LLB vs LLM: Key Differences, Eligibility, Admission, Jobs, Salary

Candidates can find the difference between LLB and LLM courses on this page. Compare these courses based on eligibility criteria, syllabus, top colleges. Get detailed information about LLM and LLB courses in India.  

LLB or LLM: Which one is a better course? An LLB is the Bachelor of Laws. It's the first step into legal education. Most students pursue it right after school, typically as a 5-year integrated course or a 3-year program after graduation. The LLB builds your foundation. You learn constitutional law, contracts, torts, and criminal law. It qualifies you to become a lawyer. You can practice law, appear in court, and start your legal career with just this degree. Think of it as the entry ticket to the legal profession.

An LLM, on the other hand, is a Master of Laws. It's a postgraduate degree. You need an LLB first before you can enrol. The LLM lets you specialise. You can focus on corporate law, IP law, human rights, or tax law. Most programs run for 1-2 years. Lawyers often pursue an LLM to boost their expertise, switch specialisations, or teach law at the university level. It's not mandatory for practising law. But it does open doors to niche areas, international opportunities, and higher-paying roles. In short, an LLB starts your journey. LLM sharpens it. Candidates can check complete details about both these exams on this page.

Also Read: Know All About LLB Admission

LLB vs LLM: Highlights

LLB requires a high school diploma and potentially an entrance exam for prestigious institutions. For LLM, an LLB from a recognised Indian university (BCI-approved) is your license to practice in court. Some LLMs might ask for extra experience or a specific legal area of focus in your LLB. Refer to the table below:

Note: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

Also Read: How to Become a Judge in India - A Complete Guide

LLB vs LLM: Key Differences

LLB (Bachelor of Laws) and LLM (Master of Laws) degrees are the two most popular degree programs in a critical and ever-demanding field of study, Law in India or any other country. The jobs available with these degrees are not very specific and provide options in both the government and private sectors. Some of the most common employment areas for graduate and postgraduate lawyers are the following: District and High Courts, companies and corporate houses, law firms, government departments, judicial, schools and universities, non-governmental organisations, media houses, banking and finance sectors, insurance sector, broadcasting sector, politics, etc.

Bachelor of Laws is offered across various law colleges in India as well as top private and government universities recognised by the Bar Council of India. As per the guidelines of the Bar Council of India, LLB is offered in full-time mode and any form of correspondence or part-time LLB course is not recognised by BCI. LLB is a course that can be pursued by candidates to establish a career in the field of judicial functioning, advocacy or establish independent practice. Go through the following points to understand the difference between LLB and LLM:

• LLB (Latin Legum Baccalaureus) is a UG law degree held in high esteem and commonly referred to as the first stage towards obtaining the qualification of a lawyer or a barrister. On completing the course of LLB they can afford to begin practice in the legal field and also prefer the advanced course of an LLM. However, before they can actually commence practising law, the LLB holders must first complete a legal practice course.
• The duration of the LLB admission in India is generally three years and it comprises all the most useful and common fields of law which are known as the general profile or the seven core subjects that are advantageous to a number of professions. Thus, the LLB degree is not enough to practice law but it is the minimum requirement one needs to meet before practising law. The BL degree is the equivalent of this.
• LLM (Latin Legum Magister) is a PG degree in legal sector. It means that this postgraduate course in law affords knowledge and erudition in particular wanted areas/segments including Civil Law, Criminal Law, Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc. Thus, the LLM degree is not a requirement to attain professional attorney status; nonetheless, it proves highly useful in the relevant sphere of the legal industry.
• LLM program might also be completed in only one year in India. They encompass all areas of knowledge, concerns, and any policy associated with a particular aspect of the law; for example, the IPR.

LLM vs LLB: Know the Comparison

Check out the description of the courses individually, along with the exams, duration and fees accepted:

LLB vs LLM: Eligibility Criteria

It is important to be aware of the eligibility criteria of both courses before you proceed to fill out the application form for the entrance exam. Read the requirements that candidates should fulfil to pursue either LLB or LLM: 

Candidates need to fulfill eligibility requirements before they apply for LLB/ LLM courses. 

LLB vs LLM: Top Entrance Exams

Some of the top Law colleges and other central and state universities accept the scores of various top Law entrance exams conducted by central-level agencies such as the National Testing Agency and other state-level entrance conducting bodies. Many private colleges conduct their own entrance examinations for LLB and LLM courses. Students can visit the specific examination pages of the following entrance examinations and check the eligibility criteria for the various LLM and LLB entrance examinations.

Candidates can appear for any of entrance exams mentioned above to score good marks. 

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A strategic preparation plan is necessary if students want to score good marks in these exams.

LLB vs LLM: Syllabus 

The syllabus for LLB courses varies across various specialisations and candidates are generally offered similar subjects especially during first year of course. Candidates can choose elective papers as per their specialisation. On the other hand, the syllabus of LLM consists of a few core papers such as Research Methodology, Law and Justice in a Globalising World etc and other elective papers related to specialisation.

 Also Read:

• LLB Syllabus
• LLM Syllabus

LLB vs LLM: Top Colleges

Students can pursue LLB from various top law colleges, which include National Law Universities and other government and private universities and law colleges. Amongst these colleges, many also offer LLM courses to graduates of law.

Top LLB Colleges

There are more than 1100 colleges in India that offer LLB courses. Candidates can choose among the top private and government colleges to pursue LLB in different specialisations. Some of the top colleges with their fees are:

NOTE: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.

Also Read: Key Differences and Syllabus Pattern for CLAT, AILET

Top LLM Colleges

Find out all about the top LLM colleges as listed below: 

NOTE: This information is sourced from official website/ counselling body and may vary.

LLB Job Profiles and Average Salary

The highest package offered to LLB graduates in various recruitment drives ranges from INR 10- 12 LPA, generally offered by top law firms. The top job profiles for LLB graduates and their salaries are given below:

Note: The above salary has been taken from external sources and hence may vary.

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Career in Law

Popular Colleges for LLM