Before beginning an online law program with a foreign institution, make sure it will be recognized locally.
Distance learning law programs exist around the world for students who wish to obtain a bachelor of laws (LLB) degree, a certificate in law or a diploma in law. Options for doctoral degrees also exist, depending on the institution. Students who do not reside or plan to reside in the country where the degree is issued should make sure that the degree will be recognized by their local law associations and agencies.
University of London
Previously called the University of London External System, the university has changed its name to University of London International Programmes. The University of London's distance learning program was established in 1858 as a correspondence school for students outside of Britain. It currently offers a bachelor of laws and diploma in law. Students who already hold an undergraduate degree can complete the LLB in two years. The diploma of law can be used to satisfy the first four courses of the LLB degree and give students entry into the LLB program.
The Information Centre
University of London
Stewart House
32 Russell Square
London
WC1B 5DN
+44 (0) 20 7862 8360
londoninternational.ac.uk
University of South Africa
The University of South Africa (UNISA) is South Africa's oldest university and its first institute of distance learning. UNISA's School of Law is the biggest in Africa with over 30,000 students. Over nine departments, the university offers an undergraduate LLB degree and three postgraduate degrees. UNISA also offers over 20 certificate programs in law, including Women and the Law, Street Law and Copyright Law. Because the program is so large, each department, degree and certificate program has different admissions requirements and course structures.
P.O. Box 392
UNISA
0003
+27 11 670-9000
unisa.ac.za
Open University
The Open University is a British institution established in the 1960s and consisting completely of online programs. OU's Centre for Law offers an LLB degree that is recognized as a qualifying law degree by the Law Society and Bar Standards Board, which means that students satisfy the first stage of the three required stages of training in England and Wales. From there, students move on to the Vocational and Professional stages. Students wishing to study law at OU should be aware that its LLB is not recognized as a qualifying law degree outside of England and Wales.
Open University
P.O. Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 845 300 60 90
open.ac.uk
University of Liverpool
England's University of Liverpool offers distance learning programs in conjunction with Laureate Online Education. At its law school, students can pursue a degree in international business law, international finance and banking law or technology and intellectual property law. All three degrees follow a similar course structure. Six core modules and two electives must be completed, followed by a dissertation. Except for the first module, which runs for nine weeks, all courses last for eight weeks and are taken one at a time.
Laureate Online Education B.V.
De Entree 59-67
1101 BH Amsterdam Z.O.
The Netherlands
877-256-1937
uol.ohecampus.com
Tags: University London, distance learning, South Africa, bachelor laws, degree certificate