Important Facts
College Vidya Team Sep 5, 2024 2.3K Reads
LLM also stands for Master of Laws also known as Latin Legum Magister. It is a postgraduate law degree that provides advanced and in-depth training in various legal topics. LLM programs allow students who have completed an undergraduate law degree (LLB or equivalent) to enhance their understanding and expertise in specific areas of law.
The program usually includes coursework, research, and may involve writing a thesis or dissertation. LLM programs offer legal professionals the opportunity to specialize in areas such as international law, human rights law, environmental law, commercial law, and more.
Eligibility to be admitted to the LLM Degree program, individuals must have completed an LLB, BA LLB, or BBA LLB degree from a recognized and accredited university. Duration of the program is a minimum of one year.
LLM is an abbreviation for "Master of Laws" that stands for Latin Legum Magister, which is a postgraduate academic degree in law. LLM is an abbreviation for "Legum Magister" in Latin, which is known as "Master of Laws" in English. Individuals who already have a basic law degree (such as an LLB or JD) and those who want to further specialize in a specific area of law or build ability in a specific legal subject generally pursue an LLM degree. Many colleges and law schools across the world offer LLM programs, which generally include coursework and, in some circumstances, research or thesis work.
People who want to specialize in a specific area of law opt for LLM. Normally, during three or five years of law school, you study over 30 different law subjects. LLM lets you focus on one area, which helps you stand out in that field. Some popular areas are Civil Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law, Company Law, Cyber Law, and Environment Law.
LLM is a must for those who want to do research or teach. To become an Assistant Professor, you need to finish LLM, pass UGC NET, and then do a PhD, following new UGC guidelines. Also, law firms often hire professionals with a degree in a specific field of law they practice in.
There are wider opportunities after completing LLM as it is a specialized degree, which offers an expert and subject-oriented curriculum.. There are many organizations like media and publishing houses, courthouses, NGOs, FMCG, real estate, consultancies, finance sector, corporate sector and international organizations like UN, UNICEF etc. which are ready to hire LLM graduates. Apart from that, an LLM graduate also has the option to venture into freelance legal practice.
Students holding an LLM degree can pursue various career paths such as
There are various advantages of completing online LLM other than jobs such as- you
The program outcomes of an LLM (Master of Laws) degree can vary depending on the program and the student's goals. However, the following are some common program outcomes or objectives of a law LLM program:
1. The goal of an LLM program is to deepen a student's understanding of the law, including its principles, theories, and concepts in a specific area of law. LLM programs allow students to specialize in a specific area of law, such as international law, human rights, tax law, environmental law, corporate law, or any other legal field of interest.
2. Students are expected to develop strong research skills, such as conducting legal research, analyzing complex legal issues, and writing scholarly papers.
3. LLM programs promote critical thinking and the ability to analyze legal issues, cases, and arguments critically.
4. Students must improve their legal writing skills, which are required for drafting legal documents, briefs, and academic papers.
5. Some LLM programs may emphasize oral advocacy in order to prepare students for legal practice in courts, arbitration, or negotiation.
You can choose from four modes-
Duration and eligibility are the same in all four modes, but the difference is that you don’t get enough convenience in regular mode and if you opt for online many advantages come along with that such as-
Area |
Regular Mode |
Online/ Distance/Part-Time Mode |
|
Flexibility |
Timings of the classes are fixed. |
You can learn at your own time, no fixed classes. |
|
Self-discipline |
Many distractions are there in the classroom |
Whereas in an online mode you can totally focus on video lectures. |
|
Affordability |
Cost of it is high due to physical infrastructure |
It cost less due to absence of physical infrastructure |
Specialisation in an LLM (Master of Laws) program is a distinct and advanced academic course that allows individuals with a basic law degree (such as an LLB or JD) to concentrate their studies on a specific area of law. This specialisation is to provide deep knowledge, expertise, and proficiency in a specific area of law. LLM specializations range from international law, human rights, environmental law, and corporate law to more specialized subjects like space law, intellectual property, and maritime law. The primary goal of specialisation in an LLM program is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the nuances, principles, and changing trends in their chosen field.
Constitutional Law |
Environmental Law |
Criminal Law |
Taxation Law |
Insurance Law |
International Trade and Business Law |
Human Rights |
Corporate Law and Governance |
The LLM course curriculum covers a wide range of topics for enhancing legal knowledge and expertise. It includes areas of expertise such as international law, constitutional law, corporate law, human rights law, environmental law, and more. The program has theoretical and practical aspects, providing in-depth exploration of legal principles, case studies, and emerging trends.
In the table below I have mentioned some core subjects of the LLM
Legal research and writing |
Intellectual property law |
International law |
Contracts and commercial law |
Corporate law |
Constitutional law |
Administration law |
Environmental law |
Criminal law and procedure |
Comparative legal system |
Candidates for an LLM (Master of Laws) programme are typically required to have a basic law degree, such as an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) or its equivalent, from a recognised institution. Most LLM programmes accept students from a variety of academic backgrounds, including graduates of both domestic and international law programmes. Furthermore, some programmes may have GPA requirements, whereas others consider relevant work experience, research, or a statement of purpose as part of the admissions process. Prospective LLM students should carefully review the program's specific eligibility requirements, as these can vary between institutions and may include language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers or additional exams.
