Career in Law: 3-year LLB vs 5-year integrated LLB

Making the best career choice is a really stressful process. There are a lot of things to think about. Fortunately, this article will assist you if you are a law aspirant and want to have a triumphant law career either after pursuing a 3-year LLB or a 5-year LLB degree.

One of the most common professions in the nation and one that plays a crucial role in society is law. The law professionals make sure that the judicial, executive, and legislative parts of government work in unison.

Law professionals are seen as being essential to the judiciary's system since they possess the knowledge and orientation to comprehend the legal system and related processes.

For graduates, a career in law provides a variety of options where they can put their skills to use and make a bigger difference. Law specialists are held in high regard for their work in this reputable subject. They engage with numerous people from all social classes and gain a thorough understanding of what makes people tick. They have an unexplainable ability to connect with anyone they come into contact with. Law graduates have a variety of attractive job opportunities, so they should broaden their horizons rather than focus only on one.

 In terms of financial rewards as well as the fulfillment that comes from assisting society's citizens by educating them about fundamental human rights, a career in law is gratifying. After completing class 12th, one must first enroll in an undergraduate degree like a 3-year LLB or a 5-year integrated LLB to begin a career in law in India. After completing the course, you have a variety of legal career options, including starting a private practice or joining a law firm. Another option is to enroll in a postgraduate school like an LLM to expand your knowledge and get the in-depth legal abilities you need for a significant professional advancement.

Students who complete a three-year LLB programme graduate with a bachelor's degree in the foundational areas of law. On the other side, a five-year LLB combines a law degree with a bachelor's in the humanities, science, engineering or business.

If you are considering legal careers, read this article for cardinal deets on the range of LLB careers, job descriptions, compensation ranges, top recruiters, and much more.

Also Read:List of Popular Law Entrance Exams in India 2023: Check Dates for Registration, Admit Card, Examination, and Results

Who Should Choose a 3-Year LLB Degree? 

Those who are already graduates or about to pass out of their college should not have any qualms about the three-year course. At that point of time, if a student thinks about high profile institutions like NLSIU Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, WB NUJS Kolkata or ILS Law College and prepares to join a five-year law course then he/ she would make a big mistake in his/her career choice. This would lead to the loss of two or more very crucial years in this very competitive world.

Moreover, a three year Bachelor of Law degree is designed especially for candidates who have already completed an undergraduate degree in any stream and wish to pursue the law field. It is an ideal choice for students who want to enrol in the best law course for themselves without wasting time.

Who Should Choose a 5-Year LLB Degree?

If a student has made up his/ her mind about pursuing law right after class 12th, he/ she should enrol in a five-year-long integrated law course. Instead of first doing graduation in some stream and then the option for an LLB degree, the candidate must take admission in any integrated law course as per his/ her choice. There is no logic in doing two different courses of three years each while the same can be earned in five years. It will also prevent the loss of one or more very crucial years which may have a telling effect on the student’s career.

The students who are about to complete class 12th from a recognised board of education and wish to pursue law must go for the 5 year LLB degree. They are quite a popular choice among students who wish to make a career in the field.

3-Year LLB vs 5-Year LLB: Admissions Process

The admission process to law programmes differs in both segments. Several methods of conducting admissions are adopted by the law colleges of India. Some of them are:

• Based on National/ State Level Entrance Exams
• Based on Institute Level Entrance Exams
• Based on Merit

Some popular national-level law entrance exams such as CLAT, LSAT India etc. are conducted annually. Many state-level law entrance exams like RULET, AP LAWCET, TS LAWCET are also accepted by many colleges in the respective states. Institutes like Symbiosis Law School (SLS) and BHU conduct their individual entrance exams like SLAT and BHU UET Law.

Many law colleges conduct admission on the basis of class 12 marks or the marks scored in the undergraduate degree. Merit-based direct admission is offered through the aggregate score of the candidate.

