Difference Between 3 & 5-year LLB Courses: Which one to pursue?

A significant distinction is how long these courses are. An undergraduate degree that can be pursued after graduation is a three-year LLB. It focuses on the fundamental topics of law. Conversely, pupils can pursue a five-year LLB undergraduate degree following their class 12th. Read further to know difference between 3 yr and 5 yr LLB course, the colleges that offer, important entrance exam.

Difference Between 3 & 5-year LLB courses, How to select

Law is a popular course, and many students are interested in learning more. However choosing a degree is a difficult decision for legal students. In our legal system, which forms the cornerstone of our democracy, law is extremely vital.

Bachelor of Legislative Law is known as LLB. An LLB can be completed in three or five years. A three-year LLB programme grants you a degree with a concentration in legal studies. However, a five-year LLB integrates law with commerce, science, engineering, humanities, and arts.

A significant distinction is how long these courses are. An undergraduate degree that can be pursued after graduation is a three-year LLB. It focuses on the fundamental topics of law. Conversely, pupils can pursue a five-year LLB undergraduate degree following their class 12th. The five-year LLB is a complete undergraduate degree that combines an LLB programme with a standard undergraduate programme, such as a BA. You will learn more about the distinctions between the 3- and 5-year LLB course curricula by reading this article.

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3-year LLB course and 5-year LLB course: Why duration differs

The candidates need to understand the main difference between the two courses and the duration below. To help candidates to know which one to pursue, candidates must check all the points mentioned below.

3-year LLB Degree

For those who want to pursue careers in law, the Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) is a common option. The Bar Council of India regulates the 3-year LLB degree, which is a conventional legal programme provided by respectable Indian colleges and pursued after graduation. This is a summary of the three-year LLB programme:

• Entrance Exams: Candidates can appear for various law entrance exams to pursue 3-year LLB courses. The most important law entrance exam is CLAT, PU LLB, MH CET Law, AILET and others. Candidates must note that the exam format, curricula, and strategies for each exam is different.
• Qualifications: Applicants need to have graduated from an accredited university. College-specific minimum aggregate mark requirements may differ.
• Curriculum: The three-year LLB programme spans six semesters and covers a wide range of topics, including criminal law, intellectual property rights, labour legislation, family law, and constitutional law.
• Career Opportunities: Graduates can work in law firms, government agencies, corporations, non-governmental organisations, or as consultants, analysts, assistants, attorneys, or researchers.
• Course Fees: The fees vary from colleges to colleges. In general, the fee is between INR 50,000 to INR 5 lakh. When it comes to central universities, Delhi University's three-year LLB programme costs approximately INR 5,000 every semester, or roughly INR 30,000 altogether. Similar cost arrangements are also present at other well-known universities, including as BHU and Allahabad University, for ordinary seats in the three-year LLB programme.
• Top Universities: The National Law School of India University (NLSIU Bangalore, the Faculty of Law at the University of Delhi, the Symbiosis Law School in Pune, the Indian Law Society's Law College in Pune, and the Government Law College in Mumbai are renowned universities that provide the three-year LLB degree.

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5-year LLB Course

When considering their options for a legal career, many students choose to pursue a Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB). The five-year LLB degree is an integrated programme that combines legal education with undergraduate coursework. It is provided by prestigious colleges all throughout India and is governed by the Bar Council of India (BCI). What you should know about the five-year LLB programme is as follows:

• Eligibility: Candidates must have earned a recognised board certification for their 10+2 coursework. The minimum scores needed can change.
• Curriculum: The five-year LLB programme consists of ten semesters of core law courses as well as undergraduate coursework.
• Career Opportunities: Graduates can work for governmental organisations, PSUs, law firms, corporations, or non-governmental organisations as attorneys, legal advisors, consultants, analysts, or assistants.
• Fees: Depending on the college, expenses can vary from INR 1 lakh to INR 8 lakh. Like Delhi University (DU) charges about INR 1.9 Lakh each year for a five-year LLB, which is approximately the same as many private colleges or NLU fees that are not financed by the central government. The 5-year LLB is offered by the other central universities for a significantly lower price. Only a self-financed 5-year LLB from JMI University will cost about INR 40,000 per semester; Jamia Millia Islamia offers a 5-year LLB for about INR 5000 per semester. For BA LLB, BHU and Allahabad University also demand annual tuition fees ranging from INR 32,000 to 40,000.
• Top Colleges: prestigious universities such as National Law School of India University, Bangalore; Faculty of Law, University of Delhi; Symbiosis Law School, Pune; and Indian Law Society's Law College, Pune are among those that provide the five-year LLB degree.
• Entrance Exam: The CLAT, AILET, LSAT, and SET are typical entrance exams. Exam schedules and curricula vary.
• Benefits: A thorough legal education, a wide range of employment choices, and a greater comprehension of basic subjects are all offered by the five-year LLB programme.

List of law Colleges offering 5-year LLB courses with fees

Candidates can check the list of colleges or universities offering 5 year LLB courses in the country below:

List of law colleges offering 3-years LLB course with fees

Candidates can check the complete list of colleges that are offering 3-year LLB courses:

Which is best 3-year LLB or 5-year LLB?

Even if the duration, eligibility, and fees of the two courses have been compared, it is now critical to address the primary query: which course is better? Although all courses are excellent and equally suitable, candidates' suitability for them may differ depending on the situation.

5-year LLB course after Class 12?

 A five-year LLB is a preferable choice if the students want to practise law as a career from the beginning of their education. They will be introduced to the field of legal education right away. Additionally, because this is a dual degree programme, students can take two classes concurrently. Two degrees would only require five years of coursework, which typically takes six years to do. Hence, a five-year LLB also helps one year of your education.

Pursuing LLB after Graduation

Students who aren't quite sure they want to pursue a profession in law choose a graduate course of their choosing. After graduating, individuals can then apply to a prominent university to pursue an LLB. It is obvious in this instance that a 3-year LLB is the simpler and superior choice. Giving an extra two years by choosing a five-year LLB has little advantage. The students will also be able to save money because a three-year LLB is a more affordable choice.

For individuals who are unable to obtain a 5-year LLB seat at a reputable university, the 3-year LLB programme is equally appropriate. It is also a possibility to pursue a bachelor's degree at any public university and then search for a three-year law degree at a top university.

Top Law Entrance Exams Dates 2024 -2025

Generally, the law entrance exams in India are held once a year and this year, the exam authorities are conducting the upcoming exams as per the schedule below: