<p>Hola, </p>
<p>I was wondering if any one knows the differences between British and American Law Schools. So correct me if I am wrong, in the American system, one takes an undergrad and then applies to law school. In the British system, one goes directly to law school from high school. Is that the right? Also, if you go to law school in Britain that means you can ONLY practice law in the Commonwealth countries and not the U.S.? Do I have my facts right? or am I wrong on two counts? :)</p>
<p>As a person who is currently accepted to two top 10 UK Law Schools, I can answer your questions.
Yes, you are right that in the UK you can go to Law School directly after high school and in the USA you need a college degree first.This is the main difference.In both systems the course continues for 3 years (In Scotland for 4 ).
After graduating from a UK Law School, you can only practise in UK (keep in mind that if u graduate in Scotland, you cannot work in England, and vice versa), in the territory of the European Union, and in some countries around the globe, which were ex Brittish colonies and have the same laws.
Hope I helped.</p>
<p>EDIT:
If you graduate in the UK, you cannot practise in the USA</p>
<p>In terms of job opportunities, do you need to be accepted into a top five school (Cambridge, Oxford, LSE, King’s College, University College London) in order to work @ a prestigious law firm? And is the salary comparable to a lawyer in the U.S.?</p>
<p>Do you have EU citizenship? Graduating from a UK U with a law degree and/or taking a conversion course doesn’t give you a work permit. </p>
<p>I don’t understand the UK immigration system. However, I do know that under the new one you get a certain # of points for a UK degree, but I don’t think in and of itself they are sufficient to get a work permit. </p>
<p>American lawyers can get work visas in the UK to work for US firms because they are trained in US law, which, of course, few UK and EU residents are trained in. But if you are only a US citizen, you might not be able to get a work permit to do work many UK and EU residents can do.</p>
<p>Actually, you may be able to practice in the US with a UK degree. However, you may have to go to a US college first, and then get the UK law degree. </p>
<p>Admission in the US is on a state by state basis. NY is generally considered the most liberal state for admissions of foreign nationals. The rules have been posted here before or you can google them. </p>
<p>I’m not positive, but I THINK it’s LSE that won’t accept US citizens to its law program unless they already have a UG degree. I know that’s the case with at least one of the top LSs in the UK.</p>
<p>It is highly advisable to have a degree from a top UK Law School (Oxbridge,LSE,Kings College,UCL,Nottingham,Durham) to have better chances for working in a MC (Magic Circle) firm.However, class ranks are more important.A 1st degree from a #10 school is considered equal (if not better) than a 2.1degree from LSE,UCL,Kings.A 2.2 degree from any of the top 5 schools (including Oxbridge) will almost surely eliminate you while a 1st degree from a …say… average school will at least guarantee you an interview.</p>