LLM Subjects List and Syllabus 2025: A Complete Guide

A Master of Legislative Law, which is commonly known as LLM, is a postgraduate degree program. LLM is a highly valued qualification that is pursued by law graduates to specialize their careers in a particular law subject. 

This is a 2-year postgraduate course that allows legal professionals to advance further in their career with advanced specializations and qualifications while also paving the way for lucrative legal careers. But what do these specializations entail, and what are the focus LLM subjects and syllabus in this degree? In this article, we will be addressing these queries. 

Read along as we engage in a detailed discussion on the LLM syllabus, LLM subject list and specializations, as well as future scope of LLM in India. 

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LLM Courses: Pursuing an LLM Degree in India

After completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from an established law school, college, or university, one can pursue an LLM degree.

A number of entrance exams are conducted in India for admission into LLM programs. 

Popular LLM Entrance Exams in India:

• CUET DU LLM
• CLAT PG
• AILET LLM
• LSAT
• TS PGLCET
• AP LAWCET 
• IPU CET LLM

In these entrance exams, the following areas are assessed:

• Aptitude
• Legal concepts
• Analytical skills
• Research abilities
• Legal reasoning skills

The LLM course offers in-depth knowledge on specific areas within the legal domain, combining both academic and practical legal practices. The LLM syllabus varies depending on the chosen specialization. Students can also specialize in fields such as Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Maritime Law, etc. 

During the course, students explore various areas of fundamental law, such as:

• Law and Technology
• Crimes
• Judicial Processes
• Commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP)
• Licensing

How long does it take to get an LLM degree?

The LLM Course Duration is usually 2 years, but this may slightly differ if the specific university follows a fast-track degree pattern, reducing it to a trimester degree or a one-year program, rather than the usual 4-semester course.

Many universities offer the LLM course as a one-year or two-year course. Mostly, it is a two-year course with four semesters. The students must qualify for all the subjects of these two semesters, and finally, they have to submit a dissertation in the final semester to achieve the LLM degree..

LLM Courses Curriculum

The syllabus of LLM courses varies from college to college. The 2 years of LLM course is categorized into 4 semesters. The syllabus of the course comprises a large number of subjects in which various laws are practiced and some important professional skills are taught. 

• The first semester of the LLM course is common for all. In this semester, the students are trained in administration laws, several fundamental laws, and research methodologies. After that, specialization subjects are included in the syllabus. 
• In the second semester syllabus, basic knowledge about the preferred specialization subjects is included. 
• In the third and fourth-semester syllabus, specialization subjects are taught thoroughly, including dissertation and viva voce. 
• In the final semester, students also perform various research works, practical training, and internships. 

Major modules of the LLM syllabus

The LLM Syllabus comprises a series of modules and subjects that contribute to forming its overall curriculum content. An LLM program usually consists of the following syllabus modules:

• Core Subjects
• Elective Subjects
• Research Methods
• Internship Training 
• Dissertation
• Viva Voce
• Seminars
• Workshops

LLM Course Subjects and Specializations

Every student must choose a specific law stream to specialize in that field. In the second, third, and fourth semesters syllabus varies according to their preferred specialization. Every specialization consists of different topics. 

Here is a quick look at the main LLM specialization subjects:

Now, let’s further examine the various LLM subjects and syllabus within each of these specializations:

1. LLM Business Law

This law specialization includes the following subjects:

• Law and Social Transformation in India
• Judicial Process
• Law of Industrial and Intellectual Property
• Business Law
• Insurance Law
• Legal Regulation of Economic Enterprises, Law Relating to Regulatory Authorities
• Law Relating to Regulatory Authorities 
•  Commercial Arbitration
• Alternate Dispute Resolution & Securities Law

2. LLM Constitutional Law 

This law specialization includes the following subjects:

• Law and Social Transformation in India
• Constitutionalism: Pluralism & Federalism
• Indian Constitutional Law- The New Challenges
• National Security, Public Order and Rule of Law
• Judicial Process
• Administrative Law
• Administrative Process and Judicial Control

3. LLM Criminal Law

This law covers the following subjects in its syllabus:

• Theories of Law
• Research Methodology
• Banking Law
• Corporate Jurisprudence
• Legal Concepts
• Legislative Process
• Corporate Law
• Life and Fire Insurance
• Consumer Law

4. LLM Family Law 

This law focuses on these subjects:

• Family Law I – System Scope Sources and Schools
• Family Law II – Marriage and Matrimonial Remedies
• Comparative Public Law
• Law and Justice in Globalizing World
• Legal English and Research Methodology
• Foreign Business Language

5. LLM Intellectual Property Rights

This law specialization includes the following subjects:

