Best Law Schools in the World (2025): Guide for International Students

Lakshmi

6 min read

Updated On May 2, 2025

Best Law Schools in the World (2025): Guide for International Students

Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you

Top 10 Best Law Schools in the World
Cost of Studying Law in Best Law Schools in The World
Best Law Schools in the World: Country Wise Top Colleges 2025
Career Opportunities for Law Graduates in 2025 and Beyond
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Law School in the World
Secure Admission to Best Law Schools in the World With GetGIS Assistance

Choosing one of the best law schools in the world can shape a student's legal career with global prestige, top tier faculty and unmatched professional networks. In 2024 alone, over 600,000 students enrolled in law programs worldwide, reflecting the growing demand for legal expertise in fields like international law, AI regulation, corporate compliance, etc.

With a legal profession projected to grow by 10% globally through 2030 Selecting the right institution is crucial than ever. Whether you are aiming for a role at a leading firm or international organisation, this article explores the top ranking law schools in the world based on academic reputation, global employability and alumni success.

Top 10 Best Law Schools in the World

The QS World Ranking for Law and Legal studies 2025 has ranked 400+ universities from all around the world considering their academic excellence, programs offered, etc. the list of top 10 best law colleges in the world include:

University	QS Ranking 2025 (Legal Studies)	Acceptance Rate	Employability Rate	Admission Requirements
Stanford University, USA	1	6.90%	93%	High GPA, LSAT (170+), LORs, resume, personal statement
Harvard University, USA	2	6.30%	95%	High GPA, LSAT/GRE, strong essays, LORs
University of Cambridge, UK	3	14%	91%	A-levels/IB, strong GPA, LNAT (for some), interview, references
University of Oxford, UK	4	13%	93%	A-levels/IB, LNAT, references, written work
New York University (NYU), USA	5	21%	92%	LSAT (170 median), GPA, essays, LORs
Columbia University, USA	6	11%	94%	High GPA, LSAT (172), resume, LORs, personal statement
University of California, Berkeley	7	12%	89%	GPA, LSAT (168), essays, resume, LORs
Yale University, USA	8	4.10%	96%	LSAT/GRE, holistic review, strong writing sample, LORs
University of Chicago, USA	9	17%	92%	LSAT/GRE, strong GPA, resume, LORs, personal statement
University College London (UCL), UK	10	16%	89%	A-levels/IB, LNAT, academic references

Also Explore: Top 10 Law Universities in the UK

Cost of Studying Law in Best Law Schools in The World

Best universities for law studies offer varied courses to choose from for local and international students. The average cost of law studies in 2025 is as follows

University	Top Programs	Annual Tuition Fees (USD)
Stanford University, USA	JD, LLM, JSD, MLS	73,000
Harvard University, USA	JD, LLM, SJD	73,600
University of Cambridge, UK	BA (Law), LLM, PhD	38,500
University of Oxford, UK	BA (Jurisprudence), BCL, MJur, DPhil	38,000
New York University (NYU), USA	JD, LLM, JSD	76,500
Columbia University, USA	JD, LLM, JSD	78,000
University of California, Berkeley	JD, LLM, JSD	63,000
Yale University, USA	JD, LLM, JSD, PhD	74,500
University of Chicago, USA	JD, LLM, JSD	76,800
University College London (UCL), UK	LLB, LLM, MPhil/PhD	35,000

Best Law Schools in the World: Country Wise Top Colleges 2025

So far we have explored the top 10 best law colleges in the world, now let us also learn which are the best law schools in top student destination countries in 2025. These include:

Country	Universities
United States of America	Harvard University Yale University Stanford University University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Columbia University New York University University of Chicago University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Georgetown University University of Pennsylvania
United Kingdom	University of Oxford University of Cambridge The London Schools of Economic and Political Science (LSE) UCL King’s College London University of Edinburgh Queen Mary University of London Durham University University of Manchester University of Glasgow
Australia	University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) University of Melbourne University of Sydney Australia National University (ANU) Monash University University of Queensland University of Technology, Sydney University of Adelaide University of Western Australia Griffith University
Canada	University of Toronto University of British Columbia McGill University Dalhousie University Queen’s University at Kingston University of Alberta University of Ottawa Universite de Montreal York University Western University
Germany	Humboldt - Universitat zu Berlin Ludwig Maximilians Universität München Freie Universität Berlin Universität Hamburg Goethe University Frankfurt am Main Albert Ludwigs Universität Freiburg University of Gottingen Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn University of Cologne

Also Read: LLM in the USA: Scope, Top Universities, Fees, and More

Career Opportunities for Law Graduates in 2025 and Beyond

Law graduates are one of the high demand professionals in the world. The career outlook for and opportunities for Law students in 2025 and beyond is noted as follows:

The global legal job growth 2025 - 2030 is expected to grow by 10% specifically in areas like international arbitration, tech regulations, environmental laws, etc.
Top hiring sectors for law graduates include - law firms, government, NGOs, international bodies like UN, WTO, financial institutions, etc.
The average graduate salaries for Law students 2025 include: Canada (CAD 149,674), US (125,000), UK (GBP 50,000), Germany (EUR 72,000), Australia (AUD 119,278), etc.