3-Year LLB vs 5-Year LLB: Career Prospects

Your work prospects as a legal professional won't change significantly whether you take a three-year or a five-year school, despite the programmes being extremely different from one another. Good colleges and seasoned experts from both categories can be found in both segments. Therefore, when picking between a 3-year LLB and a 5-year LLB, the question of "How good is a three-year LLB with respect to a 5-year integrated LLB" may not be very pertinent.

LLB is a professional law degree geared for the legal industry. Both 5-year LLB and 3-year LLB graduates are qualified to practice law. Law companies, MNCs, government agencies, judicial bodies, banks, and litigation are just a few of the businesses that LLB degree holders can work in in addition to being attorneys. These graduates can explore the aforementioned businesses by obtaining positions as a corporate lawyer, law officer, advocate, litigator, etc.

The majority of prestigious law schools in India provide both 3 and 5 year LLB programmes. Both degrees are highly prized and offer a variety of professional options to those who want to pursue a career in law. Both a 3-year and a 5-year LLB programme are undergraduate programmes, therefore their job opportunities are very comparable.

Let’s take a comparable look at what both the coveted law degrees have to offer in terms of employment prospects, career trajectory among other relevant details.

3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB: Job Scope 

It is common knowledge that law is an extremely flourishing career option in India as well as abroad. Law is a financially rewarding and intellectually demanding profession that pays attractive salaries that vary depending on the role and the company that one is employed for.

Nearly all private businesses and nonprofit organizations have now started to see the value of the law and its profound effects on the corporate sector as we advance towards privatization and globalization. As a result, careers in law have grown just as promising as those in technical fields. Today's lawyers are employed by global corporations, IT businesses, banks, law firms, and other organizations in addition to appearing on behalf of clients in courtrooms.

Additionally, learning about law would widen one's knowledge set. It will assist one in comprehending the social, cultural, and economic outlooks of other civilizations and how they influence the laws and policies governing civil affairs, criminal activity, trade and commerce, and human rights in a particular country and on a global scale.

The need for sophisticated law school graduates who possess the necessary abilities to manage key positions at major companies across several sectors has increased significantly. Law graduates can also find a variety of positions in the government sector.

A 3-year LLB and a 5-year LLB courses come with a variety of perks of their own; it all relies on the type of Institute where the programme is being pursued at and how much effort is put forth. Make sure to put in all the effort and instill the necessary knowledge to assist you achieve the more important objectives. 

In terms of scope for higher education, a 3-year LLB or a 5-year LLB graduate can further their education with the help of the below mentioned popular courses/ exams among law graduates:

• LLM
• PhD in Law
• M.Phil in Law
• Certification Course in Labour Law and Administrative Law
• MBA
• Chartered Accountancy
• Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Company Secretary
• Judicial Services
• Civil Services

The 3-year LLB and a 5-year LLB programmes offer a plethora of employment opportunities and wonderful perks that you will get to know in this article.

3-year LLB vs 5-year LLB: Best Legal Jobs in 2023 

Candidates must note that alot of career options overlap for a 3-year LLB or a 5-year LLB graduate and both the degrees have quite comparable job profiles and careers. Following are some of the most popular LLB careers that will be in great demand in 2023 if you're pondering what to do after completing an LLB course (3-year or 5-year LLB). 

Corporate Lawyer: Corporate lawyers assist companies in abiding by rules and laws specific to their industry. They are responsible for assisting their clients with every legal process related to starting and operating a business.

You would have to provide legal counsel to your client regarding liability claims, business dealings, and court appearances as a corporate attorney. Corporate attorneys work on behalf of their clients to evaluate and submit legal documents related to their concerns.

Corporate attorneys must have expertise in a variety of fields, such as M&A Transactions, Banking, Financial Law, Advanced Company Law, Commercial Contract Drafting, and Competition Law.

A corporate lawyer in India earns an average of INR 7,00,000 a year. Starting out, you may plan on earning INR 1,50,000 lakh per year, including the base pay and any potential incentives. This employment has a rather high salary ceiling; it can go up to INR 20,00,000 per year. This career is among the top in the legal sector in terms of earning potential.

