Is LLB equivalent to Masters?

Asked by: Ines Kassulke  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (6 votes)

No, an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) is generally not equivalent to a Master's degree (LLM) because an LLB is typically an undergraduate or professional bachelor's degree, the first step to becoming a lawyer, while an LLM is a specialized postgraduate degree for those who have already completed their initial law qualification. The LLB serves as the foundational law degree, whereas the LLM offers advanced study in a specific legal area, though some countries or specific contexts might recognize them as comparable for certain purposes, like the CHED in the Philippines accredited the LLB as equivalent to a Master's.

Is a law degree equivalent to a Master's degree?

A J.D. is a professional doctorate, it is not at all a master's degree or similar to one. It is more akin to a Ph. D. It is literally a doctorate, as is a Ph.

What is an LLB degree?

…the LL. B. "stands for 'Legum Baccalaureus,' the formal Latin designation for what was once almost universally the first professional law degree in the United States, the Bachelor of Laws.

What is the difference between LLM and LLB?

The LLB is an undergraduate degree (or sometimes, for graduates, a professional bachelor's degree), serving as the entry-level qualification for legal studies. The LLM, on the other hand, is a master's degree, designed for those who have already completed a first law degree and want to pursue further specialization.

Which Master's degree is best for LLB?

Which Master's Degrees to study after the Bachelor's Degree in...

  • Master in International law. ...
  • Master in Business Law. ...
  • Master's in Information and Communication Technology Law (ICT Law) ...
  • Master in Human Rights. ...
  • Master in Litigation and Dispute Resolution. ...
  • Master in Environmental Law.

How my LLM Master of Laws degree from UCL Faculty of Laws has helped my career

36 related questions found

Which MBA is best after LLB?

Which Specialisation is Best in MBA After LLB?

  1. MBA in Business Law. This is a perfect fit for you. ...
  2. MBA in Finance. Law and finance are two sides of the same coin. ...
  3. MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM) The foundation of legal practice is employment law. ...
  4. MBA in International Business. ...
  5. MBA in Entrepreneurship.

Does LLM make you a lawyer?

No, an LLM (Master of Laws) doesn't make you a lawyer on its own; it's a postgraduate specialization for those who already have a law degree (like a JD in the U.S.) or for foreign-educated lawyers to gain U.S. qualifications, but you still need to pass the bar exam to practice. The standard path to becoming a lawyer in the U.S. involves a JD degree, followed by bar admission, while an LLM offers deeper expertise in areas like tax or international law, making you more competitive or eligible to take the bar in specific cases. 

Is an LLB enough to practice law?

If your objective is to practice law in the United States—and you have no prior legal education—you must get a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school. Very few states allow students to take a bar exam without this credential. International students who possess an LL. B.

What does LLB mean?

An LLB is a Level 6 undergraduate law course, equivalent to a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science). The term LLB is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'Legum Baccalaureus', which means Bachelor of Laws.

What is the highest degree in law?

Let's Sum it Up! The highest degree in law, typically a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD), therefore, is the pinnacle of legal education.

Is an LLB hard to get?

The California bar exam is considered one of the most challenging bar exams in the country due to its high cut score. In February 2022, 53% of first-time applicants passed the exam, the State Bar of California reports.

Why are there two else in LLB?

stands for Legum Baccalaureus — Latin for Bachelor of Laws. The double “L” isn't a typo — it's tradition! In Latin, doubling a letter signifies plural. So “LL” means multiple laws — civil, criminal, constitutional & more!

Why did JD replace LLB?

“Between 1964 and 1969, at the encouraging of the American Bar Association, most American law schools … upgraded their basic law degree from the traditional” LLB to JD “to reflect the (by then) almost-universal postgraduate status of the degree,” according to a 2012 blog post from the Marquette University Law School.

What is the highest level of a lawyer?

The highest positions for lawyers vary by setting, but within a law firm, it's typically a Managing Partner or Senior Partner, who owns part of the firm and guides strategy. In a corporation, the top role is often the General Counsel, leading the in-house legal team. More broadly, the highest legal office in a country, like the U.S. Attorney General, or becoming a top judge, such as a Supreme Court Justice, are also pinnacle achievements. 

How did Kim Kardashian become a lawyer?

But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.

Is there an LLB in the USA?

Study an LLB in the USA

Law programs at US universities provide a comprehensive and critical understanding of core legal principles and practical skills so that students learn legal analysis. An LLB program in the USA might also be referred to as a JD (Juris Doctor) program.

What is an LLB vs llm?

After completing an LLB, graduates can pursue careers as advocates, legal advisors, corporate lawyers, or judicial officers. The LLM degree serves a different purpose. It's intended for those who want to specialize in specific legal areas or pursue advanced academic and research opportunities.

What's the difference between a LLB and a JD?

The change from LLB to JD was intended to end "this discrimination, the practice of conferring what is normally a first degree upon persons who have already their primary degree". The JD was proposed as the equivalent of the German JUD, to reflect the advanced study required to be an effective lawyer.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
 

What is the highest paying job in LLB?

Top 10 Highest Paying Careers in Law

  • Legal Advisor for Corporations. ...
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer. ...
  • Tax Lawyer. ...
  • Criminal Lawyer (High-Profile Cases) ...
  • Law Firm Partner. ...
  • Arbitrator or Mediator. ...
  • Independent Legal Consultant. ...
  • Legal Head/General Counsel.

When did LLB become JD?

Between 1964 and 1969, at the encouraging of the American Bar Association, most American law schools (including Marquette) upgraded their basic law degree from the traditional “LL. B.” to “J.D.,” to reflect the by then almost universal postgraduate status of the degree.

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
 

Is an LLM higher than a JD?

Neither an LLM nor a JD is inherently "higher," but they serve different purposes: a JD (Juris Doctor) is the fundamental, primary degree needed to become a lawyer and practice law in the U.S., while an LLM (Master of Laws) is a secondary, specialized degree for those who already hold a JD (or foreign law degree) and want advanced knowledge in a specific area like tax or environmental law, often for career advancement. Think of the JD as the entry ticket to the legal profession and the LLM as a specialization for existing legal professionals. 

Can I take the bar with just an LLM?

Unfortunately, for LLMs, there are not a lot of choices! Unlike students who graduate with a juris doctor degree, LLM degree holders face more restrictions on where they can sit for the bar. A handful of jurisdictions, such as New York, permit LLM graduates to take the exam and hold a license to practice law.