Faculty of Law
Coursework Programmes
Degrees Offered
The Faculty of Law offers the following Graduate Programmes:
- Juris Doctor
- Master of Laws (LLM) by Coursework
- Specialised Master of Laws (LLM) by Coursework
- Master of Laws (International Business Law)
- Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law and Arbitration
Curriculum Structure & Degree Requirements
The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a graduate law degree that may lead to qualification for the practice of law in Singapore. At NUS, you may select from one of two JD programmes:
- a 2-year single graduate degree programme for candidates holding a basic law degree from a civil law country or a non-gazetted common law university with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree or its equivalent; or
- a 3-year single graduate degree programme for candidates holding a university degree in any non-law discipline with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree or its equivalent.
Juris Doctor Programme (JD) is made up of a number of prescribed compulsory modules and elective modules which may be chosen from a number of specialisation clusters, including Asian Legal Studies, Corporate & Financial Services Law, Intellectual Property & Technology Law, International & Comparative Law, International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, Maritime Law, Private Law, Law & Society and Research & Skills. Students must complete a total minimum of 120-124 modular credits (MC) in the 3-Year JD and a total minimum of 84-86 MC in the 2-Year JD.
The two JD programmes are conducted only on a full-time basis and in Singapore.
For more information, please visit: https://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/jd.html
In our flagship Master of Laws (LLM) by coursework programme, a wide variety of elective modules are available, taught by an internationally distinguished academic faculty.
In order to obtain a specialisation, students will have to complete 24 credits or generally, 6 modules (out of a possible 40-44 credits or generally, 10 modules) in a relevant specialisation. These students will then have the option of graduating with an LLM degree with the specific specialisation indicated on their degree scrolls, or an LLM degree with no specialisation indicated. Alternatively, students may opt from the outset to take any 40-44 credits of modules and graduate with an LLM degree with no specialisation. The latter option affords maximum flexibility in course selection according to the student’s individual preferences and interests.
Applicants must possess a good Bachelor’s degree in Law. In addition, a minimum internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score of 100 is required. Candidates with an iBT score of 92-99 may also apply, but may be required to undertake intensive English language training prior to commencing law studies. Other TOEFL paper-based score of 600-603 or minimum IELTS 7.0 will be considered, but we strongly prefer the TOEFL iBT.
The programme is conducted on a full-time basis over a period of two semesters and is fully by coursework.
The minimum period of candidature is one year (two semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
For more information, please visit: http://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/coursework_deg.html
The Faculty offers the following specialisations:
- Master of Laws (Asian Legal Studies)
- Master of Laws (Corporate & Financial Services Law)
- Master of Laws (Intellectual Property & Technology Law)
- Master of Laws (International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution)
- Master of Laws (International & Comparative Law)
- Master of Laws (Maritime Law)
Candidates must possess a good LLB Honours Degree from a reputable university. A candidate is required to read a total of 40-44 credits of modules, whereby 24 credits of modules must be from the relevant module grouping. Candidates may opt to do a directed research paper in lieu of 4 credits of modules.
The programmes are conducted on a full-time basis over a period of two semesters, except Master of Laws (Maritime Law) which may be pursued on a part-time basis over four semesters. The programmes are fully by coursework.
The minimum period of candidature for full-time programmes is one year (two semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
The minimum period of candidature for part-time programmes is two years (four semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
For more information, please visit: http://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/coursework_deg.html
Since 2005, NUS Law has offered a specialised LLM in International Business Law which is taught at NUS in Singapore and the East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai. This programme is taught entirely in English, and is offered partly in Singapore, and partly in Shanghai. It is the first overseas degree programme to be offered by NUS Law. Students who successfully complete the degree requirements will obtain an LLM (International Business Law) degree conferred solely by NUS (this is not a joint degree).
Candidates must possess a good LLB Honours Degree from a reputable University. Candidates will spend the entire first semester in NUS, and spend the second semester in Shanghai at premises set aside for the NUS Faculty of Law within ECUPL’s campus. Candidates will read a total of 40-44 credits of modules in the programme.
The programme is conducted on a full-time basis over a period of two semesters and is fully by coursework. The minimum period of candidature is one year (two semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
For more information, please visit: http://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/coursework/llm_ibl.html
This programme is designed for master mariners and non-lawyer professionals working in the maritime industry.
Candidates in the programme are required to read 32-36 credits of modules. 12 of these credits may be taken from the modules offered in the Faculty’s Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration programme, with the remaining 20-24 credits of modules drawn from modules in the Maritime Law grouping.
Overseas candidates accepted into the programme will pursue it full-time within two semesters. Candidates working for companies based in Singapore who are supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore will normally pursue the programme part-time and complete it within four semesters. The programme is fully by coursework.
The minimum period of candidature for full-time programme is one year (two semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
The minimum period of candidature for part-time programme is two years (four semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).
For more information, please visit: https://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/graddip/dip_mlarb.html
Financial Assistance and Awards
For faculty-administered financial assistance and scholarships, visit https://law1.nus.edu.sg/admissions/sch_requirements.html
For university-wide scholarship and financial assistance, visit https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/scholarships/ and https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/financial-aid/ respectively.