false

      History - Pre-Law - BA DePaul University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      40,551 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 40,551 USD

      Start date
      -
      Show program overview about History - Pre-Law
    See all bachelor's degrees in legal studies

    Associate in legal studies

    • false

      Legal Studies - ASc Mount Aloysius College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      21,870 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 21,870 USD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Legal Studies
    • false

      Paralegal Studies - AA Merritt College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

      Start date
      August, June, January
      Show program overview about Paralegal Studies
    See all associate degrees in legal studies

    Diploma in legal studies

    • false

      Captioning and Court Reporting - UGDip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,563 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,315 CAD

      Start date
      May, September, January
      Show program overview about Captioning and Court Reporting
    • false

      Legal Studies - UGDip Douglas College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,312 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

      Start date
      May
      Show program overview about Legal Studies
    See all undergraduate diplomas in legal studies

    Certificate in legal studies

    • false

      Paralegal Studies - Cert Merritt College, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      7,950 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Paralegal Studies
    • false

      Paralegal Studies - Cert California State University, East Bay, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      15 months
      Annual tuition fee
      8,239 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 8,239 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Paralegal Studies
    See all undergraduate certificates in legal studies

    Legal studies graduate programs

    Master's in legal studies

    • false

      Global Legal Studies - LLM Maynooth University, Ireland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      17,849 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Global Legal Studies
    • false

      Global Management (Global Legal Studies) - MGM Arizona State University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,714 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 25,714 USD

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Global Management (Global Legal Studies)
    • false

      Legal Studies - MA Texas State University, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,034 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,034 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Legal Studies
    See all master's degrees in legal studies

    Future legal studies careers

    Legal studies programs are often designed to prepare you for further studies in law, especially if you don’t already have the qualifications to start a bachelor’s degree program or enter law school. However, it can also give you the knowledge and transferable skills to take on a number of roles.

    Some of the career paths you could pursue as a legal studies graduate include:

    • Paralegal
    • Legal administrator
    • Human resources officer
    • Lawyer/solicitor
    • Legal advisor
    • Legal secretary

    If your aim is to become a lawyer, solicitor or barrister, you will need to complete several other courses to achieve your goal. The qualifications you will need will vary depending on the country you want to practice in, so find out exactly what you need before you apply.