LLB vs LLM - Which one to Choose?

LLB vs LLM comparison shows that LLB is a 3-5 year bachelor's program that provides a general introduction to law, while LLM is a 2-year postgraduate degree that enables students to focus on particular areas of law. After completing an LLB or a degree in a similar area, students are only then qualified to pursue an LLM which is the major comparison factor of LLM vs LLB.

Table of Contents:

• LLB vs LLM: Comparison
• Overview
• Eligibility
• Entrance Exams
• Subjects
• Top Colleges
• Career Scope
• Required Skills
• How to Choose Between LLB vs LLM?

Also Read: List of all Law Courses in India

LLB vs LLM: Comparison

Both are law degrees, but the main comparison of LLB vs LLM is that LLB is a 3 to 4-year undergraduate degree program, while LLM is a 2-year postgraduate degree. The differences between LLM vs LLB are outlined in the table below for simple understanding. 

Factors	LLB	LLM
Full Form	Bachelor of Laws	Master of Laws
Degree Type	Bachelor's Degree	Master's Degree
Duration	3-5 years	2 years
Eligibility	12th Score with 45% + Entrance score	Must have a LLB or an equivalent law degree
Curriculum	Covers a broad range of legal topics.	It focuses on a specific study of law.
Course Fees	INR 35k to 1.8 lakhs	INR 3 to 4 lakhs
Salary	INR 3 lakhs	INR 5 lakhs

LLB vs LLM: Overview

LLB Overview

• LLB is a professional degree required for law jobs and allied fields like legal studies, law enforcement, and legal study. 
• The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) can be earned in three years, or it can be earned in a five-year integrated curriculum. 
• Students pursuing an LLB degree gain a basic grasp of the various types of law, including those pertaining to corporations, legislatures, and businesses. 
• Legal Advisors, Lawyers, Public prosecutors, and others are available jobs in this area.

Read More: LLB

LLM Overview

• The LLM is an advanced law degree first offered as a 2-year curriculum by the UGC. 
• LLM program provides advanced legal education and licensure in a particular area of law, such as taxes law, business law, etc. 
• LLM program graduates can find work in various fields, from public interest to foreign law to taxes to the business world.

Read More: LLM

LLB vs LLM: Eligibility

Students can pursue a postgraduate LLM degree only after completing LLB or a similar law degree. Although both are considered legal degrees, LLM vs LLB is comparable in its eligibility requirements. Given below are the general eligibility requirements for LLB vs LLM degrees in India. 

LLB Eligibility

The following are the basic eligibility criteria for LLB programs.

• Accredited 12th-grade certification is required of LLB candidates.
• A minimum of 50% in 12th grade is required for admission to LLB programs. Public schools allow SC/ST students to have lower overall scores than private universities.
• LLB colleges also require students to qualify for specific entrance exams. 
• In India, there is currently no upper age limit for LLB.

Also Read: LLB Admission

LLM Eligibility

Here are some of the standard requirements for LLM programs.

• Aspirants must meet UGC and Indian Bar Council criteria for LLM entrance. Students must earn at least 50% in their undergraduate from an accredited institution. 
• Additionally, top universities also require good results in entrance exams. 
• Students must be at least 21 years old to enroll in the program.

LLB vs LLM: Entrance Exams

LLB entrance exams evaluate a candidate's ability for legal studies, while LLM entrance exams evaluate their legal expertise, research, and critical skills. Students may evaluate LLM vs LLB entrance examinations below. 

LLB Entrance Exams

Popular LLB entrance exams are: 

• CLAT
• AILET
• LSAT
• SLAT
• CUET
• DU LLB
• BHU LLB
• PU LLB

Read More: LLB Entrance Exam

LLM Entrance Exams

LLM courses have the following entrance exams 

• CLAT
• AILET
• AIBE
• CUSAT
• SET
• LPU NEST
• LSAT
• BHU PET
• IPU CET

LLB vs LLM: Subjects

LLB vs LLM core subjects are also comparable as LLB programs teach students the fundamentals of the legal system, while LLM programs allow students to specialize in areas like international law, tax law, or intellectual property law.