Litigation Lawyer: To practice law in the courts is the standard career path for litigation lawyers. However, it is crucial for every recent graduate to gain experience working under a Senior Counsel. Before entering the courts of law, graduates are now required to pass the bar exam. There are several career opportunities in litigation in both the public and private sectors. You could choose to focus on a specific area of law, such as taxation, constitutional law, family law, etc. You can decide to concentrate on civil litigation, criminal matters, trial-level practice, or appellate work. Depending on your skills, expertise, and experience, you might anticipate earning anywhere from INR 5,00,000 LPA to INR 10,00,000 LPA.

Cyber Lawyer: Hacking, hostile attacks, and other fraudulent behaviors are a constant problem in the information technology sector. Cyber law consequently becomes one of the sought-after jobs after receiving an LLB degree. World-class businesses, both public and private, require cyber attorneys. A cyber law expert must deal with a variety of concerns, including intellectual property, data protection and privacy, cybercrimes, and electronic and digital signatures.

The foundation of the cyber world is made up of computers, networks, and mobile devices. You can select from any certification programme, diploma, or degree if you want to become an authority in the field of cyber law. Cyber assistants, cyber assistants, and cyber lawyers can all find employment if they have a degree in cyber law. These top Cyber Law Certification courses might tickle your interest as well.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs), corporate businesses, government agencies or public departments, law firms, and law enforcement organizations can all recruit cyber law professionals. The income of a cyber lawyer depends on their level of education, location, and type of job. Starting salaries range from 3 to 5 LPA. Therefore, you can quickly shift your attention to cyber law when thinking about what needs to be done after LLB employment possibilities.

Government Services: Students who obtain their LLBs may decide to work for the government after graduation. If they prepared themselves, they would be qualified for Indian Legal Services and the numerous positions it offers. This includes the Department of Legal Affairs' legal advisers and the Department of Legislation's legislative counsel. To be taken into consideration, applicants must be qualified to take the Public Service Commission exam. A few legislative counsels who speak Hindi and other local languages are employed by the legislative department.

Additionally, anyone who met the conditions could enroll in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. They are also capable of passing exams like the Block Development Officer Exam and the IAS, which are given by the SPSC (State Public Service Commission) and UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), respectively. Additionally, they have the option of becoming a public prosecutor or an assistant public prosecutor.

It is easy for law graduates to pass these exams with minimum preparation because they have the capacity to study in-depth about the Indian Constitution, the powers and responsibilities of the government, how government functions, and many other issues. They can also serve as Public Prosecutors or Assistant Public Prosecutors. After gaining some experience via practise, candidates are selected for this position through an exam administered by the State Public Service Commission or the Union Public Service Commission. A law graduate who accepts one of the top positions in the government services sector will make, on average, between INR 5,00,000 and INR 14,00,000 per year.

Legal Advisor: You can work as a legal advisor after receiving your LLB or join law firms, corporations, banks, or privately held organizations. On a variety of legal matters, you can provide advice. NGOs could also profit from your legal expertise. These provide their clients with legal advisory services. In specific situations, they help people make the best decision they can. Most large corporations and governments use legal counsel. An average annual salary for a legal advisor is between INR 4,20,000 and INR 5,50,000.

Legal Journalist: You can pursue a career in legal journalism if you have a talent for writing. Legal reporters cover court proceedings and present the facts honestly. They provide content for both offline and online sources, including blogs, websites, and social media (newspaper, magazine, etc.). Due to their thorough knowledge of the law and current events, legal journalists may participate in discussions on legal matters.

Excellent writing and communication abilities are indispensable in this job profile. However, a legal journalist is not only restricted to writing; they can also work in visual media, such as television, YouTube, etc. It's unquestionably a special profession with a particular set of chances and difficulties.

Legal journalists are given creative liberty and must be very deliberate with their choice of language. They produce pieces to be disseminated to a larger audience and record the hearings.

It's crucial for legal journalists to have some of the following abilities:

• Knowledge of current legal events
• Good Knowledge of Current Affairs
• Active listening skills
• Good writing skills
• Sharp memory
• Knowledge of SEO
• Video editing skills, etc.

