If you’re a student considering a career in law, you’ve likely come across the term LLB. At first glance, it’s not obvious what LLB means or why it’s important. In the UK and many countries, the LLB is the standard undergraduate law degree – but what does it stand for, and how is it different from other law courses?

In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the LLB. We’ll cover the meaning of LLB, what the degree involves, how it compares to a BA in Law, and how an LLB fits into the process of becoming a lawyer. By the end, you should have a clear understanding of whether an LLB is the right path for you.

What Does ‘LLB’ Stand For?

LLB stands for the Latin term “Legum Baccalaureus”, which literally translates to “bachelor of laws.” You might wonder why there are two Ls in LLB. The double “LL” is used because in Latin, the word for law (lex) is pluralised as legum in the degree’s name – and a common convention for abbreviating plural Latin terms is to double the first letter. The plural “laws” refers to the broad range of laws and legal principles that the degree encompasses. In everyday conversation, people simply say “LLB” or “Bachelor of Laws” to refer to this undergraduate law degree.

In practical terms, an LLB is an academic qualification in law. It’s the name traditionally given to law degrees in the United Kingdom and many other countries with legal systems based on English common law. If you enrol in an LLB programme, you are signing up to study law at undergraduate level.

For most students in England and Wales, the LLB will be a three-year Bachelor’s degree. Completing an LLB means you have a comprehensive academic grounding in the key areas of law. It’s often (but not always) the first major step towards a career as a solicitor or barrister. As we’ll discuss, though, you’ll need further training after the degree to actually qualify as a lawyer.

What Is an LLB Degree?

An LLB degree is an undergraduate course that provides a broad education in the law. Think of it as the law equivalent of a BA or BSc – it’s an academic degree you can pursue right after finishing secondary school. In England and Wales, most LLB degrees last 3 years full-time. In Scotland, an LLB typically takes four years. The goal of an LLB is to teach you the fundamental principles of the legal system and to develop your ability to think like a lawyer.

During an LLB, students study the core areas of law that form the foundation of legal knowledge. Key subjects typically include:

• Constitutional and Administrative Law
• Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Equity and Trusts
• Land Law (Property Law)
• Tort Law

By covering these essential topics, an LLB from a UK university usually counts as a qualifying law degree (QLD). This is particularly relevant for aspiring barristers, as it means you won’t need to take a law conversion course after graduating – you can move straight on to the next stage of barrister training.

In addition to the compulsory modules, LLB students usually get to choose some optional modules in areas that interest them – for example, International Law, Human Rights, Commercial Law, or others. You might also do a dissertation or extended research project in your final year.

Throughout the course, expect a mix of lectures, small-group tutorials or seminars, and a lot of independent reading and case-study analysis. The LLB is both challenging and rewarding: you’ll be learning to interpret complex legal texts, apply legal rules to real scenarios, and build well-reasoned arguments.

If you want to find out more about the best UK universities offering LLB degrees, you can read our dedicated guide.

Skills You Gain from an LLB

Studying law isn’t just about memorising statutes and cases – it also trains you in a variety of transferable skills. An LLB student can develop:

• Critical thinking – learning to question and analyse information rigorously
• Logical reasoning – solving problems step-by-step within legal frameworks
• Communication skills – expressing ideas and arguments clearly in writing and speech
• Persuasion and argumentation – for example, through mooting (practice court debates) or presentations
• Research skills – finding and interpreting legal sources like cases and legislation
• Attention to detail – carefully reading and understanding documents and fine print

These skills mean that even if you don’t end up practising as a lawyer, an LLB is a well-respected degree that can open doors to many other careers.

BA in Law vs LLB: What’s the Difference?

As you explore law degree options, you might notice some universities offer a BA in Law (Bachelor of Arts in Law) instead of an LLB. At first glance, this can be confusing – aren’t all undergraduate law degrees the same? In terms of academic content and recognition, an LLB and a BA in Law are usually equivalent, but there are some differences in focus and structure.

LLB (Bachelor of Laws) courses tend to be specialised law degrees. When you enrol in an LLB, you are committing to a course that is almost entirely law-focused. You will cover the essential core legal subjects (as listed above) and a range of law electives. The LLB is designed to ensure you have the professional foundations of legal knowledge from the start of your higher education.

BA in Law programmes, on the other hand, are often more broad. A BA in Law is essentially a law degree that incorporates interdisciplinary study or a joint-honours approach. In practice, this might mean:

• Studying law alongside another subject (for example, Law with History or Law with a Modern Language), as a joint degree
• Taking more optional modules outside of pure law – for instance, a few politics or business courses alongside your law modules

The key practical difference historically was whether the degree is a qualifying law degree. Many BA in Law courses do cover all the core law subjects, so they function as qualifying law degrees (some universities simply use the title BA for their law degree due to tradition).

However, if a particular BA Law programme doesn’t include all the core subjects, then you’d need to take a law conversion course after graduating to cover the missing areas. If you’ve got your sights set on becoming a barrister, then it’s worth checking that your chosen course is a QLD – otherwise you’ll have to do a conversion course after you graduate.