LLB Subjects

The LLB program includes the following core subjects. 

• Legal Research Writing
• Labor Law
• Law of Evidence
• Jurisprudence
• Civil Procedure Code
• Criminal Law
• Property Law
• Public Law Skills

Read More: LLB Subjects and Syllabus

LLM Subjects

LLM covers the following core subjects listed below.

• Law and Social Transformation
• Jurisprudence
• Constitutional Law
• Law Relating to Labour Welfare

Read More: LLM Subjects and Syllabus

LLB vs LLM: Top Colleges

When comparing LLB vs LLM for selecting a college, it is important to consider aspects such as the curriculum, faculty, accreditation, location, and fees. The following list includes the best institutions in India that offer LLB and LLM programs. 

Top LLB Colleges in India

Top colleges offering 3 and 5-year LLB courses are: 

Colleges offering 3 Year LLB	Colleges offering 5 year LLB
NLSIU	NLU Delhi
Delhi University	Symbiosis Law School
Panjab University	Jamia Millia Islamia
Symbiosis Law School Pune	Jindal Global Law School
University Institute of Legal Studies, Punjab University	Christ University
Bharati Vidyapeeth's New Law College	Army Institute of Law
LPU	NLIU Bhopal
-	UPES
-	KIIT University

Read More: Top LLB Colleges in India

Top LLM Colleges in India

Popular colleges for LLM courses in India are:

• NLSIU Bangalore
• Nalsar University of Law Hyderabad
• NLU Jodhpur
• Symbiosis Law School Pune
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University
• NLU Kolkata (NUJS)
• KIIT University
• Panjab University
• Indian Law Institute
• BHU Varanasi

Read More: Top LLM Colleges in India

LLM vs LLB: Career Scope

LLM vs LLB degrees are compared because they have different job options and levels. LLM degrees prepare graduates for advanced legal roles like law teachers, business lawyers, and foreign lawyers, while LLB degrees prepare graduates for typical legal roles like lawyers. Popular career options for LLB vs LLM and average salary are listed below. 

LLM Career Scope

Following are some popular career paths for LLM graduates:

Job Role	Average Salary
Corporate Lawyer	INR 10 lakhs
Legal Acquisitions	INR 8 lakhs
Taxation Lawyer	INR 8.8 lakhs
Court Magistrate	INR 13.5 lakhs
Contracts Negotiation Lawyer	INR 11 lakhs

Read More: LLM Career Scope

LLB Career Scope

The following are typical job roles for LLB graduates:

Job Role	Average Salary
Legal Manager INR 60k	INR 60k
Legal Journalist INR 57K	INR 57K
Corporate Lawyer INR 40k	INR 40k
Legal Analyst INR 55K	INR 55K
Legal Journalist INR 57K	INR 57K

Read More: LLB Career Scope

LLB vs LLM: Required Skills

LLM vs LLB are contrasted on a wide range of factors, but few skill set similarities exist. Below is a list of the prominent skills required for LLM and LLB programs. 

• Interpersonal Skills
• Time Management
• Communication Skills
• Research Skills
• Decision-Making Skills
• Negotiation Aptitudes
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Case Investigation Abilities
• Leadership Skills
• Empathy and Compassion
• Client Management Skills
• Truthfulness and Reliability

How to Choose Between LLB vs LLM?

It is difficult to say which is superior when analyzing LLB vs LLM in India because they have unique benefits and career possibilities. The choice between LLB and LLM is determined by the applicant's interests, career goals, and educational history. However, it should be noted that LLM is a postgraduate degree that can only be pursued by those who have already earned an LLB or an equivalent degree.

The LLB degree is the best choice if one wants to become a lawyer. With an LLM, one can focus their studies on a particular subfield of law, such as foreign or business law.