In India, a legal journalist makes an average pay of INR 3,70,000 per year. Senior-level experts in this industry can earn up to INR 9,90,000 annually, although entry-level professionals typically make around INR 1,60,000 annually. For creative folks, it's one of the best employment options in the legal field.

Legal Assistant/ Paralegal: A legal assistant who works for either public or private law companies is known as a paralegal. For attorneys, paralegals handle a variety of legal activities. Unlike a secretary, they handle important tasks such as planning, hearing preparations for meetings, trial affairs, and client interactions. The average annual salary of a legal assistant/ paralegal ranges between INR 3,00,000 and INR 4,00,000 in India.

Company Secretary: Another of the most lucrative jobs after receiving an LLB degree is that of a company secretary. After earning your LLB, enroll in the company secretary programmes. Recently, the LLB + CS combination has gained popularity, and many employers now favor applicants who hold both degrees. You must enroll in the certification programme offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. If you pass all the examinations, you will have several job alternatives in the market along with a lucrative salary and an amazing career trajectory.

A lucrative pay and a reputable job will await you if you are able to become a certified member of the ICSI along with holding a 3-year or a 5-year integrated law degree. The LLB and CS combo, however, will only work well in a business environment as opposed to a traditional law office. Starting pay is from INR 6,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 per annum, and as you gain experience, it will grow significantly. Being a CS is a great opportunity to take advantage of while thinking about your work options after earning a LLB degree.

Legal Analyst: Investigation, legal analysis, and recommendation of remedies to legal issues are the responsibilities of legal analysts. They assist legal teams and attorneys with their work by conducting research, gathering evidence, drafting court documents, and performing a range of other tasks.

Legal analysts are also referred to as paralegals or litigation analysts, and the work they conduct varies significantly depending on the case they are working on and who they are assisting. They are in charge of overseeing tracking and database management, as well as obtaining, observing, and analyzing crucial records.

They could be expected to work past regular business hours when working on difficult situations. Additionally, they might have to travel to conduct further study on their cases. Legal analysts need a fundamental knowledge of the law, legal writing, legal research, and management.

Legal analysts need to be able to do thorough research as well as assess it. Being organized and having effective time management are other critical abilities to have.

Legal analysts in India make an average of INR 4,14,000 per year. For those entering the legal area for the first time and seeking practical experience, it is a desirable field. In India, a legal analyst's annual salary might reach INR 9,80,000 with gain in experience, skills and expertise.

Research and Higher Education: When it comes to one of the sought-after careers after earning an LLB degree, education holds a respectable role. You can enroll in an LLM or Master of Legislative Law course after earning a LLB degree (3-year or 5-year LLB). With an LLM, you have the option to select a specialization that will allow you to gain expertise in a certain area in the field of law. Additionally, if you decide to pursue a PhD in the future, it opens up even more opportunities, especially in the research sector. LLB graduates who desire to pursue a career in education typically choose an LLM degree course. There are many LLB career chances in this profession because a law professor makes around INR 4,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 LPA and a research scholar makes about INR 3,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 per annum as an entry-level pay.

Civil Lawyer: Although they represent clients in non-criminal matters, civil lawyers perform the same duties as criminal lawyers. Once a defendant hires them, civil attorneys take over the litigation. A civil lawyer is in charge of all the case-related duties, including speaking with the other party's attorneys and the judge, interviewing witnesses, hiring experts, filing motions, and presenting the case.

Civil law is a very varied field with many different specialties. Divorce law, tax law, excise law, etc. are some common specializations in this area. By keeping a close eye on their cases, civil attorneys assist their clients. They look into the situation and develop the crucial strategies needed to win.

Civil law covers a wide range of topics, including family law, commercial law, and many more. Civil lawyers have the expertise and mental capacity to examine the particulars. To protect their clients' legal rights, they put a lot of time and effort into their research.

