About NUALS Ernakulam
The National University of Advanced Legal Studies, popularly known as NUALS, is a State University established by Act 27 of 2005 of the Kerala State Legislature. Later in 2002, the National Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, established by the Bar Council of Kerala Trust, was merged with the NUALS. The university is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). NUALS Ernakulum has been ranked 9th in Law Studies by India Today. To make the Law Study relevant to social needs and encourage focused research, the university has established 16 study and research centres. The University has also established the M. K. Damodaran International Centre for Excellence in Law in loving memory of the former Advocate General of Kerala and Member of the Executive Council, Late M. K. Damodaran.
NUALS Ernakulam offers an Integrated BA LLB course for a 5-year duration at the undergraduate level, an LLM and a PG Diploma course at the postgraduate level, and a Doctorate in Law (Ph.D) course at the doctoral level. The university also offers PG Diploma and Certificate courses. NUALS Admissions are granted based on the candidate’s performance in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). During NUALS placement for the session 2023-24, the university recorded a placement rate of 46% and 30% for BA LLB and PG programs, respectively. Read more for complete details on NUALS Ernakulam, including Courses and Fees, Admissions, Application Process, and Campus.
NUALS Ernakulam Highlights
| Established Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NUALS Ernakulam |
| Type | State University |
| Location | Ernakulam, Kerala |
| Affiliation | Kerala State Legislature, and UGC |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, PG Diploma, and Doctoral |
| Ranking | India Today - 09 IIRF - 26 |
| Selection | Merit/ Entrance-based |
| How to reach | By Train (16.9 km away from Ernakulam South Railway Station) By Air (17.9 km away from Kochi International Airport) By Road (6 km from Kalamassery Bus Stand) |
NUALS Ernakulam Courses and Fees
The National University of Advanced Legal Studies offers an integrated BA + LLB program for five years at the UG level, an LLM and a PG Diploma program at the PG level, and a Ph.D. course at the Doctoral level. Aspirants must have passed 10+2 with 45% marks for UG courses, passed an Integrated BA + LLB (Hons) course with 50% marks for PG courses, and a Master’s degree in Law is a must for applying to the Ph.D. course at NUALS Ernakulam. BA LLB (Hons) and LLM Admissions at NUALS are granted based on the candidate’s performance in CLAT. The essential details related to the NUALS Ernakulam Courses and Fees are given below:
| Program Name | Duration | Eligibility Criteria | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA LLB (Hons) | 5 years | 10+2 with 45% marks | INR 2.07 LPA (1st year) |
| LLM | 1 year | BA + LLB (Hons) with 50% marks | INR 1.63 Lakhs |
| PG Diploma | 1 year | Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks | INR 30,000 |
| Ph.D. | 3 years | Master’s degree with 55% marks | INR 33,000 approx |
NUALS Ernakulam Admission Process 2025
The National University of Advanced Legal Studies offers admission to its UG and PG courses based on the candidate’s performance in CLAT. To be considered eligible for UG and PG courses, aspirants are required to register for CLAT. The application process for admission to NUALS Ernakulam is:
- Visit Consortitum of NLUs
- Register for CAPS by entering your mobile number and email id
- On successful registration, the CAPS username and password will be sent to the registered mobile number or email ID
- Sign in using the username and password
- Fill out the application form by entering personal, academic, and communication details
- After filling out the form, pay the application fee of INR 4000 (INR 3500 for candidates belonging to the SC/ ST category)
- Appear for CLAT
- After getting the CLAT result, download the application form from the NUALS Ernakulam official website
- Fill out the application form
- Attach copies of the required documents
- Submit the duly filled form to the university
Note: NRI/ foreign nationals/ NRI-sponsored candidates can apply to the courses available at NUALS Ernakulam by downloading the application form. After filling out the form and the fees, the candidate can submit it by visiting in person or posting it to the following address.
