LLM: Full Form, Course, Degree, Admission, Duration, Colleges, Jobs, Salary

LLM  full form is Latin Legum Magister. It is a 2-year PG degree course to pursue specialization in the field of law. Master of Laws include many specializations such as corporate law, international law, criminal law, and more. It helps to acquire detailed knowledge about the law through research and practice.

LLM eligibility criteria requires students to complete LLB/BA.LLB/BBA.LLB/BSc.LLB with minimum 50-60% aggregate from a recognized university. LLM admission 2024 is based on different national and state-level law entrance exams, namely CLAT, LSAT India, AILET, etc. Some colleges/universities conduct their own law entrance exam like SLAT. LLM course duration in India is primarily 2 years. However, the duration may vary in other countries.

As per NIRFs Rankings, the top LLM Colleges in India are NLSIU Bangalore, National Law University Delhi, Symbiosis Law School, NALSAR Hyderabad, etc. LLM Course fee on an average range between INR 1- 4 lac. Interested aspirants can also take up LLM in Abroad in popular countries like Canada, UK, USA. Students can even avail scholarships like Aditya Birla Group Scholarship, The Felix Scholarship, etc. to study LLM in Abroad. View more: Top LLM Government Colleges in India

The LLM Syllabus includes several topics like Law and Social Transformation in India, Judicial Process, International Trade Law, etc. LLM Specializations available to law students are Civil law, corporate law, criminal law, tax law, international law, and more.

After completing LLM, students can either opt for an M. Phil or Ph.D or find employment. Those interested in employment opportunities can work in LLM jobs such as Advocate, Legal Advisor, Solicitor, Judge, Notary Public, etc. The average salary after LLM in India can range between INR 4-10 LPA.

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LLM Course: Interesting Facts

• Most countries do not require lawyers to hold an LLM and there are many people who don’t prefer to have an LLM degree.
• Merely LLM degree holders are not eligible to practise law.
• Candidates are required to acquire a professional degree in law like LLB in India and United Kingdom or Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the United States and pass the bar exam or equivalent exam in other countries to practise law.
• LLB or JD educate students about the fundamental skills and knowledge required to become a lawyer. Candidates who want to gain expertise in a particular specialized domain like corporate, international, or civil law can pursue LLM program.

LLM Course Details

What is LLM?

LLM full form is Latin Legum Magister, which means Master of Laws. As per Latin, a letter is repeated to shorten the plural form of a word. Therefore, “LL” suggests “laws.” Then, “Legum” is the possessive plural form of the Latin word lex, meaning “specific laws”. “Magister” is taken from the word “magis”, which means master or teacher.

It is a two-year postgraduate program in the domain of law. Students who have completed LLB (Bachelor of Law) and wants to pursue higher studies and specializations in law opt for LLM degree. LLM course is structured around the trademark laws of India. Besides, the course also imparts education on the international agreements, conventions, and treaties. There are a wide variety of specializations available in LLM, including those in corporate law, criminal law, international law, and tax law.

Who should pursue LLM?

• Students must have completed their undergraduate degree in law from an accredited university with a minimum aggregate 60% scorecard in order to pursue a Master of Laws degree. In addition, they must have passed any of the law entrance tests, such as CLAT, LSAT, AILET, etc.
• After graduation, students who desire to work in legal writing or become teachers at prestigious law schools can opt for LLD and LLM courses.
• Students who want to specialize and build a career in in law must enroll in an LLM degree program.
• Anyone who is working in the domain of law may think about pursuing LLM course to increase their knowledge and prospects.

Why pursue LLM Course?

There are various reasons why students pursue Master of Laws or LLM degree. Some of the common reasons are:

To prepare for an international career: LLM degrees with specialization in International Law facilitate students to make a mark for themselves in the international forum. Furthermore, it helps them to establish a career in the international legal field, ensuring a promising future in the domain.

To work in your area of interest: While undergraduate legal courses provide you fundamental knowledge of law, which is general in nature; the LLM course gives you the opportunity to concentrate in a particular area of law. This gradually enables you to focus more on a particular subject, thus making you an expert in it.

Specializations: With a wide variety of specializations in law, students can choose their career in any field such as international law, corporate law, labor law, human rights, etc.

To take up a job in Legal Writing & Research: As per the preferences and areas of interests, students have the option to pursue LLD after LLM and build a career in legal research and writing.

Better Job & Salary Prospects: As compared to LLB, LLM offers better job opportunities and salary packages.

Find out the best colleges to pursue Master of Law or LLM Course in your own city:

Find out the best colleges to pursue Master of Law or LLM Course your own state:

LLM: Eligibility

• Students with law degree such as LLB/BA LLB from a recognized university are eligible to apply for LLM course program.
• Since different universities have different criteria, there may be a minimum eligibility score required.
• Students must have acquired a minimum of 55% aggregate marks at the graduation level in order to meet the requirements shared by these universities to be admitted to LLM course.
• Students must be 17 years or above to be eligible to Master of Laws degree.