Importantly, whether you graduate with an LLB or a BA in Law, you can still become a solicitor or barrister. And when it comes to applying for jobs, the distinction is very unlikely to matter to to employers. What matters are the content of your studies and your performance. The difference between the two degrees really comes down to your university experience.

If you want a focused legal education with all your studies centred on law, an LLB might be the better fit. On the other hand, if you value academic breadth or have strong interests in another field that you’d like to study alongside law, a BA in Law could offer more flexibility.

In summary, an LLB is a dedicated law degree, whereas a BA in Law typically allows you to combine law with other disciplines. Both routes can lead you to a legal career – just be sure to check that your course covers the core modules if you aim to use it to qualify as a lawyer without extra steps. And remember to carefully check the course content and structure before you apply, whichever degree type you’re going for.

LLB and Other Law Degrees

The LLB is the main undergraduate law degree in the UK and many other common law countries. However, you might have heard of other law qualifications like the JD or LLM, especially if looking at international study or advanced degrees. Here’s how they compare in a nutshell.

LLB vs Juris Doctor (JD)

The JD is the standard law degree in the United States (and some other countries like Canada). Unlike the LLB, the JD is taken after completing an undergraduate degree.

American students typically get a bachelor’s degree in another subject, then attend law school for three years to earn a JD. The JD covers similar core subjects as an LLB, but at a postgraduate level.

LLB vs LLM (Master of Laws)

The LLM is a postgraduate master’s degree in law. Students usually pursue an LLM after earning their first law degree (an LLB or equivalent). An LLM lets you specialise in a particular area of law or study a legal system in greater depth.

For example, you might do an LLM in International Law or Intellectual Property Law to gain expertise in that niche. An LLM typically lasts one year full-time. It’s important to note that an LLM is not required to become a practising lawyer in the UK – it’s an optional extra qualification for those who want to deepen their knowledge and are interested in law as an academic discipline, rather than a practical profession.

Most people go into legal practice with just an LLB, plus the required professional training (or, in some cases, a non-Law degree, possibly a conversion course, and then the professional training).

How Does an LLB Lead to Becoming a Lawyer?

Does earning an LLB make you a lawyer? Not by itself – but it is often the first step on the road. The LLB gives you the academic grounding in law, after which you must complete professional training to qualify for legal practice.

In England and Wales, after finishing your LLB you generally have two main paths:

Solicitor route

You will need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) – a set of professional exams – and complete a period of practical work experience (similar to a training contract). The LLB provides the academic legal knowledge you’ll build on for these steps (often supplemented by a specific SQE preparation course).

Note that an LLB isn’t strictly required to become a solicitor, though many aspiring solicitors do take it.

Barrister route

You will need to take a Bar training course (a one-year postgraduate course), then undertake a one-year pupillage (an apprenticeship under an experienced barrister). Unlike becoming a solicitor, you will need to take a Law degree (whether it’s at undergraduate level or as a conversion course after a non-Law degree) to become a barrister.

Only after completing these steps, and meeting character and suitability requirements, do you become a fully qualified solicitor or barrister. So, think of the LLB as the academic foundation. On its own it doesn’t let you practise law without the next stages.

There are many other ways to apply a law degree outside traditional practice – law graduates often go into fields like politics, business, journalism, education, or compliance, where their skills and legal knowledge are highly valued.

Is an LLB Right for You?

Now you know the meaning of LLB, you should decide whether to pursue it (or any other law degree). Here are a few points to consider:

Genuine Interest

Do you find discussing or thinking about topics within the law or justice interesting? Have you read much about the law and did you enjoy it? If debates about crime, rights or court cases spark your curiosity, you’ll probably like studying law. Genuine enthusiasm will help you get through the heavy reading that an LLB involves.

Career Plans

If you’re certain you want to be a lawyer, an LLB puts you on the right track from day one. If you’re undecided, a joint law degree or a different subject (with the option of a law conversion later) can keep your options open. Neither choice is wrong – it depends on how sure you are about specialising in law now.

Skills and Strengths

Studying law involves extensive reading, writing, and critical thinking. If you’ve done well in subjects like English or History (which require essay writing and analysis), you’ll have a head start. In any case, be prepared to work hard and engage deeply with complex material – that’s part of the challenge and reward of an LLB.

Conclusion

The term might sound mysterious, but LLB means Bachelor of Laws – the undergraduate degree in law. Keep in mind that an LLB is one academic starting point to becoming a lawyer, not the final step – after graduating you’ll need further training to fully qualify.

For students considering their university options, an LLB can be an excellent choice if you’re fascinated by the legal system and perhaps see yourself working in the law. Even if you choose a different career later, the understanding of law and the transferable skills you gain will be valuable in many fields. Ultimately, understanding the meaning of LLB will help you decide if it’s right for you.

Expert Support for LLB Applications

If you’re considering applying for an LLB at a top university, we can help.

At Dukes Plus, we’ve been helping law applicants get into leading universities since 1999 – including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and more. Our law admissions consultants are experts who can support you with everything from LNAT preparation to personal statements and interviews.

To learn more about how we can give your law application a boost, book a free consultation with our friendly team.