LLM International Law Syllabus, Colleges, Admission, Eligibility, Exams, Jobs, Salary 2023

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Ahana Bhaduri

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LLM International Law is a 1 or 2-year course that covers the specifics of international law. It is the second most popular LLM specialization available in India.

The main topics covered in this course include Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law with a focus on the Trans-national aspects of each topic. 

The admission process and the eligibility criteria for the LLM International Law course are different in every college. The students need to score an aggregate of at least 50% marks in their undergraduate course in Law to seek admission to this program.

Admission to this program will be done either on the basis of merit or on the basis of marks obtained by students in the entrance exam such as CLAT, AILET etc.  

The average annual course fee for the LLM International law usually ranges between INR 50,000 and INR 5,00,000. After completing this course, the postgraduates will be able to find work in various sectors like Banks, Legal Firms, International Organizations etc. 
The average salary earned by the LLM International Law degree holder is around INR 3,00,000 to 10,00,000 annually. The students will be able to find work as Government official, Courts officer, Academics Researcher/Teacher, Corporate Lawyer etc. after completing this course. 

After completion of LLM International course, one can opt to enroll in PhD in International Law, PhD Criminology, LLD etc. 

Also check top LLD Colleges in India.

LLM International Law Course Highlights

Some of the major highlights of the LLM International Law course have been tabulated below.

Course Level Postgraduate
Full-Form LLM in International Law
Duration 1-2 years
Examination type Semester
Eligibility Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university. 
Admission Process Merit/ Entrance-Based followed by Interview
Entrance Exams CLAT/ AILET/ AP PGLCET/ LSAT/ MH CET LAW
Average Fees INR 50,000, - 5,00,000
Average Salary INR 3,00,000 - 10,00,000
Top Recruiters Law Firms, MNCs, Government Organizations, International Legal Bodies
Job Positions International Lawyer, Corporate Lawyer, Diplomat, Ambassador, Policy Advisor, Legal Advisor, Mediator

LLM International Law: What is it about?

Information and details about the LLM International Law course are as follows.

What is LLM International LAW ?

  • LLM International Law is a postgraduate course that specializes in all aspects of International Law. 
  • The main topics covered under the 2/ 4 semesters of this course include both International Law in relation to the Indian as well as in a global sense.
  • In reference to the Indian judicial system, the course covers topics such as Law and Social Transformation in India, Indian Constitutional Law
  • In reference to the current global climate topics such as International Relations and Law of Treaties, International Human Rights, and World Trade Law are taught.
  • Graduates of this course will have opportunities in a cross-section of fields whether it be Corporate or Business Law through various MNCs, Trade Law through International Trade Organizations, or Human Rights Law through Refugee or Migrant Law. 
  • Depending on the Institute the program may be solely composed of coursework, while some may include a research/thesis paper in the final semester.

There are a variety of excellent reasons to pursue this course, some of them are detailed below:

  • LLM International Law in India is currently one of the most lucrative legal specializations for Postgraduate students. It is the second most popular stream chosen by those pursuing a career in Law.
  • Due to the rapid growth of the MNCs and International companies in India, graduates of this course are highly sought after in the current economic climate. 
  • Another common reason why candidates choose to pursue this specialization is due to the rising political tension between global nations currently. 
  • There is also a demand for lawyers who are well versed in International Law and Jurisprudence, Multinational Treaties, and Transnational Relations. 
  • Graduates of this course will in addition to the aforementioned, also be equipped to handle various International Human Rights issues. This is beneficial in the face of the Immigrant and Refugee Crises currently being faced by several Nations in the world. 
  • As the world is becoming increasingly Globalized it is imperative that nations be equipped with the intellectual capital to handle the changes in Trade and Tax systems.
  • Whether the chosen course is for 1 or 2 years, the knowledge and practical skill gained by graduates of this course will aid them in their progress of a successful career in International Law.
  • Aspirants who intend on pursuing a career in the Indian Civil Service have much to gain through this course. It is an excellent stepping stone before attempting the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) exam.
  • The LLM International Law salary package ranges between INR 3,00,000 and 10,00,000 annually. The salary largely depends on the job profile for which they have been appointed.

What is the LLM International Law Admission Process?

Admission to the course is usually based on the score obtained by a candidate in an entrance exam. Some of the major all India entrance exams conducted for this purpose  are CLAT, AILET, AP PGLCET etc. Some colleges also offer admission on merit basis. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.

Admission Process

Merit-based selection

  • Submit the application to the colleges or universities you are interested in. 
  • Maintain a good score throughout your Bachelor’s degree exams. 
  • In due course of time, colleges release their cutoff lists. Check if you are eligible for admission into the desired course.
  • If eligible, visit the college and submit all the required documents.

