Legum Magister or Master of Laws, is a globally recognised law degree. Law students who completed their under graduation will pursue LLM to gain knowledge or expertise in a particular field because many law firms function in specific cases like Civil, criminal, business-related cases, tax-related cases etc. Hence, they hire people based on their specialisation in a specific… Read More »

Legum Magister or Master of Laws, is a globally recognised law degree. Law students who completed their under graduation will pursue LLM to gain knowledge or expertise in a particular field because many law firms function in specific cases like Civil, criminal, business-related cases, tax-related cases etc. Hence, they hire people based on their specialisation in a specific subject of law. This article emphasises the importance and advantages of doing LLM with the information on obtaining scholarships abroad and in India.

Major Scholarship For LLM: All You Need To Know

The degree in Master of Laws will indicate that a lawyer has acquired advanced knowledge, expertise in a particular field of law and is eligible to work in a multinational legal environment. In many cases, students first to obtain the bachelor of laws (i.e.) LL.B and if they wish to pursue LL.M in abroad, they have to clear the bar exam in their geographical area to practice law in local. For instance, LL.B or J.D. (Juris Doctor) obtained in the U.S, and if they wish to practice in other countries like Germany, they have to clear the Bar exam or equivalent exam.

The graduation requirement for obtaining an LLM degree varies according to the universities. Some universities concentrate on doing research papers or ask the students to write a thesis, and some universities will go with classes and complete the course of study. At the same time, many LL.M programmes involve both courses of study and research. Also, there will be part-time LL.M programmes for obtaining a Master degree in Laws.

I. Importance of doing LLM

Pursuing LL.M will make you stand out from the crowd. It will make your expertise or obtain specialisation in particular law which many law firms require. If you want to move on to lecturing or teaching Law, LL.M will be highly beneficial. It also opens doors for PhD. Moreover, the ideal CV (Curriculum vitae) to be more strong to obtain jobs like teaching law in reputed law schools, the CV would have a mix of work experience as well as strong academic qualifications.

II. Benefits of doing LL.M from abroad

Obtaining an LL.M degree from abroad has many benefits such as learning about the international legal proceedings, learning about ethics & practice of law and experience in legal proceedings in foreign countries where the court proceedings are quite different from our country. The benefits include building your CV to a prestigious one and stand out from the crowd, can build up an international network, can gain deep knowledge and specialization, and can develop new skills.

LL.M is more prevalent in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada and the eligibility criteria for the same is to clear the English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS), Curriculum Vitae, Degree in Law and letter of recommendation.

III. The Benefit of doing LL.M locally

Pursuing LL.M locally will save your money while studying LL.M in abroad, we have to spend more money on staying, food, college fee etc.. it would be more expensive. Also, in India, you can study LL.M while you are working and save money, which will be quite difficult if you went abroad for learning.

IV. Types and categories of scholarships

  • Need-based- The selection will be based on their parent’s income and financial history. Hence, it is based on the candidate’s financial requirements.
  • Merit-based- The financial requirement of the candidate and their parents plays no role here, where the selection is purely based on the candidate’s academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
  • Merit cum need-based- Here, the selection will be based on both academic achievements and financial history of the candidate.

V. Eligibility for applying for a scholarship in Abroad

The eligibility criteria differ based on the scholarship and the countries. For instance in University of Birmingham Law School Scholarships, in the United Kingdom, the eligibility criteria are, the students must be capable of self-funding the cost of living and other additional costs related to study in the UK. They must not be an already registered student at the University of Birmingham.[1]

Likewise, in the Loch Law Scholarship Program[2], in the UK, the students who are enrolled in any part-time or full-time law programme in any university/college. For Fulbright Nehru master’s fellowship, US, the students should secure 55% in LL.B, must have at least three years’ full-time (paid) professional work experience, should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service; must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program.[3]

VI. Eligibility for applying for a scholarship in India

There are many top private colleges in India offering scholarships for masters in law. Each college has its eligibility criteria for selection of candidates. For instance, Lovely professional university, Phagwara granting scholarships for LL.M based on their marks obtained in Qualifying Exam, Scholarship Based on LPUNEST, Scholarship Based on LSAT India, Scholarship Based on Performance in Sports, Special Scholarships and Fee Concessions. There are research grant scholarships in Ansal University, Gurgaon for LL.M candidates up to 30,000 INR for one research publication.

