LLM Course: Know how to choose Law School for Admission?

By Vaishnavi Shukla

You will hear people say that if you want to get into teaching or want to pursue a PhD then you should do an LLM or else you can skip it. Sadly, there’s more to it than just that and this article is about that and more.

For making a successful career in law, one has to go through rigorous education and there comes the specialisation degree - Master of Laws or Latin Legum Magister (LLM). The word LLM is heavy on the mouth but the degree is heavier in the head. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, no it’s not terrifying – it’s actually horrifying. Well, all the fun aside I would just like to share particularly one thing with Law graduates (5 yr / 3 yr LLB) that if you want to further accelerate your skillset you must go for an LLM course.

Why one should pursue the LLM course?

The reasons to pursue an LLM degree are multiple and candidates think of pursuing an LLM due to any of the below-mentioned reasons:

• Improving skillset
• Specialising in a subject of choice
• Make a career in Teaching
• Stepping stone to PhD
• Employability - Better job opportunities
• Upgrade one's University
• Improvement in salary
• Compete with peers
• Parental pressure

The list is not exhaustive and one must understand that the reasons could be multiple but the end goal is to get an LLM. So, the one arrow of doubt that’s pointing at your head right now is:

Should I pursue LLM or not?

Well, if you fall within any of the above categories then you should. Speaking of advantages, yes, there are multiple advantages to an LLM and the downside? None. I and all others who have gone for an LLM have only benefitted from it. I left a Corporate Job at an MNC to pursue my LLM and I got of the institution with a package two-three times higher than what is already had at my previous job so yes, I have nothing to blame LLM for. However, it’s not always the case with everyone; the salaries are higher for people with LLM degree but not every organisation that you apply to would be paying that amount of money to a fresh graduate.

This brings me to another question,

When is the ideal time to do an LLM?

Now, the answer to this is simple – “Whatever, whenever suits you best” but I personally suggest to work for a year or so and then apply for LLM. I always believe in the saying “Follow what you preach”, so it’s imperative that you know what I did in order to understand that I am giving an unbiased opinion. Moving further, I wanted to pursue my LLM right after my BA LLB because I didn’t want any gaps between my undergraduate and post-graduation; so as soon as I finished my final semester exams I appeared for interviews because my principal was more focused on me getting placed than I was. However, I wanted to do an LLM and then I was in a complex situation where I received a joining letter from Symbiosis Law School (SLS), Pune and I also received an Offer letter from WIPRO. I chose SLS but after three days of attending classes I faced pressure from my undergrad college to take up the job and that LLM can wait. I succumbed to pressure and took up a job at WIPRO and worked there for 11 months after which I simultaneously gave exam at SLS again and secured a seat. This time I resigned and became a student and hence began my journey at SLS Pune. Now it’s time that I tell you LLM aspirants that I later realised that the fact that I worked for a year before my LLM actually helped me a lot in understanding my course, my priorities were straight, I knew what exactly would help me in the professional world and how badly I need it. So, my answer was – Work for some time and then go for LLM as it was helpful. I can list the reasons why I suggest a gap between graduation and postgraduation:

• Increase in knowledge of the professional world
• Clarity on specialisation
• Cater to the needs of the Organisation by improving skillset
• Gain experience and then decide if LLM can benefit you
• More time to prepare for LLM while you work
• Differentiate between theoretical and practical knowledge
• Observe the work opportunities offered to LLM’s in an organisation.

The list is endless but the decision to make is yours; I wouldn’t discourage going for LLM right after undergrad in Law but I can only give my opinion which I did here.

How to choose the Law School for LLM?

The first preference one would have is the National Law University and in order to get into one, you must appear for CLAT. Once you’re eligible to appear for the exam, you are required to send out application forms and complete all formalities as required by the host university. You receive your hall tickets on completion of formalities and once the exam date arrives you are required to visit the centre and appear for the exam. The results are announced then and after a strong competition among students, some are selected for counselling and on the basis of marks received, students get their desired universities. This brings us to our next query, what happens to students who can’t get into NLU’s.

