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September 2026
If you’re considering studying law, you have probably come across three abbreviations: LLB, JD and LLM.
However, all three are law qualifications, they are designed for students at different stages of their education and can serve very different purposes.
这 Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is an undergraduate law qualification. The Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate-entry professional law degree, while the Master of Laws (LLM) is generally an advanced postgraduate qualification for students who have already completed a law degree.
In Australia, both an accredited LLB and JD can provide the academic legal education required on the pathway towards admission to legal practice. An LLM generally serves a different purpose: developing advanced or specialised legal knowledge after an initial law qualification.
So, which one should you study?
Let’s break down LLB vs LLM vs JD and what International Students should know before choosing a law degree in Australia.
What Is the Difference Between an LLB, JD and LLM?
The easiest way to understand the difference is to consider when you study each qualification and why.
| Qualification | Full Name | Study Level | Generally Designed For | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLB | Bachelor of Laws | 大学本科 | Students beginning their university studies | Initial professional law education |
| JD | 法学博士 | Graduate entry | Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree | Initial professional law education at graduate level |
| LLM | 法学硕士 | Postgraduate | Usually law graduates | Advanced or specialised legal study |
Accordingly, Australia’s qualifications system distinguishes between bachelor and master’s-level qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
The important point is that JD and LLM are not interchangeable simply because both are postgraduate degrees.
A JD can be your first professional law degree. An LLM generally builds on legal education you already have.
What Is an LLB?
LLB stands for Bachelor of Laws.
It is an undergraduate law qualification and can be a suitable pathway for students who want to begin studying law after secondary school.
In practice, depending on the university, an LLB may be offered as a standalone qualification or combined with another bachelor’s degree.
For example, students may find combinations such as:
Combined degrees allow students to develop knowledge across law and another discipline, although they generally take longer than a standard bachelor’s programme.
An accredited Australian LLB can provide the academic component required for admission to legal practice, subject to the additional admission and practical legal training requirements applicable in the relevant Australian jurisdiction.
Who Should Consider an LLB?
- You are completing secondary school and want to study law at university
- You do not already have a bachelor’s degree
- You want an undergraduate pathway towards legal practice
- You are interested in combining law with another undergraduate discipline
However, not every Australian university offers an LLB.
For example, Melbourne Law School does not offer a professional-entry undergraduate Bachelor of Laws. Its professional law degree is the graduate-entry Juris Doctor.
Therefore, this makes it important to compare each university’s law pathways rather than assuming every institution offers the same degree.
What Is a Juris Doctor (JD)?
Despite the word “Doctor” in its name, the Juris Doctor is not the same type of qualification as a PhD.
In Australia, the JD is a graduate-entry professional law degree designed for students who have already completed undergraduate study.
The University of Sydney, for example, describes its JD as a graduate-entry professional law degree containing the required areas of knowledge for admission to legal practice in Australia. It is available to graduates from non-law disciplines and can also provide a pathway for some graduates with overseas law qualifications.
A JD can therefore be particularly useful for someone who studied another subject at bachelor’s level but later decided to pursue law.
Who Should Consider a JD?
- You already hold a bachelor’s degree
- Your undergraduate degree is not in law
- You now want to pursue a professional law qualification
- You want a graduate-entry pathway towards legal practice in Australia
- You hold an overseas qualification and need to explore an Australian law pathway
For example, someone with a bachelor’s degree in business, arts, science or another discipline could potentially apply for a JD, subject to the university’s admission requirements.
At the University of Sydney, the distinction is particularly clear: its LLB is aimed at students commencing law from undergraduate study, while its JD is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Both can lead towards professional accreditation.
How Long Does a JD Take in Australia?
A JD commonly takes around three years of full-time study, although course length and study options vary by university.
For example, the University of Sydney offers its JD over three years full time, while the University of Melbourne also lists its JD as three years full time.
Ultimately, students should check the exact duration, credit arrangements and course structure at their preferred university.
What Is an LLM?
LLM stands for Master of Laws.
Unlike the JD, an LLM is generally not designed to be your first professional law degree.
Instead, it is an advanced postgraduate law qualification commonly undertaken by students who already have an LLB, JD or equivalent legal qualification.
An LLM can allow lawyers and law graduates to develop deeper knowledge in particular areas of law.
