Overview

The International Legal Studies programme at Stanford University offers a rigorous academic environment for legal professionals and scholars from across the globe. This advanced degree focuses on the intersection of law and social science, requiring students to conduct original empirical research on complex global issues.

Participants engage in a unique curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical research methodologies. The programme is designed to foster deep intellectual inquiry into how legal systems function within different cultural, economic, and political contexts worldwide.

Why International Legal Studies at Stanford University?

The institution is renowned for its exceptionally strong faculty specialising in interdisciplinary legal studies, including law and technology, economics, and development. Students benefit from close collaboration with distinguished professors who provide intensive advising on individual research projects.

The university offers access to premier research institutes such as the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Hoover Institution. These partnerships allow students to participate in high-level workshops and seminars that enhance their academic experience and professional network.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 26118 per semester
National fee: USD 26118 per semester
Local fee: USD 24825 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Law and Society Seminar
Research Design for Empirical Legal Studies
American Law
Research Methods Workshop
Masters Thesis

Students also select advanced courses from the Law School or other graduate departments to support their specific research concentrations. These areas often include:

Legal Culture, Legal Institutions, and Civil Society
International Economic Law and Political Economy
Environmental Law and Sustainable Development
Criminal Justice Systems
International Conflict Resolution

Careers with International Legal Studies

Graduates of this programme frequently pursue influential roles in academia as researchers and professors. The advanced training in socio-legal methods prepares them for high-level positions within international organisations and government agencies.

Many alumni return to their home jurisdictions to serve as judges, public officials, or specialised legal practitioners. The programme also serves as a significant stepping stone for those seeking to enter doctoral-level research in the field of law.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

SPILS Law and Society Seminar
Research Design for Empirical Legal Studies
SPILS Research Methods Workshop
SPILS Masters Thesis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Credits

45 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Stanford, United States

Disciplines

Legal Studies View 233 other Masters in Legal Studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

Other requirements

General requirements

Application for Admission to Graduate Study
Application Fee
Resume or curriculum vitae
Personal statement
Two letters of recommendation
Official transcripts
TOEFL score report
Research Proposal
One additional letter of recommendation

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

52236 USD / year

≈ 52236 USD / year
Out-of-State

52236 USD / year

≈ 52236 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

52236 USD / year

≈ 52236 USD / year

Additional Details

per quarter

Living costs

Stanford

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

Check your Eligibility

Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for International Legal Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About