Cecily Zamora
There are several different types of law degrees available, and choosing the right one depends on your interests and career goals. The BA Law is a Bachelor of Arts with a law focus, allowing students to substitute some modules for non-law subjects. The LLB, on the other hand, is a Bachelor of Laws that focuses solely on legal studies. The BA Law is not a qualifying law degree, whereas the LLB is. The BCom Law is another undergraduate law degree that blends law with business and commerce, giving graduates an advantage in corporate law. The BA LLB is a combined arts and law programme, whereas the LLB is a Bachelor of Laws programme.
BA Law vs LLB vs BCom Law
| Characteristics | BA Law | LLB | BCom Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Combination of Law and non-Law modules | Seven qualifying law modules and law-based electives | Focus on commerce and law |
| Career preparation | For those interested in the academic side of Law; skills relevant to journalism, politics or business | Prepares students for professional legal practice | Prepares graduates for diverse careers in business, finance, and corporate law |
| Career opportunities | Allows graduates to work in the legal system or pursue a career in the arts | Allows graduates to work in law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments | Allows graduates to work in business, finance, legal departments, and consulting firms |
| Duration | N/A | Four years | Three years |
| Qualifying degree | Not a qualifying law degree; requires additional GDL course | Qualifying law degree | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
LLB is a Bachelor of Laws degree
An LLB, or Bachelor of Laws, is an undergraduate degree that requires four years of study. It is a straight-up law degree, focusing on legal studies and associated disciplines. The programme is designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to start their formal careers in law.
The LLB is a qualifying law degree, requiring students to take seven core law modules. These modules cover areas such as contract law, corporate law, and property law, and are intended to prepare students for professional legal practice.
Graduates of the LLB programme can pursue careers in law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. They may become attorneys, advocates, prosecutors, corporate legal advisors, or public defenders, among other options.
The LLB is a popular choice for those seeking to qualify as lawyers and begin practising as soon as possible. It provides a direct route into the legal profession, offering extensive opportunities for specialisation within the field of law.
While the BA Law and BCom Law degrees offer some flexibility to deviate from law and explore other subjects, the LLB is a focused and specialised degree for those committed to pursuing a career in law.
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BA Law and BCom Law are routes into the LLB
The BA Law is a Bachelor of Arts with a law focus. It is a flexible degree that allows students to substitute some of their modules for non-law subjects, alongside a selection of law modules. This degree is ideal for those who are interested in the academic side of law and want to explore other academic interests alongside their legal studies.
The BA Law is not a qualifying law degree, and those who want to qualify as lawyers will likely still need to take the GDL. However, the BA Law still provides a broad understanding of the law, alongside another subject. This means that graduates can still go on to become barristers or solicitors, and will have skills that are relevant to journalism, politics, or business.
The LLB, on the other hand, is an intensive law degree that requires students to take seven qualifying law modules, with any additional electives based around law. This degree is for those who are "ready for straight-up 100% law". The LLB provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to start a formal law career, and graduates will have extensive opportunities in the legal sector, including working as attorneys, advocates, prosecutors, corporate legal advisors, or public defenders.
The BCom Law is an undergraduate degree that provides a broad background in law and focuses on economics and management sciences. This degree is designed to give graduates a head start in corporate law and taxation. It offers a flexible curriculum that prepares graduates for diverse careers in business, finance, and corporate law.
Both the BA Law and the BCom Law can be routes into the LLB. For example, a student might first complete a BCom Law degree, before going on to study an LLB degree. This combination of degrees would provide a broader perspective on topics such as taxation and commercial law. Alternatively, a student might first complete a BA Law degree, before going on to study an LLB degree. This route would allow a student to gain a well-rounded education, before specialising in law.
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BCom Law offers flexibility if you change your mind
If you are unsure about committing to a career in law, a BCom Law degree might be a good option. This is because it offers a flexible curriculum that prepares graduates for diverse careers in business, finance, and corporate law. On the other hand, an LLB degree prepares students specifically for professional legal practice.
The Bachelor of Commerce in Law (BCom Law) is an undergraduate degree that gives students a broad background in law and focuses on economics and management sciences. This three-year programme aims to help BCom graduates attain a Bachelor of Laws degree. Moreover, it equips students with concepts of the legal and business environment, making them versatile for the professional market.
BCom Law graduates can find jobs in business, finance, legal departments, and consulting firms. The degree is perfect if you're looking at becoming a legal advisor or wanting to pursue a career in the corporate sector. The degree also complements an LLB degree, creating a broader perspective on topics such as taxation and commercial law.
