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ICLS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
"The degree of
Bachelor of Laws is the principal academic degree in
law in most common law countries. It is abbreviated LL.B.
- LL. is abbreviation for the plural legum (of laws); thus
LL.B. stands for Legum Baccalaureus in Latin. In the United States it
is sometimes called "Bachelor of Legal Letters" to account for the double
L.
After completion
of this degree, graduates are generally qualified to apply for membership of
the bar or law society (a test is often required and maybe an
apprenticeship).
In the United
States the LL.B. and J.D., are three year graduate degrees taken after
completion of a four-year undergraduate degree. Foreign law graduates must
often study to receive an LL.M., the masters degree equivalent, before
qualifying for bar admission procedures. In the United States the LL.B. has
mostly been replaced by the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, although the form and
structure of the degree is little changed.
In most of the
Commonwealth, the LL.B. remains the qualifying degree for the practice of law,
though some universities award the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.).
In the universities of Oxford and Cambridge the principal law degree is a B.A.
in law (or "Jurisprudence"), the B.C.L. and LL.B. (recently renamed LL.M.)
being postgraduate degrees not needed to practise law. "
The LL.B. is the law degree that
meets the legal education requirements in nearly every country that follows
the Common Law of England. One notable exception is the United States.
However, this needs a bit of explanation. Until the mid 1960’s, the LL.B.
degree was also conferred in the USA. However, around that time US law schools
began to offer law graduates the option to earn a JD degree instead. In fact,
many American law schools continue to offer their law graduates the option of
earning an LL.B. or a JD. The real question is, is there a difference?
By and large, this is merely an
issue of semantics and the JD is not deemed to be of lesser standing than the
more traditional LL.B. The American Heritage Dictionary (Second Edition)
defines the Juris Doctorate as, "An academic degree that is the
equivalent of a [LL.B.]." In the United States, as with the rest of the
world, the advanced law degree above the JD continues to be the LL.M. or Master
of Laws and the degree above that is the SJD, JSD or LL.D. - – true
"Doctor of Laws" degree.
United States
Advanced Placement (AP) Examination of
the American College Board, provided that at least two full subjects are
passed at grades 3,4 or 5 (with the exception of Studio Art).
Canada:
Alberta:
Passes in five acceptable Grade 12 courses provided that lat least 70 per cent
is achieved in each of those courses.
B.C.:
Passes in five acceptable subjects in the Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma,
provided that not less than grade B is achieved in each of those subjects.
Manitoba:
Not less than five credits at the 300 Level in at least four subjects areas in
the High School Graduation Diploma, provided that at least 70 per cent is
achieved in each of those subjects.
New Brunswick:
Passes in five acceptable subjects in the High School Graduation Diploma,
provided that at least 70 per cent is achieved in each of those subjects.
Newfoundland:
Passes in a least five acceptable subjects in the Grade 12 High School
Diploma, provided that at least 70 per cent is achieved in each of those
subjects.
Nova Scotia:
Passes in five acceptable Grade 12 subjects in Honours University Preparatory
Courses or in University Preparatory Courses in the High School Completion
Certificate, provided that at least 70 per cent is achieved in each of those
subjects.
Ontario:
Passes in six Ontario Academic Courses (OAC's) provided that at least 70 per
cent is achieved in each of those courses.
Prince Edward Island:
Passes in five acceptable Grade 12 subjects in the High School Graduation
Diploma, provided that at least 70 per cent is achieved in each of those
subjects.
Quebec:
Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) [Diploma of Collegial Studies].
Saskatchewan:
Passes in five acceptable subjects of Division IV standing, provided that at
least 70 per cent is achieved in each of those subjects.
For information about other countries and regions please contact the
ICLS admission office -
click
here.
Depending upon the track you
choose, the LL.B. degree takes between 2 to 4 years of study. However, ICLS
recommends that if you study full time, you may want to choose the 3-year
track, and if you study part-time, you may want to choose the 4-year track.
This will allow you ample time to digest and absorb the course material
properly and give your studies the time and attention they require.
