LLM: Full Form, Course, Degree, Duration, Admission, Eligibility, Fees in India 2023

What is LLM

LLM stands for Master of Legislative Laws. LLM has a comprehensive core curriculum of subjects such as Law and Social Transformation in India, Constitutionalism, Legal Research and Methodology, Judicial Process, etc. LLM courses offers several specializations such as International Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Taxation Law. The sections below will discuss more about LLM courses.

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LLM Meaning

LLM or Master of Laws is a globally recognised postgraduate degree, undertaken by students from different academic backgrounds, however, students with LLB backgrounds are given a preference. LLM degree is however ideal for candidates who are looking to develop their legal expertise in a particular component of the law.

Check: Air and Space Law Courses 

Why LLM

After graduating from a top law college, it is crucial to pursue an LLM course. An LLM course will prepare you to initiate your legal career. Mentioned below are a few of the top reasons to pursue LLM courses,

• Prepares for an International Career: LLM degrees with specialization in International Law will help students make a mark in the international forum and eventually help them make a career in the international legal domain ensuring a promising career ahead. See More: Business Law Courses
• Narrows Down Your Interests: Unlike undergraduate law courses comprising law in general, the LLM course allows you to specialize in one particular field. This eventually helps you to concentrate on the subject and give it more attention, thus making you a pro at it. Check: Consumer Law Courses
• Varied Specializations: The array of specializations that are offered in LLM courses will help students to choose their career across a wide variety of specializations such as International Law, Corporate Law, Labour Law, Human Rights etc. Check: International Law Courses
• Pursue a Career in Legal Writing & Research: Depending on the LLM specialisation, it offers you to have a career in legal research and writing by pursuing LLD after LLM. 
• Better Job Prospects: A degree in LLM will get you that salary hike and more opportunities than just a simple bachelors’ degree in law. See Also: Business Law Courses

Who Should Pursue LLM

• The required eligibility to pursue Master of Legislative Laws is, students should clear their Undergraduation in Law from a recognised University with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks, along with clearing any of the Law entrance exams like CLAT, LSAT, AILET etc.
• Students who want to pursue a career in legal writing or become professors at top law schools should consider pursuing LLM courses with LLD courses after graduation.
• Students who want to have a career in law along with a specialization should pursue LLM Course.
• Almost any student practicing law and working in the field of law can consider studying LLM Distance Education.

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LLM Specialization Subjects 

Apart from the core subjects, LLM students have to choose from the following specializations during this 2 years long course. There are several specializations such as International Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, Business Law, Labour Law etc are further bifurcated into individual subjects each dealing with its own legal intricacies.

Below mentioned table will discuss elaborately the specializations along with its branches for your reference,

LLM International Law 

LLM International Law deals with the study of laws of different countries and organizations. LLM in International Law is a highly attempted specialization in India considering its career opportunities that gives students a chance to work abroad. 

Some of the subjects taught in LLM International Law are,

• Comparative Law
• International Law and International Relations: Developments and Trends
• International Organizations
• International Dispute Resolution Bodies etc. 

ILS Law College, which is among the top colleges in India providing specialization for LLM in International Law.

LLM Corporate Law

LLM in Corporate Law is widely taught to educate students on the process of interacting with stakeholders, directors, employers and creditors. LLM Corporate law graduates can find jobs at various corporate sectors such as Law enforcement firms, and other legal firms.

Some of the subjects taught in LLM Corporate Law specializations are,

• Banking and Finance Law
• European Law of Capital Markets
• Corporate Social Responsibilities and the Law
• Financial Models and Derivatives in a Legal Context

National Law University, Jodhpur, Mahatma Gandhi Law College, Hyderabad are few of the top colleges offering LLM in Corporate Law

LLM Criminal Law 

LLM Criminal Law is for students who find it interesting to enter the world of criminal law and other dimensions. LLM Criminal law provides an opportunity for the students to deal with actions of intentional harm to individuals, which is in larger sense a threat to humanity.

The subjects taught at LLM Criminal Law are,

• Indian Penal Code
• Code of Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Jurisprudence

National Law University, Bhopal & Dr. Ambedkar Law University Chennai are the top colleges in this field

LLM Other Specializations

LLM Colleges in Kolkata

Some of the top LLM colleges in Kolkata are tabulated below along with their average fees for your reference, 

Check: Amity LLM

LLM Colleges in Mumbai

Tabulated below are some of the top LLM colleges in Mumbai along with their average fees, 

Check: LLM Mumbai University

LLM in Abroad 

LLM Abroad eligibility criteria generally varies from country to country. However the minimum eligibility requirement for pursuing LLM Abroad is, students should have cleared Bachelor of Law or LLB degree and should have also cleared either of the following entrance exams TOEFL or IELTS.

LLM in Canada 

Canada is considered as one of the top most student friendly countries, along with its high quality education methods that too in a very short amount of fees. There are also available various scholarships that international students can avail. 

The eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue LLM from Canada are enlisted below,

• Minimum 70% or a first class degree in LLB or a similar relevant course
• A valid IELTS or TOEFL score of 7 or 100 respectively. Scores could vary depending on the college cut offs
• Certain Colleges / Universities demand relevant work experience
• Research Skills and Experience count a lot when one seeks to get admitted in Colleges in Canada

Some of the top Law Colleges enrolling students for LLM are tabulated below,

LLM in UK 

The United Kingdom is the second best choice when it comes to studying abroad. There are many reputed Law colleges and Universities who offer 1 year LLM degree such as Oxford, lSE etc.

The eligibility criteria for studying LLM In United Kingdom are as follows:

• Bachelor of Law or LLB degree from a recognised University.
• Students who have secured 1st position or top positions are eligible to apply at top LLM Universities in UK.
• A minimum of 80 in TOEFL or 6.5 in IELTS entrance examination.

Some of the top universities offering LLM courses in UK are:

LLM in USA

Every year thousands of people migrate to the US in search of a job or for further studies. The US is considered as the top choice for Indian students when it comes to studying abroad. The US is home to several prestigious law colleges such as Harvard University, University of Chicago etc.

The eligibility criteria for pursuing LLM in the US are listed below:

• Bachelor of Law or LLB with minimum GPA of 3 out of 4.
• A TOEFL or IELTS score of 80 or 6.5 respectively.
• Certain colleges demand relevant work experience.

Check: Harvard LLM

Some of the top LLM colleges in US are tabulated below:

LLM: Skills Required 

Some of the top skills sets that needs to inculcated for a bright future post completing LLM courses are tabulated below,

Scope of LLM Courses

After completing an LLM course one can either start their professional career or can also choose to study further. Mentioned below are the two ways that can be chosen post completing an LLM degree

Beginning of the Professional Career: Post completing the course one can join any legal firm of start practising under the various courts in various designations as tabulated below,

Further Studies: Post completing LLM courses one can also choose to study further, like pursuing PhD in Law. There are several colleges in india offering PhD in Law such as National Law University, Banaras Hindu University, West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences etc.

Courses after LLM 

After successfully completing an LLM degree one can opt for a PhD degree in Law or LLD, also known as Doctor of Law. There are several Universities in India who offer LLD admissions such as Nalsar Hyderabad, IIT Kharagpur, NLU Jodhpur etc. 

The eligibility criteria for pursuing LLD are,

• Students should have cleared LLM with minimum 55% aggregate marks or equal CGPA
• Students should have to clear entrance exams conducted by various Universities
• Certain colleges demand some working experience before enrolling students into LLD courses

Some of the top colleges enroll students for LLD admissions are tabulated below,