Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Laws (BA LLB)

BALLB at Global School of Law, Kathmandu

The BALLB at Global School of Law is a five-year undergraduate law program affiliated with Purbanchal University. It combines legal education with political theory, economics, history, sociology, international relations, language, research, and clinical work.

Offered at Global School of Law in Baneshwor, Kathmandu, the program follows a yearly academic system. Students move from social science and introductory law subjects to constitutional law, international law, company law, professional ethics, advocacy, legal writing, optional subject groups, and dissertation work. Moot court exercises, supervised law clinics, internships, institutional visits, case analysis, and community outreach form part of the learning process.

BALLB course highlights

What is BALLB?

BALLB is an integrated undergraduate degree that brings arts and law subjects into one five-year course. Instead of beginning with legal subjects alone, students first study the social, political, historical, and economic settings in which laws are created and applied.

Political theory, economics, history, and sociology help students examine how institutions, communities, governments, and public policies function. Legal subjects then introduce the principles, procedures, rights, duties, institutions, and professional responsibilities connected with law.

The course gradually moves from foundational subjects to constitutional, criminal, commercial, international, administrative, and professional areas of legal study. Clinical courses are included across different years so that practical work does not remain limited to the final stage of the degree.

Affiliation and degree structure

The program is affiliated with Purbanchal University. The degree awarded after completing the prescribed course is the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws.

BALLB follows a five-year yearly structure. Each year has a defined combination of theoretical subjects, legal writing, research, clinical assignments, advocacy work, or optional courses. The fourth and fifth years provide subject-group choices in criminal law, business law, constitutional law, and environment and development law.

Eligibility for BALLB admission

Applicants should have completed 10+2 or an equivalent qualification in any stream from a recognised board.

Minimum academic requirement:

• A minimum 2.0 GPA; or

• A minimum C grade in all subjects.

Equivalent qualifications may include A-levels, Intermediate, or another recognised secondary-level qualification.

Admission process

Admission to the BALLB program involves an entrance examination conducted under Purbanchal University. Selection is made through the applicable merit process, considering entrance performance and academic records.

The admission sequence covers:

1. Submission of the application

2. Entrance examination

3. Preparation of the merit list

4. Counselling or interview where applicable

5. Verification of academic records and supporting documents

6. Final admission for selected candidates

Students are also expected to participate in the orientation process before beginning regular classes.

BALLB curriculum

The curriculum develops in stages. The first year introduces social sciences, legal concepts, and reasoning. The second year adds language, legislation, procedure, and criminal law. The third year focuses on constitutional, international, research, evidence, and professional subjects. The final two years cover specialised legal areas, advocacy, professional development, and dissertation work.

First year: Social sciences and legal foundations

The first year establishes the academic base required for later legal study.

Subjects include:

• Political Theory Thoughts

• Economics

• History of Nepal

• Sociology

• General Principles of Law

• General Concept of Law

• Theories of Logic and Legal Reasoning

• Clinical Works

Political theory introduces ideas related to governance, authority, institutions, and public life. Economics and sociology provide perspectives on markets, social relationships, inequality, and institutions. History of Nepal places legal and political development within the national setting.

General Principles of Law and General Concept of Law introduce legal ideas and terminology. Logic and legal reasoning train students to examine arguments, identify connections between facts and legal issues, and present conclusions in an organised form. Clinical Works introduces applied learning during the foundation year.

Second year: Language, legislation, procedure, and criminal law

The second year brings students closer to legal communication and formal legal processes.

Subjects include:

• Legal English

• Legal Nepali

• International Relations and Diplomacy

• Legislative Principles and Law Making Process

• Principles and Rules of Procedural Law

• Sociology of Law

• Criminal Law

• Clinical Course involving jail visits and a report on the sentencing system and reforms

Legal English and Legal Nepali address the language used in legal study and professional communication. Legislative Principles and Law Making Process examines how legislation is developed, while Procedural Law introduces the rules followed in legal proceedings.

