The best law schools in the world open doors to a top global legal career. This guide lists the top schools and gives you the key information you need to choose. Finding the best law schools in the world means looking at their rank, cost, and what they require from you. This article covers all of that to help you decide.
Key Highlights
Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge lead the world's premier law schools, with other elite institutions like Yale and Stanford following closely.
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Annual tuition for international students is substantial, ranging from about $79,953 USD at UC Berkeley to over $85,000 USD at Columbia.
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Admissions are intensely competitive, universally demanding a top-tier undergraduate record, a high LSAT score for US schools, and a strong first-class law degree for UK schools.
Top Law Schools in The World
The world's best law schools are found in the United States and the United Kingdom. Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge consistently rank at the very top. These schools have a clear impact. Their graduates go on to lead top law firms, shape governments, and run major global organizations. They also produce important legal research that changes the entire field of law. Please have a look at the table below for a better understanding.
|
QS Rank |
University |
Country / Territory |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Harvard University |
United States |
|
2 |
University of Oxford |
United Kingdom |
|
3 |
University of Cambridge |
United Kingdom |
|
4 |
Yale University |
United States |
|
5 |
Stanford University |
United States |
|
=6 |
New York University (NYU) |
United States |
|
7 |
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) |
United Kingdom |
|
8 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
United States |
|
9 |
Columbia University |
United States |
|
10 |
National University of Singapore (NUS) |
Singapore |
Now, let's learn about these universities one by one in detail.
1. Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School charges about $80,760 per year for its Juris Doctor program. Its most popular degrees are the JD and the LL.M. Getting in is extremely difficult. You need a near-perfect undergraduate record and one of the highest LSAT scores possible, with the typical student scoring a 174 out of 180.
- Average Tuition Fees: Approximately $80,760 per year for the Juris Doctor (JD) program ( INR 72L)
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.).
- Eligibility Requirements: A bachelor's degree; exceptionally high GPA and LSAT scores (median LSAT 174, median GPA 3.94); strong letters of recommendation and personal statement. For the LL.M., a first law degree from another country is required.
- Useful Links:https://hls.harvard.edu/
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford's Faculty of Law is the top law school in the UK and Europe. Its prestigious Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) program costs international students between £30,000 and £43,600 per year. Like its peer Harvard, admission is highly selective. It requires a top undergraduate degree, outstanding academic transcripts, and a strong statement of purpose.
- Average Tuition Fees: For international students, the annual fee is approximately £30000-43600 (INR 36L-53L).
- Popular Programs: Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Magister Juris (MJur), Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Law.
- Eligibility Requirements: A strong undergraduate degree in law (for the BCL) or another discipline (for the MJur); outstanding academic transcripts; statement of purpose; and references.
- Useful Links:https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/
3. University of Cambridge | Faculty Of Law
The University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Law is known for its strong focus on legal theory and research. Its popular LL.M. program costs international students around £33,000 to £35,000 per year. Like Oxford and Harvard, Cambridge is very selective. It requires an outstanding first-class law degree and strong academic references for admission.
- Average Tuition Fees: For international postgraduate law students, fees are approximately £33-35k per year (INR40L-42L).
- Popular Programs: Master of Laws (LL.M.), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law.
- Eligibility Requirements: A first-class or high upper-second-class undergraduate degree in law; for the LL.M., a detailed research proposal may be required; and academic references.
- Useful Links:https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/
4. Yale Law School
Yale Law School is famous for its very small classes and deep focus on legal scholarship. Its JD program costs around $78,961 per year. Like its peers Harvard and Oxford, getting in is extremely tough, requiring an exceptional academic record and one of the highest LSAT scores, with a median of 176.
- Average Tuition Fees: Around $78961 per year for the JD program (INR 70L).
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.).
- Eligibility Requirements: Exceptional academic record; very high LSAT scores (median 176) and GPA; a distinctive personal statement that often focuses on intellectual curiosity.
