In terms of social existence, the concept and need for “Rule of Law” cannot be underestimated. And, hence, there is and will always be the demand for the practitioners of law in every human society.
To accomplish this demand for legal functionaries, what is therefore required is the imparting of a specialized education in the subject of “Law” to young students and legal aspirants who have a keen interest in the subject and who would like to go for it as a matter of career choice.
Traditionally, law course/studying law was all about pursuing a 3-years LL.B. Degree from a Law School. But, today, students also have the choice of undertaking a 5-year integrated B.A. LL.B course just after the completion of their Class XII. This integrated course differs from this traditional LLB course in several ways, all to the benefit of the students who opt for it early on after completion of their + 2 level at school.
What exactly is an Integrated LL.B. Course?
An integrated course, offered by several prominent universities and law colleges in India, aims to get lawyers ‘industry-ready’. Moreover, the course offers two degrees to the student, one of which is law and the other is chosen by the student.
When studying for an integrated law course, a student is able to gain two traditional degrees. While the basic law course is all about pursuing the LL.B. degree from a Law School, the integrated degree on the other hand is a modern approach to the course. This is because, in an integrated course, a student covers two courses under one academic program.
Some of the most common integrated law courses that students can go for include:
- B.A. LL.B. – Bachelor of Arts and Law programs
- B.Com LL.B. – Bachelor of Commerce and Law programs
- B.Sc. LL.B. – B.Sc. and Law programs
Furthermore, students can pursue Law programs (LL.B.) through a postgraduate course and a student must be a graduate to become eligible to pursue the LL.B. degree. However, since the integrated law course in India includes a Bachelor’s degree course as well, the two can be conveniently combined.
Advantages of Pursuing the Course
- A student does not have to complete the graduate degree as they can pursue the course right after their 12th class. So, this turns out as an advantage for the students who have a clear and defined career vision.
- While you study for one degree, you get two degrees in your hand.
- Also, the career options are much more for students who have pursued the integrated course as compared to the other students.
- Students are able to save a year by undertaking the integrated B.A. LL.B. course as a study option. As a result, the students can invest their saved time for pursuing some other degree.
- The number of law subjects that you study in a 5-year course is more than a 3-year course. This means that you will gain a better and thorough knowledge of the subject.
- As a student, you can focus more on extra-curricular activities like moot courts, client counseling and internships.
Thus, in almost the same time period and cost, you can receive two degrees, so why not go for it?
After the Degree
After successful accomplishment of the degree, all you need to do is to enroll in the Bar Council of India through All India bar Examination ( AIBE) , and then you can start working as an advocate.