Choosing the right degree is a crucial decision that will impact your future career and professional opportunities. Similarly, when it comes to studying law, you have two options to consider- BA Law and LLB. The Bachelor of Arts in Law is a programme that gives a solid grounding in legal principles while also allowing students to study various non-legal subjects. On the other hand, the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) is a focused law degree that provides detailed legal knowledge and prepares students for legal practice.
In this article, we will help you pick the right degree that aligns with your career goals. We will also walk you through the key differences and benefits of the BA Law vs LLB, exploring its curriculum, career opportunities, and required skills.
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What is BA Law?
The BA in Law is an art stream degree that combines legal studies with arts and humanities subjects. It gives students a basic understanding of legal principles and enables them to study topics like politics, history, sociology, and philosophy. In other words, it allows learners to study law as an academic discipline and follow non-law subjects.
Given below are some of the core objectives of this programme:
- Provides a solid understanding of legal concepts and principles.
- Integrates arts and humanities with legal studies to offer interdisciplinary perspectives.
- Prepares students for diverse career opportunities in public policy, corporate governance, journalism, and academia.
What is LLB?
The Bachelor of Laws is a specialised undergraduate degree focusing on various aspects of law, including criminal law, contract law, constitutional law, and property law. It prepares learners for legal practice through thorough knowledge of legal principles, procedures, and systems. Moreover, through this programme, students will gain advanced skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers as legal professionals, including roles as attorneys, advocates, and legal advisors.
The following are the core objectives of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree :
- Prepare students for professional legal practice and bar examinations.
- Develop practical legal skills, including research, drafting, and advocacy
- Provide a detailed understanding of legal concepts, principles, and systems
- Instil ethical conduct and uphold professional standards essential for successful legal careers
Advantages of Studying BA Law
Studying for a BA in Law offers many benefits for students seeking a broad education beyond traditional legal fields. It helps students to develop versatile skills valued in various industries. Here, we have outlined the key benefits of studying BA in Law:
- Interdisciplinary Approach:
BA Law blends legal studies with the arts and humanities, offering a broadened understanding of both fields. This integration enhances student understanding, enabling them to tackle complex issues.
- Flexibility in Career Options:
Graduates with a BA in law are well-prepared for various career paths that extend far beyond traditional legal roles. They can easily move into public policy, business management, and advocacy fields.
- Skills Development:
The programme encourages critical thinking by examining legal and societal issues from various angles. It enhances research skills and strengthens students’ communication skills for successful advocacy and negotiation.
Advantages of Studying LLB
A Bachelor of Laws offers significant advantages for those pursuing a career in law. It provides a comprehensive legal education that prepares students for professional practice and offers recognition in the legal field. Beyond these benefits, studying for a Bachelor of Laws ensures the following advantages:
- In-Depth Legal Knowledge:
Learners pursuing a Bachelor of Law get insights into all legal matters, such as criminal law, contract law, and constitutional law. This will help them deal with the complex legal issues faced during work.
- Preparation for Legal Practice:
Learners acquire essential practical skills from the Bachelor of Laws programme, which is needed for successful legal careers, such as conducting legal research, drafting documents, and advocating for clients. Moreover, the curriculum often includes opportunities like moot court sessions and internships, offering valuable hands-on experience in real legal environments.
- Professional Recognition and Opportunities:
Graduates of Bachelor of Laws programmes gain recognition within the legal community, which boosts their credibility and broadens their career prospects. In other words, this degree serves as a pathway to becoming a licensed attorney and opens doors to roles in corporate law, public service, and academia within the legal field.
Curriculum and Modules of BA in Laws and Bachelor of Laws
The curriculum of BA in Law and Bachelor of Laws programmes is designed to equip students with essential legal knowledge and skills, however, with their respective educational focuses. While BA in Law programmes combines legal studies with a broader array of humanities subjects, Bachelor of Laws programmes focus on intensive training in essential legal principles and practical applications. The following are the key modules that highlight the difference between BA Law vs LLB:
BA Law Modules
The BA in Law programme includes a range of core subjects that provide foundational law knowledge in an interdisciplinary context. Here are the core subjects in BA in Law:
- Academic and Creative Writing
- End-User Computing
- Family Law
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Skills
- Philosophy
- Politics and Government
- African Customary Law
- African Human Rights Law
LLB Modules
The Bachelor of Laws programme provides a thorough curriculum focusing on essential legal subjects for legal practice. The core subjects of Bachelor of Laws include:
- Legal Systems and Methods
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Contract Law
- Administrative Law
- International Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Introduction to Tax Law
- Company Law
- Law of Evidence
Admission Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Law and Bachelor of Laws
Admission into BA in Law and Bachelor of Laws programmes typically involves meeting specific academic and non-academic criteria. Understanding these admission criteria is crucial for aspiring law students to prepare adequately for their applications. Hence, we have given a general overview of the admission requirements of BA Law vs LLB:
BA Law Requirements:
When you are planning to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Law, you must meet the following requirements:
- A Senior Certificate (SC) with a degree endorsement OR
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with specified minimum grades in specific modules, including a requirement in English Language; OR
- A National Senior Certificate – Vocational Level 4 (NC(V)) with specific grades in fundamental and vocational modules; OR
- A relevant N6 National Diploma.
