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Cheapest law schools every Indian should consider
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11 Sep 2024
Stable. Great pay. Prestige. Family pressure.
These are a few reasons that draw many to schools for law in hopes of pursuing a legal career. In India, the honour of becoming a lawyer runs deeper.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the first “untouchable” to study in the US and UK as well as India’s first law minister, still inspires thousands every year to fight for the rights of the most vulnerable. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, studied law and jurisprudence at University College London.
As of 2024, there are over 1.4 million registered advocates in India.
According to the Bar Council of India, the country has around 1,721 law schools and approximately four to five hundred thousand law students across the country. But despite the sheer amount of law students enrolling in law schools every year, only 60,000-70,000 make it to become lawyers. Competition is rife and these figures prove it.
One way to stand out is a foreign degree.
But the cost may prove difficult — the rupee has depreciated in recent years, falling to almost 85 per US dollar. Despite that, a law education overseas is not completely out of reach — not if you know where to apply to.
The cheapest law schools abroad could provide affordable yet quality legal education for you. The usual options are the US and UK — but a law degree in these countries can come with high tuition fees, living costs and more.
If you want to pursue a legal education abroad, consider these four law schools:
Studying law comes with high tuition fees, living costs and more. Source: Abdelhak Senna / AFP
6 cheapest schools for law abroad:
Nottingham Trent University, UK
Want the prestige of an international law degree without a steep price tag? Consider an online law degree from Nottingham Trent University.
Learn from an institution that provides a clear pathway to pursue the Solicitors Qualifying Examination or Bar Practice Course. Engage in discussion with tutors who are qualified lawyers with experience in practice — the school is the only UK Law School with its own on-campus teaching law firm, NLS Legal.
All law degrees here are compliant the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board, and students can even consider taking the next steps in becoming a solicitor or barrister after. The best part is its flexibility; study wholly online, with the option to attend face-to-face teaching weekends, or join these sessions online through the school’s digitally extended classroom.
To save even more rupees, apply for an undergraduate scholarship (worth up to US$3925) as a three-year online law degree course here will cost you US$8,890 per year.
Pennsylvania Western University, US
Pennsylvania Western University is a public university in the US, ranking #49 in the region according to US News & World Report. With a strong alumni network, great career support, an excellent faculty, affordable fees and 20 years of expertise under its belt, the university is a force to be reckoned with.
For those interested in distance learning or are unable to travel to the US, PennWest is home to a fully online Legal Studies programme. It’s one of the few ABA-approved programmes in the Western half of Pennsylvania, showcasing that the school for law meets the highest standards of legal education. Graduates are also highly sought after by employers.
For distance learning, undergraduate courses start at US$328 each, while a graduate course costs US$526. Legal Studies students will be required to complete nine courses.
The university also offers grants and scholarships for housing of up to US$3,000 a year, so students interested in a full-time degree can check for more details here.
Taylor’s University, Malaysia
Taylor’s University is in Malaysia, a country with legal systems similar to those in India and the UK. It’s a great option because the cost of living here is approximately US$714 a month, which makes Malaysia one of the cheapest study destinations in Southeast Asia.
With a Master of Law, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of legal developments related to international business and trade, healthcare, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, international corporate government and corporate crime, ASEAN law and policy, and current controversies in contempt of court.
Fees for international students start at US$15,583 for a full-time programme. The university also offers scholarships for international students that waive up to 75% of tuition fees and include monthly stipends, so make sure to enquire if you’re eligible for any.
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Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
When it comes to affordable tuition fees for international students, Germany is at the top of the list.
Most public universities don’t charge tuition, regardless of whether you are a local or international student. Some still do require international students to pay one-off registration fees, but the free education and its quality will be worth it.
For Indian students, Germany offers good career prospects. Having a strong hold on significant economic and political influence, the number of job opportunities in the field of law has increased in recent years. It also helps that the country is home to many schools for law.
Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin) is a public university in Germany that offers free education to both citizens and international students. The university consistently ranks as one of the best universities in Germany and is ranked #97 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Chulalongkorn University lies in the bustling heart of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. It’s one of the country’s top public universities, and is the #1 ranked university in Thailand for sustainable impact.
The institute is friendly to international students, offering both undergraduate and graduate programmes in English. Its school for law offers a variety of degrees, including an LL.M. in Business Laws for international students. Options are flexible; students can opt for a thesis track that spans two years, or a non-thesis track that encompasses one year of full-time study alongside independent study and coursework.
The thesis track costs US$13,560, while the non-thesis track costs US$12,380. Cost of living in Thailand is also affordable, with a single person’s estimated monthly costs averaging around US$607.
National Taiwan University, Taiwan
According to the deputy representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India, Indian students are currently ranked in the top 10 groups of international students in Taiwan. More still are coming, drawn to its lower cots and increase in the number of English-taught degrees.
Among its highly-ranked universities is the National Taiwan University (NTU), placing at #68 in the QS World University Rankings. The College of Law at NTU consistently ranks among Asia’s top 10 law schools.
At the point of writing this, the cost of pursuing a master’s in law at NTU is priced at US$1,710 per semester. There are five months a semester, and two semesters in an academic year. Cost of living in Taiwan is also reasonable — expect to pay around US$2,800 a semester for materials, accommodation, health insurance and other living expenses.
Aside from a prestigious law degree, international students can also take on NTU’s summer Mentorship Programme, designed to allow students to learn from government agencies, foreign institutions in Taiwan, businesses, startups, chambers of commerce, research institutions, and non-profit organisations. Some students even go on to join internships to bolster their career opportunities.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on September 11, 2024.