As per the course demand and person’s pace of learning, the duration of the online LLM (Latin Legum Magister) course can bre vary. But generally it last for 3 years.
Various colleges and universities provide LLM programs with different specializations. Mostly, the National Law Universities (NLUs) offer LLM courses through the Common Law Admission Test. Additionally, various public and private institutions also offer LLM programs. Some of them I’ve mentioned below-
Name of Law School |
Ranking |
NIRF Score |
National Law School of India University,Bengaluru |
1 |
83.83 |
National Law University, Delhi |
2 |
77.48 |
NALSAR University of Law,Hyderabad |
3 |
77.05 |
The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences,Kolkata |
4 |
76.39 |
Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi |
6 |
73.12 |
Symbiosis Law School, Pune |
5 |
74.62 |
Gujarat National Law University |
8 |
69.56 |
Siksha `O` Anusandhan,Bhubaneswar |
9 |
65.40 |
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur |
7 |
71.47 |
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University,Lucknow |
10 |
64.96 |
For LLM Admission in 2024, most top colleges use entrance exams. They consider scores from national or university-level entrance exams that candidates take.
Here's a list of entrance exams for LLM Admission 2024. Most law colleges use these exams for admission. You can take national, state, or university-level exams to apply for LLM Admission in 2024
CLAT |
AP PGLCET |
AP LAWCET |
AILET |
LSAT |
DU LLM Entrance Exam |
Since LLM entrance exams are at the graduate level, the syllabus tends to be quite similar. The questions are typically drawn from common subjects studied during LLB programs. Below are some of the topics commonly covered in the LLM entrance exam syllabus.
To qualify in LLM entrance exams, one should study both graduate-level law books and stay updated with legal current affairs. Here are key tips for LLM entrance exam preparation:
Completing an LLM programme opens up different career opportunities in law and related fields. Graduates can pursue careers as legal specialists, consultants, or advisors in areas such as international law, corporate law, human rights, and environmental law. In law firms and corporations, LLM holders mostly earn higher salaries quickly. They also pursue academic careers, such as teaching and conducting legal research. To address complex issues, governments, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations all require advanced legal experts. Completing an LLM broadens career opportunities, provides leadership, and allows for meaningful contributions.
While doing your LLM, it's good to do training and internships at top companies. This helps you learn practical skills like researching, writing legal documents, negotiating, and advising. If you don't have experience, you can do internships during breaks to build these skills.
If you want to teach, you should write research papers, attend seminars, and conferences. It's also helpful to pass UGC NET/JRF to be eligible for a Ph.D.
For those who want a job in the professional field, knowing all about their specialty and understanding national and international rules is crucial. They also need the right qualifications to practice law.
In simple words, do internships, gain practical skills, and know your specialization well to find a job after your LLM.
UG & PG Programs Details Guide 2024 |
|
LLM graduates have a wide range of job options in India. They can apply for various roles that match their specialization. The average salary for LLM graduates is around INR 8 -15 lakhs per year, depending on their job and industry.
LLM graduates can also work as freelance lawyers, partner with companies.
Pursuing an online LLM offers expert expertise, global recognition and cutting-edge career prospects. It fosters networking, sharpens critical analysis, and equips graduates for a variety of legal roles. Acquired interdisciplinary skills, along with personal growth, contribute to lifelong learning and impactful contributions to legal reform and social issues.
One more good thing about pursuing Online LLM is once you get in-depth knowledge of your field that actually increases your pay scale.
An Online LLM can provide a global perspective. It is internationally recognized, allowing you to explore career opportunities in different countries and work with different legal systems. This can be especially valuable in an increasingly interconnected world.
Degree |
Bachelors |
Full Form |
Master of LAWS. |
Duration |
Minimum - 1 Year, maximum - 2 years |
Course Eligibility |
Applicant must have passed from a recognized university |
Average Fees |
Fees depend upon the university you choose, but the starting fee is Rs. 19000 - Rs. 40000. |
Job Roles |
Magistrate, Criminal Lawyer, Legal Officer, Corporate Lawyer |
Mode of learning |
Online and distance/ part time and regular. |
Average salary |
For experienced professionals, the salary range typically starts from INR 6 LPA to 12 LPA. |
The salary of an LLM graduate depends on their job. On average, they earn around 4 to 12 LPA.
Yes, you can earn a degree in LLM while working.
Yes, if you want to gain more knowledge and if you want a hike in your salary.
Applicants who want to apply for the course must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in the legal sector such as LLB or JD.
No, because there are many universities which offer direct admissions but one thing to be kept in mind is that the university you choose for yourself should be recognised by the UGC.
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