What Is a Law Degree Called in the Uk
Scots law generally requires a full LL.B qualification. It is possible to obtain an honours BA in any other subject, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, and then a two-year accelerated LL.B. (which is essentially the first two years of the Honours LLB) at several universities, including Aberdeen, Caledonian, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Strathclyde and Stirling. [6] [7] Studying law in the UK is about gaining a thorough understanding of the key legal principles and concepts that will enable you to become a highly respected lawyer. In addition, your law degree in the UK aims to equip you with a wide range of skills and knowledge from various disciplines where legal issues are involved. In the United States and Canada, law school means a JD, a professional degree that you must obtain upon completion of your undergraduate studies. In the UK, there is no equivalent to a JD. Instead, you can study law in an academic setting through a bachelor`s, master`s, or doctoral degree. Master`s degrees such as the LLM and MCL (Master of Corporate Law) offered at Cambridge, as well as PhD or other research degrees in law, are generally useful preparation for academic careers or for those interested in legal research. These postgraduate degrees are not required to practise law in the UK and are not intended to prepare students to become lawyers.
Alternatively, you can complete the academic phase by studying a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) after completing your bachelor`s degree. The GDL is a 1-year course, sometimes referred to as a “conversion course”, and is not offered at the University of Cambridge. However, if you`re studying law as an undergraduate, you`ll want to make sure your course is a qualifying degree. This means it is approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or BSB – a requirement if you want to become a lawyer. International fees for law courses in the UK range from £12,000 to around £20,000 per academic year. On the other hand, tuition fees are much higher at the postgraduate level. International fees for an LLM degree in the UK range from $14,000 to around $30,000. Certainly, there may be universities that do not follow this spectrum of bands, but this probability is low. The number of Canadian students looking to study law in the UK continues to grow and we are proud to partner with some of the best law schools in the country. Whether you want to study an LLB (qualifying law degree) or an LLM (Master of Laws), our UK partner universities offer many excellent programmes. The path to a legal career can be complicated and confusing. This guide will help all aspiring lawyers better understand their career opportunities and what it takes to become successful lawyers.
To become a barrister in England and Wales, you must complete three phases or components of training. These include the academic component (law degree), the professional component (traditionally the Bar Professional Education Course (BPTC)) and the student body, also known as the work-integrated learning component. However, from September 2020, aspiring lawyers will be able to complete the professional component in different ways following the introduction of new law courses that effectively replace the BPTC. There will be transitional provisions for students who have not yet completed an IFIC after starting their studies before 2020. The Law Society Standards Council (BSB) has made these qualification changes to make lawyer education more flexible, accessible and affordable. After completing all the components of the training, you are ready to apply as an independent lawyer in the chambers or enter the practice as a staff lawyer. The pathways to qualify as a barrister are varied and open to non-lay graduates who wish to become barrists in England and Wales. The requirements for becoming a solicitor differ slightly in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, depending on whether the person is considering becoming a solicitor or a barrister. However, all prospective lawyers must first have a qualifying degree in law[2][3] or have completed a conversion course. [3] [4] An eligible law degree in England and Wales must include modules covering the following areas: Click here to see all the programmes and degrees of the University of Law in the UK The SQE is also open to foreign applicants with a non-UK degree (whether in law or not, and who are not qualified lawyers. Their degree must be assessed by a UK ENIC declaration of comparability. These applicants must also complete the two-year QWE period in the UK or elsewhere.
Universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand offer this 3-year undergraduate programme. It is a popular choice for students who want to change careers. If you already have a bachelor`s degree, you can enroll in a higher status Bachelor of Laws program followed by an LLM, with both qualifications completed in just 3 years, compared to the 4 years it would take in a Canadian law school! This can help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to looking for a position or job.