An LL.B. earned from a UK law school
by itself will not permit one to sit for a bar exam in the USA, unless it was
earned full or part time at the institution. However,
there are USA states that will allow you to sit for the bar by continuing your
education and obtaining an LL.M. degree from a US ABA APPROVED law school. There
are also U.S. states that will allow you to sit for the bar exam with an LL.B. by
earning an additional specific number of law school course credits.
Yes you can. Many LL.B. law
graduates go on to earn advanced degrees. What most admissions committees
require is that your first law degree be from a recognized, fully accredited
University. ICLS only tutors and prepares its students, enrolled in fully
accredited law schools and Universities, to maximize their potential on their
respective University law examinations. In the United States, for
example, according to a US Law School study conducted in November of 2001 by
the Malet Street Gazette,
virtually all US ABA Law School will accept the University of London LL.B. for
purposes of meeting the educational prerequisites to enter their LL.M. degree
programs.
No, you will be given lectures
every month by experienced law professors, barristers, educators and practitioners.
Further, ICLS has developed a fully
interactive e-learning format from which you will be interacting with your
fellow classmates and lecturers to discuss lectures, lessons, assignments and
exams.
ICLS will be there as your partner
in learning. In fact, ICLS provides a personal academic mentor/advisor to help
you every step of the way unitl your exams finish.
No. As with most law schools, your
final grades are based solely upon your final examinations. These final exams
are proctored and conveniently scheduled during May and June of each year at
test sites throughout the world, as scheduled by the University in which you
are enrolled. Many major cities have at least one location.
No, however, you should have some
familiarity with the following:
-
Basic word processing
-
A sound knowledge of the
procedures for sending/receiving email, including email with attached
files
-
A fundamental awareness of
common computing terms
-
General familiarity with your
hardware, software, and operating system
ICLS has designed its program in
such a way that you should not need to add any software or hardware to your
existing system. The current system requirements are:
An IBM compatible computer
(Macintosh user are advised to check their operating system with ICLS
prior to applying).
IE Internet Explorer 5.0 or
later Internet Browser by Microsoft Inc. (We apologize, but these lecture
presentations include features available only through Internet Explorer
WEB-Browser)
Media Player Plug In by
Microsoft Inc. Please check on Microsoft’s site for the latest available
version for your operating system
250+ MHz CPU (250+ megahertz
central processing unit/computer)
512+ MB RAM (64+ megabytes random
access memory)
-
Sound card and speakers (or
headphones) for audio capability
Screen resolution of 1024 x 768
pixels (recommended) or 800 x 600 pixels, minimum
Students are advised to use a
broadband connection where possible for best results.
Operating system: Microsoft
Windows XP or Vista
ICLS is not an agent of the
University of London External Programme (Although the director of ICLS, George
D. Pappas, is an "Authorized Representative" for the University of London External
System in Canada and the USA) or other law schools. However, we are experienced
with the application process and will supply you with the necessary
applications, paperwork and assist you through the admission process. We
strongly recommend that your University application be processed through ICLS.
Flexibility is one big benefit.
With online learning, you set your own schedule, although you will still have
assignment deadlines and your course may have set online chat times or other
synchronous elements as mentioned above.
Convenience is another benefit.
Lecture notes are often available online, as are recordings and transcripts of
class chats and discussions.
The term "E-learning"
refers to the use of the Internet to deliver course materials and facilitate
teacher-student interactions. Students use computers to connect to online
classrooms, which often provide message boards, chat rooms, audio, video and
multimedia technologies, in addition to text content. Online learning is also
called "e-learning."
A Tutorial college is a
private school or institution that prepares students for a range of subjects and
examinations.
In Britain, the traditional tutorial college prepares students for O' levels, A'
levels and undergraduate University examinations. Unlike the US and other countries,
academic success is based largely on examinations.
The University of London External Programme in laws, as well as other Universities, have established an
informal web of privately run tutorial colleges in the UK and around the world
to help students prepare for their University examinations. For the most
part,
tutorial colleges developed as more and more distance learning students around
the world demanded more teaching aids and instruction to prepare for the
University of London examinations.
