Introduction
In our flagship Master of Laws (LLM) coursework program, a wide variety of modules is available, taught by the most highly qualified academic faculty. All students are enrolled as Master of Laws (LLM) candidates, with the option to pursue specializations in a variety of areas such as Asian Legal Studies, Corporate & Financial Services Law, Intellectual Property & Technology Law, International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution, International & Comparative Law and Maritime Law.
In order to obtain a specialization indicated on their degree scrolls, students will have to complete the number of credits and compulsory module(s) as part of the requirement of the specialist LL.M. Please refer to Degree Requirements for Graduate Coursework Programmes. Alternatively, students may opt from the outset to take any 40-44 credits of modules and graduate with an LLM degree with no specialization. The latter option affords maximum flexibility in course selection according to the student’s individual preferences and interests.
Specializations
We offer the following specializations:
Asian Legal Studies
This specialization adds to the diversity of the NUS law school’s graduate offerings and rides on the momentum generated by the Asian Law Institute (ASLI), established in the law school in 2003. This innovative specialization – one of only a handful available globally - allows students to study in-depth the laws, legal systems, institutions, and legal traditions of South, Southeast, and East Asia. It also affords the opportunity to focus on particular areas of law (e.g. commercial law, constitutional law, and international law) as these are treated across the dynamic content that is Asia. The specialization will enable students to understand not only the law in its wider socio-cultural context, but to appreciate its linkages with regional commerce, trade, and politics.
Corporate & Financial Services Law
This specialization includes electives in banking (domestic and international), company law and corporate finance, financial services, and securities, and taxation. It enables students to acquire both a theoretical base and practical expertise in the subjects involved. Singapore, as the commercial hub of Asia, is an ideal place for the pursuit of these subjects.
Intellectual Property & Technology Law
This specialization focuses on legal issues raised by the rapid advancement of science and technology. The courses offered include traditional intellectual property law courses, including those on copyright, patents, designs, trademarks, and confidential information; as well as others specifically focused on the relevant technologies, such as biomedical law, telecommunications law, and internet law.
International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
This new specialization enables a student to get an in-depth understanding of the laws of international arbitration and dispute resolution, and benefits from Singapore’s leading edge in the field of arbitration globally. Students will also have access to some of the top arbitrators and academics in the field. The modules offered in this specialization comprise a mix of public international law and international private law. The increasing opportunity for offshore legal work both in the region and in the world also makes the modules offered in this program particularly relevant to the field.
International & Comparative Law
This specialization offers a good mix of public and private international law and comparative law modules. There are courses that focus on trade, investment, and commercial issues; as well as those covering modules such as public international law, human rights, and environmental protection. There are also specialized courses offering a comparative focus on the laws of major countries such as China, the U.S., the E.U. nations, India, Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam.
Maritime Law
This specialization enables students to obtain specialized knowledge in legal matters relating to commercial shipping, marine insurance, shipping regulation, and ocean policy. These are areas of great importance to Singapore (given its status as a global port) as well as the region. Overseas students accepted into this specialization will normally do it full-time within one academic year. Students working for companies based in Singapore who are supported by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore or other companies will normally do the program part-time and complete it within two academic years. This flexibility is also open to students in the Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law and Arbitration, which is designed for the non-lawyer professional.
Specialized LLM in International Business Law
We also offer a specialized LLM in International Business Law which is taught at NUS in Singapore and the East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai.
Double Degree Programmes in LLM-MPP/MPA
Since August 2008, we started two double degree programs with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy – the LLM-MPP and the LLM-MPA.
Admission Requirements
A good Bachelor’s degree in Law
Minimum TOEFL iBT Total score of 100. (Candidates who have obtained an iBT Total score of 92-99 or minimum IELTS (Academic) overall band score of 7.0 may also apply. However, they may be invited to attend an interview or be required to undertake a prescribed intensive English language training course, prior to commencing law studies.)
Application Procedures
When to Apply
There is only ONE admission exercise for each academic year. Successful applicants will commence their course of study in August. Those who are selected to attend the intensive English Language course may be required to enroll in July.
Candidates who are in the final year of their undergraduate law studies may apply if they are able to fulfill the academic pre-requisites and join us in good time for the registration at the end of July. As long as academic results/transcripts available at the point of application are submitted, we can make a provisional offer of admission that is subject to the candidate obtaining the requisite qualifications. The firm offer of admission will be contingent upon the presentation of official documents to the Faculty of Law at the time of registration.
How to Apply
Applications must be made online via NUS Graduate Admission System (GDA2).
Applications with incomplete or no supporting documents will not be considered.
All supporting documents and application fees submitted are non-returnable/ non-refundable. Unless we specifically request for enclosures/attachments to be submitted via email, such documents will not be opened or saved if received through emails.
Applicants may apply for up to two choices of programs. Please indicate in order of your preference.
Only one set of supporting documents should be submitted regardless of the number of preferences indicated.
Period of Study
Full-time, 1 year
For Maritime Law only, Part-time, 2 years (Classes may be conducted on weekdays during office hours.)