Let me tell you the reality, NLUs are not the only colleges in India which impart excellent legal education. The number of colleges which are way ahead in excellence and performance is many and those colleges should be your target along with NLUs. Always keep options, never just apply to NLUs. Some of the top universities one must apply to, in order to pursue LLM course in colleges in India.

You must understand that each university has a different process when it comes to admissions. Some universities come under APLAWCET and TSLAWCET, deemed universities conduct their own exams and private colleges either have an exam, consider your CLAT score or take direct admissions. So it is imperative that you always check the website of each college/ university for the updates on admissions in a given year. The process is fairly simple and only requires the students to be aware and apply on time. You don’t want to waste a year sitting at home because your application didn’t go through on time.

Are Private colleges good?

The question most people have in mind is about how good a private college is. However, ideally, it should be how good is the faculty at a private college and that will define and decide how your law school experience both academically and personally is going to shape up. There are private colleges which are way ahead than some of the deemed universities and producing great lawyers. So, do the following checks before applying:

1. Check the ranking
2. Check the faculty
3. Check the achievements
4. Check future opportunities

Ideally, if you are late in applying to any of the colleges or didn’t get into the desired college, private colleges are a good alternative.

Can I pursue LLM after Engineering/ MBBS/ BCom/ BBA/ Design?

Law is a career you can pursue irrespective of your age and your previous area of study. However, for LLM one should be a Law graduate from a University recognised by the BCI. LLM aspirants must hold a Law degree when can either be a 5 yr. Integrated degree or a graduate degree + 3 Yr LLB, either of the two requirements must be met.  The good news for graduates in respect is that they don’t have to do a five-year course in law. They can go for 3 year LLB. The process as mentioned earlier is the same i.e. check the websites, apply in advance. However, the option of CLAT is not available in 3-year LLB so students/ enthusiasts must apply to other universities.

What are the job options available after 5 YR BA LLB/ 3 YR LLB?

There are multiple options that you can go for after finishing your course. Some of the options are:

• Work with an MNC
• Work in a law firm
• Do corporate litigation
• Join an NGO
• Make a career in arbitration
• Start an independent practice
• Government Service
• Judiciary
• Teaching
• Legal Outsourcing (LPO’s)
• Writing Journals/ Reports
• Join a senior advocate and practice in courts
• Work as Corporate Attorney/ Lawyer for companies
• Appear for Civil Services

The opportunities are endless so choose wisely and know your true calling.

What are the higher studies options available in Law?

The following options are available:

• Master of Law (LLM)
• The Juris Doctor degree (J.D. or JD), also known as the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (J.D., JD, D.Jur. or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law and one of several Doctor of Law degrees.
• MA Human Rights
• MA Human Rights and Duties Education
• MPhil Law
• Master of Comparative Laws (MCL)
• PG Diploma in Women’s Rights and Human Rights
• MBA
• LLM+ PhD
• LLD

Hope this helps. All the best with choosing the right career.

Important FAQs regarding LLM Course in India

Q: What are popular LLM colleges in India?

Q: What does LLM stand for?

Q: What are popular job opportunities after LLM?

Q: Is CLAT required for LLM?

Q: Can I get admission in law college without giving CLAT?

Q: Are private LLM colleges good?

Q: What are the eligibility criteria for LLM?

Q: What is the minimum aggregate percentage required to pursue LLM?

Q: Can LLM be pursued after MBA?

Q: What is the duration of LLM degree?

Q: What is the salary of an LLM graduate in India?

About the Author:

I am Vaishnavi Shukla, a Corporate Attorney- India Head at Loyal Hospitality Pvt. Ltd, an exclusive franchisee of Empire group of hotels. I pursued law at the graduation level from Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies (BILS). Further, I did my LLM from Symbiosis Law School, Pune.