Registrar Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University
Plot No.116, Sector-11,
M.V.P. Colony, Visakhapatnam-530017
Documents Required for the NUALS Ernakulam Application Process
- Class 10 Marksheet
- Class 10 Certificate
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Class 12 Certificate
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s Degree (if applying to Ph.D. course)
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photographs
- CLAT UG/ CLAT PG Scorecard
- Passport and Student Visa (for foreign students)
NUALS Ernakulam Placement
NUALS has a placement cell to facilitate and coordinate the campus recruitment process. The placement cell arranges pre-placement training for the students and acts as a platform for various organisations from the legal fraternity to interact with the university’s students for placements. Students can intern with popular legal firms, advocates, chambers, associates, judges, consultancies, think tanks, policy research committees, and the government. Institutions and NGOs.
NUALS Ernakulam Campus
NUALS campus is located at Kalamassery, Kochi, the industrial capital of Kerala and the seat of the Kerala High Court. The university campus comprises an Academic Block including a Moot Court Hall, an Amenities Centre, Faculty Apartments, Hostels, a Computer Lab, a well-equipped library providing online journals, and a well-constructed Seminar Hall. The NUALS campus provides an adequate academic infrastructure providing Internet access, WiFi Connectivity with VPN facility, online legal resources including SCC Online, Hein Online, Westlaw, Manupatra, CDJ Law Journal, and Lloyd Law Report, a computer lab, and a sound collection of standard books and reports, both in foreign and Indian languages. Some of the top facilities offered on the university campus are given below:
- Library: The NUALS library has a collection of more than 13000 volumes of books on general and unique subjects. There are various kinds of books, reference books, back volumes of journals, reports, etc.
- IT Facility: The college provides a wi-fi facility on the campus for the student community.
- Hostel: NUALS offers accommodation facilities to both boys and girls. The hostels are equipped with all the basic facilities such as a mess, Wi-Fi, and other amenities.
NUALS Ernakulam Ranking
The National University of Advanced Legal Studies is among India's top universities offering law courses. The university has been ranked among the top institutions across India. The NUALS Rankings are tabulated below:
| Agency | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | 2024 | 38 |
| India Today | 2024 | 9 |
| IIRF | 2024 | 26 |
NUALS Ernakulam Alumni
Various renowned personalities had studied at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies. Some alumni of NUALS Ernakulam include associate professors, lawyers, associates, and members of the Govt of India, among others. The most popular alumni of the NUALS Ernakulam are given below:
| Name | Designation |
|---|---|
| Wiseroy Damodaran | Partner at Trilegal |
| Thomas George | Partner at Khaitan and Co. |
| Nikhil Narendran | Partner at Trilegal |
| Ambika Sudhakaran | Lieutenant in the Indian Navy |
NUALS Ernakulam FAQs
Does NUALS Ernakulam have any collaborations?
NUALS Ernakulam has collaborated with the Department of Law, Macquarie University, Australia, Masaryk University, the Czech Republic, and the University of Basel, Switzerland, to promote and facilitate academic and educational exchange.
What is the complete form of NUALS?
NUALS stands for the National University of Advanced Legal Studies.
How many seats are available in the BA LLB (Hons) program at NUALS Ernakulam?
The BA LLB (Hons) program seat intake at NUALS Ernakulam is 60.
On what basis is admission to the PG Diploma program granted at NUALS Ernakulam?
Admission to the PG Diploma course at NUALS Ernakulam is granted based on the candidate’s bachelor’s degree exam performance.
What are the admission criteria for the Ph.D. course at NUALS Ernakulam?
Admission to the Ph.D. course at NUAL Ernakulam is granted based on the candidate’s performance in the DAT conducted by the university. However, students with a qualified UGC NET are exempted from appearing for the DAT.
Who is the chancellor of NUALS Ernakulam?
The Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala is the chancellor of NUALS Ernakulam.
How much is the hostel fee at NUALS Ernakulam?
The hostel fee at NUALS Ernakulam is INR 64,500.
