Bachelor of Laws vs Juris Doctor: what’s the difference?
By Luan KoayPublished on
Student advisor Luan Koay helps you compare the two main pathways to becoming a lawyer – the Bachelor of Laws, for undergraduates starting out, versus the Juris Doctor, for graduates from other fields.
Trying to decide between a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor?
I often hear from students who are comparing law courses but are unsure where they fit. Some are starting university for the first time. Others already have a qualification in business, arts, criminology, psychology or another field.
If either of these sound like you, you’ve probably come across two main options, both of which can help you build the legal knowledge needed to become a lawyer, but they’re designed for different starting points:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB): an undergraduate pathway for post-high school students wanting to become qualified for legal practice
- Juris Doctor (JD): a postgraduate option to practise law for people who already hold a bachelor degree in any field
This guide will help you compare the LLB degree vs JD pathway, understand the main trade-offs, and decide what to check next.
A quick glance comparison
Key differences | Bachelor of Laws | Juris Doctor |
Study level | Undergraduate law degree | Postgraduate law degree |
Common abbreviation | LLB | JD |
Usually suits | First-time university students or those without a bachelor degree | Students who already hold a bachelor degree |
Qualification level | Bachelor degree | Masters degree |
Typical focus | Foundational legal knowledge at undergraduate level | Foundational legal knowledge at postgraduate level |
Career direction | Legal practice, policy, government, business, advocacy or related fields | Legal practice, career change into law, or law skills for an existing field |
Main thing to check | Entry requirements and whether the course supports your goal | Prior study requirements, fees and study load |
Through Open Universities Australia, you can study either course type from multiple leading Australian universities. These courses are accredited with state and territory boards such as the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) of NSW and the Victorian Legal Admissions Board.
To become a practicing lawyer, you will also need to complete a recognised form of Practical Legal Training after your studies.
There are also various degree options within law and justice designed for those who want legal skills for non-law careers. If that’s you, it’s worth comparing law courses beyond the LLB and JD.
Understanding the Bachelor of Laws
Who a Bachelor of Laws suits
A Bachelor of Laws is usually the undergraduate law degree aspiring lawyers choose when they want to study law as their first bachelor degree. It may suit if you:
- are starting higher education for the first time
- want to change direction early in your studies
- have the goal of becoming a practising lawyer
What you’ll study
In a Bachelor of Laws that’s accredited for admission to practise law, you’ll study the ‘Priestley 11’, which are 11 subjects required to qualify students for admission to legal practice.
Each university treats them slightly differently, so you might find the names of core subjects differ between courses.
In addition to these core areas of law, your studies will teach you:
- legal reasoning and critical thinking
- ethics and professional responsibility
- legal research and writing
- problem solving
Depending on the university, you may also:
- choose electives in areas of interest
- combine law with another discipline (such as business, arts or criminology)
Where it can lead
This option can lead toward legal practice if the course is recognised by your relevant state or territory board (i.e. the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) of NSW or similar). It can also support careers where legal knowledge is valuable, including:
- policy and government
- compliance and regulation
- business and consulting
- advocacy and community services
- legal research or legal operations
Why choose a Bachelor of Laws
A Bachelor of Laws may be a better fit than a JD if you want to build your legal foundation from the start of your university journey.
Understanding the Juris Doctor
Who a Juris Doctor suits
A Juris Doctor is a postgraduate law degree usually for students who already hold a bachelor degree.
It can suit you if you studied another field first and now want to move into law. It’s a qualification people often study part-time while working in another career.
A Juris Doctor may suit you if you want to:
- change careers into law
- add legal training to your current profession
- study law after completing another degree
- pursue a structured, graduate-entry route into legal practice
What you'll study
In a Juris Doctor, you’ll study the similar essential law topics as in the Bachelor of Laws, covering the ‘Priestley 11’, but they will be taught at a more intense postgraduate level.
Through studying these core areas of law, you’ll learn:
- legal reasoning and analysis
- ethics and professional responsibility
- legal research methods
- problem solving and case analysis
The course is designed to deliver:
- foundational legal knowledge at a postgraduate level
- a more concentrated study format than many undergraduate degrees
- opportunities to apply prior knowledge or experience to legal contexts
Where it can lead
A Juris Doctor can support a transition into legal practice if the course meets admission requirements in your state or territory.
It can also open pathways in areas where legal expertise is valuable, including:
- business and corporate environments
- policy and government roles
- consulting and advisory work
- compliance and regulation
- legal operations and support roles
If you are already a lawyer and want to deepen your expertise or specialise, a Master of Laws or specialist postgraduate law degree may be more relevant. Those courses are usually for upskilling, not for starting your legal education.
