All Types of Law Degrees Explained

In the realm of legal education, various degrees cater to diverse stages and aspirations within the legal profession. This overview aims to provide a concise glimpse into the diverse landscape of legal degrees and their respective roles in shaping legal professionals and scholars.

LLB (Bachelor of Laws): The LLB is a three-year undergraduate degree that serves as the primary qualification for legal education in many jurisdictions. It provides foundational knowledge in various legal subjects, including contracts, torts, criminal law, land law, and trusts law.

BA in Law (Bachelor of Arts in Law): The BA Law is a three- or four-year undergraduate degree in law with a broader focus on liberal arts. It encompasses legal studies within a wider academic context, integrating law with subjects like history, philosophy, sociology or languages. Some UK law schools name their undergraduate law degree as BA in Law or BA in Jurisprudence instead of an LLB.

LLM (Master of Laws): The LLM is a one-year postgraduate degree that allows individuals who already hold an LLB or equivalent to specialise in a specific area of law. It often involves advanced coursework and may require the completion of a dissertation. Some law schools name it as BCL (Bachelor of Civil Law) or MJur (Master of Jurisprudence).

MJur (Master of Jurisprudence): Also known as MJ, the MJur is a one-year postgraduate degree that focuses on legal theory, research, and jurisprudential studies. It is often pursued by those with an interest in the philosophical and theoretical aspects of law.

MLaw (Integrated Master's Degree in Law): The MLaw is a four-year postgraduate degree that combines both LLB and LLM elements for A-Level graduates to obtain a first degree which is also a qualifying law degree. It integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills and allows students to specialise in specific areas of law.

PGDL (Postgraduate Diploma in Law): The PGDL is a conversion course for individuals with a non-law background who wish to qualify as lawyers. It covers foundational legal principles and provides a pathway for non-law graduates to enter legal practice. Before the introduction of the SQE, this law conversion course was known as the GDL.

GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law): Similar to the PGDL, the GDL is a conversion course for graduates from non-law disciplines. It is designed to equip them with the necessary legal knowledge to pursue a legal career. After the introduction of the SQE, this law conversion is known as the PGDL, but some law schools continue to refer to their law conversion course as the GDL.

MA in Law (Master of Arts in Law): The MA in Law is a one-year postgraduate degree for non-law graduates who wish to qualify as lawyers. This programme is similar to the PGDL or GDL but requires students to complete a dissertation on a specific topic of their choice.

LPC (Legal Practice Course): The LPC is a postgraduate vocational course in England and Wales, focusing on the practical skills required for legal practice. It is a common step for individuals aspiring to become solicitors. It is currently being phased out by the SQE.

BTC (Bar Training Course): Previously known as the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course), the BTC is a vocational course in England and Wales, equivalent to the LPC but tailored for individuals aspiring to become barristers. It emphasises advocacy and other skills relevant to courtroom practice. Some law schools name this course as BVC (Bar Vocational Course), BVS (Bar Vocational Studies), or BPC (Bar Practice Course).

JD (Juris Doctor): The JD is a professional doctorate and the primary law degree in the United States. It is typically a three-year programme for individuals aiming to become lawyers, and it includes both academic and practical legal training.

SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science): Also known as the JSD (Doctor of the Science of Law), it is a research doctorate in law pursued by individuals who have already earned a JD or equivalent. It involves in-depth legal research and the completion of a dissertation and prepares students for a career in academia.

DPhil in Law: The DPhil in Law is a research doctorate offered in some jurisdictions, particularly in the United Kingdom. It involves extensive legal research and the submission of a doctoral thesis. Like the SJD, it prepares students for a career in academia.

PhD in Law: Similar to the DPhil in Law, a PhD in Law is a research-focused doctorate offered in various jurisdictions. It requires original and significant contributions to legal scholarship. Like its DPhil counterpart, it prepares students for a career in academia.

LLD (Doctor of Laws): The LLD is a higher doctorate in law, typically awarded as an honorary degree for exceptional contributions to the field of law. It is not a degree that involves coursework or research in the same way as the other doctorates mentioned. However, some law schools may name their PhD in Law as the LLD in which case it is an earned doctoral degree based on research and completion of a doctorate dissertation.

DCL (Doctor of Civil Law): It is a higher doctorate in law, typically conferred in recognition of exceptionally insightful and distinctive publications that contain significant and original contributions to the study of law or politics. Unlike the PhD or SJD, which are more common in many jurisdictions, the DCL has a specific focus on civil law systems.

JCD (Doctor Juris Canonici): Also known as the Doctor of Canon Law (DCanL) or Doctorate in Canon Law (DCL), it is an advanced academic and professional degree focused on the study of canon law within the Roman Catholic Church. Canon law is the system of laws and legal principles made and enforced by the ecclesiastical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate its organisation and governance.

These degrees cater to different stages and aspects of legal education, from foundational undergraduate studies to advanced research-focused doctorates. The specific requirements, titles, and structures may vary between countries and universities.