I am considering pursuing an LL.M. abroad after completing my law degree, but I am finding it difficult to decide which universities I should realistically target. Most of the universities that are commonly discussed have extremely competitive admissions and I don’t want to limit my applications only to institutions where the chances of admission are very low.
At the same time I don’t want to choose a university simply because it is easier to get into. I would like to find universities that have a good reputation strong faculty and academic exposure and can provide useful international exposure and career opportunities after the LL.M.
Could you suggest some good international universities or LL.M. programmes that students should consider which are comparatively less competitive than the very top universities but still offer good academic and career opportunities?
Pursuing LL.M., that too from a foreign University, may not be of any much relevance, if the querist is intending to pursue a career in litigation practice in Indian Courts. It would be in his or her best interest to start appearing in Courts at the earliest, to gain actual life experiences. If interested, he or she may simultaneously pursue LL.M. from a decent University, if the future goal is to join the judiciary.
But if he or she is intending to join Academics in some College or University as a Professor, or intends to be employed in some Corporate Law Firm or in some Corporate Business House, in future, which is generally considered as a non-litigation practise, LL.M. from a good reputed University in India (i.e. Similar to National Schools of Law at Bangalore or Delhi or Gandhinagar) or in Abroad (preferably a decent University in the United Kingdom) may have an additional edge, as a stepping stone, but that too doesn’t guarantee any better prospects in future, unless he or she is able to deliver, which is not legal but appeasing to the employer.
Hence, before making any choice for the University or College, for LL.M., the querist must be clear of his or her future goal, and make a choice wisely.
Law is the field where one has to start learning after the LL.B. or LL.M. degree, to remain relevant or have a decent practice, and no college or university is going to teach that.
Best wishes for the future.
