A Degree Other Than the LL.B.

There are numerous options open to a student who may either not achieve the grades needed for entry to the qualifying LL.B. or who may prefer a different career. The law degree that is other than an LL.B. may still have high law content and the subjects studied may have a similar description though they may also have a broader topical coverage. Typically, such a degree will be a B.A. and may carry a more specific descriptor such as a B.A.

Studies or a B.A. in Law and Administration


Such degrees, as their name implies, are likely to be more business or commerce orientated as it is envisaged that students who take such degrees will be using them as a stepping stone to industry or the public sector and not directly into the legal profession. There are, however, some specific jobs which can be accessed by graduates of such degrees. For example, since 1997 in Scotland the Conveyancing and Executries Board, established to provide official recognition for paralegals who carry out work in those two areas of legal practice but who are not fully qualified as solicitors, endorses a B.A. law degree that teaches the subjects of conveyancing and executries. In Scotland, a number of universities including Abertay University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Napier University, Robert Gordon University and Sterling University offer B.A. degrees in Law/Legal Studies, and specifically market their degrees as suitable for those who may wish to gain recognition from the Conveyancing and Executries Board. The entrance qualifications to these degrees are not as high as those to the LL.B. but the range of subjects is often as interesting and can equip students for a wide range of careers, such as licensed conveyancer, legal secretary, civil service or local government.

Some students who are already in full-time work may prefer to undertake legal education incrementally, i.e. by gradually acquiring qualifications such as an H.N.C. or H.N.D. in Legal Studies which may give them automatic entry to a law degree. This suits people who need to study part-time and/or in the evenings, and who may not yet be sure which direction they wish their career to take next. If you are thinking of embarking on part-time study then make sure you are clear in advance of starting your studies what the options will be if you achieve your qualification. An H.N.C. in Legal Studies will qualify you for direct entry to a law degree in some universities, e.g. the University of Dundee, but you will gain no further advantage (in terms of direct entry to law school) by having an H.N.D. in Legal Studies. In other words, think carefully before spending the time and money on that additional qualification as it may not lead you to any greater career opportunities. Having said that, in institutions that do recognize the H.N.C. as offering a direct entry to law school, they may only do so if you have achieved that qualification at a level where you have gained it with sufficient merits or distinctions.

Making an Application: The UCAS Procedure

Applications for the study of law in the United Kingdom are made through a central clearing house-the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Schools and colleges will be able to assist with obtaining and completing UCAS application forms. The UCAS will not only ask you about your examination results but will ask you to complete sections about your motivation, character, interests and non-academic activities. You should take these sections seriously.

Applications to study law are over-subscribed. Unless your grades are extremely good and an offer of a place at the institution of your choice is fairly certain, you might find that the information you provide in the sections about "other information" becomes very important. Beyond that, there is a fairly standard procedure regarding how your application to study law is dealt with. The cutoff date by which applications should be submitted to UCAS is December 15 in the year prior to the year when study would commence. Although that is the published date, many institutions will be willing to consider applications received after that date, particularly if your qualifications are strong. You do not seal your fate on completion of the UCAS form. The selections you make may appear final but are actually quite flexible. If you change your mind about the course you wish to study or your grades are not as good as you expected, it is likely that you will find some other course that will offer you a place, not least because universities are under pressure to recruit to full capacity.

As soon as possible after institutions receive applications via UCAS they will process them and decide to whom offers of a place should be made. Offers fall into two main categories. You will either be made a conditional offer, i.e. you will be told that you have a place at the institution of your choice provided you achieve certain grades in your Highers or A Levels; or you will be made an unconditional offer of a place at the institution of your choice on the basis that you have already achieved the necessary grades.

The above section has described the standard procedure appropriate to school leavers applying to study law through UCAS. Your application and your choice of university might also be influenced by the facilities offered by that university if you are, for example, a student with special needs, a mature student or a student entering as a non-standard applicant. Universities vary in their provision for students with special needs. Some are exceptionally good and some less so. If you are visually impaired or dyslexic or have a physical disability then you will need to check out the extent to which universities that you might wish to attend can accommodate your particular needs. This is best done by applying directly to the universities themselves and by arranging to visit. Do not rely solely on the published literature. You will be committing yourself to a university for at least three years and you should aim to study in the institution that seems best equipped to meet your particular needs.

Mature students may be applying with non-standard entry grades. Some mature students study law having already graduated in another discipline. Their suitability for entry into law is rarely in question. The fact that they are already graduates tends to suggest they will cope with a law degree. However, you may be a mature student who, for whatever reason, has been unable to complete study at school and who is now wishing to demonstrate capability of completing a degree. Government policy is to encourage lifelong learning and universities in turn are encouraged and wish to assist those who are returning to study later in life. However, universities do not want to encourage people to start degrees that they are not capable of completing successfully, and will need some evidence that a mature student is able to adapt to the rigors and demands of a law degree.

A glance at various university prospectuses will reveal that most universities would require mature students to demonstrate capability through a variety of qualifications such as A Levels, Highers, Open University credits, vocational qualifications, i.e. BTEC or Scotvec National or Higher Standard Certificates, and Diplomas. Additionally, most universities have established access or return to study courses to encourage mature students to pick up study that they might have abandoned prematurely at the school-leaver stage. Those over the age of 24 without the standard school qualifications may become eligible for undergraduate study by completing a university summer school program. Entry to summer school is gained through the process of an application form and interview.