Unique Legal System: Costa Rica’s legal system is based on civil law and influenced by Roman-Germanic traditions. This offers a unique perspective for students, particularly those interested in comparative law.
Environmental Law Focus: Costa Rica is a global leader in environmental conservation and sustainable development. Law programs often include a strong emphasis on environmental law, making it an ideal place for students interested in this field.
Human Rights Emphasis: Costa Rica has a strong commitment to human rights and social justice, reflected in its legal system and education. Studying here can provide valuable insights and experiences for students interested in international human rights law.
Quality Education: Costa Rica has several reputable universities offering high-quality law programs. Institutions such as the University of Costa Rica and the Autonomous University of Central America are well-regarded for their legal studies programs.
Bilingual Opportunities: Many law programs in Costa Rica offer courses in both Spanish and English. This can be beneficial for students looking to improve their language skills while studying law.
Affordable Education: Compared to many Western countries, the cost of education in Costa Rica is relatively low, making it an attractive option for international students.
Cultural Experience: Living and studying in Costa Rica offers a rich cultural experience. The country is known for its friendly people, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.
Strategic Location: Costa Rica’s location in Central America makes it a strategic place for studying Latin American law and engaging with various regional legal issues.
Career Opportunities: Graduates from Costa Rican law schools can find opportunities in various fields, including international organizations, NGOs, and multinational companies that value the unique legal expertise gained from studying in Costa Rica.
Strong Legal Community: Costa Rica has a vibrant legal community with numerous opportunities for networking, internships, and practical legal experiences.
University |
Program |
Specialization |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Law |
General Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law |
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Master of Law |
Constitutional Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Bachelor of Law |
General Law |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Master of Law |
Criminal Law, Business Law |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
General Law |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
International Law, Commercial Law |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Bachelor of Law |
General Law |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Master of Law |
Human Rights Law, International Business Law |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
General Law |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
Environmental Law, Public Law |
|
INCAE Business School |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law |
International Business Law |
University |
Program |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Law |
General law curriculum with options for international students. |
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Master of Law |
Specialized programs including Constitutional Law, Environmental Law, and International Law, with courses available in English. |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Bachelor of Law |
General law program designed to accommodate international students. |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Master of Law |
Specializations in Criminal Law and Business Law, open to international students. |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
General law curriculum with provisions for international students. |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
Specializations in International Law and Commercial Law, available for international students. |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Bachelor of Law |
General law program accessible to international students. |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Master of Law |
Human Rights Law and International Business Law, courses available in English. |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
General law curriculum open to international students. |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
Specializations in Environmental Law and Public Law, with international student provisions. |
|
INCAE Business School |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law |
Focused on International Business Law, tailored for international students. |
University |
Program |
Duration |
Language of Instruction |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Law |
4 years |
Spanish |
General law curriculum with options for international students. |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Bachelor of Law |
4 years |
Spanish |
Comprehensive law program designed for both local and international students. |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
4 years |
Spanish |
General law curriculum with a focus on preparing students for the legal profession. |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Bachelor of Law |
4 years |
Spanish/English |
General law program with courses available in both Spanish and English. |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Law |
4 years |
Spanish |
General law curriculum open to international students, focusing on various areas of law. |
University |
Program |
Duration |
Language of Instruction |
Specializations |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
Master of Law |
2 years |
Spanish |
Constitutional Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
Specialized programs with a focus on constitutional and environmental issues, and international legal principles. |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
Master of Law |
2 years |
Spanish |
Criminal Law, Business Law |
Advanced legal education with specializations in criminal and business law. |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
2 years |
Spanish |
International Law, Commercial Law |
Focus on international legal systems and commercial law practices. |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
Master of Law |
2 years |
Spanish/English |
Human Rights Law, International Business Law |
Courses available in both Spanish and English, focusing on human rights and international business law. |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Master of Law |
2 years |
Spanish |
Environmental Law, Public Law |
Emphasis on environmental legislation and public law. |
|
INCAE Business School |
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law |
1 year |
English |
International Business Law |
Tailored for international students with a focus on business law in an international context. |
University |
Program |
Duration |
Language of Instruction |
Specializations |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Costa Rica (UCR) |
PhD in Law |
3-5 years |
Spanish |
Constitutional Law, Environmental Law, International Law |
Advanced research-oriented program focusing on constitutional, environmental, and international legal issues. |
|
Autonomous University of Central America |
PhD in Law |
3-5 years |
Spanish |
Criminal Law, Business Law |
Research-intensive program with specializations in criminal and business law. |
|
Latin University of Costa Rica |
PhD in Law |
3-5 years |
Spanish |
International Law, Commercial Law |
Focus on international legal systems and commercial law, designed for extensive research. |
|
ULACIT (Latin American University of Science and Technology) |
PhD in Law |
3-5 years |
Spanish/English |
Human Rights Law, International Business Law |
Bilingual program with an emphasis on human rights and international business law research. |
University |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Diploma in Legal Studies |
1 year |
$1,500 |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Diploma in Criminal Law |
1 year |
$1,200 |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Diploma in Legal Procedure and Documentation |
1 year |
$1,000 |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Diploma in International Law |
1 year |
$1,300 |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Diploma in Civil Law |
1 year |
$1,100 |
University |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Certificate in Constitutional Law |
3 months |
$500 |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Short Course in Corporate Law |
2 months |
$400 |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Certificate in Environmental Law |
4 months |
$600 |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Short Course in Human Rights Law |
3 months |
$450 |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law |
2 months |
$350 |
University |
Course Programs |
|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), PhD in Law, Diploma in Legal Studies, Certificate in Constitutional Law |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Diploma in Criminal Law, Short Course in Corporate Law |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Diploma in Legal Procedure and Documentation, Certificate in Environmental Law |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Diploma in International Law, Short Course in Human Rights Law |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Diploma in Civil Law, Certificate in Intellectual Property Law |
University |
Course Program |
Intake Periods |
|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
February, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
February, August |
|
|
PhD in Law |
February, August |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Studies |
February, August |
|
|
Certificate in Constitutional Law |
January, July |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
January, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
January, August |
|
|
Diploma in Criminal Law |
January, August |
|
|
Short Course in Corporate Law |
January, June |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
February, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
February, August |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Procedure and Documentation |
February, August |
|
|
Certificate in Environmental Law |
January, July |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
February, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
February, August |
|
|
Diploma in International Law |
February, August |
|
|
Short Course in Human Rights Law |
January, July |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
February, August |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
February, August |
|
|
Diploma in Civil Law |
February, August |
|
|
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law |
January, July |
University |
Course Program |
Tuition Fees per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
$2,000 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
$2,500 |
|
|
PhD in Law |
$3,000 |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Studies |
$1,500 |
|
|
Certificate in Constitutional Law |
$500 |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
$2,200 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
$2,800 |
|
|
Diploma in Criminal Law |
$1,200 |
|
|
Short Course in Corporate Law |
$400 |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
$1,800 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
$2,300 |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Procedure and Documentation |
$1,000 |
|
|
Certificate in Environmental Law |
$600 |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
$2,300 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
$2,700 |
|
|
Diploma in International Law |
$1,300 |
|
|
Short Course in Human Rights Law |
$450 |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
$2,100 |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
$2,600 |
|
|
Diploma in Civil Law |
$1,100 |
|
|
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law |
$350 |
University |
Course Program |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field; proficiency in Spanish; entrance exam |
|
|
PhD in Law |
Master’s degree in Law; research proposal; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Studies |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Certificate in Constitutional Law |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Diploma in Criminal Law |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Short Course in Corporate Law |
Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience; proficiency in Spanish |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Diploma in Legal Procedure and Documentation |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Certificate in Environmental Law |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Diploma in International Law |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Short Course in Human Rights Law |
Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience; proficiency in Spanish |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) |
High school diploma or equivalent; entrance exam |
|
|
Master of Laws (LLM) |
Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Diploma in Civil Law |
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; proficiency in Spanish |
|
|
Certificate in Intellectual Property Law |
Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience; proficiency in Spanish |
University |
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Amount (USD) |
Application Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) |
UCR Merit Scholarship |
High academic achievement; financial need |
Up to full tuition |
Online application, supporting documents |
|
|
UCR Needs-Based Scholarship |
Demonstrated financial need |
Varies based on need |
Online application, financial documentation |
|
Universidad Latina de Costa Rica |
Latin Excellence Scholarship |
High academic achievement |
Up to 50% of tuition |
Online application, academic records |
|
|
Latin Needs-Based Scholarship |
Demonstrated financial need |
Varies based on need |
Online application, financial documentation |
|
Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) |
UNED Academic Excellence Scholarship |
High academic achievement; enrollment in UNED |
Up to full tuition |
Online application, academic records |
|
|
UNED Financial Aid |
Demonstrated financial need |
Varies based on need |
Online application, financial documentation |
|
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho |
Escuela Libre Merit Scholarship |
High academic achievement |
Up to 50% of tuition |
Online application, academic records |
|
|
Escuela Libre Needs-Based Scholarship |
Demonstrated financial need |
Varies based on need |
Online application, financial documentation |
|
Universidad Autónoma de Centro América |
UACA Merit Scholarship |
High academic achievement |
Up to 50% of tuition |
Online application, academic records |
|
|
UACA Financial Assistance |
Demonstrated financial need |
Varies based on need |
Online application, financial documentation |
|
|
UACA International Student Scholarship |
High academic achievement; financial need; for international students |
Up to full tuition |
Online application, academic records, financial documentation |
Career Option |
Description |
Average Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Lawyer |
Represents clients in legal proceedings, provides legal advice, drafts legal documents. |
$25,000 - $60,000 |
|
Judge |
Presides over court proceedings, interprets and applies the law, makes legal judgments. |
$45,000 - $80,000 |
|
Legal Consultant |
Provides specialized legal advice to individuals, businesses, or government agencies. |
$30,000 - $70,000 |
|
Corporate Lawyer |
Works for corporations handling legal matters such as contracts, mergers, and compliance. |
$35,000 - $75,000 |
|
Public Prosecutor |
Represents the state in criminal cases, responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses. |
$40,000 - $70,000 |
|
Defense Attorney |
Defends individuals or entities charged with criminal offenses, provides legal representation. |
$25,000 - $65,000 |
|
Legal Researcher |
Conducts detailed legal research, provides information and analysis for legal cases. |
$20,000 - $50,000 |
|
Notary Public |
Authenticates legal documents, witnesses signatures, and performs various administrative duties. |
$30,000 - $55,000 |
|
Human Rights Advocate |
Works with organizations to protect and promote human rights, often in non-profit settings. |
$20,000 - $50,000 |
|
Legal Educator |
Teaches law at universities or legal institutions, conducts academic research. |
$25,000 - $50,000 |
|
Government Lawyer |
Provides legal advice and representation for government departments or agencies. |
$30,000 - $60,000 |
|
Mediator/Arbitrator |
Helps resolve disputes between parties outside of the court system through mediation or arbitration. |
$25,000 - $50,000 |
