Academics
Explore Your Path at NLSIU
At NLSIU, students can choose from a range of academic programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, research, and professional education. Whether you are beginning your academic journey, advancing your professional qualifications, or pursuing cutting-edge research, NLSIU offers a rigorous and supportive learning environment.
Our undergraduate programmes build strong foundations for diverse careers and further study. Postgraduate programmes provide specialised and interdisciplinary training in law and public policy, while our research degrees support advanced scholarship and original research. For learners seeking flexibility, our Professional and Continuing Education programmes offer high-quality education designed for learners across disciplines and career stages.
At every level, NLSIU combines academic excellence with real-world impact—preparing students to think critically, lead responsibly, and shape the future.
Undergraduate Programmes
B.A. (Hons.)
The NLS BA (Hons) Programme is a three-year undergraduate degree, with the option to extend to a fourth year.
Students may choose majors and minors from four disciplines: History; Sociology & Anthropology; Economics; and Politics. Those who are selected for the four-year track will graduate with a BA (Hons. with Research) degree
5-Year B.A., LL.B. (Hons.)
NLSIU pioneered this 5-year integrated BA LLB (Hons) programme in India with the intention to provide a strong foundation upon which students can choose to pursue professional options or further academic opportunities. The first cohort of this programme was admitted in 1988.
Postgraduate Programmes
3-Year LL.B. (Hons.)
The 3-year LLB (Hons) is a postgraduate professional degree programme that is open to graduates from all disciplines. It is a qualifying degree for admission to legal practice. The programme is structured around interdisciplinary study of the law combined with experiential learning. Designed to bridge theory and practice, it is designed to produce lawyers who meet the challenges of the 21st century.
LL.M.
The one-year LL.M. programme provides a unique blend of core and elective courses, allowing students to deepen their expertise in their preferred areas of interest and thrive in diverse fields such as academia, research, legal practice, policy making and judicial services.
Master’s Programme in Public Policy
The two-year Master’s Programme in Public Policy (MPP) provides a comprehensive education for aspiring Public Policy professionals to constructively meet the challenges of complex public problems. Our programme comprises relevant and contemporary perspectives from the Social Sciences, Humanities, multi-methods research, experiential and immersive field projects and internships.
PhD Programmes
Ph.D (Law)
The PhD programmes offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. Doctoral candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at NLSIU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.
Ph.D (Social Sciences, Humanities and Public Policy)
The PhD programmes offers candidates an opportunity to contribute to the academic field in their chosen areas of study. Doctoral candidates are also provided an opportunity to teach or participate in ongoing research at NLSIU, in areas related to their dissertation, allowing for deeper integration with the NLSIU community and providing diverse feedback opportunities.
Online & Hybrid Programmes
Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)
NLSIU’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) offers a post-graduate master’s degree, and several post-graduate diplomas for students from all backgrounds. These programmes blend a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of the law, practical know-how, and applications and examples from the field. Our PACE programmes are provided in a hybrid online format, and use learning materials specially crafted for remote learning.