Criminal Law covers the legal treatment of offences and responsibility. The clinical component connects this study with institutional observation through jail visits and report preparation on sentencing and reform.

Third year: Constitutional, international, and research-based study

The third year moves into constitutional structures, international legal relations, evidence, research, and professional conduct.

Subjects include:

• International Human Rights Law

• Principles of Interpretation

• Law of Evidence

• Public International Law

• Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism

• Legal Research

• Professional Ethics

• Clinical Legal Education: Effective Legal Writing in Civil Cases

• Clinical Work: Advocacy Service to Community

Principles of Interpretation examines how statutes and legal texts are read and applied. Law of Evidence concerns the treatment and presentation of evidence in legal proceedings. Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism address constitutional structures, public authority, rights, and limitations on state power.

Legal Research introduces methods used to identify legal issues, locate relevant authorities, organise findings, and develop reasoned arguments. Professional Ethics focuses on conduct and responsibility in legal work.

The civil legal writing course requires students to work with documents and arguments used in civil matters. Community advocacy extends learning beyond classroom discussion through an outreach component.

Fourth year: Commercial, administrative, and specialised law

The fourth year combines compulsory subjects with an optional subject group.

Compulsory subjects include:

• Clinical Education: Community Outreach and Rural Law Advocacy Service

• Advanced Jurisprudence

• Contract Law

• Company Law

• Administrative Law

• Clinical Legal Education: Effective Legal Writing in Criminal Cases

• Settlement of International Disputes

Jurisprudence examines the ideas and theories behind law and legal systems. Contract Law and Company Law introduce legal relationships connected with agreements and corporate activity. Administrative Law addresses the operation and legal control of public administration.

Criminal legal writing gives students structured practice in preparing documents and arguments for criminal matters. Settlement of International Disputes covers processes used to address disagreements involving international parties or legal questions.

Students also choose one optional subject group during the fourth year.

Fifth year: Advocacy, professional development, and dissertation

The fifth year concentrates on advanced legal subjects and the transition from academic study to professional legal work.

Compulsory subjects include:

• Legal Philosophy

• Agrarian Law

• Labor Law

• International Humanitarian Law and Conflict Resolution

• Conservation Law

• Private International Law

• Pre-Trial Presentation, Trial Advocacy and Appellate Advocacy

• Clinical Education: Legal Professionalism Development

• Dissertation

The advocacy course covers preparation before trial, courtroom presentation, and appellate argument. Legal Professionalism Development addresses professional conduct and working practices. The dissertation requires students to complete an extended piece of legal research.

Students continue with an optional subject group during the fifth year, allowing them to study subjects connected with their selected area.

Optional subject groups

Criminal Law group

Fourth-year subjects:

• Forensic Science and Medical Jurisprudence

• Criminology and Penology

Fifth-year subjects:

• Law against Organized Crime

• Fiscal Crime Law

This group concentrates on crime, criminal behaviour, punishment, forensic evidence, organised offences, and financial crime.

Business Law group

Fourth-year subjects:

• Banking and Insurance Law

• International Trade Law

Fifth-year subjects:

• Intellectual Property

• Taxation Law

This group addresses legal matters connected with banking, insurance, trade, intellectual property, and taxation.

Constitutional Law group

Fourth-year subjects:

• Law on Good Governance

• Electoral Law

Fifth-year subjects:

• Law of Equity, Torts and Consumer Protection

• Law on Gender and Disadvantaged Sections of Population

The group covers governance, elections, civil responsibility, consumer interests, equity, gender, and legal issues affecting disadvantaged communities.

Environment and Development Law group

Fourth-year subjects:

• Environment Law

• Water and River Law

Fifth-year subjects:

• Energy Law

• Civil Aviation and Tourism Law

This group considers laws connected with natural resources, development, energy, aviation, tourism, and environmental administration.

Teaching and learning approach

BALLB teaching at Global School of Law combines lectures with activities that require students to read, discuss, write, present, and apply legal ideas.

