A comparative study of Three years (LLB) and Five Years (BA LLB/BBA LLB) Law Course

The Law Course in India has become one of the most sought after professional course. Currently the Law education in India is rendered in two formats, i.e., the 5 years integratedBA LLB/BBA LLB/B.sc LLB course or the 3 years LLB course. Which is the best law coursefor you? The five years’ or the three years’?  Should you go for BA LLB integrated five years course just after 12^th Std. or for LLB 3 years after graduation? The above stated questions are common amongst the prospective candidates who are planning to make their career in legal field. The table below gives you a comparative study of both the courses, and is an attempt to make the selection betweenavailable Law Course(Five years or Three years)easier for the candidates: 

Comparative study of Three years and Five years Law Course:

Parameters	LLB (Three Years)	BA   LLB (Five Years)
Entry/Inception	Graduates (in any discipline) are eligible for Three years LLB.	Candidate must have completed his Higher Secondary Education (12th Std.) for admission to five years LLB. This being an integrated program  embodies in itself graduation such as BA, BBA, BSc  coupled with LLB degree.
Duration of Course	Three Years (6 Semesters)	Five Years  (10 Semesters)
Curriculum/Syllabus	This Course has hard core law papers in all semesters. There are no pre-law subjects (English, History, Political Science etc.) in this course. The course deals with basic law subjects which are prescribed by Bar Council of India.	It is a combination of Pre- Law subjects (BA, BBA, B.Com) and law subjects. The candidates are made to read some of the law papers in two parts which make it easier to understand.
Course Outcome	The Candidate is ready to perform the complex legal job by being associated with litigation, corporate firms, Lawyers, Banks, Ngo etc. The course equip the candidate to start their career just after completion of their educational journey.	The outcome of fiveyears’ course is almost the same and the minute difference is that the course helps to develop the nexus between general subjects like history, English, sociology, political science etc. with Law and Legal issues.
Eligibility/Exam for Admission	Graduate with minimum 45 % of marks. Exams – Entrance exam of various Institutes and universities like ALCAT (Asian Law College), LSAT, MHCET(Maharashtra Law colleges)	Candidate must have passed 12th Std. with minimum 45-50% Marks. Exams- CLAT, LSAT, ALCAT(Asian Law College), MHCET(Maharashtra Law Colleges), Entrance exams of institutions and universities.

Questionnaire for deciding on which course (Five years or Three Years) to Pursue 

Below stated are two important questions which can be asked by everyone to one’s own self before deciding on which law course should be opted out of available 5 years or 3 years course:

·         Is law your choice or has been made your choice?

If pursuing law is your dream and you aim for a career in law, then you should enroll in 5 years integratedBA LLB/BBA LLB/B.sc LLB coursewithout pondering on anything. If it is made your choice by family, friends, colleagues,then you can explore your option by having a graduation degree in any field you like and can give yourself three years to further research and decide on law as career.

·         Your education qualification?

The second most important deciding factor is whether you have just passed 12^th Class or have completed your graduation. In case you have completed your intermediate, you can take admission in five years’ law course and if you are a graduate then three years’ law course is the available option.

Points to remember

In terms of opportunities and available job options in the long run  it becomes immaterial whether we have done three years or five years law course, and  the factors which helps an individual to make a successful career in law  are enumerated below:

·         Hard Work

·         Patience

·         Internships

·         Court visits

·         Association with Lawyers

·         Practical Exposure of law field

·         Knowledge of court procedure and technicalities involved

·         Participation in Moot courts and Mock Trials at college level

·         Being updated with latest Judgments of Hon’ble Supreme court and various High courts

·         Being Aware of Latest amendments in the Acts.

The decision of going for three years or five years law course should be made by placing self interest in law and desire to pursue the career in law at the central place, and should not  be guided by family and peers pressure.

All the Best for your pursuits in the field of law!