LLM: Entrance Exams

Students who want to enrol in LLM courses must pass the admission exam for the Master of Laws.  The results of the entrance exam and interview conducted by the individual Universities are used to determine admission to LLM courses. There are a number of LLM entrance exams conducted at national as well as state-level including CLAT, AILET, IPU CET, BHU UET, and others.

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LLM: Entrance Exam Preparation

One must prepare for the many LLM Entrance exams that are held by numerous colleges and institutes in order to enrol in an LLM degree programme. Here is the list of preparation tips that one can follow to successfully pass the LLM entrance exams.

Start Early: Considering the most recent revisions to the LLM Entrance Exam Syllabus, where the course structure has grown more complex and time-consuming, every student should be aware of the ideal time to begin studying for LLM Entrance Examinations. Therefore, it is advised that all LLM candidates who want to pursue this profession dedicate six months to their studies in advance.

Subject Analysis: The subjects should be able to be analysed in terms of importance. Significant subjects like constitutional law, advanced jurisprudence, international law, etc. should be given more attention than less important areas.

Keep Up to Date: While preparing for LLM Entrance Exams, one should be aware about the current events. Students must stay updated with the latest innovations to cover syllabus and topics accordingly.

LLM: Admission Process

To get admission into the LLM degree course at the top legal schools in India, candidates must appear for the relevant entrance exams. Mostly, the entrance exams are objective, that is MCQ-based, However, in some cases, there may be a few subjective questions.

• The LLM admissions are based on the national as well as state-level LLM entrance exams.
• The results of the entrance exam are used to select the candidates.
• Shortlisted students are called for counselling sessions and colleges are assigned to them.

LLM Syllabus

The vast LLM syllabus include a wide variety of topics related to law. From fundamental human rights to international trade laws, all the topics are covered under the scope of law. While the LLM syllabus may vary from college to college, there are some common aspects shared by all. Given below is the main syllabus covered in LLM  to give you a glimpse of what you can expect to study under the LLM course:

LLM Subjects

Given below is the detailed list of LLM subjects covered under each LLM specializations:

LLM Recommended Books

Here is a list of the best books that students can refer to study LLM in India:

LLM Specializations List

As a part of the two-year LLM degree program, students have to choose a particular specialization as per their area of interest. Here is a list of LLM specializations from which students can select a niche to acquire expertise:

• LLM in Civil Law
• LLM in Tax Law
• LLM in Criminal Law
• LLM in Corporate Law
• LLM in Commercial Law
• LLM in International Law
• LLM in Labour Law
• LLM in Real Estate Law
• LLM in Patent Law
• LLM in Property Law
• LLM in Mergers and Acquisition Law
• LLM in Banking Law
• LLM in Constitutional Law
• LLM in Consumer Law
• LLM in Cyber Law
• LLM in Family Law
• LLM in Telecommunications Law, and so on.

Note: The choice of LLM specializations may vary as per the college or university.

LLM Specializations in Detail

LLM International Law

LLM International Law focuses on the investigation of legal systems from other nations and organisations. Given the job options that allow students to work overseas, the LLM in International Law is a highly sought-after speciality in India. The major subjects taught in LLM International Law include Comparative Law, International Law and International Relations: Developments and Trends, International Organizations, International Dispute Resolution Bodies etc.

The best college for pursuing LLM in International Law is ILS Law College. LLM course fees at this college is INR INR 2,00,000.

LLM Corporate Law

Many universities offer courses in LLM in Corporate Law to teach students how to communicate with stakeholders, directors, employers, and creditors. Graduates of the LLM Corporate law programme can find employment in a number of corporate sectors, including law enforcement agencies and other legal firms. The major subjects taught in LLM Corporate Law include Banking and Finance Law, European Law of Capital Markets, Corporate Social Responsibilities and the Law, Financial Models and Derivatives in a Legal Context, etc.

To pursue a LLM in Corporate Law, National Law University, Jodhpur and Mahatma Gandhi Law College, Hyderabad is two of the best colleges. The average LLM course fees in these colleges are INR 3,00,000.

LLM Criminal Law

Many universities offer courses in LLM in Corporate Law to teach students how to communicate with stakeholders, directors, employers, and creditors. Graduates of the LLM Corporate law programme can find employment in a number of corporate sectors, including law enforcement agencies and other legal firms. The major subjects taught in LLM Criminal Law include Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Criminal Jurisprudence, etc.