Entrance based selection

The guide to apply for entrance exam based admission is as follows.

  • Registration: Candidates have to register themselves for the entrance exams. 
  • Application form: Fill up the application form with all necessary details carefully. 
  • Submit documents: Scan and upload all required documents like mark sheets. Documents need to be uploaded in a specific format only, as specified by the institute’s application portal.
  • Application fee: A minimal application fee is to be paid online during the submission of the application form. Payment can be done by all online payment modes.
  • Download admit card: Admit cards are released once all applicants are judged for eligibility. The admit card must be downloaded and printed out to be used on the day of the examination.
  • Examination: Prepare for the exam as per the syllabus and past papers. Appear for the examination on the date announced.
  • Results: Based on candidates performance in the entrance exam, results will be announced.

What is the LLM International Law Eligibility Criteria?

The eligibility criteria for LLM International Law aspirants is not complicated and is as follows. It must be noted that the eligibility criteria will differ from institute to institute.

  • Pass a Graduate course in the stream of Law such as a 3 year LLB or a 5 year integrated BA+LLB from a recognized University.
  • The candidates must have at least 50% marks in their undergraduate degree. The minimum marks requirement is 45% for the SC/ST/ OBC/ PwD candidates.
  • The students will also have to score well in the entrance test and clear the cut-off in order to stand eligible for the LLM International Law course.

Which are the popular LLM International Law Entrance Exams?

In most of the colleges, the LLM International Law admissions are done on the basis of the results in the entrance tests. The forms for the entrance tests are mostly released in the months of December and January and the examinations are held shortly after that. However, this year, the dates have been deferred because of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Some of the popular LLM International Law entrance exams are provided below:

  • CLAT: This is the most widely accepted Law entrance in India. Admission to a majority of the colleges offering LLM International Law is through the individual’s CLAT score. 

  • AP PGLCET: This is an entrance conducted by SK University for admission to courses offered by institutes in Andhra Pradesh. The exam will contain 120 MCQs and will be held for a duration of 90 minutes. It is an Online Computer Based Test. Also check AP PGLCET Practice Papers here. 
  • AILET: This is a law entrance conducted by NLU Delhi. It will include 100 MCQs and one essay type question. AILET will be held for a duration of 90 minutes. It is an Online Remotely Proctored Test (RPT). 

The dates of application and examination for the above-mentioned examinations are mentioned in the table below.

Law Entrance Exams Registration Date Exam Date
CLAT 2023 August 08 – November 13, 2022 December 18, 2022
AILET 2023 September 07, 2022 onwards December 11, 2022
CUSAT CAT To be Announced To be Announced
LSAT  November 10, 2022 - January 11, 2023 January 22, 2023 (January Session)
Jun 8, 2023 to Jun 11, 2023(June Session)
TS LAWCET April 2023 – June 2023 July 2023
AP LAWCET 3rd week of March 2023 - 4th week of April 2023 4th week of May 2023
ILSAT To be Announced To be Announced
MHT CET March 24 – April 25, 2022 (3-Year LLB) March 19 – April 27, 2022 (5-Year LLB) June 4 – 5, 2022 (3-Year LLB) June 10, 2022 (5-Year LLB)
SET SLAT December 15, 2022 - April 12, 2023 May 6, 2023 (Test 1 - 9 AM to 10 AM) May 14, 2023 (Test 2 - 9 AM to 10 AM)
DU LLB Entrance Exam March 2023.- 3rd week of June 2023. 1st week of July 2023
PU LLB To be Announced To be Announced

How to Prepare for LLM International Law entrance exams?

If your college includes an entrance test in the admission procedure, then you must be well prepared for it. So, here we are with some interesting preparation tips for you:

  • You must be completely familiar with the pattern of examination. Get to know the number of sections and the total number of questions that you have to answer. 
  • Knowing the syllabus properly is also of primary importance. You need to download the syllabus from the official website of the university.
  • In most cases, you will be dealing with multiple-choice questions. If that is the case, then check whether there is negative marking or not. 
  • Few entrance exams have a separate section for General Knowledge questions and current affairs. To ace that examination, you will have to be a regular newspaper reader. This will help to keep you updated at all times.
  • Another very good way to perform well is to appear for regular mock tests. This will make you accustomed to the type of questions and the examination patterns. Various educational institutes hold regular mock tests for the students.
  • Revision is also an integral part of preparation. You need to revise all the chapters and the important topics properly. Otherwise, even after preparing all the chapters, you might not get a really good rank. 

How to get admission in a good LLM International Law college?

