Study Criminal Law Abroad: Best Countries, Universities, Career Scope
Thinking about building an international legal career? Criminal law is one of the most respected and intellectually challenging legal fields in the world today.
Studying criminal law abroad allows students to learn from globally recognised universities, understand international justice systems, and gain exposure to real-world legal frameworks used in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
This guide explains every important detail students and parents should know before planning their journey to study criminal Law abroad.
What is Criminal Law, & What Makes It Different When You Study It Abroad?
Criminal law governs how societies define and respond to crime – from theft and assault to terrorism, war crimes, and genocide. It sets out who can be prosecuted, how, and with what consequences.
Studying criminal law in your home country means learning one legal system. Studying criminal law abroad exposes you to different legal traditions like the Common Law in countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
It also helps you understand Civil Law systems followed in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, along with international criminal frameworks used by organisations like the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Domestic Criminal Law vs. International Criminal Law - What is the Difference?
Understanding this early shapes your entire study & career plan. Most international criminal law programmes teach both dimensions, giving graduates the flexibility to work in domestic courts or global institutions.
Students interested in global legal careers can also explore different specialisations, universities, and career paths through our detailed guide on Studying Law Abroad.
| Factor | Domestic Criminal Law | International Criminal Law |
|---|---|---|
|
Scope |
Crimes within one country |
Crimes affecting multiple countries |
|
Common Crimes |
Murder, fraud, robbery |
War crimes, genocide, terrorism |
|
Enforced By |
National courts & police |
ICC, ICJ, UN Tribunals |
|
Career Options |
Criminal Lawyer, Prosecutor |
ICC Lawyer, UN Legal Officer |
What Degree Can You Pursue to Study Criminal Law Abroad?
1. LLB with Criminal Law / Criminology
Undergraduate, 3–4 years. Ideal if you are entering law for the first time. Many universities offer criminal law as a specialisation or criminology as a combined subject.
2. LLM in Criminal Law / Criminal Justice
Postgraduate, typically 1 year (UK) or 2 years (USA). Best suited for students who already hold a law degree and want to deepen their expertise in criminal procedure, sentencing, and justice systems.
3. LLM in Global Criminal Justice / International Criminal Law
Focused on cross-border crimes, human rights, and international tribunals. The University of Amsterdam, for example, offers this with a joint track alongside Columbia Law School.
4. JD (Juris Doctor)
The primary law degree in the USA and Canada is taken after any undergraduate degree. Commonly required for students planning to appear for the bar examinations in many US states.
5. PhD in Criminal Law / Criminology
For those targeting academia, policy research, or senior advisory roles at international institutions.
What Will You Actually Study in a Criminal Law Programme Abroad?
Core subjects typically covered include:
- Criminal procedure and evidence law
- Substantive criminal law – elements of crime, defences, sentencing
- Constitutional rights in criminal proceedings
- International humanitarian law and human rights law
- Cybercrime and digital evidence
- Terrorism, national security, and transnational organised crime
- Comparative criminal justice systems
- Restorative justice and penology
Beyond classroom learning, leading universities offer clinical legal education, moot court competitions, internships with courts and NGOs, and exchange programmes with partner law schools worldwide.
This combination makes an international criminal law degree genuinely valuable for global legal careers and professional growth.
Which Countries Are the Best to Study Criminal Law Abroad?
1. United States
Harvard, Yale, Columbia, NYU, and Stanford are world-class for criminal law and international criminal justice. The JD and LLM degrees here are respected globally.
2. United Kingdom
The UK’s one-year LLM structure, Common Law tradition, and globally recognised universities make it a top choice for postgraduate criminal law study. Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and LSE all offer focused criminal justice programmes.
3. Netherlands
One of the best destinations for international criminal law, specifically. The Hague in the Netherlands is home to major international legal institutions like the ICC, ICJ, Eurojust, and Europol.
4. Canada
Canadian law degrees are globally recognised and offer hands-on learning, including attending real court trials and moot simulations. Exchange programmes with universities in Australia, Singapore, and the UK are common.
5. Australia
Well-ranked law schools follow the Common Law tradition, making degrees relevant for students from Commonwealth countries.
