BA in Law: Course, Fees, Syllabus, Colleges, Career Options

Bachelor of Arts in Law, or BA in Law, is a three-year undergraduate degree programme spread across six semesters. A BA in Law course is also provided as a BA in Legal Studies by some colleges. The course combines both non-legal and law-focused subjects. While the BA Law course does not automatically prepare the candidates to become Lawyers or Advocates and join the Bar Council of India, it is ideal for someone interested in studying the academic side of Law.

To be eligible for the course, candidates must hold a 10+2 or equivalent qualification from a recognised Indian board. BA Law admission is purely merit-based and depends on the performance of the candidate in their 10+2 or parallel qualification. Candidates can choose from several specialisations such as Legal Counselling, Legal Journalism, Advocacy, Legal Assistant, and Law and Entrepreneurship.

While the job prospects available for candidates after a BA in Law are immense, students cannot apply to become Lawyers. To become a Lawyer, candidates must hold an LLB degree. However, a BA degree in law is an excellent course that prepares the candidates with law concepts. It provides fundamental knowledge and prepares the candidates for higher studies in Law.

BA in Law- Important Dates and Events

• 15th November 2024-1st December 2024- CLAT admit card will be issued
• 1st December 2024- CLAT UG Exam Date

BA in Law Course Details

BA in Law Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility requirements of the course are similar to other BA specialisations. Candidates can check the eligibility details on the official website of the provider or by reviewing the programme prospectus. In the table below, we have provided the BA in Law qualification requirements.

BA in Law Admission Procedure

After fulfilling eligibility guidelines, candidates can advance to the admission procedure of the course. Generally, the admission procedure for a BA in Law is purely merit-based. However, individual law institutes may have specific admission procedures. Listed below are the step-wise admission guidelines for the BA in Law course as followed by most of the institutes.

Step 1- Eligibility Criteria

First and foremost, the candidates should satisfy a few prerequisites for admission. Only eligible students will be allowed admission. Candidates can check the eligibility details on the official website of the institute or by reviewing the eligibility criteria.

Step 2- Fill out the online application form

Eligible candidates can further register themselves at their preferred institute, by filling out the online application form available on the official website of the institute. Those who are unable to apply online, can also visit the admission department of the provider and get a physical application form.

Step 3- Merit-score

BA in Law admissions is based mainly on the performance of the candidate in their 10+2 or equivalent education.

Step 4- Pay the course fees and submit official documents

Shortlisted candidates should pay the specified course fees and submit the official documents as and when required by the institute.

Top BA in Law Entrance Examinations

As of now, there are no entrance examinations for the BA in Law course. The admissions are purely merit-based. However, some institutes may conduct aptitude tests or written ability tests to screen the candidates. However, individual institutes may conduct university-specific examinations.

Top BA in Law Specialisations

Graduates can choose from many specialisations in the BA Law course itself. Those interested in getting into the research discipline can also apply for research-focused specialisations. Some of the specialisations offered in the BA Law field include.

• Legal Counselling
• Legal Journalism
• Advocacy
• Legal Profession Assistant
• Law and Entrepreneurship

For candidates wishing to study BA (Research) in Law, the course will extend to four years (one additional year for research). They can also choose from the above-mentioned streams and choose the most- desired specialisations.

BA in Law Syllabus

BA in Law also known as BA in Legal Studies is a three-year undergraduate degree programme. The course aims to provide foundation knowledge in law, along with experiential learning. Some of the topics covered during the course tenure are Principles of Torts, Introduction to Logic, Theory and Practice of Contracts, and Conflict of Laws. Mentioned below is the syllabus of OP Jindal Global University for BA Legal Studies.

BA in Law 1st Year Syllabus

In semester 1 of BA in Law, students study subjects such as Legal Principles of Torts, Political and Legal Thought, Introduction to Logic, and Legal English. Introduction to Legal Systems.

From semester 2 onwards Introduction to the Constitution of India, Legal Research and Methodology, Theory & Practice of Contracts, Economic Theory, History of Courts Legislature, and Legal Profession in India.

BA in Law 2nd Year Syllabus

In semester 3 candidates will study subjects such as Commercial Transactions, Conflict of Laws, Criminal Justice System in India, International Law and Relations, and Gender and Society.

In semester 4, candidates will study subjects such as Constitutional Theory, Corporate Governance in India, Legal Protection of the Environment, Foundation of Human Rights, and Administrative Framework in India.

BA in Law 3rd Year Syllabus

In semester 5 of BA in Law, some of the topics covered are Cross Border Trade and Investment and Financial Market Regulation, along with two elective courses. In semester 6, candidates will study Regulation of Technology & Cyber Space, along with two elective course choices.

Top Private BA in Law Colleges

In India, only a few law schools offer this course since it is a relatively new specialisation. Mentioned below are some of the popular private BA in Law colleges.

• OP Jindal Global University
• Dr BR Ambedkar University, Delhi

Top Government BA in Law Colleges

As of now, only NLU Odisha offers this course. Candidates can check the official website of the college to know further details regarding the course.

BA in Law Fees

The fee structure of a Bachelor of Arts in Law is variable and is influenced by a variety of factors. The tuition fee, however, does not include the security deposit, costs associated with accommodation (hostels), or transportation costs. The average fee charged by NLU Odisha is Rs. 1.20 Lakhs per annum.

NLU Odisha offers scholarship opportunities for deserving undergraduate candidates from the second year onwards.

Scope of BA in Law

BA in Law provides students with a broad scope in India and abroad. It prepares the graduates for careers in legal fields. To become a Lawyer, an LLB degree is a must, however, candidates can still explore many careers in both legal and non-legal disciplines.

Since the curriculum combines subjects related to a Bachelor of Arts and Law degree, the scope of this course becomes even more broad. After graduation, candidates will be able to apply for higher-level degrees, such as LLB, LLM and LLD.

Career Opportunities After BA in law

In the table below, we have provided some of the popular career options available after BA in Law along with their job descriptions and average salary. Candidates are free to choose their preferred career depending on their skills and future goals and aspirations.

Salary Source: AmbitionBox and Naurki.com

Salary After BA in Law

The salary after a BA in Law depends on the skills and experiences of the graduates, work location, and the job role applied by the candidate. Salary offers in the private and government sectors are also very different for a specific role. Listed below are the average fees offered in the private and government sectors.

Salary Source: Naukri.com

Top Recruiters

• Trilegal
• IBM
• S&R Associates
• AZB & Partners
• Integreon
• ICICI Bank

Benefits of Studying BA in Law

Studying BA in Law has a lot of benefits for the candidates. Students can work in legal and non-legal disciplines. It also allows the candidates to explore the academic-focused field of law and prepares the graduates for higher-level degrees.