Depending on the university and subjects available, these areas might include:
For example, the University of Melbourne’s LLM is available to legal graduates and allows students to select from a large range of subjects across different legal fields. Its programme is one-year full time.
Who Should Consider an LLM?
- You already have an LLB or JD
- You want advanced legal knowledge
- You want to specialise in a particular area of law
- You are already a legal professional seeking further study
- You want to strengthen your academic or professional legal expertise
Naturally, admission requirements vary.
For example, the University of Melbourne’s LLM requires an LLB, JD or equivalent law qualification, with its admission pathways considering academic performance and, in certain cases, relevant professional experience.
This is why students should not assume that completing an unrelated bachelor’s degree makes them eligible for an LLM.
LLB vs JD: What’s the Difference?
The LLB and JD can ultimately serve a similar professional purpose, but students normally enter them at different educational stages.
For example, a student finishing high school who wants to study law may explore an LLB.
A student who has already completed a Bachelor of Business and later decides to become a lawyer may instead explore a JD.
Nonetheless, at universities offering both pathways, the two programmes can provide the academic legal education required for the professional pathway.
Therefore, a JD should not automatically be viewed as “better” than an LLB simply because it is a graduate qualification.
In other words, your existing education and intended pathway are more important.
JD vs LLM: What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most important distinctions for International Students.
Both are postgraduate qualifications, but they have different purposes.
Specifically, a JD is generally an initial professional law degree for graduates.
An LLM is generally advanced legal study for people who already have a law qualification.
Bachelor of Business → wants to become a lawyer → JD may be appropriate
Bachelor of Laws → wants advanced study in international or commercial law → LLM may be appropriate
The University of Sydney similarly separates its postgraduate offerings: the JD provides a graduate-entry pathway into the legal profession, while its LLM provides lawyers with advanced specialist legal knowledge.
LLB vs LLM: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference is the level and purpose of study.
An LLB is a bachelor’s-level law qualification that can form your initial professional legal education.
An LLM is a master’s-level qualification generally pursued after completing an initial law degree.
LLB → Learn law and begin your professional legal education
LLM → Build advanced or specialised knowledge after studying law
Students who have just completed high school would therefore generally look at an undergraduate law pathway rather than an LLM.
Does an LLM Qualify You to Become a Lawyer in Australia?
As such, students should be careful with this question.
Completing an LLM does not automatically mean you meet the requirements to practise law in Australia.
Admission to legal practice is regulated within Australia’s states and territories, and requirements can depend on your previous qualifications, the subjects you have completed and other professional admission requirements.
An LLB or JD designed as an accredited professional law qualification serves a different purpose from an advanced specialist LLM.
International Students—particularly those who already hold an overseas law degree—should check with the relevant Australian admissions authority about how their existing qualification will be assessed before choosing an Australian course.
Which Law Degree Should You Choose?
Rather than asking which qualification is “best,” start with your current education.
An LLB or combined LLB programme may be the most relevant option.
A JD may be the more appropriate pathway.
An LLM may be the most relevant choice.
However, course availability and admission requirements vary between universities.
Before applying, compare:
- Your current qualification
- Whether you want to practise law
- University entry requirements
- Professional accreditation
- Course duration
- 学费
- Available specialisations
- 地点
- 奖学金
- Your long-term career goals
What Can You Do with a Law Degree?
Legal education can lead to careers both within and outside traditional legal practice.
Potential career directions can include:
The University of Sydney notes that LLB and JD graduates can pursue pathways across legal practice, government, public policy, business, regulation and related areas.
In additional, professional legal roles may require additional admission, training or licensing requirements.
FAQ: LLB vs LLM vs JD
Find the Right Law Degree in Australia with AUG
Choosing between an LLB, JD and LLM becomes easier once you understand where each qualification fits into your education and career journey.
If you’re starting university and want to pursue law, an LLB may be suitable. Alternatively, if you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue professional legal education, a JD may be worth exploring. And, if you already have a law qualification and want to deepen or specialise your legal knowledge, an LLM may be the next step.
AUG学生服务 can help you compare law degrees in Australia, identify universities and programmes that match your academic background, check entry requirements and scholarships, prepare your university applications and understand the Australian Student Visa process.
Before applying, make sure you consider not only the degree title but also your previous qualifications, professional goals and the admission requirements for legal practice in the jurisdiction where you eventually want to work.
