NUS Bulletin AY2024/25

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 courses and elective courses 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 units in the 3-Year JD and a total minimum of 84-86 units 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://law1a.nus.edu.sg/admissions/jd.html

In our flagship Master of Laws (LLM) by coursework programme, a wide variety of elective courses are available, taught by an internationally distinguished academic faculty.

In order to obtain a specialisation, students will have to complete 24 units or generally, 6 courses (out of a possible 40-44 units or generally, 10 courses) 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 units of courses 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://law1a.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 units of courses, whereby 24 units of courses must be from the relevant course grouping. Candidates may opt to do a directed research paper in lieu of 4 units of courses.

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 conducted 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://law1a.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 units of courses in the programme.

The programme is conducted fully by coursework on a full-time basis over a period of two semesters. The minimum period of candidature is one year (two semesters) and the maximum is three years (six semesters).

For more information, please visit: http://law1a.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 units of courses. 12 of these units may be taken from the courses offered in the Faculty’s Graduate Certificate in International Arbitration programme, with the remaining 20-24 units taken from courses 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 conducted 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/nuslawacademy/certificate-programmes/graduate-diploma/gdmla/