Study Law
Study Law
Law studies bring you into contact with most human life areas, whether it is business, economics, politics, human rights, or international relations. Studying law will equip you with the right skills to tackle any issues; it will sharpen your mind and deepen your critical thinking, analytical capabilities, and reasoning skills. It prepares you for all areas of life, whether professional or personal.
Find your program
Use this search box and filters to browse Erudera's study program database.
Erudera’s Complete Guide to Studying Law
Studying law has a wide range of benefits. Apart from bringing financial stability and numerous employment opportunities, a law degree gives you the chance to make a real impact on the world around you. Although the study of law can be challenging, it is rewarding. Law is an integral part of society, making law essential as a study field.
Careers in law bring a lot of prestige. Upholding justice brings about respect and status. While this alone should not be a reason to study law, it ensures that this kind of career path is meaningful and fulfilling. The skills you learn at law school and further on in your career will make you a communicative and problem-solving individual.
How Much Do Lawyers Earn?
In general, a law degree offers quite an attractive salary in the job market. According to BLS, the median annual wage for lawyers in 2019 was $122,960. Considering that the median salary is not an average but reflects the meeting point where half of the workers earn less, and the other half earn more, it is possible to have an even higher or lower salary than the median. While the lowest 10% earned less than $59,670, the highest 10% earned approximately more than $208,000 annually as lawyers. All legal professions tend to pay high salaries; however, trial lawyers make one of the world’s highest legal salaries, closely followed by intellectual property lawyers and tax attorneys, among others.
Reasons to Study Law
1. Making a Real Impact
Studying law is about making a difference, impacting the world for the better. You can use law for different reasons, bring justice to marginalized groups, make sure people are secure, and their legal documents are in order, or use your skills in commerce areas, like shipping, contracts, or taxes. You earn the ability to improve any defects in the system.
2. Satisfactory Salary
Although, as a fresh graduate, the future might not seem the brightest, salary-wise, you still are on your way to creating a secure and financially stable life for yourself. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, the median annual salary for lawyers was $122,960, which means you can earn more/less than this amount, depending on experience or career choice.
3. Communication Skills
Even if you are not a good communicator during law school, you will learn how to become one. Communication skills are essential, not only in law but also in real life in general. You will become proficient in arguing from a basis of evidence, expressing yourself clearly, and making your thoughts known and heard.
4. Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
Critical thinking and analytical skills will make you a more fulfilled individual and professional, not only as a lawyer but whatever career path you decide to pursue. Law school has the necessary curriculum that will teach you how to analyze complex situations and develop the means required to tackle problems, regardless of what those problems are.
5. Numerous Career Options
A law degree can be challenging, but it is also immensely rewarding career-wise. Apart from becoming a lawyer, those with a law degree might even opt to work in academia, commerce and industry, media, and even politics. You will basically find you have plenty of options to choose from.
6. Prestige
Law graduates uphold justice, and as such, they enjoy a lot of respect and status. Professions in the field of law are quite prestigious and highly regarded around the world. Law graduates have the opportunity to change the world for the better by playing a vital role in society and bringing about justice, which is, after all, crucial.
How Long Does a Law Degree Take?
It will take approximately three years to earn a law degree or the JD (Juris Doctor), the most common law school degree. Some law schools also offer part-time programs that generally take about 4 to 5 years to complete. However, to get a law degree in the US, you have to have a bachelor’s degree first. This could either be in political science, criminal justice, history, or philosophy, among others. Although a law degree will generally take about three years to complete, the length also depends on the country you are pursuing your studies, your career goals, and your law degree type.
Top Countries to Study Law
Studying law and becoming a successful professional requires hard work, dedication, and, well, a good university that offers opportunities to grow, both in a personal and professional aspect. Finding the best countries to study law depends on how you define what’s ‘best’ for you. The US and the UK, for example, are highly recognized for their expertise in the field of law; however, the cost of study can be higher than in other countries.
Here are the top countries to study law:
1. United States
Many law students worldwide go to the US to study or practice law. This is because the US is known for its higher education expertise, especially in law. Studying law in the US can be different from other countries because law school here is the equivalent of a graduate degree. However, studying for a graduate degree in law here will enhance your employment chances upon returning to your home country. Still, it is often preferred to study law in the country you plan to practice.
2. United Kingdom
The UK is also one of the top countries to study law, especially considering the degree offered by UK institutions is valued and recognized by law firms and law schools worldwide. This country is also known as the home of law since the English system of common law, developed more than 900 years ago, enjoys recognition worldwide.
3. Germany
Germany is known as one of the most affordable countries to pursue your university degree. The same applies to those who want to study law. Most public German universities have adopted the ‘no-tuition fees’ rule and only charge administrative fees, which are affordable. Besides, the education system in Germany is nothing short of exceptional.
4. Switzerland
Education in Switzerland is both excellent and affordable. So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option to pursue your law qualifications, Switzerland should be among your choices. Although the cost of living can be high, Switzerland’s academia is brilliant, and the cost of tuition fees can be as low as €500 per semester.
5. France
Law students like France due to its quality of education and prestige levels. While tuition fees are affordable, education quality is unmatched in France. Higher education institutions in France have a long tradition of teaching law while also creating some of the world’s best law professionals.
How Much Does a Law Degree Cost?
The cost of attending law school largely depends on the country you are pursuing your degree in, where you come from, and the university you are attending. For example, the cost of a law degree for in-state residents in public universities in the US is approximately $28,000, while non-residents will have to pay somewhere around $41,500 per year. Attending private school can be more costly worldwide; in the US, attending private law schools can cost around $49,000 per year. If you want to study somewhere in Europe, for example, or in Nordic countries, you will find that law schools’ tuition fees will be relatively cheaper than in the US. E.g., Germany is recognized for its budget-friendly tuition fees.