To secure admission into a top-ranked LLM International Law college, a number of factors come into play. Some of the following tips will be helpful in that regard.

  • As the most widely accepted entrance score for this course is the CLAT exam, aspiring candidates should focus on preparation for CLAT. This includes extensive prep by practicing with multiple mock papers, timing themselves, and being thorough with the syllabus. 
  • Apart from being thorough in their Entrance Exam prep, candidates can also take some additional steps to ensure a seat in their desired Institute. This can include being well prepared for the Interview conducted by the college.
  •  Candidates should have a clear idea of questions like why they wish to pursue the course, what they hope to get from it, etc. These tips will increase a candidate’s chance of a good admission. 
  • Additionally, candidates will be required to have clear statements of purpose, as well as any prior publications in their concerned field. These will be reviewed during the PI conducted by the Institute. 
  • Many colleges also appreciate and prefer candidates with well-documented records of any previous work experience.

What is the Syllabus of LLM International Law?

The LLM International Law program includes various important subjects and topics. Here, we have given the semester-wise breakup of the syllabus for the LLM International Law course:

Semester 1
Public International Law
Law and Social Transformation in India
Law and Justice in Globalizing world
General International Law
Indian Constitutional Law: New Challenges
Semester 2
Judicial Process
International Relations and Law of Treaties
International Human Rights
Legal Education and Research Methodology
World Trade Law
International Criminal Court
Practice Session-1
Semester 3
Law of the Sea
Comparative Law
Air and Space Law
Diplomacy and Law (Elective nation)
Public International Law
Private International Law
Semester 4
International Economic Law
Intellectual Property Rights
International Labour Laws
Environmental Law
Dissertation
Environmental Law

Which are the Top LLM International Law Colleges?

LLM International Law is offered by some of the top educational institutes in India. Here, we have mentioned a few popular LLM International Law Colleges of India:

College Name Admission Process Average Total Fee
IIT, Kharagpur Entrance-Test followed by Interview INR 1,63,900
NLUJAA, Guwahati CLAT INR 1,04,500
University of Madras, Chennai CLAT INR 19,125
Sharda University, Greater Noida CLAT INR 1,50,000
HPU, Shimla Entrance-based --
HITS, Chennai CLAT INR 1,88,000
College Comparison

Source: College Websites

LLM International Law College Comparison

The top colleges in India that offer the LLM International Law course are IIT Kharagpur and NLUJAA, Guwahati. The key features of both these institutes are compared below:

College/ University Name IIT Kharagpur NLUJAA, Guwahati
Overview IIT Kharagpur was the first-ever IIT to be established and offers  a large number of undergraduate, postgraduate, dual degree and doctoral programs in several specializations.  NLU JAA is one of the well-known autonomous law schools in India. This deemed institute provides BA LLB as a five-year integrated course and LLM as a one-year degree programme. The University also offers a PhD in Law.
Place Kharagpur Guwahati
NIRF Ranking 2021 5 16
Average Fees INR 1,63,900 INR 1,04,500
Eligibility Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.  Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
Admission Based on CLAT  Based on CLAT
Average Salary INR 11,65,000 INR 10,65,000
Top Recruiting Companies United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization etc.  United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization etc. 

Average Annual Salary

Source: College Websites

LLM International Law vs LLM Criminal Law

LLM International Law and LLM Criminal Law are two closely related Law courses. Also check top LLM Criminal Law Colleges in India

Here, we have compared the two courses:

Parameters LLM International Law LLM Criminal Law
Course Overview Deals primarily with legislation regarding International and Transnational entities including Government Organizations and Private Corporations. Criminal Law deals with all the aspects of crime, including Criminology and Forensic Science.
Eligibility Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.  Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university. 
Admission Process Entrance-Test followed by Personal Interview Entrance-Test followed by Personal Interview
Average Fees INR 50,000 - 5,00,000 INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000
Average Salary INR 3,00,000 - 10,00,000 INR 3,00,000 - 10,00,000
Recruitment Sectors UN, International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights etc.  Colleges & universities, Criminal Tribunals, Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc. 
Top Job Profiles International Lawyer, Corporate Lawyer, Diplomat, Ambassador, Policy Advisor etc.  Criminologists, Detective, Criminal Lawyer, Forensic Science Technician etc. 
Average Annual Fees

Source: College Websites

Average Annual Salary

Source: College Websites

What are the Career Options and Job Profiles Available After Completing LLM International Law? 

  • Students who have completed the LLM International Law course can avail satisfactory job opportunities and prospective career options. The majority of prospects are in the field of International and Corporate Law.
  • LLM International Law degree holders will be able to find jobs in numerous sectors including legal departments of large MNCs and positions in International Organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Criminal Court, UNICEF, International Criminal Court, European Court of Human Rights etc. 

