3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB: Difference between 3 & 5 Year LLB Courses
The LLB degree programs offered in India are mainly of two types - LLB (Hons.) and integrated LLB. There students often face the 3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB dilemma when choosing the best law course. One major difference between 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB lies in the duration of these courses. A 3-year LLB is an undergraduate degree that can be studied after graduation. It concentrates on the core subjects of law. On the other hand, 5-year LLB is an undergraduate degree students can complete after their class 12. The 5-year LLB is a comprehensive undergraduate programme which is an integration of a regular undergraduate programme like a BA and a LLB programme.
Announcement: India's Biggest Admission Fair for UG Programs. Register
Don't Miss: Know all about CLAT | Top law colleges in India
- 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB - Why different course durations
- Difference in Eligibility
- 3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB - Cost view
- 3-year LLB or 5-year LLB - Which is Best?
- Top Law colleges offering 5-year LLB courses
- Top Law colleges offering 3-year LLB courses
- Popular entrance exams for LLB courses
In the case of B.tech LLB, the course duration extends to six years. Apart from duration, are there any other differences between a 3-year LLB and a 5-year LLB and which course is best? Questions like these require detailed discussion. While both 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB are equivalent to each other, there are significant differences in terms of curriculum, eligibility, cost and outcomes.
Students aspiring to become lawyers should have a complete understanding of these courses as it helps them choose the right one. This article brings all the relevant information you need in one place so you can choose the right path for your legal education. Let's get started!
3-year LLB and 5-year LLB - Why different course durations
First thing first, why there are two LLB degree programs with different course durations? The answer to this question lies in the academic curriculum of these courses. The 3-year LLB solely focuses on Law specific subjects whereas, an integrated LLB has to accommodate two programs — LLB and an undergraduate course like BA, BBA, BSc etc.
So, the 5-year LLB turns out to be a dual degree programme. Students who complete the course get two degrees at the end of their course. Whereas, an LLB (Hons.), course is a single Law degree course.
5-year LLB course is offered with different combinations. Some of the popular integrated programmes are mentioned below.
Difference in Eligibility
Another reason why LLB (Hons.) and 5-year LLB degree programs are different is that the former can be pursued only by graduate candidates while the latter is an undergraduate program. LLB (Hons.) was traditionally offered in India, the 5-year LLB was introduced later for students looking to study law immediately after stepping out of their schools.
3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB - Cost view
If we compare these courses in terms of cost, the 3-year LLB course is mostly cheaper compared to the 5-year LLB due to its shorter duration. In some cases, 5-year LLB courses in public universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia, and Government Law College, Mumbai can also be economical.
But in private law schools, the total fee for a 5-year LLB starts from around 10 Lakh and can go up to 45 Lakh in top private law schools. Against this, the total 3-year LLB course fee could range from eight lakh to 20 lakh.
Talking about central universities, the 3-year LLB course fee at Delhi University is around Rs. 5,000 per semester the total fee works out to around Rs. 30,000 for three years. Other popular universities like BHU, and Allahabad University also have similar fee structures for regular seats offered in 3-year LLB.
However, for a five-year LLB, Delhi University (DU) charges around Rs. 1.9 Lakh per annum which is almost at par with many private universities or NLUs which are not funded by the central government. In comparison, the other central universities offer 5-year LLB at a much cheaper cost. Jamia Millia Islamia offers a 5-year LLB at around Rs. 5000 per semester, only a self-financed 5-year LLB from JMI University would cost around Rs. 40,000 per semester. BHU and Allahabad University also charge around 32,000 to 40,000 per annum tuition fees for BA LLB.
NLUs which are state universities also charge an average of Rs. 12 to 15 lakh for 5-year LLB courses. Among NLUs, only NLSIU Bengaluru and NLU Odisha offer a 3-year LLB. NLU Odisha's 3-year LLB course fee is around Rs. 7.4 Lakh, whereas, NLSIU offers a 3-year LLB for around Rs. 10.7 Lakh.
Other than NLUs, most other state universities offer 5-year LLB at Rs. 5,000-10,000 per semester.
You may also check -
3-year LLB or 5-year LLB - Which is Best?
While we have compared both courses in terms of their duration, eligibility and cost, it is now crucial to answer the main question — which course is best? While both courses are good and equally acceptable, their suitability for candidates may vary under different circumstances.
