5 Best Countries to Study Law in 2025

The best countries to study Law courses are the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and Japan. These countries offer law degrees from top universities ranked by the QS and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. Law (or Legal studies) is an “art of justice” practiced for ages. Though the study has changed with time, acquiring a law degree is a must to practice legally. With the global demand for lawyers increasing rapidly in recent times, many international students have chosen the best law schools worldwide to kickstart their legal careers. Pursuing this professional course abroad will introduce you to another country’s legal system and its broader perspectives on various issues. Even though pursuing law is indeed difficult, students with proper guidance have managed to establish successful careers in the legal industry. If you are an aspiring candidate and looking for the best country to study law abroad, the best options are sorted for you in this article.

Law Degree Types

The coursework and curriculum of law courses vary from university to university. To complete a bachelor’s degree in law, around three years is required, and an additional year to complete your master’s. To study for a Juris Doctor (J.D) degree level, two long years are required. Studying law abroad offers a diverse range of specializations that create a rewarding career path. At all your study levels, the types of law (specific areas) you can specialize in are Business law, International law, Criminal law, Environmental law, Civil law, Corporate law, Labour law, Family law, and more.

Top 5 Countries to Study Law Abroad

The best countries to study law abroad are:

1. United States of America (USA)

The United States of America (USA) is the best country to study law programs. It is home to some of the world’s best law schools. Six out of the top 10 QS ranking law schools are in the USA. Prominent personalities like Barack Obama, the former President of the USA, have graduated from the prestigious Harvard Law School. The law course in the USA is 4 years long, post completion you must take two more examinations to become a full-time licensed lawyer. One of the biggest advantages of studying in the USA law schools is that students can practice law in other areas like politics, business, economics, diplomacy, etc. The average annual salary of a law student having an LLB degree from a reputed law school can be $1,26,930 per year. The next advantage is students get cheap accommodations, scholarships, an advanced health care system, etc. based on their needs. The renowned US universities for Law that stand top at QS World University Rankings are:

• Yale Law School
• Stanford Law School
• Harvard Law School
• UC-Berkeley School of Law
• Columbia Law School
• New York School of Law

2. United Kingdom (UK)

The UK is the best study destination in Europe for law aspirants. Though the USA may have the most popular universities in the world, the United Kingdom (UK) is referred to as the birthplace of common law. It is recognized globally that one-third of the world’s law is derived from here. Unsurprisingly, the UK is an epicenter of international law. Every year, over 23,000 students take law studies in the UK. The UK has globally most popular colleges like Durham University and Oxford University. Notably, Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the UK, is a prominent alumnus of St. John's College, Oxford, for studying law. The biggest advantage of studying law in the UK law schools is its shorter study duration compared to other countries. The course can be completed in three years only, a one-year legal practice course, and a two-year training contract in a law firm. Another advantage is that students get to practice law in prominent UK-based legal firms like Clifford Chance, DLA Piper, Allen & Overy (which has 2,300 attorneys), etc. Apart from this, the UK also provides cheap and high-end accommodation facilities to cater to student needs and support diverse cultures. UK law schools boast good administration, vital courses, faculty, and scholarships supporting students in successfully building their law careers. The best universities to study law in the UK are:

• Durham Law School
• University of Cambridge - Faculty of Law
• University of Oxford - Faculty of Law
• UCL University Faculty of Laws

3. Canada

The next on the list is Canada. Studying law in Canada gives you knowledge of the World law system. With 24 law schools across the country, Canada annually attracts many international students, mainly due to its globally recognized Canadian degree, high acceptance rate, and good student life. Notably, the former Canadian PM Kim Campbell received an honorary law degree from the prestigious University of British Columbia. The biggest advantage of studying law in Canada is that it allows students to attend law trials/moot trials in the court. The other advantage is that Canadian students can be exchanged to Australian, Singapore, or UK Universities. Canadian law students can also practice in diverse law firms with different backgrounds. Similar to the UK, the study period of law in Canada is 3 years, but an undergraduate degree in law is essential to enroll in the course. The law courses offered are not much behind the USA and UK. The Canadian top-notch law schools like the University of Toronto offer courses in Criminal law, constitutional law, property law, and contract law. Upon course completion, the country allows law students to work in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or in legal aid clinics to sharpen their skills. Since Canada has a quite good economy, students in pursuit of legal careers have various options that offer a decent salary to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. The best universities in Canada to pursue law studies are:

• University of Toronto Faculty of Law
• McGill University - Faculty of Law
• University of British Columbia - Peter A. Allard School of Law
• University of Ottawa - Faculty of Law

