Are you interested in gaining a law degree with an accredited UK university without having to put your job or personal commitments on hold? This guide will help you understand what’s involved in studying an online LLB and the career opportunities it can open up for you.
What is an LLB?
The acronym ‘LLB’ is derived from the Latin traditional title of the qualification – ‘Legum Baccalaureus’. ‘Legum’ is plural for ‘lex’, which means ‘law’, and ‘baccalaureus’ is the traditional Latin term for a bachelor’s degree.
In the UK, LLBs are recognised as the gold standard in academic training for prospective solicitors and barristers.
An LLB is known as a qualifying law degree, whereas a Bachelor of Laws undergraduate degree programme (BA Law) is known as a non-qualifying law degree.
It’s important to note that acquiring a qualifying law degree is a required step in becoming a barrister, but since 2021, a qualifying law degree isn’t required to become a solicitor in the UK.
However, passing the compulsory exams to become a solicitor is challenging, even for those who complete an LLB. It can be even more challenging for those without one, so an LLB is the recommended undergraduate academic pathway to becoming a solicitor in the UK.
Why study an LLB?
An LLB gives you the foundational knowledge you need to practise law, opening up a variety of career paths in areas such as criminal law, corporate law, public administration, and more.
Beyond traditional legal roles, law graduates are also highly-valued in sectors like finance, consulting, and management due to their critical thinking and analytical skills. A career in law can be both financially rewarding and intellectually challenging.
What is covered on an LLB?
An LLB covers 7 areas of law as a minimum. These are the foundational areas of law that are required on all qualifying law degrees.
- Criminal law
- Tort law
- Contract law
- Land/property law
- Constitutional/administrative law
- Equity/trusts law
- European Union law
While these 7 areas form the core knowledge areas you’ll cover on an LLB, LLB courses in the UK can cover up to 14 areas of law.
What skills and knowledge will I develop with an LLB?
With an LLB, you’ll gain a range of knowledge and skills that can help you throughout your career journey – whether or not you want to become a lawyer once you finish your degree.
Just some of the in-depth knowledge and skills you’ll gain with an LLB include:
- Problem-solving
- Decision-making
- Communication
- Presentation skills
- Research and analytical skills
These are essential skills that will not only set you ahead in a career in law, but also in other fields you may want to pursue.
What job can I get with a LLB?
Apart from becoming a solicitor or barrister, there are a range of legal profession roles that an LLB can help you with:
- Chartered legal executive
- Conveyancer
- Judicial assistant
- Law costs lawyer
- Legal cashier
- Legal secretary
- Paralegal
- Probate practitioner
- Researcher at Law Commission
- Usher
An LLB opens you up to a wealth of career opportunities – while it’s an option, you don’t have to become a lawyer once you gain your qualification.
Some other jobs you can get with an LLB include:
- Journalist
- Manager
- Politician
- Diplomat
- Police officer
- Civil Service administrator
- Human resources officer
- Insurance underwriter
- Local government officer
- Mediator
- Patent attorney
- Political risk analyst
- Tax adviser
- Town planner
- Trading standards officer
Of course, if you want to become a lawyer, having an LLB will enable you to practise as a solicitor in the UK once you’ve completed the Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE) exams.
Online LLB Start Dates
Online LLB start dates are typically in January and September each year, but some UK universities offer monthly start dates – search our law course page for information on LLB start dates.
An institute needs to be recognised by the UK Government to have degree-awarding authority in the UK, so it’s vital to ensure you’re studying your LLB with a recognised UK university – you can find out how to check if a university is recognised in the UK.
Online LLB Entry Requirements
Qualifications Needed
If you’re applying for an LLB directly from college, then you would apply via UCAS.
To gain entry straight from college into an LLB course in the UK, you’ll usually need:
- Around 96-165 UCAS points
- A Levels: A*AA–CCC
- International Baccalaureate: 42–29
- Scottish Highers: AAAAA– ABBB (Advanced Highers: AAA)
Some institutions may also require you to pass the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT), or its international equivalent if you’re an overseas student.
