Online Law Degrees: Guide to Distance Learning Law Courses
Studying for a degree in Law online or by distance learning offers a flexible route into an industry that offers great starting salaries, employment opportunities and job satisfaction. Learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home whilst achieving an internationally recognised qualification. There are many different law qualifications you can achieve through distance learning, in this article we look at the most popular.
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) Distance Learning
Aimed at graduates of non-law degrees, the Graduate Diploma in Law, or GDL is the stepping stone to becoming a law professional in the UK. By studying for the GDL online, you gain access to all the required information and course materials 24-hours a day and can fit the GDL around any other work or family commitments you may have. Most courses run for two-years and are designed to give you the training you require to convert to a career in law. Whilst the course content often varies between institutions, you could expect to study the Laws of Tort and Contract along with Property, Criminal and Public Law. Once you have completed your GDL distance learning course, you can begin an LPC or BPTC in order to become a fully qualified solicitor or barrister respectively. Read more about law conversion courses.
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LLB Distance Learning
LLB courses provide students with a qualifying law degree. Upon graduation, you can apply for the Law Practice Course (LPC) or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), which are the vocational training courses that must be undertaken to become a solicitor or barrister. By studying for an LLB online, it allows you extra freedom to continue with work or other commitments. Courses vary in length depending on the course provider, but usually take three to four years to complete. LLB distance learning courses allow you to study at your own pace and are ideal for students who are unable to attend university full-time.
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LLM Distance Learning
It is now possible to study for an internationally recognised Master of Laws, or LLM qualification online. The course is aimed at those who already hold a professional law degree and usually allows you to specialise in a particular area of the law. There are many courses to choose from, such as LLM in Intellectual Property or LLM in EU Commercial Law, from a wide variety of institutions. An LLM isn’t a qualification in itself to practise law but is an opportunity to gain a specialist knowledge of a particular area of law.
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LPC Distance Learning
The Legal Practice Course, or LPC is the second stage of your career path to becoming a solicitor. Available to students who have already obtained a qualifying law degree, such as an LLB or completed a conversion course such a the GDL. Studying an LPC online combines all of the benefits of studying for the highly-regarded qualification, with the ease of studying from home in your own time.
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Studying law degrees online shouldn’t be seen as an easy option, as most will require you to study for several hours every day, including weekends. Whilst it is sometimes possible to juggle commitments, distance learning law degrees take a considerable amount of time and effort to complete. As with all distance learning programmes you will have less exposure to your peer group by learning remotely, this is particularly significant in Law as careers are fiercely competitive, when choosing an online law course look for institutions that provide many opportunities for networking and other face-to-face events.