LLB Requirements
If you want to undertake a Bachelor of Laws from an institution like Regenesys Law School, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- Completion of Matric with a Bachelor pass or an equivalent NQF level 4 qualification.
- 50% in First Language English or 60% in Second Language English.
- International students (from Africa) may provide A levels.
- International students should achieve a Higher Level Pass with 26 APS.
- Applicants over 23 without a Bachelor’s degree must have at least three years of relevant work experience, a schooling leaving certificate (Grade 12 or O levels), completion of other short courses, and pass English.
Career Opportunities For BA Law and LLB Graduates
You can access career opportunities across diverse sectors after completing the programme, be it a BA in Law or a Bachelor of Laws. This is because, through both these programmes, you will be equipped with knowledge and skills that open doors to various rewarding career paths. Here, we have classified the job roles you can attain from these programmes, focusing on the difference between BA Law vs LLB:
- BA Law Careers in South Africa:
Since the BA in Law programme blends legal knowledge with a broad understanding of humanities and social sciences, the graduates can pursue the following job roles:
- Business Analyst
- In-house Legal advisor
- Business Development Consultant
- Commercial Analyst
- Claims Manager
- LLB Careers in South Africa:
Designed to provide thorough legal education and practical skills, the Bachelor of Laws equips graduates for LLB jobs like the following:
- Legal Assistant
- Law Professor or Teacher
- Assistant Prosecution Officer
- Legal Journalist
- Judicial Services
- Litigation Attorney
Difference Between LLB and BA Law
While both a BA in Law and a Bachelor of Laws involve the study of legal principles, they differ significantly in many ways. Here, we have outlined the difference between BA Law vs LLB in the table below:
| Bachelor of Arts in Law | Bachelor of Laws |
| Blends legal studies with arts and humanities | Specialised legal education focused on legal principles |
| Gives learners a broad understanding of legal principles within a broader context | Provide learners with in-depth knowledge of legal systems, procedures, and principles |
| The curriculum includes arts, humanities, and foundational legal courses | The curriculum includes legal theory, procedural law, substantive law |
| BA Law graduates have diverse career options beyond traditional legal roles. They can access BA Law jobs in fields like public policy and business management | Graduates of Bachelor of Laws programmes are typically oriented towards careers in law, such as practising as attorneys, advocates, legal advisors, or pursuing roles in legal academia or judiciary. |
Conclusion:
Bachelor of Arts in Law and Bachelor of Laws have distinct advantages suited to different career goals and educational preferences. However, you must decide between these programmes to shape your academic journey and future career in the legal sector. While a BA in Law provides a broad understanding of legal principles alongside studies in arts and humanities, a Bachelor of Laws offers legal education focused on in-depth knowledge of legal systems, principles, and practical skills essential for legal practice. Nevertheless, the choice between a BA Law vs LLB depends on your career goals and academic interests.
Explore your path to a rewarding legal career with Regenesys Law School‘s Bachelor of Laws programme. Benefit from our well-structured curriculum and learn from experienced instructors to confidently launch your law career. Enrol Now!
Frequently Asked Questions: Deciding Between BA Law vs LLB: What You Need to Know?
What can I do with a BA Law degree?
A BA in Law offers careers in business analysis, in-house legal advising, business development consulting, commercial analysis, claims management, and public policy advising. It combines legal knowledge with humanities, providing versatility in career options beyond traditional legal roles.
What are the key differences between a BA in Law and a Bachelor of Laws degree?
BA Law combines legal studies with the arts and humanities, offering broader career options. On the other hand, a Bachelor of Laws focuses on comprehensive legal education and prepares graduates for legal practice.
Is a Bachelor of Laws necessary to practice law?
Yes, a Bachelor of Law is generally required to practice law as an attorney or advocate. Graduates must also complete additional requirements, such as bar exams or practical legal training, to be licensed to practice law.
What are the admission requirements for a Bachelor of Laws degree?
Admission requirements include a matric with a bachelor’s degree, 50% in first-language English or 60% in second-language English, and relevant qualifications for international students.
What can I do with a LLB degree?
A Bachelor of Laws degree prepares you for roles such as attorney, advocate, legal advisor, legal consultant, judicial officer, academic, or legal journalist. It offers extensive opportunities within the legal profession and enhances career prospects.
