Bachelor of Laws, popularly known as LLB, is an undergraduate programme in the United Kingdom meant solely for those aspiring to become barristers or solicitors in the UK. Further, suppose you are inclined towards politics or journalism. In that case, an LLB degree will also give you an excellent launchpad for your ambition. The universities in the UK allow law students to combine their core curriculum with other subjects such as journalism, business, or politics. Indian students can join the LLB programme either after class 12 or after completing their bachelor's degree here in India. But a sound academic track record is a must to get admission to reputed colleges. LLB programmes offered by UK universities are usually accredited by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales.  

Benefits of Studying LLB in UK

• Global recognition: The legal system of the UK is recognised globally, and it's the basis of several countries' legal systems. The UK is the birthplace of common law. Today, more than a third of the world's legal systems are based on the English common law.
• Shorter duration: The course duration of LLB in UK universities is shorter compared to that offered by universities located in the US and Canada. Usually, it takes 3 years to complete the classroom learning and another year for the Legal Practice Course. After this, the students can apply for a training contract at any law firm.
• Top law schools of the world: The UK is the home of the world's most reputed law schools. Studying in these institutes helps you receive a world-class education. Additionally, your degree will be recognised in the UK and many other countries.
• Employability: Doing LLB in a UK university helps you learn about the laws covering the entire UK and those specific to Scotland, Northern Ireland and England & Wales. It increases your chance of getting employed soon after completing the programme.

Apart from the regular curriculum, many universities include activities that help law students develop the necessary skills to succeed in legal and non-law careers.

• Work in the UK after graduating: After completing your LLB programme, you can stay and work in the UK. The Graduate Route allows international students to remain in the UK for two years after graduating. The students need not have a job offer to apply for the Graduate Route. The Graduate Route requires a new visa application, which is possible only from inside the UK.

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Top Law Colleges for LLB in UK & their Tuition Fees

LLB Course duration in UK

Usually, a full-time LLB programme takes 3 years to complete. But several UK universities ask students with no prior exposure in law to take an additional Foundation Year before starting their LLB. It helps students to acquire all the required skills for their undergraduate programme. Hence, LLB with Foundation Year is a 4-year full-time programme. A large number of universities offer this programme only for September start.

Other than this, universities in the UK also provide a 2-year full-time law programme called Accelerated LLB Programme. The course content of both the Accelerated LLB programme and the standard LLB undergraduate programme are the same. Most universities prefer only graduates from other disciplines for their Accelerated LLB. This fast-track programme demands extra time for studies every week. Accelerated LLB allows students to move on to postgraduate programmes sooner. 

LLB in UK: Eligibility & Requirements

Various universities in the UK have different eligibility requirements for their LLB programmes. To get admitted to the top law schools of the UK, you need a higher level of academic performance in class 12 or equivalent. If you have a lower score, it's better to do the Foundation Course first and then move to the undergraduate programme in the same university. 

However, for Indian students, the general requirements for entry into standard programmes are:

• Pass certificate of class 12 or equivalent from a recognised board. To get into top law schools, you need above 75% in class 12.
• Evidence of English language proficiency. The majority of the UK universities accept an overall TOEFL score of above 80, an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, and an overall PTE score of 59 or better.
• In several UK universities, a good LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) or LSAT (Law School Admission Test) score is also mandatory to get admission to LLB. LSAT score ranges from 120 to 180, i.e., 120 is the lowest score, and 180 is the maximum. While the LNAT score, which has a validity of one year, ranges between 0 and 42. An LNAT score of 30 and above for international students ensure admission to a preferred university.
• To get admission to LLB in many UK universities, you should be 18 years or above.

In addition to these, the students should submit the following documents at the time of filling up the application form:

• Marksheet/ transcript of the minimum qualification
• SOP and LORs
• Resume
• Scorecard of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE
• Copy of passport

Scholarships to Study LLB in UK

There exist a few scholarships that the Govt. of the UK offers, such as the Commonwealth Scholarship, for which the students from India are eligible. Apart from this, many universities across the UK offer scholarships for their undergraduate law students. 

A few of them are:

Scope after LLB in UK

After completing LLB from the UK, the career opportunities are not limited to Barrister or Solicitor. There are various alternative employment options for law graduates. 

A few of them are:

• Corporate Lawyer
• Journalist
• Legal Analyst
• Criminologist
• Public Prosecutor
• Legal Researcher
• Politicians
• Legal Associates
• Legal Advisor
• Professors

How to Apply for LLB in UK?

• Decide the university from where you would like to pursue your LLB.
• Visit the official website of that university. Check what their entry requirements are and which documents they ask for.
• Please keep all of them ready before you start applying for LLB. Don't forget to upload all required documents. Universities won't process your application without all of them.
• Remember, never upload unnecessary documents like non-academic certificates, extra letters of recommendation, etc. Universities across the UK discourage such practices.
• If the university selects your application, they will invite you to attend an interview to assess your competence. Your knowledge of the law is not being evaluated at this stage. However, they will indeed evaluate your motivation for the programme and may ask questions about your interests and hobbies.
• If you clear the interview, the university will contact you for further proceedings. Admission procedures vary from one university to another.

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa? 

The following documents are required for a UK student visa:

• A valid passport
• The filled out visa application form
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university
• Passport size photograph
• You need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course. At present, the minimum monthly requirement is 1,265 GBP if you're going to live in London and 1,015 GBP for the other parts of the UK.
• Your TB (Tuberculosis) test results
• Parental consent for those who are under 18 years old
• Proof of the payment done for visa application
• Immigration health surcharge. This amount varies with the length of the course.
• Suppose you've received financial support for your course fees and living expenses in the last 12 months. In that case, you'll need written permission from your financial sponsor to submit your application.

There are two types of UK student visas: Short-term Study Visas and Tier-4 Study Visas. LLB students from India require Tier-4 Student Visa as their course duration is usually more than 11 months. The validity of Tier-4 Student Visas depends upon the length of your course. To apply for a Tier-4 Student Visa, you require an unconditional offer letter from a licensed university in the UK.

You can either make a UK student visa application online or take a print of the application form and submit it with all other documents to the nearest UK visa centre of your area. If you're in a hurry for a UK student visa, apply for priority service by paying an extra amount. Once your UK study visa is approved, you must submit your biometrics at the nearest visa centre for your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). The BRP will be collected at your university or the closest post office on your arrival in the UK.

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