Study LLM Abroad: Top Universities, Requirement, Application Process, Specialization
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Study LLM Abroad: Top Universities, Requirement, Application Process, Specialization

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Raj
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Jan 15, 2025 13:29 IST

Pursuing LLM abroad will enhance your career in the law field. Gaining a global perspective will not only grow your professional network but will make you more valuable in the job market. Harvard, Stanford, and Cambridge University are some popular institutions for pursuing LLM abroad. 

Study LLM Abroad
Studying LLM abroad would allow students a chance to sharpen their minds, strengthen their understanding and deepen their experience across a full range of humanities and social sciences. In this article, we are going to be talking about pursuing LLM abroad for Indian students and also about the best universities for LLM abroad and how to apply for LLM scholarships.

Why Study LLM Abroad?

Pursuing a Master of Law (LLM) abroad allows candidates an opportunity to develop a range of skills and explore many aspects of human life. Graduates looking to study LLM are required to have completed their LLB and are advised to have a good understanding of the law to pursue further studies. Studying Master of Law (LLM) abroad would allow students a chance to sharpen their minds, strengthen their understanding and deepen their experience across a full range of humanities and social sciences. Law graduates acquire both breadths of understanding and depth in the areas that interest them the most.

Indian students who are planning to study abroad would be required to have an LLB degree to pursue LLM abroad. Once candidates have successfully graduated they would be able to find employment as LLM being a professional course is extremely sought after by major law firms who are always looking to hire raw talent or budding lawyers. 

Check: Harvard Law School GRE Scores

Here are a few reasons why you may consider pursuing LLM from abroad:

  • Overseas universities have much better access to reputable firms than Indian universities and therefore offer better opportunities to achieve higher goals.
  • Studying LLM abroad gives you the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people through friends and professionals. 
  • Studying LLM abroad can help candidates develop a new set of skills that is sure to help them in the future. Moving to a new country makes you more independent and helps you indulge in newer activities.
  • Studying LLM abroad would be a respectable upgrade to your CV. It also helps increase your chances of being associated with an international firm and finding jobs that will give you better financial security.

LLM Abroad vs LLM in India

The great rewards of a hard-earned degree are what studying LLM abroad can promise you today. Studying LLM abroad gives students the opportunity to be exposed to greater opportunities around the world, gain access to major universities or colleges, and study in an environment that enjoys a good student-teacher ratio. Students who choose to study abroad can further practice in the same country and settle down over time. Students studying LLM abroad have access to all of this and much more.

Pursuing LLM abroad has benefits such as learning about international legal processes and studying ethics and law enforcement abroad. International law degrees provide an opportunity to hear international cases where the system is very different from India. To learn and get acquainted with the various legal systems in the world each country has its own rules and regulations bound by the law of the land.

LLM Abroad Eligibility and Requirement

Although each country will have its own set of rules and procedures for international students who want to pursue LLM abroad, in this section we will discuss general guidelines about eligibility and requirements for Indian students who want to pursue LLM abroad among the top overseas countries.

Academic Requirements

Candidates who want to study LLM Abroad should ideally hold a Bachelor of Law or LLB degree with a minimum GPA of 3 to apply to popular law schools.

Exam(s) required to study LLM abroad

Good English skills are always needed when doing a Master's overseas. When it comes to studying LLM abroad, most universities accept the following language tests with minimum scores as mentioned below:

  1. TOEFL iBT: 88
  2. TOEFL PBT: 570
  3. IELTS: 6.5 – 7.0

The requirement of GPA scores and English Proficiency scores may be higher or lower depending on the college selected by the students. Therefore, we recommend that you check all your requirements on the official programme website before starting your online application.

Work Experience Requirements

Overseas universities place greater emphasis on work experience or volunteers in the relevant field. Ideally, you should have 2 years of relevant practical knowledge. This may include research projects. This experience does not have to be in the legal industry. However, some universities or colleges may request prior work experience or research experience.

LLM Abroad: Application Requirements

Since the application would be for pursuing LLM abroad, the requirements could vary depending on the university or college. We have provided general application requirements (but not limited to) for your LLM abroad application process.

Application Process: How to apply for LLM Abroad?

All application forms are submitted online. Therefore, students will be required to read the admission procedure guidelines before submitting their application forms. Candidates will be required to pay an application fee and attach all the relevant documents to begin their application process for studying LLM abroad. Every university will have an application deadline. Applicants wishing to apply must comply with this. Students seeking financial assistance should apply in advance to begin the study process.

LLM Specialization

LLM abroad is a great way to earn a specialization of your choice. LLM is a master's degree with a special focus on providing and training students in the field of legal studies by excelling in various subjects such as human rights, international law, environmental law, etc. Every university can allow LLM students abroad to choose between a variety of specializations.

Popular specializations in LLM abroad include:

  • Masters of Law in Legal Studies Abroad
  • Masters of Law in Criminology Abroad
  • Master of Administrative Law and Policy
  • LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law
  • Corporate & Financial Law LLM
  • Masters in Comparative Law
  • Masters of Law in Law (others) Abroad

Best Universities for LLM Abroad

In this section, we are going to be talking about the top universities and colleges for studying LLM Abroad. Candidates wanting to pursue an LLM abroad would want to know more about the top universities for pursuing Law. Given below is a list of the Best Colleges for LLM abroad for 2024.

Q:   What are the eligibility criteria for studying LLM abroad?

A:

Candidates who want to study LLM Abroad should ideally be holding a Bachelor of Law or LLB degree with a minimum GPA of 3. Also, If English is not your native language, you'll likely need to proof your proficiency through tests like TOEFL or IELTS score card.

