LLB vs LLM: Differences, Eligibility, Admission, Jobs, Salary 2024

Which is better: LLB or LLM? Students often get confused while pursuing a Law career if doing an LLB is enough or if should they go for an LLM. Comparing a Bachelor of Law (LLB Full Form) with a Master of Law (LLM Full Form) in terms of the levels of education the two are different in this aspect of their meanings. LLB is an undergraduate degree whereas LLM is a postgraduate degree option. LLB may taken in the form of an integrated 5-year program or a 3-year program, while LLM may be offered for one academic year or two academic years.

Admission-wise, LLB typically requires a high school diploma and potentially an entrance exam for prestigious institutions. For LLM, an LLB from a recognized 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.

Career-wise, LLB allows you to take the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and practice law in court, opening doors to lawyer, legal advisor, or paralegal roles. While not mandatory for practice, an LLM significantly boosts your expertise in a chosen field. This can unlock specialized positions in corporate law firms, international organizations, or government agencies.

LLB is a popular choice amongst students who have completed graduation in any field such as BCom, BA, BSc, BTech, etc from recognised universities. LLM is pursued by candidates who have completed LLB or five-year integrated law courses from BCI-recognised universities. Students interested in further understanding the differences between LLB and LLM can read the article and understand which course would be best suited to their career goals.

LL B vs LL M Course Relevant Information:  Know All About LLB Admission

LLB vs LLM: Highlights

Students can refer to the highlights table below which provides quick information about LLB and LLM courses such as course structure, course level, examination type, average starting salary, top recruiters and top job profiles.

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

LLB vs LLM Degree Relevant Information: CLAT Preparation Tips

LLB vs LLM Difference Between

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 organizations, media houses, banking and finance sectors, insurance sector, broadcasting sector, politics, etc.

Bachelor of Law 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 understant the difference betweene 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 LLM. However, before they can actually commence practicing law, the LLB holders must first complete a legal practice course.
• The duration of the LLB admission in India is generally of three years and it comprises all the most useful and common fields of the 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 slightest requirement one needs to meet before practicing law. The BL degree is the equivalent of this.
• LLM (Latin Legum Magister) which 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.

What is LLM vs LLB?

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

What is LLB?

LLB is a three-year undergraduate programme of Law that is generally pursued by candidates who have completed graduation from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate of 60 - 70 % marks in any honors subject.

The popular LLB entrance exams include MHCET Law, APLAWCET, DU LLB, AILET, etc. The popular colleges offering LLB courses include top government and private universities such as NLSIU, GNLU, Mumbai University, TNDALU, Punjabi University, etc. The LLB fees varies between INR 1-3 lakh. Candidates can pursue LLB in a variety of specialisations such as Company Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Corporate Law, etc.

LLM vs LLB Degree Relevant Information: Top 10 Law Schools in India based on NIRF Law Rankings

What is LLM?

Master of Laws is a one-year/ two-year postgraduate programme that is pursued by candidates who are graduates in the field of Law. Various colleges offer one-year degree whereas most of the government universities offer two-year LLM course.

Candidates can either seek admission on the basis of merit scores of graduation or entrance exam scores such as URATPG, CLAT, AP PGLCET, and TS PGLCET The LLM fees varies between INR 70 K- 3 lakh. The popular colleges offering LLM courses include NLSIU, GNLU, NUJS, NLUD, etc.

LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: Popular LLM Colleges

LLB vs LLM: Eligibility

The table below provides the eligibility requirement for Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws are given as below:

 LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: 

• CLAT Previous Year Question Papers
• CLAT Mock Tests

LLB vs LLM: 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 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.

Relevant Information For CLAT 2025:

How to clear CLAT 2025 in first attempt?

LLB vs LLM: Syllabus

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

 LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: 

• LLB Syllabus
• LLM Syllabus

LLB vs LLM: Top LLB/LLM Colleges

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

Top LLB Colleges

There are more than 1100 colleges  in India which offer LLB courses. Candidates can choose amongst 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.

LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: Key Differences and Syllabus Pattern for CLAT, AILET, LSAT

 Top LLM Colleges

There are more than 2000 colleges offering LLM courses in full-time, part-time, and distance mode. Candidates can consider the following colleges for pursuing LLM courses.

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

LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: Popular Colleges for LLM

LLB vs LLM: Jobs and Salaries

LLB career options are highly rewarding and can lead to various job opportunities. Candidates with a LLB degree can secure jobs in various fields such as Advocacy, Litigation, Legal Consultancy, Legal Teaching, Civil Services, Judicial Services, Compliance, Mediation and Arbitration etc. On the same way, candidates can work as Assistant Professors or Legal Researchers or Specialised attorneys after completing LLM course.

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 as below:

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

LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: Career in Law

LLM Job Profiles and Average Salary

After completing LLM, candidates can find various job opportunities based on their skills and experience. The average salary offered to LLM graduates range between INR 6-9 LPA. The table below provides inputs on salaries offered to various job profiles.

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

LLB vs LLM Course Relevant Information: All About Law Courses Admission

LLM vs LLB vs JD

While LLB and JD are foundational degrees, LLM is a specialized postgraduate degree. The JD is specifically designed to prepare individuals for legal practice in the United States.

LLB vs LLM vs JD Relevant Information:

What after CLAT 2025?