Applying for an Online LLB Course
Places on online LLB courses can be highly-competitive, so it’s important to put your best application forward and submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing application deadlines.
Check your preferred LLB course page for the application deadline – we recommend preparing your application at least 3 months in advance so that you have ample time to prepare the required documents and get funding in place for your chosen course.
The documents you’ll need to apply for an online LLB usually include:
- An online application form
- CV
- Personal statement
- Previous certificates and transcripts
Studying law in the UK generally requires native or advanced-level English. If you’re an international student, LLB courses may allow entry with an IELTS score of 6.5 or above.
Online LLB Learning Format
Online LLB courses give you the freedom and flexibility to study on your own terms – where and when it suits you.
Most online LLB courses are asynchronous, which means you don’t need to attend live tutorials or lectures and can simply watch these online in your own time.
Others, however, may have live tutorials and/or lectures that you’ll need to attend, but you’ll still be able to attend them online rather than in-person. Find out more about online learning and if it’s right for you.
Remote/Online Learning
Flexibility is undoubtedly one of the main benefits of studying online – with an online LLB, you’ll have the flexibility to study on your own terms and continue with your work and personal commitments while you study.
You’ll have access to online resources and support throughout your course, including your course tutors and global student cohort.
With an online LLB, you’ll have the freedom to set your own study schedule that fits comfortably around your work and personal commitments.
Online LLB Age and Experience
Due to its flexibility, taking an online LLB is a popular choice for mature students who are already working or have family commitments.
Entering an online LLB course as a mature student lets you:
- Pursue a career change
- Leverage your existing skills and experience and apply them to your studies
Make clearer career decisions and set clearer career goals based on your life experience - Bring your unique perspective and insights to the course to enhance your learning
- Harness your professional skills to effectively manage your studies alongside your other commitments
LLB Duration and Time Commitments
Online LLB courses typically run for 3 to 6 years and can be studied part-time or full-time.
Typically, an LLB is made up of 360 Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points, or ‘credits’, which equates to about 3,600 hours of study in total. Due to work and personal commitments, many mature age students choose to take an online LLB part-time – that way, you can break down your study hours per week into manageable amounts that best suit you and your schedule.
Use our part-time study calculator to find out how long it will take to finish your degree based on your study hours per week.
Generally, you’ll need to dedicate around 15-20 hours of study a week to an online LLB course.
It’s important to manage your time effectively when you’re completing an online LLB. It’s a good idea to set a study schedule before your course starts so that you have a clear plan of which days and times you’ll be focusing on your studies.
Online LLB Costs Involved
General Costs
Some of the costs involved in studying an online LLB include:
Tuition fees – These can range anywhere from £5,000 to £27,000. Check your chosen course page for tuition fees specific to your course.
Other costs – If your LLB course requires you to complete exams, you may also need to pay exam fees (and travel costs if you need to travel to an exam centre).
Payment Plans and Financial Management
Many institutions offer payment plans so that you don’t need to pay your full tuition fee upfront. Instead, you may be able to pay your tuition fee in instalments – check with your chosen university if they offer this option.
Paying your tuition fee in instalments can help you to better manage your finances so that you can break down your payments into smaller amounts and plan your payments in advance alongside your other expenses.
Funding Options
Financial Support
If you’re living in the UK, you could be eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan – a government-funded loan that covers the cost of your course. You’ll make repayments on the loan only once you earn over a set amount after graduating.
You can find out more about funding options for an online degree in the UK.
Scholarships and Grants
Many institutions offer scholarships and grants for students interested in studying their courses, so it’s a good idea to check with your chosen institution if they offer these and their eligibility requirements before you decide how you’ll fund your studies.
You can also check The Scholarship Hub for information on UK scholarships, grants and bursaries.
If you’re registered as a UK Study Online subscriber and meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll go into the draw for a scholarship to go towards your tuition fees.
