What is the difference between LLM and MSc in law?
Asked by: Mrs. Pascale Hilpert | Last update: February 7, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (65 votes)
An LLM (Master of Laws) is a Master of Laws; the terms refer to the same postgraduate degree for those who already have a law degree (like a J.D.) and want to specialize in a particular area, like tax, human rights, or international law, to advance their legal career or gain expertise for U.S. practice, while a J.D. (Juris Doctor) is the primary professional law degree for becoming a practicing lawyer. An LLM is an advanced, specialized credential, not a basic law qualification, and is pursued by lawyers seeking deeper knowledge or foreign-trained lawyers aiming to understand U.S. law.
Is LLM better than MSc?
Academically, they're both Masters-level qualifications and of the same academic standard. One is not objectively better than the other. They're equal but slightly different: an LLM qualification gives an emphasis on 'law' and the MSc qualification gives more of an emphasis on 'science'.
Is LLM an MSc?
At the time of writing, 112 universities offer LLM courses in the UK, with each programme taking around a year to complete. On the other hand, an MSc in Law is not a Master of Laws, but a Master of Science.
Does LLM make you a lawyer?
No, an LLM (Master of Laws) doesn't make you a lawyer on its own; it's a postgraduate specialization for those who already have a law degree (like a JD in the U.S.) or for foreign-educated lawyers to gain U.S. qualifications, but you still need to pass the bar exam to practice. The standard path to becoming a lawyer in the U.S. involves a JD degree, followed by bar admission, while an LLM offers deeper expertise in areas like tax or international law, making you more competitive or eligible to take the bar in specific cases.
Is LLM equal to LLB?
The LLB is an undergraduate degree (or sometimes, for graduates, a professional bachelor's degree), serving as the entry-level qualification for legal studies. The LLM, on the other hand, is a master's degree, designed for those who have already completed a first law degree and want to pursue further specialization.
Difference between LLM and MSc | Legal Jargon
What is the highest degree in law?
Let's Sum it Up! The highest degree in law, typically a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) or Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD), therefore, is the pinnacle of legal education.
Which LLM is most in demand?
Top 10 LLM Specializations in Demand in 2025 – Scope, Salary & Career Opportunities
- LLM in International Law.
- LLM in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- LLM in Human Rights Law.
- LLM in Environmental Law.
- LLM in Cyber Law / Technology Law.
- LLM in Taxation Law.
- LLM in Arbitration, Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Is an LLM higher than a JD?
Neither an LLM nor a JD is inherently "higher," but they serve different purposes: a JD (Juris Doctor) is the fundamental, primary degree needed to become a lawyer and practice law in the U.S., while an LLM (Master of Laws) is a secondary, specialized degree for those who already hold a JD (or foreign law degree) and want advanced knowledge in a specific area like tax or environmental law, often for career advancement. Think of the JD as the entry ticket to the legal profession and the LLM as a specialization for existing legal professionals.
Can I take the bar with just an LLM?
Unfortunately, for LLMs, there are not a lot of choices! Unlike students who graduate with a juris doctor degree, LLM degree holders face more restrictions on where they can sit for the bar. A handful of jurisdictions, such as New York, permit LLM graduates to take the exam and hold a license to practice law.
Can you practice law with just LLM?
But an LL. M. degree does not qualify one to practice law in the US. That requires slaying a different beast: the bar exam.
What is higher than LLM?
If you're interested in a career in law, want to work in an industry adjacent to law or your current role intersects with the legal field, there are three graduate degrees that can expand your knowledge and boost your career potential: the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), the Juris Doctor (JD) and the Master of Laws (LLM ...
How many years is an LLM degree?
Is an LLM a 2-year degree? Depending on specifications and certificate tracks, the Online Master of Laws (LLM) can be completed in as few as 16 months. For those interested in pursuing a Two-Year Extended LLM, USC Gould offers an on-campus master program.
What is LLM as a title?
An LLM, or Master of Laws, is a graduate qualification in the field of law. The LLM was created for lawyers to expand their knowledge, study a specialized area of law, and gain international qualifications if they have earned a law degree outside the U.S. or Canada.
What are the disadvantages of LLM?
LLMs often falter in understanding larger or implicit context within a text. While they perform well with immediate context and long sentences, longer documents with complex narratives can pose challenges. This limitation can lead to errors in translations where understanding the broader context is crucial.
Which branch of LLM is best?
The best LLM specializations in India include corporate law, intellectual property, technology law, and human rights law, among others. Whether you aspire to be a corporate lawyer, a human rights advocate, or a tax consultant, the right LLM specialization can help you achieve your professional dreams.
Can LLMs replace human lawyers?
“The tools actually are not there to basically substitute [for] your lawyer,” says Afra Feyza Akyurek, the lead author of the paper. “Even though a lot of people think that LLMs have a good grasp of the law, it's still lagging behind.”
Can you become an attorney with LLM?
While it's not necessary to have an LLM to be a practicing lawyer, many professionals pursue one because it can make them more desirable candidates in a specific area or within a large law firm that handles international clients. An LLM may also provide you with the qualifications to become a firm partner.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Is an LLM degree ban in India?
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has clarified that any Master of Laws (LL. M.) or equivalent legal programme offered through online, distance, blended, or hybrid modes—without its prior approval—will be considered unauthorised and will not be recognised for any professional or academic purpose.
What is the highest level of a lawyer?
The highest positions for lawyers vary by setting, but within a law firm, it's typically a Managing Partner or Senior Partner, who owns part of the firm and guides strategy. In a corporation, the top role is often the General Counsel, leading the in-house legal team. More broadly, the highest legal office in a country, like the U.S. Attorney General, or becoming a top judge, such as a Supreme Court Justice, are also pinnacle achievements.
What is the future of LLMs in law?
LLMs can generate plausible outputs that may not always be correct or contain accurate case citations. The ability to scrutinise information, verify legal authorities, cross-reference case law, and assess accuracy is more important than ever. Key competencies: Fact-checking AI-generated legal citations.
What is the salary of an LLM in the US?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $182,500 and as low as $85,000, the majority of Llm salaries currently range between $126,000 (25th percentile) to $157,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $174,000 annually across the United States.
Which institute is best for LLM?
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU) ...
- University of Mumbai - Department of Law. ...
- Indian Law Institute (ILI) ...
- National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur. ...
- Amity University - Amity Law School. ...
- University of Delhi (DU) - Faculty of Law. ...
- Symbiosis Law School. ...
- ILS Law College - Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
What is the biggest problem with LLM?
Let's explore some of their main limitations:
- Hallucinations (Making Up Information) One weird thing about LLMs is that when they don't know the answer, they often won't admit it. ...
- Limited Reasoning Skills. ...
- Limited Long-Term Memory. ...
- Limited Knowledge. ...
- Bias. ...
- Prompt Hacking.