5-year LLB after Class 12
If the students aim to pursue law as a career from the time of schooling, then a 5-year LLB is the better option. It will immediately give them exposure to the world of legal education. And, being a dual degree program, students get to learn two courses at the same time.
The course duration for two degrees would be five years only, which usually takes six years to complete. So, a 5-year LLB also saves one year of your education.
LLB after graduation
Students who are not fully convinced to opt for law as a career option go for a graduation course of their choice. Subsequently, on completion of the graduation, they can apply for LLB at a prestigious university.
In this case, it is quite simple that a 3-year LLB is an easy and better option. There is not much benefit in giving an extra two years by opting for a 5-year LLB. This way, the students can also save some money as a 3-year LLB is a cheaper option.
The 3-year LLB course is also suitable for those who can not secure a 5-year LLB seat in a good university. The option to go for a bachelor’s program from any state university and then look for a 3-year LLB from a prestigious university is also worth considering.
5-year LLB Course: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cross disciplinary learning due to combination of subjects from two diffferent streams. | Five years is sometimes considered far too long to study law after 12th, when other graduation streams can be completed in 3 years after 12th. |
| Two degrees in five years instead of usual 6 years it would take to complete two degrees. | Certain 5-year LLB courses such as B.Sc LLB are not open to all graduates. |
| Opens up opportunities for a good career in law | |
| A 5-year LLB makes one eligible for appearing in AIBE and practising law in India | |
| Early entry to study law immediately after 12th. | |
| All the top NLUs which are considerd the best law schools in the country provide the 5-year LLB programme |
3-year LLB Courses: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open to graduates of any stream | Most top NLUs don't offer a 3-year LLB programme except NLSIU Bengaluru and NLU Odisha. |
| Exclusive focus on law subjects | The 3-year LLB programme does not support cross disciplinary learning. |
| Makes one eligible to appear for AIBE and obtain Ceritificate of Practice (CoP) needed to practise law in India. | One has to wait till the completion of one's graduation to enroll in a 3-year LLB course. |
| Opens the doors for a good career in law. |
Top Law colleges offering 5-year LLB courses
| Institute Name | 5-year LLB courses offered |
|---|---|
NLSIU Bangalore - National Law School of India University, Bangalore | BA LLB |
BA LLB, BBA LLB | |
BA LLB | |
BA LLB, BBA LLB | |
BA LLB | |
BA LLB | |
BA LLB, BCom LLB | |
GNLU Gandhinagar - Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar | BA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BBA LLB, BSW LLB |
BA LLB, BBA LLB | |
SLCU Bangalore - School of Law, Christ University, Bangalore | BA LLB |
BA LLB | |
B.A.LL.B., B.B.A.LL.B., and B.Sc.LL.B | |
JMI New Delhi - Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi | BA LLB |
NUJS Kolkata - The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata | BA LLB, BSc LLB |
BA LLB | |
School of Law, UPES Dehradun - School of Law, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun | BA LL.B (Hons.), BBA LL.B (Hons.), B.Com. LL.B (Hons. |
Faculty of Law DU - Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, Delhi | BA LLB, BBA LLB |
BA LLB, BBA LLB | |
BA LLB | |
BA LLB | |
Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | BA LLB |
BBAU Lucknow - Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow | BBA LLB |
BA LLB |
Top Law colleges offering 3-year LLB courses
NLSIU Bengaluru | Jindal Global Law School |
Banaras Hindu University | Delhi University |
GLC Mumbai | |
Allahabad University | NLU Odisha |
Panjab University | |
SLS Pune |
Popular entrance exams for LLB courses
Admissions to top law schools are offered through various entrance exams conducted at national, state and university levels. Candidates looking to study law are required to appear in these entrance exams upon meeting the eligibility criteria. Here are some of the popular law entrance exams that students can consider based on their eligibility and course requirements.
List of 3-year LLB entrance exams
| Entrance exam name | Purpose |
|---|---|
Admission to SLS Pune’s 3-year LLB | |
Admission to 3-year LLB course at NLSIU Bengaluru | |
Accepted by Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University and many other colleges | |
Admission to Panjab University’s 3-year LLB programme | |
Accepted by Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat and many other such law schools | |
Admission to 3-year LLB courses offered by law colleges in Maharashtra including GLC Mumbai, and ILS Pune |
List of 5-Year LLB entrance exam
| Entrance exam name | Purpose |
|---|---|
Admission to 5-year LLB courses offered by 24 NLUs and 60+ affiliated colleges | |
Admission to NLU Delhi | |
LSAT India | Accepted by UPES Dehradun, JGLS and various other private law schools |
Accepted by Panjab University and its law centres | |
MH CET Law | GLC Mumbai, ILS Pune, Mumbai University and around 130 law colleges in Maharashtra accept MH CET scores |
Accepted by Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, and Allahabad University |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The minimum educational qualification required for 5-year LLB is 10+2 or equivalent.
