With the increasing industrialization and digitization, law courses are not only limited to civil or criminal cases, rather they have expanded to specializations like cyber law, corporate law, family law, etc. Pursuing a law degree can instill a sense of responsibility and leadership qualities in an individual.
Are you perplexed about pursuing a career in law? If yes, then continue reading further to know about various law courses and job opportunities in detail.
What is Law? Definition & Overview
Law is the study of legal subjects related to business issues, civil issues, political issues, human rights, economics, etc. You learn to deal with various societal conflicts by pursuing a law degree. It is the foundation of the Indian constitution.
The first law degree was granted in 1987 by the Bar Council of India (BCI) under the Advocate Act, of 1961. National Law School of India (NLS) was the first ever law school established in Bangalore. However, nowadays many colleges and universities have started offering law courses all over the country.
Benefits of Pursuing a Degree in Law
Law graduates have the freedom to establish their careers in various government and private sectors. Starting from the fight for justice to handling international relations, law graduates have made their place in various industries.
Have a quick look at the following benefits of pursuing a career in law:
- It provides multiple career opportunities.
- It provides financial stability and you need not struggle for your bread butter after pursuing a law degree.
- It allows you to master some crucial skills like decision-making, analytical thinking, logical reasoning, communication skills, and leadership skills.
- It earns you respect and prestige.
- As a law graduate, you have a high level of awareness about your rights and responsibilities as an Indian citizen.
Skillset Required for Pursuing a Career in Law
Law aspirants must possess a set of the following skills to have a successful career as a law professional:
- Evaluation and research skills.
- Persuasive communication skills.
- Strong reasoning and judgmental skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Strong physical and mental stamina.
- Self-confidence and unbiased nature.
What are the Courses at UG & PG Level Under Law?
A law degree opens the doors for you to pursue your career as a barrister or a solicitor. It doesn't only help you land a job with a higher pay rate, rather you can also start your entrepreneurship journey with a law degree. For instance, you can start your legal consultancy firm as a law graduate.
A law degree teaches you the basic foundation of entering into a legal profession. You can study law courses at various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels, LLB and LLM being some major law degrees. Here, we have mentioned some common UG and PG law courses for your reference.
Undergraduate Law Courses
Law has evolved to be one of the most professional and prestigious courses. Many universities offer various integrated 5-year long integrated law courses after the 12th. Here’s a list of common law courses that you can pursue after completing your 12th from a recognized board:
- Bachelor of Legislative Law (L.L.B.)
- Bachelor of Legislative Law Hons.
- L.L.B. in Intellectual Property Rights
- B.B.A. + L.L.B. (Integrated Course)
- B.B.A. + L.L.B. Hons. (Integrated Course)
- B.A. + L.L.B. (Integrated Course)
- B.A. + L.L.B. Hons. (Integrated Course)
- B.Com. + L.L.B. (Integrated Course)
- B.Com. + L.L.B. Hons. (Integrated Course)
- Bachelor of Socio-Legal Science & Bachelor of Legislative Law (B.S.L. + L.L.B.)
- B.Sc. + L.L.B. (Integrated Course)
- B.Sc. + L.L.B. Hons. (Integrated Course)
- Diploma in Criminal Law
- Diploma in Business Law
- Diploma in Co-operative Law
- Diploma in Criminology
- Diploma in Information Technology Laws
- Diploma in Labor Laws & Labor Welfare
- Diploma in Women Studies & Gender Justice
- Diploma in International Law
- Diploma in Taxation Law
Postgraduate Law Courses
You can easily opt for pursuing a career in law after completing your graduation in any discipline. The following are some common postgraduate law courses that you can pursue to make a successful career in law:
- Master of Legislative Law (L.L.M.)
- L.L.M. Hons.