The following are a few of the qualities needed in the field of civil law:

• Knowledge of legal events
• Excellent Persuasive skills
• General knowledge of society and Current Affairs
• Empathy
• Strong communication skills
• Good Writing skills

It's difficult to estimate the typical civil lawyer income in India because there are numerous branches of civil law, as we previously discussed. As divorce lawyers often make INR 10,00,000 annually, while intellectual property lawyers may make far more than the former, different specializations offer varying compensation. The compensation in this industry is largely influenced by your experience. Your comprehension of the nation's legal system and court system will improve with experience.

Other popular legal job profiles/ sectors include the following:

• Banking & Insurance Sector
• Investigation Agencies
• Criminologist
• Litigation Support Professional
• Public Prosecutor
• Government Lawyer
• Politics
• Legal Outsourcing, etc.

3-Year LLB vs 5-Year LLB: Placement trends

All the leading law institutes in India have a well-oiled professional placement cell that assists students in getting good job opportunities. The course curriculum of all these colleges is designed as per industry standards. Not just the National Law Universities (NLUs) but many other law colleges also have an impressive placement record and have placed their students in national and international law firms, corporate legal departments and consulting companies.

The job roles offered to candidates with both three year and five year LLB degrees are more or less the same. These candidates can also choose to pursue higher studies instead of opting to enter professional ventures. Many sectors like the judiciary, corporate, law practice in courts, etc.

Also Read:Bachelor of Law (LL.B) Admission in India 2023: Selection & Admission Procedure, Eligibility, Fees, Colleges

3-year LLB vs 5-year integrated LLB: Salary Structure 

In the modern day, the role of a lawyer has seen a significant transformation, moving away from white collars and black robes and toward sumptuous corporate offices and positions in television, film, and other kinds of media. Law is a body of legally binding rules and regulations to the average person. However, as a profession, it denotes much more and encompasses a wide range of fields, like litigation, the media, intellectual property, academics, etc. There is a significant lack of attorneys due to the strong demand for attorneys from both corporations and people.

The job profiles for both the 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB courses are quite comparable along with the salary structure. Let’s take a look at the salary structure of varied job profiles for both the 3-year LLB and 5-year LLB degree programmes.

Note: The salaries listed above are based on PayScale data, with the exception of the salary for the Legal Editor, for which the data is provided by Ambition Box.

3-year vs 5-year integrated LLB: Top Recruiters 

Both the public and private sectors have employment prospects for recent law graduates. The following are the top law firms in the nation that recruit students who have completed either 3-year LLB or 5-year LLB courses:

• Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas And Co.
• Deloitte 
• McKinsey and Co.
• AZB & Partners 
• KPMG 
• Maheshwari & Co. 
• Khaitan & Co.
• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
• Trilegal
• J Sagar Associates
• Luthra & Luthra    
• Desai & Diwanji    
• Singhania & Partners
• Titus & Co    
• Wadia Ghandy & Co
• Economic Laws Practice    
• Vaish & Associates, etc.

3-year vs 5-year integrated LLB: Employment Areas

Law school graduates' salaries primarily rely on their industry. There are various legal agencies in addition to the fact that every company sector needs legal services. The top paying industry for law graduates in the corporate world is telecom. After that, law graduates are hired by consulting firms to provide legal advice.

A few of the employment fields where LLB graduates can find jobs include the following:

• Legal Consultancies
• News Channels
• Judiciary
• Sales tax and Excise Departments
• Colleges & Universities
• Courts & Judiciary
• Law Firms
• Telecom
• MNCs
• Legal Department of Banks
• Business House

3-year vs 5-year integrated LLB: Top 4 Law Courses To Pursue in 2023

By now, we all know that to pursue a career in law we need to either opt for a 3-year LLB course or a 5-year LLB course; if a candidate has just passed class 12th then a 5-year integrated LLB course is a perfect choice for them whereas if a candidate is already a graduate then they must go with a 3-year LLB degree course. Pursuing a 5-year LLB degree course will not be a wise choice for a graduate candidate because it will be a sheer waste of time. 

Presently, the demand for law courses is increasing rapidly and plenty of candidates are opting for a law course of their choice that aligns with their interests and long-term career goals. Let’s take a look at the top 4 law courses with an increasing demand by the aspirants due to varied factors like - excellent job prospects, higher salaries, wider job opportunities, and a better career scope.