The academic approach includes:

• Lectures and seminars

• Guest sessions involving judges and legal professionals

• Case studies

• Term papers

• Formal presentations

• Group discussions

• Role-playing exercises

• Legal research

• Moot court and mock trial practice

• Legal drafting

• Clinical assignments

• Institutional visits

• Community outreach

• Internships

Students may be asked to defend term papers or research findings before faculty members. This process requires them to explain the legal question, organise supporting material, respond to questions, and justify their conclusions.

English is the primary medium of instruction. Legal Nepali remains a separate part of the curriculum, supporting work with legal language in the national setting.

Moot court training

Moot court practice simulates selected stages of a courtroom proceeding. Students prepare legal documents, research the issues involved, present arguments, respond to opposing positions, and take part in simulated witness examination.

These exercises give students repeated practice in:

• Legal research

• Written submissions

• Oral argument

• Fact analysis

• Courtroom procedure

• Questioning and response

• Public speaking

• Professional courtroom conduct

Judges and practising advocates may participate in moot court sessions and assess student arguments. The exercise connects legal study with the discipline required to prepare and present a case.

Law clinic and clinical education

The law clinic is supervised by practising lawyers. Students work on activities such as file study, fact-finding, issue identification, case drafting, legal reasoning, research, and simulated pleadings.

Clinic-based work also includes legal aid activities for underprivileged and marginalised communities. Students may examine legal problems, prepare research, and present their findings under supervision.

Clinical education continues through different stages of the curriculum. It includes civil and criminal legal writing, jail visits, community advocacy, rural outreach, trial preparation, appellate advocacy, and professional development.

Internships and field exposure

Students are required to undertake internships, typically with:

• Law firms

• Courts

• Government bodies

• Non-governmental organisations

• Corporate organisations

The course also includes visits to courts, prisons, and enterprises. These visits may be followed by reports or project presentations that connect institutional observation with classroom subjects.

Internships and visits expose students to case files, legal offices, institutional procedures, professional communication, and the daily organisation of legal work.

Research, writing, and dissertation

Research is present across the course rather than being confined to the final year. Students prepare term papers, case analyses, clinic reports, outreach assignments, civil and criminal legal documents, and formal presentations.

The Legal Research subject in the third year provides a structured basis for identifying research questions, examining legal authorities, organising evidence, and presenting findings.

The fifth-year dissertation brings these abilities together in an extended academic project. Students must develop a legal topic through sustained reading, analysis, writing, and presentation.

Skills developed through the program

The course provides structured opportunities to develop:

• Reading and interpreting legal texts

• Identifying legal issues from facts

• Constructing written and oral arguments

• Conducting legal research

• Drafting legal documents

• Analysing legislation and cases

• Preparing reports and term papers

• Presenting before an academic or simulated court setting

• Working in groups

• Engaging with community legal concerns

• Understanding professional ethics

• Examining law through social, political, historical, and economic perspectives

The level of skill developed depends on regular attendance, preparation, participation in practical work, research discipline, and performance throughout the five-year course.

Career and further-study directions

BALLB graduates may consider work or further preparation in areas connected with:

• Legal practice

• Law firms

• Corporate legal departments

• Legal advisory services

• Government and public institutions

• Non-governmental organisations

• Legal research

• Prosecution

• Judicial service after completing the required examinations

• Teaching and academic research after further study

Students interested in academic work may continue to an LLM and later pursue doctoral study. Entry into a specific legal role depends on the examinations, professional conditions, recruitment requirements, further qualifications, and selection procedures applicable to that role.

Who may find BALLB suitable?

BALLB may suit students who are interested in law but also want to study society, government, history, economics, public affairs, and human rights.

The course requires more than memorising legal provisions. Students need to read detailed material, compare arguments, examine facts, write regularly, speak before groups, and participate in research and practical exercises.

It may be relevant for learners who:

• Are comfortable with reading and structured writing

• Take an interest in public affairs and social issues

• Want to study legal rules alongside their wider context

• Are prepared for a five-year academic commitment

• Want exposure to legal research, advocacy, and clinical work

• Can meet the attendance and entrance requirements

• Are willing to develop both written and spoken communication