Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
STUDY LAW IN THE UK:A GUIDE TO THE BENEFITS OF A UK LAW DEGREE FOR CANADIANS
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS EBOOK?Canada Law From Abroad are devoted to assisting prospective law students with discovering the incredible benefits of pursuing a law degree in the UK.
Knowledge seekers
The UK is the birthplace of common Law, and is an excellent setting to pursue a degree in Law. This EBook provides information about what to expect from UK Law Schools and why pursuing a legal education in the UK is becoming the most popular choice amongst Canadians interested in studying Law.
In this EBook you will find helpful hints about where to visit while in the UK and how to maximize the potential of your UK Law Degree. The Canada Law From Abroad Team is available to provide you with further support for discovering and achieving your ideal career in the field of law.
Master’s students
A Master of Laws (LLM) from a UK Law school will provide specialist career opportunities. Our partner universities offer an incredible range of specialist LLMs that will open doors to extraordinary career opportunities. There are many areas that a student can opt to specialize in for the LLM, including commercial/corporate law, maritime law, human rights law, public law, intellectual property law, arbitration law, financial law, and oil and energy law, just to name a few.
03canadalawfromabroad.com02 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
Contents
INTRO
CONTENTS
MEET THE AUTHOR
CANADA AND THE UK
LAW IN THE UK
A BRIEF HISTORY OF COMMON LAW
LONDON
SOUTHERN UK
NORTHERN UK
TUITION FEES
FUNDING AND COST OF LIVING
RETURNING TO CANADA: ACCREDITATION AND THE NCA PROCESS
HOW CAN CANADA LAW FROM ABROAD ASSIST YOU?
SOURCES AND HELPFUL HINTS
STUDY LAWIN THE UK
MEET THE AUTHOR
• Partner to Top UK Law Schools
• No LSAT required
• Comparable cost to a Canadian law degree
FREE EXPERT ADVICE & GUIDANCE
http://canadalawfromabroad.com
Phone: +1 (905) 336-6913
• Earn a qualifying law degree in two years
• Internationally recognized degrees
• Specialise with a 12 month LLM
Hello, my name is Vivian Mak.I grew up in Toronto and attended Queen Mary University of London for my LLM in Commercial/Corporate Law. This was followed by a PhD in Law also at Queen Mary, which culminated to a total of five years of legal studies in the UK.
In this eBook I will talk you through the application process for studying Law in the UK. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me and my colleagues from the Canada Law From Abroad team, we would love to hear what your aspirations are and help you to achieve them.
Vivian
05canadalawfromabroad.com
CANADA & THE UKThe UK holds a personal and often ancestral draw for many Canadians.
Many Canadians have connections with the UK, most commonly because of their families having emigrated from Britain. This familial appeal encourages Canadians to visit the Island. Going for schooling is one of the most popular reasons for young people to move to the UK..
Further to the familial attraction, there is of course the colonial connection. As Canada’s mother country the UK offers the origins of Canada’s Common Law system, boasting a long and rich history on the instruction and practice of Common Law. A UK Common Law degree will qualify graduates to practice in all Commonwealth countries once they complete an accreditation process, creating international career opportunities. In 2014, 25% of all the students studying law in the UK were international students (i).
07canadalawfromabroad.com06 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
Why not study in the country where the Common Law System originated?
A law degree from the UK is a highly respected credential around the globe. It is worth noting that one in ten current world leaders have studied in the UK. Obtaining an LLB in the UK enables the student to analyze and solve legal problems in the following core law curriculum: Tort, Property, Contract, Criminal, Equity & Trusts, Remedies and Administrative. UK law schools also require students in LLB programmes to take European Union Law which boosts employability when looking for a job in Canada. There is a wide range of electives offered that you can check out on the individual partner webpages.
LAW IN THE UK
09canadalawfromabroad.com08 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
HISTORY OF COMMON LAW
When studying law in England you will not only be immersed in a world class academic atmosphere, but also fully immersed in the staggering legal history that you are surrounded by. This allows you to build upon your formal legal education outside of the classroom.
When you visit the Tower of London’s Norman Chapel of St. John, you are standing in the place where King Henry I, known as the Lion of Justice, issued the pre-curser to the Magna Carta in 1100 called the Coronation Charter. This legal charter, which addressed accountability of royal powers, simony, pluralism, and taxation abuse can be found in the Lambeth Palace Library as well as within the pages of the 12th century legal encyclopedia manuscript the Textus Roffensis. The Textus Roffensis is part of the Rochester Cathedral Library and includes the early seventh century Law of Æthelberht of Kent, which is the oldest surviving English Law Code, the oldest Anglo-Saxon text, and perhaps the oldest law code of any Germanic language.
The famed Magna Carta Libertatum or the Great Charter of Liberties was created by the Archbishop of Canterbury and celebrated its 800th birthday in 2015. The four surviving copies were brought together for the occasion in London and they remain today a symbol of justice, the rights of individuals, and the right to a fair trial across the Western world.
England’s capital, London, has long been a legal hub for the United Kingdom. In London you will find the four historic Inns of Court: Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple, and Gray’s Inn, where barristers traditionally stayed and received their legal education. Also in London is the Old Bailey, the building known as the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, where many of England’s most notorious criminals since the 17th century were sentenced. As it is still an active court of law you can watch ongoing trials from the public galleries.
