So you want to go to Law School at the University of Cambridge. Where is the JD?
If you are currently living and studying in the US or Canada, but thinking about pursuing legal education in the UK, chances are that the picture in your mind of legal education and the pathway to becoming a practising lawyer doesn’t quite fit what you see at UK universities. With the big differences between the structure and the terminology of this process in each country, it can all get a bit muddled. Here are a few clarifications to help you out as you consider whether a legal education in the UK might be the best choice for you.
Most undergraduate courses in the UK are 3 year degrees
For starters, undergraduate education in the UK is a bit different than what you have probably seen in North America, where 4-year liberal arts degrees are common. In the UK, undergraduate students choose 1 subject to study at university, which they study intensively for 3 years.
There is no direct equivalent of the JD in the UK
In the US and Canada, Law School means a JD, a professional degree to be taken after completing your undergraduate studies. In the UK, there is no equivalent of a JD. Rather, you can study law in an academic setting through either an undergraduate degree, a masters, or a PhD.
Law is offered as an undergraduate degree in the UK
One option for studying law in a university environment is a 3-year undergraduate degree in Law, which at most universities in the UK is referred to as an LLB degree (Latin Legum Baccalaureus, or Bachelor of Laws). At the University of Cambridge, all undergraduate degrees are classed as BA degrees (Bachelor of Arts), meaning that the undergraduate Law degree at Cambridge is a BA in Law, but the difference is one of title only.
Graduate Law degrees in the UK are typically for those interested in research
Masters degrees, such as the LLM and MCL (Masters of Corporate Law) offered at Cambridge, as well as PhD or other research degrees in Law tend to be useful preparation for academic careers or for those interested in legal research. These advanced degrees are not necessary to practise law in the UK, and will not be aimed at preparing students to be lawyers.
Qualified legal professionals in the UK are split into Barristers and Solicitors
The term “lawyer” is a more general label commonly used in North America, but in the UK, you will usually see legal professionals called either a barrister or a solicitor.
Barristers are court room advocates, handling the aspects of a case that require representing an individual or organisation in court. And yes, barristers in the UK really do still wear wigs as part of their courtroom attire.
Solicitors handle the non-courtroom aspects of legal representation, including offering legal advice, drafting documents, and negotiating with other parties. If a solicitor is working on a case that goes to court, the solicitor will usually enlist a barrister to represent their client in court.
To qualify as a lawyer in the UK, you have a few options
In contrast to the US and Canada, the process to qualify as a barrister or a solicitor in the UK involves three stages: the academic stage, the vocational stage, and the professional stage.
The academic stage requires learning a number of core legal topics currently considered to be the foundation knowledge necessary to practise Law in the UK. The undergraduate Law degree at Cambridge covers these subjects, meaning it is considered a “qualifying law degree.”
Alternatively, you might complete the academic stage by studying a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) after your undergraduate degree. The GDL is a 1-year course, sometimes called a “conversion course”, and is not offered at the University of Cambridge.
The third option for the academic stage is to study a different subject at University, then pursue a second undergraduate degree in Law, possibly through the affiliate student option.
It’s worth noting that the process to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in the UK is currently undergoing review. For the most up to date information, including details on the further steps required to practise law in the UK, see the Law Society website or the Bar Standards Board website.
If you already have an undergrad degree, you can complete the BA in Law in 2 years
Most students from the US and Canada are already in the process of completing an undergraduate degree in a non-law subject by the time they start to think about their law school options, and consider the possibility of studying Law in the UK. In this case, you would have the option to apply to Cambridge as an affiliate student, sometimes known as a senior status student. As an affiliate student, you would complete the BA in Law in 2 years rather than the usual 3. Both the 2 year and 3 year degree options are currently considered qualifying law degrees in England and Wales.
A BA in Law can prepare you for legal careers internationally, but other steps may be needed
The BA in Law at Cambridge is an English Law degree, designed to give you the academic background you need to be a practising lawyer in the UK.
The Law degree at Cambridge is an internationally respected degree and can provide excellent preparation for the critical thinking required of a good lawyer in any country. However, the process to qualify as a lawyer varies from country to country, and further steps, such as passing the Bar exam in the United States, might be required before you can practise law in another country. Many of our alumni go on to have legal careers outside of the UK. The Cambridge University Careers Service can provide help and guidance to navigating this process as a Cambridge student.
The information in this article is considered correct at the time of publication.
For further information on applying to study Law at Cambridge as an applicant from North America, please see our website.