Explore the Best Law Courses in Canada (2025): Universities, Requirements & Jobs

Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Law School in the World

While admission requirements, course options and visa requirements could be a few of the referred to pointers when choosing the best college for law studies. We have listed a comprehensive list of factors that will further help you understand why study law at best universities in the world and university selection process in 2025:

1. Curriculum Focus

Every law school has strengths in specific areas of legal study. It is essential to align your career goals with the schools academic focus:

Corporate law is ideal if you are targeting careers in business law, mergers and acquisitions, or working with large firms.
Human Rights law schools with global law programs or connections with NGOs are preferable
Technology law institutions near tech hubs like Stanford or UC Berkeley, often excel in this specialization
Environmental law schools engaged in sustainability research or partnerships with environmental agencies provide strong pathways
Criminal law, if you are interested in prosecution, defence or judicial roles, consider seeking out programs with strong criminal justice clinics

#Pro Tip: Review, post electives, clinical programmes and research centres associated with your interest before choosing the university and program.

Also Explore: Best Universities for Indian Students Abroad (2025): List of Top 100

2. Bar Exam Eligibility

Not all law degrees qualify students to practise law in every jurisdiction. A examples for few include:

In the US only Juris Doctor (JD), from an ABA - accredited schools allow bar exam access in all 50 states.
In the UK LLB degrees may require a Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), or Bar Training Course (BTC)
In other countries, you may need additional certifications, training, contracts or local licensing exams.

#Pro Tip: Always check whether international students from your country can return and practise, or if the degree has cross border recognition

3. Global Mobility

Top law schools often offer international exchange programs, dual degrees and globally diverse student cohorts

Schools like NYU, Cambridge and UCL have partnerships with universities across Asia, Europe and Latin America, hence promoting options for student exchange
Dual degree programs like JD+LLM or JD+MBA can open up opportunities in multiple countries
Institutions with international faculty and visiting professors bring global perspectives into the classroom

#Pro Tip: A school with strong global links is ideal if you aim to work in international law firms, ngos or multinational corporations.

4. Alumni Network

A strong, active alumni base can be a career catalyst as:

Alumini frequently helps with placements, references, and mentoring for internships and jobs
Many top lawyers, judges and policy experts are aluminium of elite schools like Harvard, Oxford and Yale universities
Prestigious schools have alumni chapters worldwide, helping you build a professional network wherever you go.

#Pro Tip: Look for schools with formal alumni mentorship programs or platforms like LinkedIn groups for their graduates.

5. Scholarships & Funding

Top law schools are expensive but many offer financial assistance in form of:

Merit based scholarships to students with exceptional academy or professional achievements
Need based aid support is provided based on financial status by some schools, like Yale and Harvard in form of need blind admissions
External scholarships like Chevening, Fulbright Scholarships, Inlaks Scholarships or Commonwealth Scholarships may help students cover tuition and living expenses abroad

#Pro Tip: Always research tuition waivers, RA or TA positions, and extensions early while in the application process.

Also Read: How To Get Scholarship To Study Abroad After 12th

Secure Admission to Best Law Schools in the World With GetGIS Assistance

Pursuing a legal education from one of the best law schools in the world, opens doors to global opportunities, lifelong network and the chance of making real impact through law Whether your goal is to argue before the Supreme Court, or lead international legal reform, your journey begins with securing admission in the right law college in the world.

By partnering with GetGIS you gain the advantage of personalized guidance for your study abroad requirements, visa process, university selection and more. Our team is committed to ensure your successful transition while assisting you every step of the way.

Book Your Free Consultation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which country offers the most affordable law education?

A recent study revealed that Germany, China, and Sweden are among the most cost-effective countries for studying law, whereas the United States is identified as the most expensive.

Is CLAT mandatory for admission to law colleges?

No, CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is not obligatory for pursuing an LLB. Alternative exams such as SLAT, AILET, JMI BA LLB, and LSAT are also available. However, candidates aspiring to enroll in top National Law Universities (NLUs) often choose to take CLAT, as NLUs typically accept CLAT scores. It's important to note that NLUD (National Law University, Delhi) considers AILET results.

Which legal specializations are currently in high demand?

Some of the most sought-after legal specialties globally include intellectual property law, family law, immigration law, real estate law, and corporate law. Emerging areas of legal practice include intellectual property law, data privacy and cybersecurity law, litigation, and labor and employment law.

Which category of lawyer tends to have the highest earnings in India?

Supreme Court lawyers are considered among the highest-paid legal professionals in India, with the potential to earn more than 20 lakhs per annum. The actual salary may vary based on factors such as the lawyer's reputation, experience, and the nature of the cases they handle.