Tutorial colleges do not award degrees, unless they specify otherwise. Tutorial
colleges however, do work closely with the University of London External
Programme to ensure that
the right materials and subjects are covered to maximize a student's potential
on the examination.
According to the
2001-2002 University of London External Programme Regulations, Sections 6.1
and 6.2, "Entrance Requirements and Exemptions," the regulations
state:
"6.1
Applicants who wish to register for the LL.B. degree must satisfy the University's
general entrance requirements.
6.2 The
following are eligible to apply for graduate entry:
-
graduates holding
a full First degree from a state University in the United Kingdom or another
European Country or in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa or the West Indies.
-
graduates holding
a full First degree from a regionally accredited institution in the USA
-
graduates holding
a full First degree from an Indian Institute of Technology or a four year
full-time First degree from a limited number of acceptable universities in
India.
Professional
qualifications cannot be considered for graduate entry. Students with
other degrees not listed above should seek advice from the External Admissions
Office..."
Your course can be accomplished completely with online research (subject to
purchasing the required textbooks and case books). A good library always
helps however. ICLS will fill that need by giving you a free Lexis-Nexis
account to conduct research online. ICLS delivers lectures online every
month; bulletin boards online everyday, and your essays will be written and
sent via-email to our examiners in London. Your exams, however, will not
be online. In order to ensure that the quality and standard is the same as
full time students , candidates will have to physically travel to an exam center
and take the University of London External Programme law exams when they
are scheduled in May and June of each year. For example, if you live in
Atlanta, you will take your exams in a center in the Atlanta area.
You receive the University of London
External Programme Subject Guides, a "Resource Guide", a major text
book for each subject, a book on "legal learning" and a VLE (Virtual
Learning Environment) giving
you access to many UK cases and/or statutes online. You do not receive
any teaching, or day to day support. During the year, the University of
London External Programme will send you a "spring supplement" and
"examiner" reports giving you up dates on current cases or
legislation. The examiner reports are helpful in terms of what examiners
see as recurrent weaknesses with student exam papers. Outside of this,
you are on your own in terms of preparing for your law exams.
If you're not interested in entering the
legal profession, but prefer instead to use your law degree to enhance your
career, you can complete the LL.B. in two years under the Graduate Route Entry
Scheme A option if you already hold a University degree in another subject
area. You save a whole year compared to the normal route. The only
qualification to this statement is that your prior University degree must be recognized
as such by the University of London External Programme admissions committee.
Individuals
who already hold a University degree who seek an education in law - but do not
desire to practice law - should enroll in the Graduate Route Entry A or B
Scheme.
Scheme A or B is the
perfect option for candidates who seek to enrich their career with a law
degree. If you already have a University degree (in any subject area),
you can apply to earn your LL.B. two (full time) or three years (part time)
with The University of London External Programme in laws. To see the course
requirements for either Graduate Route Entry A or B,
click
here.
Students are advised that many common law
jurisdictions require three years of legal education. Applicants are strongly
advised to make sure that if they opt for the Graduate Route Options (i.e.,
two year equivalent option) that
they are in compliance with bar admission rules in their jurisdiction.
Can
I have direct contact with my Law Tutors?
Absolutely
When
do I need to apply at ICLS?
The sooner the better. Your enrollment should be no later
than September 2008 for the 2009 exams. See further comments on this
issue below.
Is the tuition payable to ICLS at the time of application or once I receive
an acceptance letter?
Your tuition to
ICLS is payable with your application since your legal program will start
upon payment (usually within 7-10 days after processing your application and
setting you up with your introduction package). No, you do not have to wait
for your acceptance letter from the University of London to start with us
so long as you have evidenced an application to the University of
London External Programme in laws.
How hard is it
to get accepted for US students?
If you already hold a University degree in another subject
area, your application for admission should be a formality. If you also
have an Associates Degree, again, you will be a strong
candidate. Also, two passed AP exams with a grade of at least "3" will
also meet the minimum requirements. If you also possess professional or career experience, the
University of London External Programme will also place great weight on
this if you are a mature student (e.g., over 25 years of age). If you only have a High School Diploma, and no work experience, you
will not meet the education requirements for admissions.