BA LLB (Hons.) - Candidates can enroll in the five-year integrated BA LLB (Hons.) programme after completing class 12th. The Law course combines the Humanities and Law streams, allowing students to study subjects like history, sociology, administrative law, criminology, family law, and other legal subjects. 

The semester system, which divides the five-year course into 10 semesters, is followed by the majority of law schools. The cost of the BA LLB programme at the best legal schools in India is between INR 1,50,000 and 2,80,000 per year. The BA LLB graduates can start earning anywhere between INR 3,50,000 to INR 7,00,000 per annum. 

BBA LLB (Hons.) - The five-year Bachelor of Business Administration & Bachelor of Legislative Law or BBA LLB (Hons.) degree programme leads to a professional degree for graduates in the field of law and business administration. In the BBA LLB (Hons) integrated law programme, candidates are taught both legal and business administration-related curriculum.

The BBA LLB (Hons) programme is a superb mix of business and fundamental legal topics. Candidates with a background in business who wish to understand law as well as corporate and company laws are most suited for the position. The BBA LLB (Hons) course fees may range from INR 70,000 to INR 3,90,000 per year. The starting salary package for fresher BBA LLB (Hons) graduates may range from INR 4,00,000 to INR 7,00,000 per annum.

LLB (Hons.) - The three-year Bachelor of Legislative Law Honours programme is an undergraduate law degree. There are a total of ten semesters in the course. After completing the LLB (Hons) programme, a variety of legal professions are open to applicants.

Candidates frequently mix up LLB and LLB Honours. Although the concepts in both courses are the same, the latter provides a more in-depth understanding of the topics. Holders of LLB Honours degrees can find employment in the public and private sectors, notably in the tax and labor, defense, and public prosecutor departments. The starting salary for a LLB (Hons) graduate ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.

BCom LLB (Hons.) - Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Legislative Law, or B.Com LLB (Hons) Honours is an integrated 5-year undergraduate professional law programme that combines the study of law and commerce. The number of subjects that must be studied differs between a Regular BCom LLB and one with Honors; Honours calls for the study of additional subjects. Because its course curriculum includes both a thorough study of law and legislature and the study of commerce. It is one of the most sought-after integrated law degrees among students majoring in commerce who aspire to practice law in the areas of finance, taxation, and accounting. The average annual salary for a BCom LLB (Hons) graduate ranges from INR 3,50,000 to INR 6,60,000. 

Top Law Colleges for 3-Year and 5-Year LLB in India

Check the table given below to find out the best law colleges that offer 3-year and 5-year LLB.

As one of the most major and powerful organizations for employment, law firms provide students who enroll in the LLB degree with the chance to develop a successful and strong career in the field of law. After graduating from an LLB programme (3-year or 5-year integrated LLB), graduates can attend court proceedings, seek jobs at various kinds of legal companies, open their own private practices, etc.

The LLB degree holder is qualified to operate in fields including legal firms, the court system, corporations, etc. A professional with an LLB degree may have positions as a judicial clerk, human rights attorney, cyber attorney, business owner, legal researcher, public prosecutor, legal & policy analyst, and others. Professionals in the LLB (3-year or 5-year integrated LLB) field typically earn between INR 3,20,000 and INR 6,00,000 per annum in compensation.

Do not get confused between a 3-year LLB and a 5-year LLB degree as both have a comparable job scope along with excellent job opportunities and career advancement. If you have completed your class 12th, a 5-year integrated LLB course is your best bet because it is a specialized dual degree program that may prove to be a great kickstart as far as your career in law is concerned. However, if you have already graduated from any stream and want to build a career in law then a 3-year LLB degree is best suited for you.

After earning either a 3-year or a 5-year LLB degree, there are many profitable career options available. However, your passion should eventually steer you into a particular field. Make sure the job path you chose after law is in line with your passion and long term career aspirations. You may apply for any of these positions after earning an LLB degree.

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