The minimum educational qualification required for a 3-year LLB is graduation in any stream.
To enrol into a 5-year LLB programme, candidate has to appear in law entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, and SLAT
Articles
Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
Popular Courses and Specializations
Popular Degrees
Popular Courses
- M.Sc Mathematics Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
- Diploma in Taxation Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
- M.Sc. in Botany Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
- M.Sc Biochemistry Course, Admissions, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
- M.Sc Chemistry - Course, Admissions, Colleges, Eligibility, Syllabus, Fees, Career
List of L.L.B colleges
Browse Law Colleges by State
Questions related to L.L.B
Hello aspirant,
Yes there are several colleges in India that offer integrated BA LLB programs with psychology as part of the curriculum or as an elective. Here are some institutions:
- Symbiosis Law School (Pune, Noida, Hyderabad) - Offers a BA LLB program that includes psychology as part of the humanities subjects.
- ICFAI Law School (Dehradun and Hyderabad) - Includes psychology as a component within their BA LLB program.
- Jindal Global Law School (Sonipat) - While the primary focus is on law, the program integrates interdisciplinary subjects like psychology.
- Amity Law School - Offers electives in psychology within their BA LLB program.
Each institute may vary regarding teaching or fees structure.
Hope this helps.
Hello Archa,
Delhi University offers LLB and BA LLB programs through its affiliated law faculty and colleges. Here's an overview:
LLB Program
-
Faculty of Law
: The LLB program is a 3-year course available for graduates from any discipline.
-
Admission is based on the
DU LLB Entrance Test
conducted annually.
BA LLB (Integrated 5-Year Program)
-
As of now, DU primarily offers the 3-year LLB program. For BA LLB, you may need to explore universities like IPU in Delhi or NLUs.
Key Campuses for LLB
- Campus Law Centre (CLC)
- Law Centre 1 (LC1)
-
Law Centre 2 (LC2)
Eligibility and Admission Process
-
Eligibility
: Graduation (for LLB) with 50% marks (General category) or as per the relaxation for reserved categories.
- Admission : Through an entrance exam, followed by counseling based on merit.
For BA LLB, check with other universities offering integrated programs.
For details about Faculty of Law Delhi University
Click Here
.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello Kuldeep,
With a CLAT 2025 rank of 21,000 , admission into National Law Universities (NLUs) is unlikely as the cutoff ranks for NLUs, even for reserved categories, generally close much earlier. However, several private law colleges and universities accept CLAT scores and may offer you admission. Some of these colleges include:
-
UPES Dehradun
Known for specialized law courses in energy, corporate, and technology law.
-
NMIMS School of Law, Mumbai
Offers good placement opportunities and infrastructure.
-
MIT World Peace University, Pune
Offers modern legal education with good campus facilities.
-
Alliance University, Bangalore
Recognized for its legal programs and vibrant campus life.
-
Christ University, Bangalore (if eligible through other criteria)
May consider CLAT scores in combination with its internal processes.
Additionally, private universities like
Amity Law School
,
ICFAI Law School
, and
Sharda University
also accept students with CLAT scores at this rank. Ensure you confirm individual college admission criteria and deadlines, as some might also have alternate pathways for admission.
I would recommend you to use CLAT College Predictor Tool by Careers360 to get the list of possible colleges you can get with your rank.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello Anuja,
Yes, you can change your course from BA to LLB after your first year, but it depends on the specific policies of the college or university you are attending. Typically, you may need to apply for a transfer, and whether this is permitted can depend on several factors:
-
College/University Policies : Most colleges have a set procedure for transferring from one course to another. You will need to check with the administrative office or academic counselor to understand their transfer policies.
-
Eligibility Criteria : If you are changing from BA to LLB, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for the LLB program. Some colleges may require you to have completed specific subjects or may have a cutoff for admissions based on your performance in the first year.
-
Admission Process : Some colleges might allow you to join the LLB program only if there are vacancies or if you meet certain academic criteria. You may need to apply for the new course and go through an admission process.
-
Lateral Entry : Some law schools offer lateral entry into their LLB programs, but this is typically after completing a specified number of years in another related course or based on academic performance.
