Where to Study Law? 7 Criteria to Make the Right Choice
Choosing which university to study Law at is a decision that will determine your preparation, your first internships, and your employability. To make a good decision, it’s advisable to look beyond price or proximity and evaluate seven key criteria that truly make a difference.
- Employability and career opportunities: Look at employment data after completing the degree and, above all, the quality of the first job. Programs with a strong reputation and good access to law firms, consultancies, and legal departments give you a head start.
- Quality of internships: Consider where you can complete them, with which mentors, and in which areas (law firms, advisory services, consultancy, compliance, or the public sector).
- Review the faculty: having active law firm partners, prosecutors, judges, or compliance officers means classes with a practical and up-to-date approach.
- Internationalization: agreements, moots, double degrees, and study abroad opportunities broaden your perspective and your network.
- Methodology: case studies, legal clinics, simulations, and soft skills development (writing, public speaking, negotiation) reinforce what you learn.
- Legal technology: legaltech, applied AI, e-discovery, and data compliance are already part of the profession’s daily practice.
- Alumni network: mentoring programs and an active community open doors and accelerate your career.
These criteria are highly relevant when comparing the three main models. Public universities are usually more affordable, but class sizes are larger and support is less personalized. Private universities stand out for individual guidance, a strong focus on employability, and partnerships with law firms and companies; however, they require a greater investment. Online education offers flexibility and savings on commuting, but demands strong self-organization and requires ensuring the institution’s reputation and the availability of in-person or hybrid internship resources.
And why ISDE? Its approach is career-oriented: the faculty members are active professionals, ensuring teaching that is connected to the reality of the sector. The model includes internships from the first year in leading firms and companies, so you build experience from the outset. In addition, it offers international pathways and natural preparation for the Master’s in Access to the Legal Profession and Legal Practice, integrating legaltech and professional skills such as negotiation, public speaking, and the use of digital tools. All of this is complemented by mentoring throughout the degree and a global alumni network that facilitates contacts and opportunities.
Before making your decision, prepare a brief personal audit. Visit the campus and request the academic syllabus along with the list of internship agreements. Ask about employment rates and review real examples of graduates’ first destinations. Check schedules and options to combine studies with work or languages. Finally, consider the scholarships and financing available. With this checklist and the seven criteria as your guide, you will be in a position to choose the university that best fits your goals—and to make the most of your future in Law.
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