Law Student Journey: First Year to Final Year

1 What this path is

This roadmap shows what you can focus on in each year of a five year integrated law degree. It is a practical guide, not a rule. Students move at different speeds, and you may be ahead in one area and behind in another. That is completely normal.

2 Who this path may suit

Any student who wants to know what to do this year. Three year LLB students should read the note at the end.

3 The roadmap, step by step

1. Year 1 · Beginner. Your first year is about building habits. You may have more general subjects than law, which gives you time to build your reading and writing.
   Learn: legal foundations, how to read Bare Acts and judgments, legal vocabulary, basic research and basic legal writing.
   Practise: by briefing cases from your subjects, visiting a court for the first time, drafting a simple notice, taking a first internship with an NGO, a legal aid body or a district court advocate, and starting your portfolio folder.
2. Year 2 · Developing. Core law subjects begin, and this is the year to turn basic skills into real ones.
   Learn: advanced research, case analysis, a citation style, more drafting formats, legal databases and the basics of negotiation.
   Practise: by researching for a moot or competing in one, writing your first research paper, taking better internships such as a High Court chamber or small firm, and exploring which areas of law interest you.
3. Year 3 · Specialisation. Procedural subjects make court and transaction work start to make sense. This is a good time to choose a direction.
   Learn: the core laws and skills of one or two practice areas, along with advanced drafting and research.
   Practise: by taking specialised internships, building practical projects in your area, submitting your work for publication, entering competitions and starting to build professional connections.
4. Year 4 · Advanced. Many students find this the most important year for their careers.
   Learn: your chosen area deeply and understand how real transactions or litigation are run.
   Practise: by taking advanced internships, working on live matters where possible, writing professionally, preparing for interviews and planning whether you want a job, an exam or postgraduate study.
5. Year 5 · Professional preparation. Your final year is about moving from student to professional.
   Learn: what your target employers or exams expect, and the professional requirements that apply to your path, such as enrolment and the All India Bar Examination if you plan to practise. Final year students are currently allowed to sit for the AIBE, but check the latest Bar Council of India notification.
   Practise: by completing a final advanced internship, polishing your CV, writing samples and portfolio, preparing for interviews and applying for jobs or higher studies.

4 Good to know

A Note for Three Year LLB Students

Fold Years 1 and 2 of this roadmap into your first year by working hard on reading, research and writing from the start. Use your second year to explore and choose a direction, and your third year to specialise and prepare for your first job. Your earlier degree can be a real strength, especially in corporate law, tax, IP or technology law, so look for ways to connect it to your legal work.

5 Your levels and checkpoints

End of Year 1

You have the reading habit.

• Read a Bare Act and a short judgment comfortably
• Completed one internship and one court visit
• Started a portfolio folder

End of Year 3

You have a direction.

• Researched and written at least one full paper
• Completed internships in at least three different settings
• Named one or two areas you want to pursue

End of Year 5

You are ready for professional life.

• A focused portfolio and CV
• Writing samples in your chosen area
• A clear plan for a job, an exam or further study

These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.

6 Build these projects

1. Year 1, a case brief notebook and a starter drafting set
2. Year 2, a moot memorial or research contribution and a first research paper
3. Year 3, a project in your chosen area, such as a due diligence exercise, a pleading set or a policy brief
4. Year 4, a publication or a competitive moot and a professional writing sample
5. Year 5, a polished portfolio and your dissertation as a strong writing sample

7 Internship direction

Move from accessible internships in Years 1 and 2, to varied internships in Years 2 and 3, to targeted internships in your chosen area in Years 4 and 5. The Legal Internship Roadmap explains each stage.

8 Portfolio evidence

Add to your portfolio every semester, and review it at the end of every year to replace weaker pieces with stronger ones.

9 Common mistakes

• Treating the first two years as a break and starting late
• Choosing internships only for the name of the organisation
• Ignoring the dissertation, which can become your best writing sample

10 Go deeper

Internship Guidebook · Legal Research Guidebook and the roadmaps in Section 3

All 76 skill roadmaps · Interactive roadmap explorer

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