One thing’s for sure: it doesn’t help that the two degrees are both referred to as bachelors. That’s why many have a genuine hardship understanding which is better and why there’s a need for complicated nomenclature in the first place.
But the real turmoil happens when you insert international jurisdictions into the whole equation. For example, some require future solicitors to hold an LLB degree, while others won’t allow candidates into practice without a professional doctorate (JD).
To clear a great deal of bewilderment at the very start, note that both BA in Law and LLB pertain to the same jurisdictions and are usually traditional modes of studying law in the UK system (and countries that apply it in their respective law nomenclatures).
Also, it is not a rare case that both law courses in question offer similar coursework or have approximately the same admission criteria. At the end of the day, of course, it all depends on a specific programme design, as set by an individual university.
So, is the BA in Law the same as LLB? Can you become a lawyer with both degrees? And, most importantly, which is better for you?
Let’s dive in.
No, despite all the similarities we mentioned above, the two degrees are not the same.
BA in Law stands for Bachelor of Arts in Law, and it refers to the lengthier undergraduate programme in legal studies. Depending on the jurisdiction and specific university, it can take five to six years to complete.
If you enrol in a BA in Law, expect coursework consisting of several core law modules and a significant amount of electives. This programme is designed for those interested in combining legal knowledge with various subjects (journalism, politics, etc.).
By contrast, LLB (stands for Latin Legum Baccalaureus) is a more focused course in law that takes about four years of full-time study to complete.
To get an LLB degree, you’ll have to complete obligatory coursework that consists of core law modules and has significantly fewer electives in it. In other words, LLB programmes are preparing you for an immediate practice in law, and their significant advantage is that you can take the LPC or a BPTC straight upon graduating.
Not necessarily. Even though a possibility of immediate practice in law is a deal maker for many, a Bachelor of Arts in Law can sound alluring to some.
Those that have a genuine interest in legal sciences but are still undecided whether they’d like to be lawyers can extract a lot of benefits from the BA in Law. As a rule, the studies offer the possibility of an interdisciplinary approach and can equip you with competitive knowledge if you’re pursuing non-legal careers.
But if your mind is absolutely made up and you wish to be a solicitor or barrister, pursuing an LLB is much wiser. It will dramatically save your time and reduce the overall study costs. Rather than arising an academic interest in law, an LLB will effectively equip you to enter law practice immediately.
The truth is that the non-qualifying legal degree is quite versatile and offers multiple career options.
For one thing – if you change your mind along the way and start developing an interest in legal practice, you can always take a conversion course and head on to the LPC or a BPTC from there. Some universities even allow you to switch to LLB after your first or second year of study.
If you still want to avoid a lawyer’s career, there are plenty of other career options to choose from. Some of the jobs you’d be a competitive candidate for are:
At the end of the day, you’ll have to carefully consider your personal career preferences to answer this question. There is no right or wrong here.
If your heart is in place and you wish to be a lawyer, opt for LLB. It is the quickest route to get you there.
But if you like to keep more doors open, then a BA in Law is definitively the right educational path for you.
Here at CBU, we also like to keep more doors open for our students. We offer two versions of our Bachelor of Law degree programme to better suit your career interests. Download our prospectus for more info, or contact us today to find out more.