Myth Buster: The Real Meaning of LLB

Nov 14, 2023

Written By Lewis Ogg

Unlike many university subjects, law has retained a lot of its historic personality, holding onto its own academic jargon and teaching styles. While many people find this uniqueness a compelling part of studying law, it can also be a barrier to students understanding what their undergraduate will really be like. This article will look to demystify both the undergraduate LLB and the professional route to qualification by discussing the real meaning and implications of an LLB degree.

What Does LLB Stand For

The term ‘LLB’ is an abbreviation for the Latin ‘Legum Baccalaureus’, which translates to ‘Bachelor of Laws’. In line with other bachelor’s degrees, the LLB represents the fundamental undergraduate degree in law. While law conversions from different disciplines are relatively common in legal practice, the LLB is still a rite of passage for many aspiring lawyers.

Partly due to its Latin roots, the term LLB is used internationally, being the most universally administered undergraduate qualification in law. This does not mean there is any form of grading or content standardisation internationally, but having an LLB from an English university will give your qualification international credibility.

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LLB as a First Step in Legal Education

Unless you studied law post-16, it’s likely your LLB will be the first step of your legal education. Across the three years of study, you will be introduced to fundamental legal principles that will help guide you through your future study and career. You’ll also get the chance to take specialised modules in unique practice areas

While LLBs are notoriously challenging compared to other undergrad degrees, they still offer ample opportunity to prepare for life in legal practice. Students will almost certainly have the opportunity to involve themselves in extracurricular activities like pro bono work, mock trials and joining your university’s law society. This will allow you to develop practical skills like legal research, networking and communicating with clients.

LLB vs. LLM

The LLB (undergraduate) is often confused with its postgraduate LLM (postgraduate) equivalent. Because the LLB gives students a fundamental knowledge of the law, most students will only pursue the Master of Law if they want to acquire specialised knowledge in specific areas of law. You might even wish to pursue an LLM as a non-lawyer, for example a climate consultant might pursue an LLM in environmental law to understand how the law affects him

For the majority of students, the LLB will be all they need to progress to the next stage of legal qualifications. The standard LLB will provide students with the base knowledge needed to be a solicitor or barrister.

LLB and Legal Career Pathways

After completing the LLB, students will have a diverse range of career options that they can pursue. The most well-known route is becoming a solicitor or barrister after graduation; however, there are an ever-increasing number of legal adjacent roles to explore. Paralegals, compliance, academia, legal tech, or even legal consultancy are all viable legal careers outside the standard binary.

Dispelling Common Myths

Myth 1: LLB Graduates Are Limited to Legal Practice: As mentioned above, there are a growing number of roles outside of legal practice for students to pursue within the legal field. Even in non-legal roles like journalism, business, and policy, the critical thinking and research skills developed on the LLB are very desirable to recruiters.

Myth 2: LLB is the Only Legal Qualification Needed: While an LLB is a vital step to pursuing a career in law, it is certainly not the only step, especially for those wanting to become solicitors or barristers. Aspiring lawyers will find that to progress into practice; they will need to complete either the SQE exams or a bar course to qualify as a solicitor or be called to the Bar.

Myth 3: You need to have an LLB to be a lawyer. If you studied another subject but have now decided you want to be a lawyer, you can complete the PGDL. The Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) is a law conversion course which provides you with the fundamentals in law. While you can become a solicitor with a non-law degree, doing a conversion course is recommended to help you pass the SQE exams.

Conclusion: The True Significance of LLB

Taking an LLB, like any other university subject, is a decision that should not be taken lightly; it is a significant financial and time commitment for at least the next three years. However, with an LLB, you will get an internationally respected qualification that develops desirable skills for legal and non-legal professions.

When deciding whether an LLB is the right degree for you, take the time to research and seek advice from friends or legal professionals so that you can make an informed decision for your personal preferences. Remember that an LLB can be a valuable starting point not just for a career in law but a wealth of other roles.

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