Major India-Based Scholarship

  • Aditya Birla Group Scholarship

Students pursuing Engineering, Management and Law courses from any of the following institutions can apply for the scholarship –IIMs in Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore, Kolkata, Shillong, Kozhikode and Indore, XLRI in Jamshedpur, IITs in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Guwahati and Roorkee, BITS Pilani campuses, NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, National Law School of India University in Bangalore, National Law University, The WB National University of Juridical Sciences, Gujarat National Law University. The students who secured up to 20 rankings in the entrance exam are invited.

To apply: Visit Here

VII. Scholarships outside India

  • Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship: The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The programme was established at the first Commonwealth Education Conference in 1959, and over 26,000 individuals have benefitted from it so far.

To apply: Visit Here

  • The Felix Scholarship: The main objective of the Felix Scholarship is to encourage the scholars to exhibit them to academic study, cultures, experiences and friendships. Hence, in turn, it will help them to develop their skills and visions, and the same can be contributed to their culture and welfare of their home communities once they return to their home country.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Chevening Scholarships: It is the United Kingdom global scholarship programme designated to offer future leaders the opportunity to study in the UK. This scholarship is given to the professionals with outstanding academic achievements from all over the world to study one year master degree in any subject at any UK university.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Fulbright Nehru master’s scholarship: The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are designed for outstanding Indians to pursue a master’s degree program at selected colleges in the United States and universities in the areas of Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies; Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies. International Legal Studies includes business law, commercial and trade law, employment and labour law, environmental law, global health law, human rights, intellectual property rights and law, international organizations, securities and financial regulations, litigation law, and tax law, among others.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Study in Hungary: In each year, more than thousands of students were applying for higher studies in Hungary. Every year the number of applicants and the number of available scholarships were increasing. By the year 2019-2020, there are more than 4500 scholarships awarded, and currently, 7000 students are studying through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Swedish institute scholarship: Several numbers of scholarship programmes are administered by the Swedish Institute, a public agency that promotes interest and confidence in Sweden around the world. Among the scholarship programmes are The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP), The Visby Programme, Swedish Institute Scholarships for South Africa (SISSA), and the SI Scholarships for the Western Balkans and Turkey.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Study in Holland: This scholarship is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and several Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. The scholarship amounts to € 5,000. Students will receive this in the first year of their studies. Kindly note that this is not a full-tuition scholarship.

To apply: Available Here

  • Kapila & Nirmal Hingorani Foundation Pegasus Scholarship Programme- The scholarship is exclusively available for Indian citizens, who have been in practice for less than seven years on the date of submission of the application.

To apply: Visit Here

  • Hong Kong Maritime Law Scholarship- This scholarship is for students pursuing the Maritime and Transportation Law Stream of the LL.M. program. Selection will be based on past work experience and their academic achievement of the students.

To apply: Visit Here

  • LLM in Paris Scholarships– This full-tuition fee scholarship is available for the following LLM in Paris programs like LLM Banking and Finance Law, LLM Comparative and International Dispute Resolution, LLM Energy and Natural Resources Law, LLM Intellectual Property Law, LLM International Business Law, LLM Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law.

To apply: Visit Here

Conclusion

In today’s world, education has become a valuable and expensive asset. Most of the students will have dreams to pursue their higher studies abroad or locally, but due to poor financial background, they are unable to afford for higher education. Usually, some of the students will complete their under graduation with debts or loans, which is very difficult to pay back, but we don’t need to pay back for our scholarship.

It is prestigious and saves you from debt, improves performance as well as gives you a career advantage. Pay for your education by scholarship until you leave university.


[1] Scholarships at Birmingham Law School, Available Here

[2] Loch Law Scholarship Program For Any Law Student, Available Here

[3] Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships, Available Here


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Updated On 25 Aug 2020 6:26 AM IST
M. Preetha

M. Preetha

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