Universities like Melbourne, Sydney, and ANU offer strong postgraduate programmes in criminal law and criminology.
6. Germany
Most German public universities charge little to no tuition, making it one of the most affordable major destinations.
LLM programmes here are research-focused and well-suited for those heading into academia or policy.
Top Universities To Study Criminal Law Abroad
Choosing the right university is important because criminal law programs differ in teaching style, international exposure, internships, and specialisations.
1. Harvard Law School, USA
Known as one of the world’s top law schools, Harvard offers globally respected programs in criminal justice, human rights, and international law. Its strong alumni network and research opportunities make it highly competitive.
2. University of Oxford, UK
Oxford has one of the largest and most respected law faculties in the UK. Its Centre for Criminology is internationally recognised for criminal justice research and policy studies.
3. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
A top destination for international criminal law studies, especially because of its proximity to institutions like the ICC and ICJ in The Hague. The university also offers specialised international criminal law tracks.
4. Columbia Law School, USA
Columbia provides advanced LLM programs with strong specialisation options in international and transnational criminal law. It is highly regarded for global legal studies.
5. University of Melbourne, Australia
One of Australia’s leading universities for law, known for strong postgraduate criminal law and criminology programs with practical learning exposure.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements to Study Criminal Law Abroad?
1. For LLB (Undergraduate):
- Strong secondary school or higher secondary qualification
- English proficiency: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 79–90 (varies by university)
2. For LLM (Postgraduate):
- Prior law degree (LLB or equivalent) with a minimum 60–65% aggregate or upper second-class grade
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 or TOEFL 90–100
- Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and CV
3. For JD (USA/Canada):
- Completed an undergraduate degree in any subject
- LSAT score (some US schools also accept GRE)
4. For PhD:
- Completed LLB or LLM with strong academic standing
- Detailed research proposal and academic references
What Scholarships Are Available To Study Criminal Law Abroad?
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
Fully funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Covers tuition, living costs and travel for a one-year master’s degree.
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Funded by the US government. Covers tuition, living expenses, and health insurance. Available to outstanding international students for graduate study.
3. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
Offered by the German Academic Exchange Service for postgraduate study at German universities. Includes a monthly stipend and health insurance.
4. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
For students from Commonwealth nations to pursue a master’s or PhD at UK universities. It covers tuition and living expenses.
5. Australia Awards Scholarship (Australia)
Funded by the Australian Government for international students pursuing higher education in Australia. Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs for eligible students.
What Jobs & Salary Can You Expect After Studying Criminal Law Abroad?
The global legal services market was valued at approximately USD 1,052.90 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.5% in the coming years (Grand View Research).
That growth signals a steady and expanding market for criminal law professionals with international credentials.
| Career Path | Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
|
Lawyer (all fields, median) |
$151,160 /yr |
|
|
Criminal Lawyer(USA) |
$143,401 (USD)/yr (Average) |
|
|
Human Rights Lawyer(USA) |
$100,626/yr |
Other career options in criminal law abroad include becoming a Public Prosecutor, where you work on criminal cases for government bodies or courts.
Students can also work as Cybercrime Specialists or Forensic Legal Consultants, helping in digital crime investigations and legal analysis.
Some graduates choose to become Policy Advisors and help improve criminal justice systems for governments and international organisations.
Others build careers in teaching and research by working at universities or contributing to legal studies and research papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Indian LLB graduates can pursue an LLM or specialised criminal law programs abroad in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
The United Kingdom is often considered the best for criminal law due to its globally respected universities and strong legal system.
Criminal law focuses on legal rules and court practice, while criminology studies crime causes, criminal behaviour, and justice systems.
An LLM in criminal law abroad typically costs between USD 15,000 and USD 60,000 per year, depending on the country and university.
Criminal law abroad offers opportunities in litigation, international organisations, human rights, policy research, and academia.
Yes, studying international criminal law abroad can help you qualify for roles at the International Criminal Court and related global institutions.
The LNAT is usually required for undergraduate law programs in the UK, but not for most LLM courses.
Yes, but you may need recognition from the Bar Council of India and must meet local legal practice requirements.
Most universities require an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.5 for criminal law programs abroad.
Domestic criminal law deals with crimes within one country, while international criminal law addresses global crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.