011010 canadalawfromabroad.comStudy Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
LONDON
London is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.
Bringing together leading financial institutions, political figures, a strong legal tradition, and rich cultural heritage England’s capital city is home too world-class educational establishments.
Three of our partner universities are based in London: King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, and City University London.
013canadalawfromabroad.com012 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
SOUTHERN UK
The South is characterized by rocky beaches, parklands, and a mild climate.
Our partner universities in this region are within a couple hours from London by train. From West to East these partners are: the University of Exeter, University of Southampton, University of Sussex, University of Essex, and the University of Kent.
015canadalawfromabroad.com014 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
The northern region of Britain boasts a rich history reaching back to the earliest civilizations on the island.
Our four partner universities in the North are: the University of Birmingham, University of Liverpool, University of Leeds, and University of York. Each school is based in a city that offer snapshots of different time periods in history.
NORTHERN UK
017canadalawfromabroad.com016 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
TUITION FEESAt first glance, tuition for UK law schools may appearhigh compared Canadian law schools’ tuition rates, however, it is essential to remember that a UK law degree is normally shorter than a Canadian law degree. This means that not only do students spend less time getting their degree but they can save on years’ worth of tuition fees and living expenses. Overseas students pursuing an LLB in the UK can expect to pay between £12,500 to £16,000 per year. Tuition fees in the UK for overseas LLM and PhD students range from £12,890 - £18,000. The price range is broad and dependent on each university.
019018 canadalawfromabroad.comStudy Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
FUNDINGHow do I pay for my degree abroad? This is one of the most common questions we receive from students. Canadian students fund their studies in the UK in a variety of ways:
Canadian Federal Student loans
In Ontario, the maximum amount an individual will be given is $210 CAD per week. British Columbia offers a weekly limit of $320 CAD.
More information can be found on the CanLearn website: Canlearn Loans
Scholarships
These can be worth between £1,000-5,000 GBP. Scholarships are usually merit-based and are awarded in a few different ways. Some require applications and others are automatically awarded when a student accepts an offer.
A Student Line of Credit
This form of funding often comes with larger interest rates and usually requires a co-signer. Visit your bank branch for more details.
Work Part-Time
On a tier 4 student visa you can work up to 20 hours a week, which is a great way to pay for groceries or make a little travel money.
021canadalawfromabroad.com020 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
COST OF LIVING
Living in the UK can be a significant financialinvestment. In London the UKVI says to expect to budget around £1265 GBP per month for rent food and public transport. Outside of London the cost will usually be lower (around £1015 per month). Accommodation costs can vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation you choose. Many students opt for a flat with roommates which will cost anywhere from £85-190 per week. Studio apartments are the most expensive type of student accommodation, ranging from £230-260 in London and £150-250 outside London. Food: £50 per weekTransport: up to £40 per weekMobile: £15 per month
Make sure to leave some space in your budget for travel!
023canadalawfromabroad.com022 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
RETURNING TO CANADA: ACCREDITATION & THE NCA PROCESS
The NCA (National Committee on Accreditation) is the organization responsible for the assessment of international Law degrees in Canada. Any Canadian who completes an LLB in the UK and wishes to write the Barrister Exam in Canada must submit their degree to the NCA to be assessed. Assessment is done on an individual basis, so make sure to check in with the NCA regarding your own circumstances. In 2012, 576 NCA assessed foreign trained law students were admitted to the Canadian Bar Admissions course, just over a quarter of the total students admitted to the Bar that year(iii). This statistic demonstrates that there are a significant number of Canadians completing their Law degrees abroad, so be rest assured that this is a well-trodden path. To meet the demand for study assistance programmes, a number of Canadian Law Schools are now offering assistance programmes (iv). More information about the NCA process can be found on their website: http://flsc.ca/national-committee-on-accreditation-nca/
025024 canadalawfromabroad.comStudy Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
HOW CAN CANADA LAW FROM ABROAD ASSIST YOU?
Canada Law From Abroad (CLFA) is a Canadian company that is partnered with 12 preferred Law Schools in the UK to assist interested students with their applications to Law programmes for free. Should you decide to work with us you will be assigned a Personal Advisor to assist you throughout the application process. Our student advising team have all studied in both Britain and Canada and understand the challenges of the process. With our wealth of knowledge we can help you with every step from the beginning of the application process until you arrive safely in Britain. We can support you with the following:
• Assistance with choosing the best-fit university and law programme
• Clarification of entry requirements
• Completing the British university application forms
• Support with finance and scholarship information
• Explanation and assistance with the UK visa application
• Pre-departure information and contact with other students attending the same university
• Significantly improving your chances of acceptance through our connections in the Law Schools
Read about past students’ experiences with Canada Law From Abroad’s services on our website: http://canadalawfromabroad.com/testimonials/
027canadalawfromabroad.com026 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
SOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS
Links
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
Ontario Student Loans
British Columbia Student Loans
4Students Magazine
Sources
i - UKCISA International student statistics
iii - 4Students Magazine
iv - Federation of Law Societies of Canada
029canadalawfromabroad.com028 Study Law in the UK: A Guide to the Benefits of a UK Law Degree for Canadians
http://canadalawfromabroad.com
Phone: +1 (905) 336-6913