• Overview of Intellectual Property
• Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
• Commercialization of IP & Licensing
• Plant Breeder’s Rights
• Copyright and Design Law
• Advanced IP Issues
• International & Comparative IP Law
• Research Project

6. LLM Environmental Law

This law comprises of the following subjects: 

• Nature and Scope of Environmental Law
• Protection of the Environment under the Indian Constitution
• Protection of Water, Air, and Environment in India
• International Law and Environmental Protection
• Environmental Protection and General Civil and Criminal Laws
• Emerging Issues in Environmental Law

7. LLM Human Rights

This law covers these subjects:

• Concept & Classification of Rights
• Concept of Human Rights
• Concept of Human Duties
• Dialectics of Human Rights
• Emerging Concept of Human Rights
• Human Duties, Responsibilities & Effectuation
• International Obligation
• Human Rights & Criminal Justice
• Jurisprudence & Human Rights: Lego Philosophical perspectives
• Constitutional Governance of Human Rights in India
• Refugee Law

8. LLM International Trade Law

This law specialization includes these subjects: 

• Introduction International Trade Law
• Law and Practice in International Banking and Commercial Payments
• World Trade Law
• Marine Insurance

9. LLM Corporate Law

This law focuses on the following subjects: 

• Financial Models and Derivatives in a Legal Context
• Corporate Social Responsibilities and the Law
• European Procurement Law
• Banking and Finance Law

10. LLM Labour Law

The following list of subjects are included in this law specialization:

• Law Relating to Industrial Relations
• Law Relating to Social Security & Safety Measures.
• Comparative Public Law
• Law relating to Trade Unions, Labor Welfare

11. LLM Taxation Law 

This law specialization covers these subjects in its syllabus: 

• General Principles of Taxation
• Indirect Tax laws
• International Taxation
• Direct Tax Laws

12. LLM Maritime Law

An LLM Martime Law specialization includes the following subjects:

• Maritime Laws and Practices
• Maritime safety and security
• Maritime Insurance policies and practices
• Maritime Jurisdictions

What is the future scope of LLM degree holders?

After completing the LLM course there are ample opportunities opened in different fields to advance their legal career. You can choose various career paths including higher studies, research, jobs in government organizations, non-profit organizations, corporations, private law firms, etc. 

Let’s take a look at a detailed overview of the future scope of LLM degree holders, taking an in-depth look at your career trajectory after an LLM: 

1. Higher Studies: After completion of the LLM course a student can pursue MPhil or Ph.D. in law. The doctor of law is also known as LLD. The admission to the LLD program is based on different entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET,LSAT etc.  It is a research-related study that makes them specialized and highly knowledgeable in a specific area.
2. Advocates: In this field, one must do a lot of research work to collect factual data and evidence to claim their defense in the courtroom. Some Other responsibilities of an advocate include dealing with legal issues, scrutinizing, and drafting contracts.
3. District and Sessions Judge:  One can be a district and session judge with more than 10 years of experience in this legal field. A judge listens to all the discussions of the case and finalizes the verdict. 
4. Notary: One can be eligible for this notary position with a minimum of 10 years of experience. They are experienced lawyers who verify, authenticate, and certify all legal documents. They also act as translators to translate documents from one language to another, record evidence in civil or criminal trials and also act as arbitrators, mediators
5. Solicitor: They are specialized lawyers in the field of family, property, tax, etc, and give legal advice to law firms as well as private clients. They also instruct other advocates and represent clients to defense cases.
6. Teacher or Lecturer: After completing the LLM postgraduation course students can also build their career in the teaching field. They educate and give training to law students. This profession plays an important role in building a career for a law student. Experienced teachers give practical training, and teach various academic subjects, the importance of the judicial system to the students.
7. Court Reporter: The court reporter attends all the hearings of some important court cases to cover the story of that case. The reporters also give interviews about a specific case. They mainly transcribe all the speeches from court proceedings.

Conclusion

In this blog, we examined the LLM course structure, its specializations, LLM subjects as well and its future scope are described here. The LLM course offers vast knowledge and great experience to students to build their careers in the legal field. 

So, if you too are interested in pursuing an LLM course, you can check out upGrad’s range of LLM Course specializations from O.P Jindal University: 

• LL.M. in Corporate and Financial Law 
• LL.M. in AI and Emerging Technologies
• LL.M. in Intellectual Property & Technology Law
• LL.M. in Dispute Resolution

Also check out upGrad’s Free Law Courses and explore beginner-friendly, short-duration courses and avail a certification of completion.

And if you’re looking to avail expert guidance, you may book a free counseling session with us and our mentors shall get in touch with you to provide personalized assistance!

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