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Study legal studies abroad
An in-depth guide to studying legal studies as an international student.
Explore legal studies programs abroad
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PhD programs in
legal studiesNo programs listed
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
How to study legal studies abroad
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Legal studies study abroad programs
Legal studies undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in legal studies
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Business Legal Studies - Corporate Communication Emphasis - BBA Stephen F. Austin State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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18,564 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,564 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Criminal Justice - Legal Studies - BSc Auburn University at Montgomery, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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20,336 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,336 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Criminology (Pre-Law) - BA Mount Aloysius College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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23,110 USD
Fee in university's local currency 23,110 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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History - Pre-Law - BA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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40,551 USD
Fee in university's local currency 40,551 USD
- Start date
- -
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Humanities & Communication - Legal Studies Concentration - BA California State University, Monterey Bay, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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16,647 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,647 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Associate in legal studies
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Legal Studies - ASc Mount Aloysius College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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21,870 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,870 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Paralegal Studies - AA College of the Canyons, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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10,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,000 USD
- Start date
- August, February, June
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Paralegal Studies - AA Merritt College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
Diploma in legal studies
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Legal Studies - UGDip Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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14,352 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September, January, May
Certificate in legal studies
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Paralegal Studies - Cert Merritt College, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
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Paralegal Studies - Cert California State University, East Bay, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 15 months
- Annual tuition fee
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8,239 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,239 USD
- Start date
- August, January
Legal studies graduate programs
Master's in legal studies
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Global Management (Global Legal Studies) - MGM Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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25,714 USD
Fee in university's local currency 25,714 USD
- Start date
- August
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Legal Studies - MLS University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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27,496 USD
Fee in university's local currency 38,998 NZD
- Start date
- July, February
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Legal Studies - MA Texas State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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15,034 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,034 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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.
