What is the difference between a solicitor and a law graduate: what can you do with each qualification?

What does it mean to be a law graduate?

Being a law graduate means you have completed the four-year official university curriculum and have earned the 240 ECTS credits that certify your legal training. It is the first requirement on the path to practising as a lawyer, but it is neither the only one nor sufficient on its own.

It is important to understand what this qualification entitles you to from a legal perspective: it certifies you as a professional with legal training, opens the door to competitive examinations and roles in the business and institutional sectors, and allows you to enrol on a qualifying Master’s degree.

If you completed the pre-Bologna degree programme, your qualification is a ‘Licenciado en Derecho’, comprising five years of study. For practical purposes, the distinction between a ‘Graduado’ and a ‘Licenciado’ makes no difference to the path to practising law: both require the same master’s degree, the same examination and the same registration with the Bar to practise.

What has changed compared to previous generations is that, prior to 2011, many ‘licenciado’ graduates were admitted to the bar directly without needing to take any further steps. That route no longer exists. Today, without the Master’s degree and without passing the state examination, it is not possible to practise law, regardless of the year in which you completed your degree.

If you are still considering whether to study a Bachelor’s degree in Law or specialise directly in the legal profession, it may help you first to understand the difference between Law and the legal profession as disciplines.

What can you do with a Bachelor’s degree in Law without being a solicitor?

Quite a lot. The degree opens doors to roles where legal knowledge is essential but a licence to practise is not a requirement.

The most common is that of an in-house legal adviser in companies. Overseeing contracts, managing regulatory compliance or liaising with external law firms are tasks that do not require membership of the Bar and which many law graduates carry out throughout their careers. Similarly, there is growing demand for legal consultancy and specialised compliance roles across all types of organisations.

Another very solid route is sitting competitive examinations for positions in the state’s legal services: the judiciary, notarial service, Land Registry or State Legal Service. Each has its own selection process, but in all cases a law degree is the entry requirement.

In all these career paths, you can begin practising from day one without any additional mandatory steps.

If you’d like to explore the full range of career opportunities available to Law graduates, take a look at this article.

What can’t you do without a law degree?

Without a qualifying law degree, you are prohibited from representing clients in court, signing court documents or acting as a court-appointed lawyer. Only registered lawyers may:

• Represent and defend their clients before Spanish courts and tribunals.
• Sign legally valid court documents(claims, appeals, statements of defence).
• Act as a court-appointed lawyer, providing free legal aid to those who cannot afford a lawyer.
• Legally use the title ‘lawyer’ when dealing with clients and in their professional capacity.

A law graduate who attempts to carry out these functions without being a member of the Bar would be guilty of unauthorised practice of the profession, an offence defined in Article 403 of the Spanish Criminal Code.

What officially makes you a lawyer in Spain?

To become a lawyer in Spain, you must complete four steps: a university degree in Law, an Official Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Representation, the State Examination, and registration with the relevant Bar Association.

This pathway is regulated by Law 34/2006 of 30 October on access to the professions of Lawyer and Court Agent, and its implementing regulations (Royal Decree 64/2023).

Step 1: The Bachelor’s Degree in Law

The starting point. You need an official university degree in Law or an equivalent qualification recognised in Spain. Without it, you cannot proceed to the next steps.

Step 2: The Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Representation (90 ECTS)

This is the key element that most students underestimate. After completing your undergraduate degree, you must undertake an Official Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession comprising a minimum of 90 ECTS credits. This programme consists of two main components:

• Theoretical and practical training (~60 ECTS): procedural skills, professional ethics, negotiation techniques, drafting of legal documents and mock trials.
• Supervised external placements (~30 ECTS): in law firms, courts, legal advice services or institutions linked to the justice system.

The Master’s programme is not a continuation of your undergraduate degree: it is a course specifically geared towards professional practice. Here you will learn what your undergraduate degree does not teach you, such as how to address a judge, negotiate with the opposing party or manage a real case from start to finish.

The UAX Online Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Practice is designed to give you exactly that: 100% practical training with practising legal professionals, delivered online so that you can balance it with work or other commitments.