If you are set on becoming a lawyer, an LLB degree might be more suitable. An LLB degree gives you the opportunity to become an attorney, advocate, prosecutor, corporate legal advisor, or public defender, to name a few. It is a more in-depth programme that focuses solely on legal studies and developing the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to start your formal law career.
In summary, if you are unsure about becoming a lawyer and want to keep your options open, a BCom Law degree is a good choice as it offers flexibility and prepares you for diverse careers. However, if you are set on becoming a lawyer and want to develop the specific skills and knowledge needed to practise law, an LLB degree is the better option.
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LLB is a prerequisite for practising law in some countries
The LLB is a prerequisite for practising law in some countries, including the UK and South Africa. This is because it is a qualifying law degree, which means that graduates can go on to take the bar exam and practise law.
In the UK, the BA Law is not a qualifying law degree, so graduates will have to take an additional year-long course, the GDL, before they can practise law. The BA Law is a Bachelor of Arts with a Law focus, which allows students to substitute some of their modules for non-law subjects. In contrast, the LLB is a Bachelor of Laws, which requires students to take seven qualifying law modules and any additional electives will also be law-based.
In South Africa, the BCom Law is a three-year undergraduate degree that gives students a broad background in law and focuses on economics and management sciences. It is designed to be followed by an LLB degree, which is necessary to practise law in the country. The LLB is a four-year undergraduate degree that focuses on developing the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to start a career in law.
While the BA Law and BCom Law degrees are not qualifying law degrees, they can still provide graduates with a broad understanding of the law and are useful for those who want to explore other academic interests alongside their legal studies. These degrees can also provide a good foundation for those who want to pursue careers in business, finance, or journalism.
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BA Law is recommended for human rights law, family law, etc
The BA Law is a versatile degree that offers a unique blend of legal and non-legal subjects. While it is not a qualifying law degree, it provides a strong foundation in law alongside the flexibility to explore other academic interests. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a broad, well-rounded education before specialising in a particular area of law.
The BA Law's flexibility is particularly advantageous for those interested in human rights law or family law. Human rights law is a diverse and dynamic field that intersects with various social, cultural, and political issues. By combining law modules with subjects such as history, politics, or international relations, BA Law students can gain valuable context and insights into the complex factors influencing human rights. Similarly, family law often involves understanding the social, economic, and psychological dynamics within families. The BA Law's interdisciplinary approach can provide a more holistic perspective on family systems and the legal frameworks that surround them.
Additionally, the BA Law's non-law modules can enhance transferable skills applicable to human rights and family law. For example, modules in sociology, psychology, or anthropology can deepen one's understanding of human behaviour and social interactions, which are highly relevant to both human rights and family law contexts. Furthermore, the BA Law's emphasis on critical thinking, research, and communication skills can be readily applied to these areas of practice.
The BA Law's flexibility also allows students to tailor their studies to their specific interests within human rights and family law. For instance, a student passionate about women's rights could combine law modules with gender studies or a focus on history. Likewise, someone interested in child welfare in family law could explore modules in child development or social work.
In conclusion, the BA Law's combination of legal and non-legal subjects, along with its adaptability, makes it a recommended choice for those aspiring to practice or further specialise in human rights law or family law. It provides a robust legal grounding while enabling students to develop complementary skills and knowledge that will enhance their understanding and effectiveness in these specialised fields.
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Frequently asked questions
The BA Law is a Bachelor of Arts with a Law focus. It is studied alongside other subjects and offers more flexibility than the LLB as you can substitute some of your modules for non-law subjects. The LLB, or Bachelor of Laws, is a more traditional law degree, focusing solely on legal studies. It is typically pursued by those who want to qualify as lawyers as quickly as possible. The BCom Law, or Bachelor of Commerce in Law, is a degree that gives students a broad background in law and focuses on economics and management sciences. It is designed for those who want to pursue a career in business, finance, or corporate law, or those who want to pursue a broader perspective before studying an LLB.
Yes, you can become a lawyer with a BA Law degree. However, unlike the LLB, the BA Law is not a qualifying law degree, so you will likely have to take a one-year course, such as the GDL, before you can qualify as a lawyer.
The BA Law degree is a great option for those who are interested in the academic side of Law and want to study it alongside other subjects. It provides a versatile legal background and gives you the option to pursue a career in the legal system or in the arts.
The BCom Law degree is perfect for those who want to pursue a career in business, finance, or corporate law. It provides a solid understanding of commerce-related subjects and foundational knowledge of legal principles, making graduates versatile for the professional market.
The LLB degree is best for those who want to qualify as lawyers as soon as possible. It offers in-depth knowledge and focuses on developing the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to start a formal law career.