4. Australia

The next best country we have is Australia. It is one of the most popular countries for studying law abroad. Though it is relatively young compared to Canada and the UK, it created its mark with 8,70,000 foreigners enrolled in Australian universities. The biggest advantage of studying law in Australian universities is that it gives a dynamic student experience, including international moot court competitions, student exchange, etc. Another advantage is that Australia provides the longest work permit, with a fast-paced permanent residency option for international students. The welcoming nature with promising living standards makes Australia the best destination. Many students from the USA, UK, and China study here. The country is home to one of the world’s best law schools, the University of Sydney, ranked 16th according to 2023 QS World University Rankings by subject. Their alumni have played a key role in Australia’s judiciary, politics, and public life. It includes prime ministers of Australia, World Bank presidents, chief justices, and lawyers of the Supreme Court and High Court, etc. Remarkably, Australia’s University of Melbourne counts the former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard among its esteemed alumni. Some of the famous universities to study law in Australia are:

• University of Sydney Law School
• Melbourne Law School
• University of South Wales

5. Japan

Finally, we have Japan, often called “the land of the rising sun”. Though Japan is not a popular choice for many law students, it offers excellent opportunities and gives you a globalized study experience. The country is home to some of the best and most promising law schools in the world. All the courses including LLM are taught in English and specially designed for international students. Law schools in Japan are popular for their Japanese law culture. Yukio Hatoyama, the former Prime Minister of Japan graduated from the prestigious University of Tokyo located within the country. This island nation in East Asia is regarded as one of the best choices to study law as it possesses a 100 % literacy rate.  Though the main focus is Japanese law, students will get a scope to know about different angles and perspectives in Westernized law practice as well. Also, The extensive libraries (with 8,00,000 legal titles available) in Japan help law students gain more knowledge outside of class. After completing the law course, students can start their practice in Japanese law firms or become entrepreneurs. This rich cultured country has plenty of jobs in legal careers that pay high salaries for a secure lifestyle. Some of the best universities in Japan to pursue law are:

• Kyoto University
• University of Tokyo
• Beasley School of Law

Law Future Career Options and Expected Salary

As we saw the countries that are best to study law abroad, here comes the next question: What are the job prospects? Where can I practice after completing the course? Let's see.

There is always a misconception that all law students become lawyers. Contrary to popular belief, a law degree opens up various career paths like a barrister, legal clerk, court transcriber, paralegal, diplomat, detective, and solicitor. One can build a law career in world-leading organizations, NGOs, government, or multinational businesses and law firms. In developed countries like the USA, a budding lawyer can earn a starting annual salary of around $55,000. With growing experience, your earnings could be as much as $1,87,000 per year. Having legal knowledge can help you settle into other related fields like

• Journalism
• Compliance
• Investment Banking
• Politics
• Police
• Business
• Human Resources
• Teaching

Selecting the best law school to study depends on various factors like a student's finances, eligibility, internship options, etc. When choosing a discipline or sub-discipline, it is important to choose the one that suits you best for your dream role. Hope our article has helped you to pick the best country to study law. If you still have difficulty deciding, feel free to connect with our kanan professionals to get the proper direction for your future career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which country is best to study law?

The 5 best countries to study law courses are the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and Japan. The duration of the study ranges from two to four years depending on the nature of the program you choose.

2. Which country is cheapest to study law?

The cheapest countries to study law are Germany, China, and Sweden. The tuition fees may differ depending on the university, program type, and location.

3. Is it a good idea to study law abroad?

Yes. It is a good idea to study law abroad. Studying in a foreign country will help you gain a wealth of experience and new connections to travel into the next phase of your academic journey. As most law schools abroad provide internship opportunities for their incoming students, attending them will provide you with real-life training to prepare yourself for your lifelong career.

4. Which is the best country to study law for Indian Students?

The United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and Japan are the best countries to study law for Indian students. The course duration, tuition might differ based on location, university, and more.

5. What are the scholarships available to study law abroad?

Some of the scholarships (funding options) available from all over the world to study law abroad at undergraduate to postgraduate level are:

• HM Hubbard Law Scholarship
• Law Foundation Graduate Scholarships
• TC Beirne School of Law Masters Scholarships@UQ
• The New Zealand Law Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
• Amsterdam Law School Merit Scholarships @UvA
• John Bloom Law Bursary
• LLB Scholarships
• MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program

6. Which country is best to study law in Africa?

The best countries to study law in Africa are Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. There is an exceptionally competitive legal industry in South Africa and one can choose different career paths.