- Useful Links:https://law.yale.edu/
5. Stanford Law School
Stanford Law School is known for integrating law with technology and business, with its JD program costing around $77,474 per year. Like Yale and Harvard, admission is fiercely competitive and demands top academic scores, a high LSAT (median 173), and evidence of strong leadership.
- Average Tuition Fees: Approximately $77474 per year for the JD program (INR 69L).
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Joint Degrees (e.g., JD/MBA, JD/PhD).
- Eligibility Requirements: Top-tier academic credentials; high LSAT scores (median 173); evidence of intellectual vitality, leadership, and diverse experiences.
- Useful Links:https://law.stanford.edu/
6. NYU School of Law
NYU School of Law is a global leader in international and tax law, with its JD program costing about $83,952 per year. Like Stanford and Columbia, admission is highly competitive, requiring a strong academic record and a high LSAT score with a median of 172.
- Average Tuition Fees: About $83,952 per year for the JD program (INR 75L).
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.) with numerous specialisations.
- Eligibility Requirements: Strong undergraduate record; competitive LSAT scores (median 172); compelling personal statement and recommendations.
- Useful Links:https://www.law.nyu.edu/
7. LSE Law School
The London School of Economics (LSE) Law School is known for teaching law in its social and economic context. Its LL.M. program costs international students about £29,600 per year. Like Oxford and Cambridge, it requires a strong UK upper-second class degree or its equivalent for admission.
- Average Tuition Fees: For international students, LLM fees are approximately £29600 per year (INR 35L).
- Popular Programs: LL.M., Master of Laws (Executive), PhD in Law.
- Eligibility Requirements: An upper second class honours (2:1) degree in law or a related discipline; a personal statement; and academic references.
- Useful Links:https://www.lse.ac.uk/law
8. Berkeley Law School
Berkeley Law School is known for its focus on intellectual property and social justice. Its JD program costs non-resident students roughly $79,953 per year. Like Stanford and NYU, admission is highly competitive and requires a high LSAT score, with a median of 171, and a strong record of community commitment.
- Average Tuition Fees: For non-resident JD students, tuition is roughly $79953 per year (INR 71L).
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.).
- Eligibility Requirements: High academic achievement; competitive LSAT scores (median 171); a commitment to contributing to the school's community.
- Useful Links:https://www.law.berkeley.edu/
9. Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School is a premier institution known for corporate and international law, with its JD program costing around $85,368 per year. Like Harvard and Yale, admission is exceptionally competitive, requiring an outstanding academic record and a high LSAT score with a median of 173.
- Average Tuition Fees: Around $85368 per year for the JD program (INR 76L).
- Popular Programs: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Executive LL.M.
- Eligibility Requirements: Outstanding academic record; high LSAT scores (median 173); professional recommendations are valued.
- Useful Links:https://www.law.columbia.edu/
10. NUS Faculty of Law
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Asia's leading law school, offering a unique bridge between Eastern and Western legal traditions. Its LL.B. program costs international students about SGD 37,100 per year. Like leading US and UK schools, admission requires exceptionally strong academic results, such as top A-level or IB scores.
- Average Tuition Fees: For international students, the annual fee for the LL.B. program is approximately SGD 37100 (₹2.36 crore for the 4-year program, based on ₹62/SGD). The LL.M. fee is about S$47,500 (₹29.45 lakhs).
- Popular Programs: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.).
- Eligibility Requirements: Exceptional results in recognised pre-university exams (e.g., A-levels, IB); for the LL.M., a good bachelor's degree in law; proof of English proficiency.
- Useful Links:https://law.nus.edu.sg/
From the desk of Yocket
Choosing the right law school is a pivotal decision that shapes your entire legal career. This guide has outlined the world's top universities, from Harvard and Oxbridge to NUS, detailing their costs and the exceptional academic credentials required for admission. Navigating these complex admissions landscapes alone can be daunting. Let Yocket Premium be your expert guide. Our dedicated counsellors will help you build a standout application, craft compelling essays, and develop a personalised strategy to secure your place at one of these prestigious institutions. Start your journey to a top law school today with Yocket Premium.