Will the University of London law degree (LL.B.) earned under the University's
External Programme Receive standing in Canada?
University of London
External Programme Law (LL.B.) Graduates can receive advanced
standing for purposes of entering the legal profession in Canada so long as
they achieve at least a Second Class Degree Result.
According to the
Canadian National Committee (NCA) on Accreditation:
"Applicants from England (including
External LL.B. degree programs), Wales, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies,
Hong Kong and Singapore can expect to be required to take 30-60 credit hours
in a Canadian law school or equivalent challenge examinations if they have
obtained a Second Division degree (or better) in a 3 year honours law
program following upon an undergraduate degree. Applicants who take a 2 year
law honours program with a Second Division standing (or better) are usually
asked to complete more credit hours or examinations than applicants with
three year degrees. The Committee looks behind the applicant's class of
degree and also takes into account actual grades in all subjects (including
first year grades). In particular, the Committee looks closely at Second
Class degrees and evaluates the range of marks achieved.
Factors to be taken into account include:
age of degree, academic standing in all years of the LL.B. program, the
content of courses, subject matter studied, relevant graduate legal
education, law teaching experience and the quality of undergraduate
education or training."
For an
up to date comment by the Canadian National Committee on Accreditation
click here.
Do I pay The International Center for Legal Studies ("ICLS") for
University of London fees?
No.
Remember, there are TWO institutions involved in your program when you
enroll with ICLS. You pay The ICLS fees directly to ICLS.
Payment of the University of London External Programme fees are paid
directly to the University of London. ICLS will process your
University of London application and dispatch your application and your
University of London application fee to the University for final processing.
After you are given an "offer" by the University of London;
however, you will be
expected to pay the University of London registration fees directly to the
University of London.
What reasons can you cite as preventing External Programme students from
doing well on their University of London law examinations?
Many students,
especially first year students, fail to reach their potential in the
exams because they apply so late in the process. For example, too many
students simply wait until the summer and up until September 17th apply.
What these students do not realize is that what normally takes 4-5 weeks to
process by the External Programme admissions committee can take up to two
months to process for applications received during the summer crush.
In other words, students who apply in late summer may not receive an "offer"
from the University of London until late October or mid November. Even
with this "offer", students still need to register, receive their materials
and finally order their text books. By the time these students start their
studies it could be December or even January! ICLS strongly
advises students to apply before June 30th, 2008 for the 2009 exams.
Other reasons
why students do not do well are related to their "isolation" from other
students. Distance learning is a lonely venture unless you're
connected to tutors and students.
Students simply spend too much time reading
and taking notes without applying their knowledge.
Students
attempt the LL.B. degree completely on their own and do not realize until
the exams that their benchmark for success was too low.
Career and family responsibilities also cause
time management problems for students.
Students
enrolled with ICLS can manage all of the above obstacles since we understand
the University of London degree standard and we know what it will take for
you to succeed - we've been there and that's why we're here to make sure you
succeed the first time.
Is the online
law degree an external law degree?. Is it possible for me to study from
Australia?
ICLS prepares
it's students for the University of London degree in law. There is only
"one" degree, a degree from the University of London. As such there is no
such thing as an "external degree." Yes, it is possible to study form
Australia, in fact, our online teaching program ensures that you can study
from Australia, New Zealand, Athens, Hong Kong and other locations so long
as you can connect to the internet.
Why does ICLS provide Lexis-Nexis to UOL students if the University also
provides this service?
For many students, the time
lag between the time they apply to the University of London and the time
they actually register may be as long as three months. ICLS
believes that every ICLS student should have immediate access to
Lexis Nexis.
Contact the International Admissions
Office in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA at 1-704-509-6711 or email us at
admissions@legaltutors.com
with any additional questions.
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The International Center for
Legal Studies, LLC
Suite 340
340 Cooley Street
Springfield, MA
01128
Tel. 413-301-5396
Fax. 413-328-7335
London
44-207-900-2907
New York City
(646) 417-5862
email:
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