Some LLM programs, especially those with a focus on specific areas of law, may require relevant work experience.

Q:   Which country is best for studying LLM abroad?

A:

Any country is "best" if they are offering quality education and post-study work options. Canada, the USA, UK, and Australia are well-known study destinations for this. Other than this, some countries may have particular strengths in certain areas, such as international law, human rights law, or commercial law.

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is MIT costly for Indians?

A:

MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.

Q:   Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?

A:

Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science. 

To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.

Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.

Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.

Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate

Q:   Is Torrens University good for international students?

A:

Torrens University Australia is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia. It offers a culturally vibrant and comfortable environment for international students. Each year thousands of international students from all over the world come to study at various courses of the university. currently, there are 3932 total students at Torrens University out of which 986 are international students.

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

University QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Law & Legal Studies
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States
#1
University of Oxford
Oxford, United Kingdom
#2
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, United Kingdom
#3
Yale University
New Haven, United States
#4
Stanford University
Stanford, United States
#5
New York University (NYU)
New York City, United States
#6
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
London, United Kingdom
#7
Columbia University
New York City, United States
#8
University of California, Berkeley Campus (UCB)
Berkeley, United States
#9
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
#10

Check: Top 10 Law Schools in Canada

Popular Destinations for LLM Abroad 

Students who want to study LLM abroad will want nothing but the best for them. There are a few factors that make any country a popular study-abroad destination among Indian students. The cost of studying, living expenses, university ranking and strong educational curriculum are among the key factors that help make the destination popular among the Indian diaspora. Some of the most popular countries considered best for studying LLM abroad are the USA, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Below, we have mentioned country-wise average fees for LLM Abroad:

Australia

Candidates wanting to study in Australia would be required to pay a total of INR 30 Lakhs for the first year. The average LLM Tuition fee is Rs. 27 Lakhs and the average living cost is INR 7.0 Lakhs a year in Australia.

University

Program Details

Tuition Fee (First Year)

The University of Melbourne

Master of Criminology

Rs 19.4 Lakhs

The University of Sydney

Juris Doctor

Rs 27.4 Lakhs

RMIT University

Master of Justice and Criminology

Rs 21.8 Lakhs

Curtin University - Australia

Master of Philosophy (Law)

Rs 20.0 Lakhs

Deakin University

Master of Laws

Rs 21.1 Lakhs

Canada

Candidates wanting to study in Canada would be required to pay a total of INR 35 Lakhs for the first year. The average LLM Tuition fee is Rs. 19.68 Lakhs and the average living cost is INR 6.0 Lakhs a year in Canada.

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University

Programme Details

Tuition Fee (First Year)

University of Toronto

Master of Laws (LLM)

Rs 33.5 Lakhs

The University of British Columbia

LLM – Master of Law

Rs 16.4 Lakhs

University of Alberta

Master of Law

Rs 12.5 Lakhs

McGill University

Master of Laws (LLM)

Rs 25.0 Lakhs

York University

Professional LLM

Rs 25.9 Lakhs

Check: Top 20 Law Schools in US

Germany

Germany is one of the best study option destinations abroad due to the free educational programs they offer. LLM, a master's degree can be pursued free of charge with a small university fee of INR 8 lakhs for the first year. The average cost of living is INR 4.0 Lakhs per year in Germany.








University

Programme Details

Tuition Fee (First Year)

University of Hamburg

Masters in European and European Legal Studies

Rs 7.2 Lakhs

Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg

LLM

Rs 2.5 Lakhs

Dresden University of Technology

Master of Laws in International Studies in Intellectual Property Law (In German)

Rs 2.1 Lakhs

University of Augsburg

LLM in Intellectual Property and Competition Law (In German)

Rs 27.8 Lakhs

Universität Konstanz

LLM in Comparative Studies of German, European and Chinese Law (In German & English)

Rs 1.1 Lakhs

Ireland

Candidates wanting to study in Ireland would be required to pay a total of INR 30 Lakhs for the first year. The average LLM Tuition fee is Rs. 20 Lakhs and the average cost of living in Ireland is around INR 4.75 lakhs per year.







University

Programme Details

Tuition Fee (First Year)

University College Dublin

MCL Common Law

Rs 16.8 Lakhs

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law

Rs 17.6 Lakhs

National University of Ireland Galway

LLM (International & Comparative Business Law)

Rs 14.4 Lakhs

Griffith College

LLM in International Commercial Law

Rs 18.4 Lakhs

Dublin City University

LLM

Rs 12.7 Lakhs

source: The fee structure has been sourced from Shiksha Study Abroad.

LLM Jobs and Career Opportunities

Candidates studying their LLM would be eager to know about the jobs and career opportunities. Here are a few career options after LLM abroad, a candidate can look to become a,

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LLM Abroad: Scholarship for Indian Students

One of the challenges of studying abroad is the high cost of tuition and living costs that a student incurs when deciding to study abroad. However, candidates who are interested in studying abroad can make their dreams come true. Candidates who would like to apply for a loan for education or financial assistance can check the list of scholarships available for law students to study abroad to which they can apply.

Scholarships to Study LLM abroad:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award
Heinrich Boll Scholarships for Undergraduates, Graduates, and PhD Students Jared J. Davis Grant
Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
QS Scholarship for Academic Excellence Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Candidates looking for assistance with LLM university admissions can request a call back from our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. If you would like to share your views on the article, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below. 

About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Study Abroad Expert

Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio

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