You should consult with your college's academic office to determine the exact steps, eligibility, and documents required to change your course. It is always best to act quickly to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines or procedural requirements.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
Hello,
For LLB 3 years 2025 preparation, here are some top book recommendations:
- MH CET Law (3 Year LLB) by Rinku Merani: This book is specifically tailored for MH CET Law preparation and covers all the sections of the exam comprehensively
- MH-CET LAW (Arihant Experts): Arihant Publications is known for its quality study materials for competitive exams, and this book is no exception. It includes practice papers, mock tests, and detailed explanations
- MH-CET (Common Entrance Test) Law for 3 Years & 5 Years by Chandresh Agrawal: This book provides a thorough coverage of the syllabus and includes previous year question papers for practice
Additionally, you can also refer to section-wise books for a more focused preparation:
- English: Quick Learning Objective General English by RS Aggarwal, Objective General English by A P Bhardwaj
- Legal Aptitude and Reasoning: Legal GK for competitive examination by Universal Publications, Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by A P Bhardwaj
- Logical Reasoning: A modern approach to Logical Reasoning by RS Aggarwal, Logical Reasoning for CLAT, SLAT, LSAT India and other law entrance exams by Universal Publications
- General Knowledge and Current Affairs: General Knowledge 2022-2024 by Arihant Experts, Yearly General Knowledge Book by Pearson
- Mathematics: Class 10 Mathematics IQ Challenge by Anil Ahlawat, Quantitative Aptitude ebook by RS Aggarwal
https://law.careers360.com/colleges/list-of-llb-colleges-in-india
Explore Career Options (By Industry)
Lawyer
A lawyer is a professional who practises law. An Individual in the lawyer career path defends his or her client's cases and makes arguments on his or her behalf in both criminal and civil proceedings. A lawyer may advise and assist clients on how they should handle their legal issues. An individual as a career in law in India is considered one of the most sought-after careers.
A lawyer's job requires inhibiting skills. It involves practical applications of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specialised individual problems or to facilitate the interests of those who hire a lawyer to perform legal services. Here, in this article, we will discuss how to become a lawyer after 10th, is lawyer a good career in India, and how to become a lawyer in India.
Civil Lawyer
Are you searching for a civil lawyer job description? A civil lawyer is a law professional who deals with disputes that come under civil law. Civil law is applicable to issues related t property and business disputes, family disputes, and torts. A tort can be defined as a civil wrong that causes the other person harm or injury. A Civil lawyer handles disputes regarding personal injury, family relationships, real estate, and employment. A career as a civil lawyer requires working with government entities and business institutions.
Human Rights Lawyer
Individuals in the human rights lawyer career path are legal professionals responsible for advocating for people whose inherent dignity has been violated and who have suffered a lot of injustice. They take cases to defend the human rights of minorities, vulnerable populations, the LGBTQI community, indigenous people and others.
Criminal Lawyer
A criminal lawyer is a lawyer who specialises in the field of crimes and punishments. Individuals who have been accused of committing a crime are guided by a criminal lawyer. Bail bond hearings, plea bargains, trials, dismissal hearings, appeals, and post-conviction procedures are all part of his or her work. Criminal law is the body of law that describes criminal acts, governs the arrest, prosecution, and trial of offenders, and defines the sentences and correctional options that are available to criminals.
Family Lawyer
Family lawyers are required to assist a client in resolving any family-related problem. In general, family lawyers operate as mediators between family members when conflicts arise. Individuals who opt for a career as Family Lawyer is charged with drafting prenuptial agreements to protect someone's financial interests prior to marriage, consulting on grounds for impeachment or civil union separation, and drafting separation agreements.
Cyber Lawyer
Cyber law careers deal with cyber law job opportunities concerning cybercrimes of all aspects such as cyberbullying, cyber frauds, cyber stalking, sharing personal information without consent, intellectual property and intellectual property, transactions, and freedom of speech.
Immigration Lawyer
An immigration lawyer is responsible for representing the individuals (clients) involved in the immigration process that includes legal, and illegal citizens and refugees who want to reside in the country, start a business or get employment.
Government Lawyer
A career as Government Lawyer is a professional who deals with law and requires to work for the government. He or she is required to work for either the state government or central government and is also known as Advocate General of the state and attorney general. A career as Government Lawyer requires one to work on behalf of government ministers and administrative staff. He or she gives legal advice and provides legal services in the public interest.