Distinguish between public international law, private international law and transnational law
Public international law governs relations between states and international organizations: treaties, human rights, the law of the sea and humanitarian law. Private international law resolves conflicts of laws and jurisdiction in matters involving several countries: contracts, family and property. Transnational law, meanwhile, refers to business practice involving several legal systems: arbitration, trade and investment.
These 3 fields lead to different careers. Public international law leads to international organizations, government departments and non-governmental organizations. Private international law and transnational law lead mainly to law firms and corporate legal departments. It is useful to know which field you want to work in before choosing a program.
A 4th, more recent pathway is offered by so-called “transsystemic” programs, which teach both civil law and common law. They appeal to students who plan to work across legal systems, but they do not remove the requirement to go through the law society or bar of the jurisdiction where you wish to appear in court.
Remember that the right to practise remains national
In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the usual pathway: a 4-year undergraduate degree, followed by a 3-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) at an accredited school, for a total of approximately 7 years of study after secondary school. To practise, you must obtain a state licence, which generally requires passing a bar examination and being found to meet moral character requirements.
A lawyer who wants to practise in another state must generally comply with that state's rules, although most have reciprocity agreements. The same logic applies in other countries: the right to practise depends on the law society or bar of the jurisdiction, not on an “international” qualification.
An international law program therefore does not, in itself, confer the right to appear in court. This fact guides the choice of country in which to study.
Review the U.S. data on the profession
The BLS projects 5% growth in employment for lawyers between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations. The median salary was US$159,670 in May 2025.
These figures describe all U.S. lawyers. They do not distinguish international law specialists, whose earnings vary considerably depending on their employer: a business law firm, a public agency or a non-governmental organization. No reliable statistics specific to international law were found in the sources consulted.
An occupation's median salary also does not indicate what a recent graduate earns. Entry-level earnings vary considerably from one employer to another, and law school student debt is an important factor in the decision.
Finally, the BLS specifies that the median of US$159,670 applies to all lawyers licensed to practise in the United States, after several years of training. An international student who studies U.S. law and then returns to their home country does not necessarily have access to these income levels: the local market determines salaries.
Compare degrees in a table
The following table describes the most common degrees. Program lengths are indicative and vary by country.
| Degree | Intended students | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. (United States) | Holders of an undergraduate degree | Eligibility to take a state bar examination |
| LL.B. or equivalent (other countries) | Students completing secondary school in several countries | Entry into the profession, depending on the country |
| LL.M. in international law | Those who already have legal training | Specialization, sometimes limited access to a foreign bar |
| Master's or doctorate in international relations | Students from various backgrounds | A career in analysis and policy, without a licence to practise law |
The last degree in the table is not a law degree. It is included because many positions in international organizations are open to people with backgrounds in political science, economics or international relations, not only those with legal training. A student who wants to work on treaties or human rights without appearing in court can therefore compare these 2 groups of programs before committing.
Plan realistically for an LL.M.
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) is a specialized degree lasting approximately 1 year in several countries. It provides an opportunity to study international law in greater depth, but it does not replace the initial law degree. In some countries, an LL.M. allows someone with legal training from elsewhere to take the local bar examination; in others, it is not sufficient. The rule is set by the professional regulatory body in each state or province.
Before paying often high tuition fees, you should therefore put 3 questions in writing to the relevant regulatory body: Is the LL.M. eligible? Which courses are required? Is an additional examination required? The answer determines whether the master's degree is a useful investment or an expense for prestige.
For careers in international organizations, employers primarily require experience, languages and a network, which cannot be measured by a degree alone.
Look for opportunities beyond law firms
Careers in international law are spread across several types of employers:
- law firms, in arbitration, trade and investment;
- legal departments of companies operating in several countries;
- government departments, particularly foreign affairs and justice;
- courts and international organizations;
- non-governmental organizations, in human rights and humanitarian assistance.
There are fewer positions in international organizations than in private practice, and recruitment is often highly competitive.
The sources consulted do not publish figures for available positions or success rates in international competitive recruitment examinations. Applicants would benefit from reading the actual profiles of people currently in these roles: education, languages, internships and previous experience. These profiles provide a better indication than rankings of what employers require.
Internships are a common entry point. Several organizations publish their requirements: age, language, degree and duration. These requirements could not be consulted for this article because several international organizations' websites block automated reading; they can be read directly on each organization's recruitment pages.
Assess language skills and mobility
International law is practised mainly in English and French, often in several languages. A 3rd language (Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian) may be required depending on the organization. Legal proficiency in a language is more demanding than everyday proficiency: reading treaties, drafting briefs and presenting oral arguments.
Mobility also matters. Many positions require living abroad, sometimes in countries with difficult conditions. Immigration rules, degree recognition and the transferability of a licence to practise influence career planning.
Students would benefit from testing their language skills before committing to a program. Reading a treaty, drafting a brief or presenting oral arguments in a second language requires a much higher level than everyday conversation. Programs publish their language requirements, and law courses in a foreign language may require advanced proficiency tests.
What about Canada?
In Canada, the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) assesses the legal education and experience of people trained outside Canada, as well as civil law graduates who want to practise in a common law province. The process involves an application, an assessment, any requirements (courses or examinations), and then a Certificate of Qualification that allows the holder to apply for admission to a law society's professional training program. Examinations can be taken remotely. The University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa also describes a Programme de pratique du droit, offered in French and accredited by the Law Society of Ontario, as equivalent to articling: approximately 4 months of simulated training, followed by a placement.
StudyCanada offers, among others, the McGill University Faculty of Law page, the Université de Montréal Faculty of Law page, the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa Common Law Section page and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law page. Each provides details on international student admission.