Difference between a Bachelor of Laws and the Juris Doctor

 Difference between a Bachelor of Laws and the Juris Doctor

The Good Universities Guide provides a useful summary of the many types of law degrees that one can study for in Australia.  

Two such courses are:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - The Bachelor of Laws is typically a 4-year degree and is open to school leavers with a high enough ATAR (or equivalent) score. This undergraduate degree fulfills the academic side of qualifying for admission into legal practice. 

• An undergraduate is someone who has no tertiary qualification

Juris Doctor (JD) -The Juris Doctor is a postgraduate degree that typically takes 3 years.  It is equivalent to enrolling in a LLB as a graduate*.  The main advantage of a JD over a LLB is that programs are designed to suit graduate students.  Students should note though, that the JD normally costs far more than the LLB as, apart from generally higher tuition fees, postgraduate status means students may miss out on government financial concessions for undergraduate study.

*A graduate is someone who has a degree

Students are encouraged to browse Top Law Schools and Degrees in Australia to learn more.