- L.L.M. in Business Law
- L.L.M. in Constitutional Law & Administrative Law
- L.L.M. in Corporate & Securities Law
- L.L.M. in Corporate & Financial Law
- L.L.M. in Criminal Law
- L.L.M. in Human Rights
- L.L.M. in Environmental Law
- Master of Cyber Law & Information Technology
- Master of Business Law
- L.L.M. in Intellectual Property Rights
- L.L.M. in International Environmental Rights
- L.L.M. in International Trade Law
- L.L.M. in Labor Law
- L.L.M. in Mercantile Law
- L.L.M. in International Law, Constitutional Law, and Human Rights
- M.A. in Business Law
- M.A. in Criminal Justice
- M.A. in Anti-Terrorism Law
- M.A. in Public Policy & Governance
- M.A. in Criminology & Criminal Justice
- M.Sc. in Intellectual Property Rights
- Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cyber Law
- Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights Law
Educational Requirements - Important Exams One Should Appear for Pursuing a Career in Law
Law aspirants can easily opt for pursuing a career in law directly after the 12th. Some colleges accept applications based on the merit list, while others conduct their entrance exams to select deserving candidates.
Eligibility Criteria for Pursuing a Career in Law
For undergraduate law course
- The candidate must have passed 12th with an aggregate of 50% from a recognized board.
- The candidate can belong to any stream of education.
For postgraduate law course
- The candidate must possess an undergraduate degree in the relevant discipline with an aggregate of 50%.
- The candidate must obtain his/her undergraduate degree from a recognized university.
Note: The minimum percentage requirement may vary for different colleges and universities.
Entrance Exams
Law aspirants should appear for various entrance exams to get admitted to some top colleges and universities. Here's a list of top law entrance exams that you should appear for starting a career in the legal profession:
CLAT – Common Law Admission Test
CLAT is one of the most common entrance exams for all law aspirants. It is a national-level exam that is conducted to select eligible candidates for admission to National Law Universities. Consortium of National Law Universities conducts this exam to provide admission to various UG and PG courses including B.A. + L.L.B., B.Sc. + L.L.B., B.Com. + L.L.B., B.S.W. + L.L.B., and L.L.M.
LSAT – Law School Admission Test
LSAT is another national-level law entrance exam that is conducted by Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The candidates qualifying for this exam are eligible for admission to various private colleges and universities associated with LSAC Global Alliance. It offers admission to various integrated undergraduate law courses, L.L.B., and L.L.M.
AIL LET – Army Institute of Law Entrance Test
Army Institute of Law, Mohali conducts a Law Entrance Test (AIL LET) every year to select the law aspirants for admission to a 5-year integrated B.A. + L.L.B. course. AIL selects the best students through this test to fill a total number of 100 seats. The candidates are required to attempt a total of 200 questions divided into 4 sections – Mental Ability, Law Aptitude, General English, and General Awareness.
AILET – All India Law Entrance Test
National Law University, Delhi ranks in the list of top law schools in India. It conducts AILET annually to select deserving law aspirants for admission to B.A. + L.L.B. and L.L.M. It offers a total of 110 seats for undergraduate law courses and 70 seats for postgraduate law courses. It is also a national-level entrance exam that is conducted in an offline mode.
SLAT – Symbiosis Law Admission Test
Symbiosis International University is responsible for conducting SLAT every year. It is conducted for selecting capable students for admission to various Symbiosis Law Schools across the country. It offers a total of 1080 seats for various undergraduate law courses. Symbiosis is one of the most sought-after universities in India.
Career Opportunities After Doing Law Courses
A law degree is highly in demand as it facilitates students with numerous and stable career opportunities.
|
Job Profile |
Average Annual Salary |
|
Junior Lawyer |
INR 3 Lacs per annum |
|
Corporate Lawyer |
INR 7 Lacs per annum |
|
Private Lawyer |
INR 4 Lacs per Annum |
|
Advocate |
INR 3.5 Lacs per annum |
|
Litigator |
INR 3 Lacs per annum |
|
Trial Lawyer |
INR 3 Lacs per annum |
|
Legal Assistant |
INR 4.5 Lacs per annum |
|
Judge |
INR 9 Lacs per annum |
|
Civil Lawyer |
INR 4 Lacs per annum |
|
Law Officer |
INR 6.5 Lacs per annum |
Conclusion
Pursuing a career in law can prove to be a life-changing experience for most people. It allows you to explore multiple career opportunities in various industries. In the coming decade, law professionals will be higher in demand. However, pursuing a law degree is not enough to build a successful career. You should always be ready to enhance your skill set and gain experience to be a successful law professional.
If you are ambitious toward your goals and interested in legal issues, pursuing a career as a law professional can prove to be a life-changing decision in your life. Moreover, you should always ensure to undergo a thorough research process before finalizing your decision.