The top two colleges to pursue LLM in criminal law are National Law University, Bhopal and Dr. Ambedkar Law University Chennai with an average course fee of INR 3,00,000.

Top LLM Colleges in India (NIRF’s Rankings)

The top LLM colleges in India based on the NIRF’s rankings. Also, know about the college/university, eligibility, admissions, and relevant details about the institute to pursue a degree in Master of Laws.

National Law School of India University

National Law School of India University (often known as NLSIU or just NLS) is a public law school located in Bangalore, Karnataka. It was one of the first institutions in India to offer the five-year integrated undergraduate law degree, postgraduate law degree, and doctorate law degree. It was also the country’s first National Law University.

National Law University, Delhi

National Law University, Delhi (or NLUD) is a National Law University in India located in Dwarka district of New Delhi. Built on the Bar Council of India’s five-year law degree model, it is one of India’s national law schools.  According to the National Law University Act of 2007, the Chief Justice of India serves as the university’s visitor, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi serves as its chancellor, with the vice-chancellor serving as the institution’s chief administrator.

Symbiosis Law School

In 1977, the Symbiosis Law school was founded under the name Symbiosis Society. It is registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1950 and the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Moreover, it is a principal college of Symbiosis International University.

Nalsar University of Law

NALSAR refers to the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research. It is a public law school and National Law University located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was one of the first colleges to provide the five-year combined undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in law. The school is known for its highly competitive admissions.

The West Bengal National University of Juridicial Sciences

The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS or NUJS), also known as Columbia of East and a National Law University, is a top public law school in India located in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was ranked second by India Today and fourth by the National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2021 among law schools in India. The Chief Justice of India is the chancellor and in charge of this university.

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Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

IIT or Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur is a public research university located in Kharagpur, West Bengal. It was founded by the Indian government. Established in 1951, the institute is the first of the IITs to be established and recognised as an Institute of National Importance. The Government of India granted it the title of Institute of Eminence in 2019.

Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Jamia Millia Islamia is a central university located in New Delhi, India. Originally established at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India during the British Raj in 1920, it moved to its current location in Okhla in 1935. In 1962, it was given the deemed status by University Grants Commission (UGC). On 26 December 1988, it became a central university.

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Gujarat National Law University

The Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) is a public law school and a National Law University that was founded in in accordance with the Gujarat National Law University Act, 2003. The law states that the Chief Justice of India or a Senior Supreme Court Judge shall be the Visitor of the University.

Siksha `O` Anusandhan

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) is a private, deemed university situated in Odisha, India. The institution has about 15,000 students and nine schools and colleges that provide degrees. Law, engineering, medical, pharmacy, business, nursing, biotechnology, science, humanities, environment, etc are a few of the many of SOA’s programmes that are nationally approved.

National Law University, Jodhpur

The National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ) is a public law school and a National Law University. It was established under the National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ) Act, 1999 passed by the Rajasthan State Legislature. The university was founded to enhance instruction, research, and learning in the study of law. It is one of India’s independent law schools.

LLM: Distance Education

Students can choose the LLM Distance Courses if they are unable to enrol in a regular LLM course. Master of Laws course duration may be between 1 to 3 years. The admission criteria for LLM Distance Education are primarily based on score obtained in the qualifying examination or in the LLB degree. However, some colleges may take an admission exam.

In terms of career aspects, students can choose to practise law or work as a legal professional in law firms and consultancies. The average salary may range between INR 5–12 LPA or more based on the candidate’s interview performance, problem-solving abilities, experience, and legal knowledge.

LLM in Abroad

While the basic eligibility criteria for LLM course in abroad may vary from one country to another, there are some common points. Students must have completed a Bachelor of Laws or LLB degree in order to pursue an LLM abroad, and they must also have passed one of the following entrance exams: the TOEFL or IELTS.

LLM in Canada

With its high-quality education systems and low tuition costs, Canada is regarded as one of the topmost student-friendly country. Additionally, Canada offers scholarships to students from abroad. Learn more about pursuing Master of Laws course in Canada:

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue LLM in Canada:

• Students must have a minimum 70% aggregate score or a first-class LLB degree or similar relevant course degree
• Students must have a valid score in of 7 in IELTS or 100 in TOEFL. The score may vary as per college requirements.
• Some universities and colleges require relevant work experience.
• For students seeking admissions in LLM in Canada, research abilities and experience are quite important.

Top colleges for LLM in Canada are mentioned below:

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• York University

LLM in UK

UK is a good choice for students wanting to pursue higher studies in abroad. In UK, many colleges and universities like Oxford, LSE, etc offer LLM degree course for a duration of 1 year.

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue LLM in UK:

• Students must have a LLB or Bachelor of Law degree from a recognized university
• Students must have a valid score in of 6.5 in IELTS or 80 in TOEFL.

