29 ,January 2020
Law has been a major career option for many students across generation. While some look to choose academics as a career option, the others look for employability after pursuing a particular course. Master of Law is a degree which can be chosen by a candidate after pursuing their graduation and other courses like BA LLB, B.Com LLB, BBA LLB or just LLB. A degree choice which is made for advancing one’s career and for the international credibility, and for recognition in a specialized field of legal studies. There are many prospects and advantages of pursuing LLM, especially if the candidates are looking to expand their proficiency in a specific area of law.
The word LLM originated from Legum Magister which means master of Laws, an LLM degree is recognized internationally as a post-Juris Doctor (JD) degree, for all those who are interested in specializing in the field of Law. Unlike a simple graduation degree or a professional degree like BA LLB, an LLM degree is optional. While a BA LLB or an undergraduate course provides students with the general knowledge and an approach to Law which will help them further their career interests, an LLM degree enhances the knowledge base, concepts and legal theories in a more nuanced manner.
Thus we can say, an undergraduate level of study in Law is more like an eligibility test for a professional career in the field of law, whereas an LLM degree enhances the knowledge base for an advanced study and specialization in a particular topic of law.
In India, the LLM degree is the most sought after as many aspirants, nowadays are looking out for specialised degrees which enhances their skill set and sets them apart from any BA LLB law students. Here is a list of most sought after centres and Law Schools which offer LLM degree coupled with their fees structures which will help aspirants get an idea about where to look out for.
National Law University, Bangalore
National Law University, Bangalore is a pioneer in quality education. Apart from the BA LLB degree, the Law School offers 1 year LLM degree majorly in two areas, Business Laws and Human Rights Laws. Candidates can choose between these two options, and admission to the course is strictly through the CLAT scores. Since there are reservations, the fee structure varies accordingly. For general category students, Rs. 1,26,200/pa to Rs. 1,23,700/ pa for reserved categories. Apart from Indian, the University also offers to teach International students at USD 4164.
NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
Until 2012, NALSAR provided 1 year LLM in varied range of specializations, but by 2013, there was a shift in their policy regarding LLM as now it would mean anyone taking more papers towards an area, would sum into their LLM specialization, with conditions that each student would do 3 compulsory courses: Research Methods and Legal Writing, Law and Justice in a Globalized World and Comparative Public Law. The idea of a varied yet systemised LLM would mean that the candidate has the option to choose his/her specific field for their degree, yet fulfil the prerequisites of obtaining the degree. Their fee structure is on their prospectus which can be accessed on their website. All aspirants should definitely look out for it, even before filling for their CLAT exam.
Lloyd Law College, Greater Noida
Lloyd Law College in Greater Noida is a leader in quality education. Under the guidance and constant support of Late Dr. N.R Madhava Menon, a pioneer in legal education system, the college has gained a lot from his mentorship. Even though, our popular courses are BA LLB and LLB, this year Lloyd Law College has signed and Memorandum of Understanding with Buckingham University for an extensive one year LLM program in International and Commercial Law. A course which reflects the global curriculum, open for Indian as well SAARC students, a course which exposes the students to the emerging importance of Artificial Intelligence in our outlook towards legal studies. The main aim of the college is to provide a distinctive edge to Law students by providing the LLM course through our campus.
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar
LLM course in GNLU is an intensive, yet variegated one, as the course structure is divided into two semesters, where the topics range from Corporate Business Laws to Constitutional and Administrative Law, Intellectual Property Laws, to Legal Teaching and Education. The prerequisites of the course are three courses particularly: Research Methods and Legal Writing, Law and Justice in Globalizing World and Comparative Public Law/ Systems of Government. The intake into the University follows the reservation policy and the fee structure with a complete break up are provided on their website, which ranges till Rs. 1.80,000/pa. For more information, please look into their website.
Aligarh Muslim University
One of the most prestigious Law faculty, Aligarh Muslim University has BA LLB as well as specialised courses like LLM, which is divided into 4 semesters. The entrance to the LLM course is through department test, conducted each year. All aspirants wanting to pursue the quality specialised course should look into the website of the website for more information and notification.
Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
Jamia Milia Islamia in New Delhi offers LLM for 2 years in the regular and executive program, which the Institution offers. The intake for both programs is capped to 30 seats each. LLM courses which are popular in Jamia are Corporate Law, Criminal Law and Personal Law. Apart from the regular courses, LLM (executive) is also conducted which is self-financed and is a weekend programme, which is most suitable for working professionals. Other courses like PG Diploma in Airspace Law and Labour Law are also provided to the interested candidates. Each course has its fee structure, for which the candidates should look it up on their website.
Benaras Hindu University
Benaras Hindu University conducts Post-Graduate Entrance Test (PET) for admissions to LLM degrees in the University. There are mainly three varieties of LLM courses which are offered in the University. LLM general is a course where the course length is 2 years (4 semesters), which is a non-self-financing course. For more information, you can check on their website. LLM (HRDE) is a self-financing course which comes under ‘special courses’ of the University. The duration of the course is 2 Year (4 semesters), and the annual fee including University general fees is Rs. 30,000.
There is also provision for a short LLM course (2 semesters), which again is a self-financing course. It comes under the special courses, provided by the University. The annual fee for it including the University fee is Rs.60,000. For more information, the aspirants should check their website.
National Law University, Delhi
One of the most popular LLM courses, National Law University Delhi offers LLM courses for aspirants who are looking for an academic career in the legal field. LLM (pro) is a 1 Year (2 Semester) course which gives a comprehensive understanding to students about the facets of the legal system. Apart from the compulsory papers in the first semester, the candidates can choose their area of specialization in their last semester. The admission to LLM in NLU Delhi is through AILET, and the fee structure can be found on their website.
Campus Law Centre, Delhi University
LLM in Campus Law Centre, Delhi University is also one of the most sought after courses for aspirants. The admission to the course takes place through a common entrance test. The duration of an LLM in Delhi University varies between a 2 year to 3-year course, as the course structure of the program is directly undertaken by the Dean. Through the use of case materials which is revised every year by the faculty, the students enhanced understanding of each case to build his/her analytical power is enhanced. For more information on the course structure and fees, the aspirants should check Delhi University website.
Author
Ms.
Sakshi Dhaulta
Assistant Professor