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Should I study law or international relations as a foreigner

Hello, I want to work for international organizations or NGO's in the future. Therefore I'm interested in studying law or international relations. I feel like international relations is the more interesting choice as a course itself but law might offer more opportunities to actually work in the field I want to. The University of Edinburgh offers a combination of both but how reasonable would be the law part for foreigners? I'm from Germany and even though I don't want to work as a traditional lawyer I'm not sure if a law degree abroad would help me with my career. How hard is it to get accepted to Oxbridge with really good grades but without a lot of extracurricular activites and volunteer work? What course would there be the best for international relations?I hope you guys can help me, I've still got quite a lot of time to decide especially because I'll be taking a gap year (voluntary social year abroad) but I'd like to have a plan.

Reply 1

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Hello there. :smile:

My this is quite a few questions, I'll split them up and move your thread into Applications and UCAS . :smile:

Original post by dieIndigo

The University of Edinburgh offers a combination of both but how reasonable would be the law part for foreigners? I'm from Germany and even though I don't want to work as a traditional lawyer I'm not sure if a law degree abroad would help me with my career.
As I recall, a law degree in Edinburgh would be largely related to Scottish law (I may be wrong on this). Would you want to return to Germany to be a traditional lawyer?

How hard is it to get accepted to Oxbridge with really good grades but without a lot of extracurricular activites and volunteer work?
Difficult to say. If they believe you're suited to do well there, then they offer you the place. It's not a case of ticking boxes when it comes to Oxbridge. There is no x amount of extracurricular and y level of grades will automatically achieve you a place. If the admissions tutors recognise your absolute passion and interest in the subject area, including showing study and research outside of education then that's one of the most important things.

What course would there be the best for international relations?
International relations is a course itself. Do you mean something else by this question?

Reply 2

dieIndigo

Original post by 04MR17

Hello there. :smile:

My this is quite a few questions, I'll split them up and move your thread into Applications and UCAS . :smile:

The University of Edinburgh offers a combination of both but how reasonable would be the law part for foreigners? I'm from Germany and even though I don't want to work as a traditional lawyer I'm not sure if a law degree abroad would help me with my career.
As I recall, a law degree in Edinburgh would be largely related to Scottish law (I may be wrong on this). Would you want to return to Germany to be a traditional lawyer?

How hard is it to get accepted to Oxbridge with really good grades but without a lot of extracurricular activites and volunteer work?
Difficult to say. If they believe you're suited to do well there, then they offer you the place. It's not a case of ticking boxes when it comes to Oxbridge. There is no x amount of extracurricular and y level of grades will automatically achieve you a place. If the admissions tutors recognise your absolute passion and interest in the subject area, including showing study and research outside of education then that's one of the most important things.

What course would there be the best for international relations?
?International relations is a course itself. Do you mean something else by this question

I definitely want the option to be able to work in Germany in my field of study. That being said, I'd rather work internationally for international organisations but I don't know whether a law degree (regardless from which country it may be) or a degree in IR would be the best fit.

International relations is a course itself. Do you mean something else by this question?

I didn't find international relations as a course itself in the Oxbridge course offers so I'm curious what course there would lead to a similar field of study?

Is it possible to attend university without loans or relying on your parents? As a German I'm not used to the thought of already having loans in the beginning of your career and I want to do a Masters or PhD degree afterwards where loans might be more necessary.

Reply 3

jelly1000

Original post by dieIndigo

What type of law is Edinburgh offering? If its Scots Law that won't enable you to practice law outside of Scotland without conversion as far as I'm aware.

As far as Oxbridge admisison goes, yes admission will still be hard with top grades because nearly everyone applying to Oxbridge will be predicted top grades. Oxbridge don't care so much for non relevant extra curricular admisisons (e.g sports) however they do care for anything that demonstrates your passion for the course. Admission tests and interviews if you get invited play a big part in whether or not you get an offer.

Reply 4

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by dieIndigo

I definitely want the option to be able to work in Germany in my field of study. That being said, I'd rather work internationally for international organisations but I don't know whether a law degree (regardless from which country it may be) or a degree in IR would be the best fit.

I didn't find international relations as a course itself in the Oxbridge course offers so I'm curious what course there would lead to a similar field of study?

Is it possible to attend university without loans or relying on your parents? As a German I'm not used to the thought of already having loans in the beginning of your career and I want to do a Masters or PhD degree afterwards where loans might be more necessary.

There are courses for International Relations (single honours) at St Andrews, and at Exeter (both quite well regarded in terms of esteem)

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/international-relations/international-relations-ba/
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/politics/intrelations/

You will be able to find many other similar courses for UK universities well regarded in the rankings - though the most common one is a joint honours Politics and International Relations.

So the student loan doesn't work quite like a loan but more like a tax. You only begin to pay it back gradually, and only once you earn a certain amount. I'd look around the Student Financial Support section for more details on how exactly it would work for students from the EU. The other thing you can do is apply for lots of bursaries if your university offers them, and that should reduce the cost. :redface:

Reply 5

Doones

Original post by dieIndigo

Is it possible to attend university without loans or relying on your parents? As a German I'm not used to the thought of already having loans in the beginning of your career and I want to do a Masters or PhD degree afterwards where loans might be more necessary.

Universities in Scotland are free for EU students. Universities in England and Wales and Northern Ireland are not.

PhD students typically have a funded course and are actually paid a stipend (low salary). You are less likely to need a loan than for an undergraduate degree.

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(edited 5 years ago)

Definitely Law!!

Original post by Kevin70

Definitely Law!!

Thanks for your answer. Could you explain why you think that's the best fit?

Reply 8

Kevin70

It is easy: do a job search on internet and compare the salaries of lawyers and barristors with those who have international relation qualification, whichever whose salary is higher is better.

Reply 9

Doones

Original post by Kevin70

It is easy: do a job search on internet and compare the salaries of lawyers and barristors with those who have international relation qualification, whichever whose salary is higher is better.

Linky?

These people seem to have done ok...
https://www.linkedin.com/school/london-school-of-economics/alumni/?facetFieldOfStudy=100999

46 alumni at Google, for example.
https://www.linkedin.com/school/london-school-of-economics/alumni/?facetCurrentCompany=1441&facetFieldOfStudy=100999

Although if you are studying IR I suspect money isn't actually a major motivator. So the 76 working at the UN may be more typical:
https://www.linkedin.com/school/london-school-of-economics/alumni/?facetCurrentCompany=1860&facetFieldOfStudy=100999

Reply 10

Veronica17

Original post by dieIndigo

I have an LLB, I remember the professor telling us on our first day "by the time you complete your degree most of the Laws you will learn will be obsolete". Law is about research because the law changes so quickly. I would do both if you can because you can specialise in areas like International Law or Human Rights Law which will be very relevant (particularly the research part). No-one is going to know all the answers but, everyone appreciates someone who knows how to find them.

Good luck in whatever you choose. 😊

P.S There are videos on u tube that show you exactly how the Oxford interview will be conducted, particularly the questions they are likely to ask. Look around and try and get some volunteer work, its never too late. Again, best of luck to you as you get to enjoy studying in another Country, I'm envious I never took that opportunity.