Step 3: The State Examination

The bar exam is a multiple-choice test comprising 75 questions, held annually by the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Courts. It assesses legal knowledge, practical scenarios and ethical issues. The final result is ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ and is determined by weighing up your master’s degree results against your exam mark.

The failure rate for this exam is significant, which means that specific preparation is crucial. The UAX Bar Exam Preparation Course offers you a systematic review organised into modules, mock exams with real multiple-choice questions, and strategic guidance to maximise your chances of success.

Step 4: Registration with the Bar

Once you have obtained your certificate of competence, you must register as a practising member with the Bar Association of the province where you have your professional address. Registration with the Bar is compulsory, and from that point onwards you may practise throughout the country.

What is the difference between a lawyer, a graduate and a law graduate? Summary table

Is it worth doing a Master’s if you already have a job as a legal adviser?

Yes, a law degree broadens your profile and scope of practice, even if you’re already working as a legal adviser in a company. Many organisations particularly value having registered lawyers on their teams, both for the roles they can take on and for the credibility this brings with clients, partners and public authorities.

The online version of the UAX Master’s in Law and Legal Practice is designed for professionals who are already in work: you can progress at your own pace, access the content at any time and balance your studies with your work commitments without compromising on the quality of your education or your practical training.

Frequently asked questions about the difference between a solicitor and a law graduate

Can I call myself a lawyer with just a Bachelor’s degree in Law?

No. The use of the term ‘lawyer’ is legally reserved for those who have completed the full qualifying pathway: bachelor’s degree, official master’s degree, state examination and bar admission. Using it without meeting these requirements may be considered misleading advertising or unauthorised practice of the profession.

How long does the Master’s in Law and Legal Practice last?

The Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Practice comprises a minimum of 90 ECTS credits, which is equivalent to approximately one full academic year of full-time study, or two academic years of part-time or blended learning.

When is the bar exam held?

The State Bar Examination is held annually by the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Courts. The exact dates are published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) several months in advance.

What happens if I fail the bar exam?

You can sit the exam again in subsequent sessions without having to repeat the Master’s degree. There is no limit on the number of attempts, which allows you to take more time to prepare until you achieve a ‘Pass’ result.

Is it possible to practise as a lawyer in Spain with a foreign degree?

Yes, but the foreign university qualification must be officially recognised or accredited in Spain. Once recognised, you must follow the same path as any Spanish graduate: an official Master’s degree, the State examination and registration with the Bar Association.

What is the difference between admission to the bar and admission to the legal representation profession?

Since the reform of Law 34/2006 by Law 15/2021, the training required to practise as a lawyer and as a legal representative has been unified into a single qualifying Master’s degree. This means that, with the same programme, you can qualify to practise as a lawyer, as a legal representative, or as both, depending on the specialism you choose within the master’s degree.

How long does the entire process take, from completing your undergraduate degree to becoming a member of the bar?

Taking into account the master’s degree (usually one academic year), exam preparation and the registration procedures, the process usually takes between one and two years from the completion of your bachelor’s degree, depending on your pace of study and the exam session.

Conclusion: the undergraduate degree is the starting point, not the destination

If your aim is to defend clients in court, the path is clear: a qualifying master’s degree, the State Bar Examination and registration with the Bar. These are the three steps that separate a law graduate from a practising solicitor. The sooner you start them, the sooner you’ll be able to practise.

And if you’re looking for a programme that truly prepares you for that leap, the UAX Online Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Practice, combined with the Bar Exam Preparation Course, is the most comprehensive and flexible option available.

Sources:

• Law 34/2006 of 30 October on access to the professions of lawyer and court agent. Official State Gazette.
• Law 15/2021 of 23 October on access to the professions of lawyer and court solicitor. Official State Gazette.
• Royal Decree 64/2023 of 8 February, approving the Regulations implementing Law 34/2006. Official State Gazette.
• Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Parliaments. Information on the professional aptitude assessment test for entry into the legal profession.
• General Council of the Spanish Bar. Requirements for practising as a lawyer. abogacia.es