The key differences between a Bachelor of Laws and a Juris Doctor
The biggest difference in the Bachelor of Laws vs Juris Doctor comparison is your starting point. A Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate degree, while a Juris Doctor is a postgraduate degree for those who already hold a bachelor qualification.
Entry requirements
A Bachelor of Laws may require school results or prior study. A Juris Doctor usually requires a completed bachelor degree. Always check specific course requirements. You can also learn more about this in our guide to law course entry requirements.
Qualification level
A Bachelor of Laws is a bachelor degree. A Juris Doctor is a masters level qualification.
Course length
A Bachelor of Laws usually takes 3–4 years full time (or part-time equivalent). A Juris Doctor typically takes 2–3 years full time.
Study experience
A Bachelor of Laws offers a gradual introduction to legal study. A Juris Doctor is more intensive and suited to postgraduate learners.
Cost and funding
Costs vary by course and eligibility for government loans. Compare total university fees and funding options carefully. Consider whether Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) are available, and whether you’re eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
These government loans allow you to defer paying your fees until after you’re earning over a certain amount of money.
The Bachelor of Laws ranges from approximately $52,000 to $78,000 and the Juris Doctor ranges from approximately $52,000 to $135,000, depending on the university.
Career outcomes
Both can lead to legal practice if you choose a course that’s accredited by your state or territory. They can also lead to lucrative legal roles in policy, business, regulation or advocacy.
Which option is right for you?
The right option depends on your previous study, your goal and the way you want to approach law.
When I help students compare these pathways, I usually start with their current qualification.
Choose a Bachelor of Laws if:
- you do not already hold a bachelor degree
- you want an undergraduate path into law
- you want to combine law with another study area
- you want more room to build confidence with university study
Choose a Juris Doctor if:
- you already hold a bachelor degree
- you want to move into law from another field
- you are comfortable studying at a postgraduate level
- you want a recognised graduate-entry law pathway
- you want to connect law with previous study or work experience
Before you choose, ask yourself:
- Do I already have a bachelor degree?
- Can I manage the study load alongside work and life?
- What are the total fees for each option?
- Does the course meet the requirements I need in my state or territory?
If you are still unsure, this is a good time to get help. A student advisor can help you compare courses, understand entry requirements and narrow your options before you apply.
Explore your study options through us
At Open Universities Australia, we can help you compare online law courses from Australian universities in one place. You can explore Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor options, check entry requirements and speak with one of our friendly student advisors before you decide.
Start with the pathway that matches your current study background. Then compare the details that will affect your real life, including fees, study load, course structure and support.
About the author
Luan Koay
Student advisor specialising in law courses
Luan Koay specialises in law course advice at Open Universities Australia. As a student advisor, she helps people understand their options, find alternative pathways and prepare for university study.
FAQs about law degrees
Is a Bachelor of Laws the same as a Juris Doctor?
No. A Bachelor of Laws and a Juris Doctor are different qualification types, but both cover foundational legal study, so there will be some crossover in topics.
The main difference is the level and pace of the study, with the LLB pitched at undergraduates and the JD taught at a masters degree level.
Which qualification is more cost-effective: a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor?
A Bachelor of Laws is usually more cost-effective than a Juris Doctor, even though it generally takes longer to complete. That’s because Commonwealth supported places are more widely available in undergraduate law degrees. These government-subsidised places reduce the amount you pay for your degree if you're eligible.
A Juris Doctor can be faster to complete, but because it’s a postgraduate qualification, tuition fees are generally higher and Commonwealth supported places are less widely available.
Ultimately, the more cost-effective option depends on the university, course structure, place type and your funding eligibility. When comparing course costs, make sure you look at the total course cost, not just the yearly fee. You should also check whether you may be eligible for a government loan, such as HECS-HELP for Commonwealth supported places or FEE-HELP for full-fee places.
Which qualification offers the fastest pathway to legal practice?
The fastest pathway depends on your current qualifications. If you already hold a bachelor degree, a Juris Doctor may be faster as you can usually complete it in 2–3 years full time or part-time equivalent.
If this will be your first undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Laws may make more sense. It will give you the educational foundation to qualify as a lawyer in 3–4 years full time or part-time equivalent, which is comparable to undergraduate degrees in many other fields.
Start dates and course lengths vary between universities. Always check practical legal training and entry requirements.
Which qualification do employers prefer?
Employers usually care about more than the letters after your degree. They may consider your results, experience, communication skills, practical training and interest in the area of law. For legal practice, the key issue is whether your qualification supports accreditation requirements in your state or territory, so make sure to check this before choosing a particular course.
Is it worth studying a Bachelor of Laws if you already hold a degree in another field?
It can be, but a Juris Doctor may be designed more directly for your situation. If you already hold a bachelor degree, compare both options carefully. Look at entry rules, credit, fees, study load and whether each course supports your career goal.