Top colleges for LLM in UK are mentioned below:

• University of Oxford
• London School of Economics(LSE)
• King’s College London
• University of Edinburgh
• Queen Mary University of London

LLM in USA

Thousands of people move to the US in pursuit of employment or higher education every year. When it comes to studying abroad, the US is regarded as the top choice for Indian students. Many famous law schools, like Harvard University, the University of Chicago, and others, are located in the US.

Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue LLM in USA:

• Students must have an LLB or Bachelor of Laws degree with a minimum of 3 out of 4 GPA.
• Students must have a valid score of 6.5 in IELTS or 80 in TOEFL
• Some colleges and universities may require relevant work experience.

Top colleges for LLM in USA are mentioned below:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• University of Chicago

LLM Course Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Master oa Laws applicants at both national as well as international level. While there are many scholarships available for LLM study in abroad for Indian students, there are many private colleges in India that offer LLM scholarships. This sections all the LLM scholarships that the applicants must know about:

• Aditya Birla Group Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
• The Felix Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarship
• Fulbright Nehru’s Master Scholarship
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
• The Schwarzman Scholarship
• K.C Mahindra Scholarship
• J.N Tata Endowment

LLM: Skills Required

Given below are the essential skills required to commit to LLM degree:

Scope After LLM Course

Once students have completed their LLM courses, they may choose either of the two options- further studies or professional job. While most students prefer to take up a job after LLM, some may opt for higher studies options. Let us know about both the options in detail.

Courses After LLM

Post LLM degree, students can choose to pursue courses like:

• M.Phil.
• PhD
• LLD (Doctor of Law) degree

Eligibility Criteria for M.Phil.

• Candidates must have a postgraduate degree in law from a recognized institution.
• For general applicants, the minimum aggregate score must be 50% and for SC/ST/OBC candidates, it must be 45%. The minimum aggregate score may vary from college to college.
• Candidates must pass in the university-based entrance exam or common entrance exam.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD:

• Candidates must have academic excellence and at least 5-10 years of teaching experience in the domain of law.
• Candidates who have achieved a minimum of 50% aggregate in LLM from a recognized university are also eligible for PhD program.

Eligibility Criteria for LLD or Doctor or Law program:

• Candidates must have completed LLM with 55% aggregate or equal CGPA from a recognized university.
• Candidates must have passed the entrance exams organized by several universities.
• Some colleges also demand work experience for admission in LLD courses.

LLM: Jobs and Salary

Those candidates who want to practice law can begin their career with different job prospects. It must be noted that the candidates must clear the All-India Bar Exam (AIBE) to practice law in India. Given below are the list of career options after completing LLM degree:

Advocate: The most common practice after LLM is being an advocate. This profile requires you to conduct detailed research to compile factual information and physical evidence supporting their claim. Drafting contracts and reviewing are some of the other roles and responsibilities of an advocate.

Average Salary: INR 3.4 LPA

Legal Advisor: Candidates who choose to work in this job profile are also lawyers with specialization in a particular area of law. Both governments and big companies frequently employ legal advisors. The main responsibility includes to protect their clients from any potential legal implication or consequence.

Average Salary: INR 4.3 LPA

Solicitor: Those candidates who work in this profile typically specialises in a particular field of law, such as criminal, tax, family, or property. They offer legal advice to both private as well as government organizations.

Average Salary: INR 10 LPA

Judge: Judge is one of the most reputed profiles in the field of law. As part of this job profile, you have to make sure that justice is carried out and that the legal rights of all parties concerned are protected. Trials and hearings are presided over by judges, who hear the arguments made by the attorneys.

Average Salary: INR 5.4 LPA

Notary Public: The central government employs people in this role either for the entire nation or a particular region. Only candidates who have worked as a lawyer for at least 10 years are qualified to apply for a notary position. They are assigned the roles and responsibilities to verify, authenticate or attest an instrument’s execution. Other roles and responsibilities include the translation or verification of translation from one language to another, to accept affidavit from people, etc. If required, notary may be asked to act as arbitrator, mediator, conciliator, or commissioner to record evidence in civil/criminal case.

Average Salary: INR 4 LPA

Oath Commissioners: The Chief Justice appoints the oath commissioner, who becomes the authoritative body to verify affidavits. Among other roles and responsibilities, they draft affidavits to ensure the evidence is in written form, enquire if the concerned person has read the draft affidavit and completely comprehends the content, make the person swear that the affidavit is true and verify the same.

Average Salary: INR 1.8 LPA

LLM: Top Recruiters

Here is a list of the top law firms that hire Master of Legislative Laws degree holders:

• Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
• Khaitan & Co.
• AZB & Partners
• Trilegal India
• S & R Associates
• Desai & Dewanji
• J Sagar And Associates