If you want to become a sought after, highly paid lawyer - it is worth considering the possibility of education in the US and the UK. The traditions of education in these countries are very strong, time-tested: it is the educational systems of these countries that serve as an example and benchmark for educational institutions around the world. In addition, the fundamentals of British and American law are widely spread, and judicial systems around the world largely work on these systems.
Possible educational directions in the field of law are very diverse: it is bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies, and short-term educational courses and advanced education, and preparatory pre-university courses. An important plus - practically on each program theoretical education goes on without interruption from practice: real cases, cases from life and legal precedents are constantly disassembled, known experts, speakers, judges and lawyers are invited, thematic master classes, lectures and seminars are arranged. In addition, the study of a large number of related specialties allows graduates to really be highly quoted on the international labor market - there are practically no problems with finding a job.
Legal Education in the UK: Structure and Features of Learning
Law schools and universities of Great Britain offer rather short bachelor's programs - they last only 1-3 years against a four-year domestic program. This is due to the fact that dense vocational guidance and the study of profile disciplines in Britain are already in the senior, graduating classes (stage Sixth Form), respectively, the students are already entering the university with a solid foundation of basic knowledge and skills.
Of course, the cost of studying in the UK, especially in such a sought-after specialty as law, is very high: for example, at Oxbridge and other top national universities, you will have to pay 13,000 £ - 14,000 £ (and this without residency). But graduates pay back the money spent in the first years after graduation - these young professionals are quickly "snapped up" by the best international companies, offering prestigious and highly paid positions.
In addition, the most gifted students have the opportunity to receive a grant or scholarship - this will help to significantly reduce costs. A good way to save money is by using the University Pathway transfer program or by others: to graduate from a university in your country, to obtain an international diploma and then to enter British universities (for example, for a master's program).
Speaking of entering the UK's legal universities, we note the following key requirements for entrants:
- High level of English language - practically at the level of the medium: TOEFL from 230 or IELTS from 7.0
- Possession of necessary academic skills and profile terminology (for this SMAPSE will be able to select effective educational courses)
- If possible, it is better to pass the program of secondary, senior and graduating classes in the English school: Foundation, A-level or IB. Please note that law schools and schools are very demanding - at least three subjects should have an A-grade score and not lower.
Universities in the USA: legal universities, institutes and higher schools
In the US, it is the jurisprudence that is considered one of the strongest and most sought-after specialties: this has been influenced by the long tradition of American law, a huge number of legal companies and specialists, high educational standards and generally high legal literacy of the population.
If you have decided to obtain a higher legal education in the US and have concerned yourself with this issue in advance, it makes sense to finish one of the so-called Law Schools. Similar schools are part of large and developed universities and prepare high school students in the main disciplines of the legal system. A big plus - you can enter such a school with a diploma or a certificate of any specialty, you only need to pass a special Pre-Law preparatory course. Subject Pre-Law may be different: for example, the University of South Florida has options for international, judicial, constitutional law, environmental legislation.
In universities and higher law schools, students start with an undergraduate program: the Juris Doctor degree allows you to start advocacy (family, criminal, civil or corporate law). Then follows the master's course - the LLM degree. You can apply for a master's degree right after graduating from a baccalaureate or with another diploma - but after special preliminary education and passing the LSAT exam (if you previously studied in an adjacent but not specialized specialty).
Where to go to study?
SMAPSE experts have already mentioned the best law schools in the world in this article. But the list of prestigious, popular and high-quality educational institutions is not limited to these high-profile names - SMAPSE specialists will give you some more examples in the UK and the USA.
1) United Kingdom
- University of Birmingham (Birmingham)
- University of Sheffield (Sheffield)
- Liverpool John Moore's University (Liverpool)
- University of Southampton (Southampton)
- Kingston University (southwest of London).
2) the USA
Traditionally, the best in the legal field are the universities of California and the East Coast, as well as Boston.
- Pepperdine University (Malibu): a high level of research (entrepreneurship and legal proceedings). There is an opportunity not only to finish profile courses (bachelor's, master's), but also to receive a related specialty - business administration, dispute resolution, state-municipal administration are offered.
- University of San Francisco (San Francisco): strong master's programs - International Agreements, Intellectual Property, Technology, Comparative Law (including for international students)
- Boston University (Boston): one of TOP-30 best law schools in the country, the main programs are the bachelor's degree (Juris Doctor (JD)) and the master's degree (Master of Laws (LL.M)). Key areas: American law, international law, intellectual property, health law, litigation.