Some of the popular professional jobs available to LLM International Law degree holders along with the corresponding salaries are provided in the table given below: 

Job Title Job Description Avg Annual Salary
Corporate Lawyer Corporate Lawyers are responsible for the commercial negotiations and legal representation of the firm in all matters. Corporate Lawyers may be employed by the Company or by a separate Law Firm. MNCs have a high demand for Corporate Lawyers with experience in International Law.   INR 10,55,000
International Lawyer International Lawyers generally require extensive experience in the field. They are responsible for the drafting and litigation of International Law practices. They are required to be thoroughly knowledgeable in the litigation practices of several multinational jurisdictions.  INR 9,78,000
Legal Advisor In a multinational Firm/Organization, a legal advisor will be responsible for providing legal support to all the departments. They must be skilled at drafting all types of legal contracts, supervise client contracts, and advise the upper management in all areas. INR 8,56,000
Policy Advisor International Law equips individuals to advise Politicians and Ambassadors on matters regarding National and Multinational Policy. Policy Advisors work closely with Political Analysts and Government Officials to ensure sound policy decisions and lawmaking.  INR 6,85,000
Mediator Mediators are responsible to negotiate and facilitate conflict resolution between disagreeing parties. They guide the plaintiffs and defendants through the process of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mediators should have an excellent working knowledge of Trans-national law.  INR 5,48,000

Salary vs Job Profiles

Source: College Websites

What is the Future Scope After Completing an LLM International Law Course?

Students who have completed their graduation in Biological Science have numerous career options. The future scopes for students of LLM International Law program are given below :

Higher and advanced education: Students can opt for higher advanced education after completing their LLM International Law postgraduate course. The higher education options they can pursue are :

  • MPhil: If one wishes to pursue studies in the same field of education, he/ she can opt for MPhil in Law. It is a two-year course and the eligibility criteria include having a LLM degree. 

Check out the Top MPhil Law Colleges in India.

  • Competitive Exams:Students, after completing their LLM International Law degree, can appear in different competitive examinations for government jobs, including UPSC CSE, IFS, and PSC of different states.

So, on completion of LLM International Law course students will be able to choose a career as per their skills and area of interest. You can go for higher education or you can also opt for a decent job. 

LLM International Law FAQs

Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the LLM International Law program are as follows: 

Ques. Is it possible to pursue LLM International Law in Distance Mode?

Ans. Currently in India, there is no Distance LLM course which is recognized by the Bar Council. Aspiring candidates are required to apply to any of the Universities or Institutes offering this course in the regular classroom mode. 

Ques. Is it better to work in India or Abroad after completing this course?

Ans. Although India has a high demand for lawyers with knowledge in the field of International Law and Relations, it is considerably more lucrative for candidates to pursue a career abroad after the completion of this course. Although this may require candidates to pass the LSAT and take additional tests required by the relevant International organization.

Ques. Is the work experience required to be eligible for this course?

Ans. Unlike some other Law specializations, there is no work experience required for this course. Although prior work experience in the field is preferred by many institutes, it is not mandatory. 

Ques. Which is the highest paid career option in India after completing LLM International Law?

Ans. Although the candidate's final salary depends on the experience of the individual, some of the most profitable and high-paying include practice of International and Corporate Law. 

Ques. Is it possible to get admission to LLM International Law program after completing a BA in Economics course?

Ans. The basic eligibility for admission to LLM International Law is to pass in LLB/ BA + LLB from a recognized University. Candidates who meet these criteria are eligible to apply for the LLM International Law course. 

Ques. What is the required CLAT cutoff to get admission in NLSIU Bengaluru?

Ans. Candidates seeking admission to courses at NLSIU Bengaluru should have achieved a CLAT score between 1 and 54.  

Ques. Does doing the LLM in International Law course make an individual eligible for the IFS exam?

Ans. The basic eligibility required to attempt the IFS exam is to be a graduate and an Indian citizen. If the candidate meets these requirements, they are eligible to attempt the IFS exam. Doing the LLM in International Law course gives the aspirant additional knowledge in the specified field. 

Ques. Which entrances do I need to write if I am applying for this course in universities Abroad?

Ans. Candidates applying to this course outside India will be required to write the LSAT exam. It is accepted by a majority of International Institutes. 

Ques. What is the expected starting salary for an LLM in International Law degree holder in India?

Ans. As this is a profession where experience holds considerable value, freshers may earn anywhere around INR 3,00,000 - 10,00,000 per annum.

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