Looking for the best colleges to study law in Singapore? You’re in the right place! Singapore is home to major international law firms like Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy, specializing in areas such as banking, corporate law, and intellectual property (IP). The country is also recognized as the global leader in arbitration, offering impartial resolution of disputes. This makes Singapore an ideal destination for international students to pursue law.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best law colleges in Singapore and provide everything you need to know about law education in the country.
Why Study Law in Singapore?
- Singapore ranks among the top jurisdictions for legal services, especially in areas of arbitration, commercial law, and banking law. This is because it is known for its high-quality legal education and efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms, making it a premier destination for legal studies. This is attracting international students to its thriving legal industry.
- Singapore is home to prestigious law schools, including the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law (NUS Law), which is consistently ranked among the top law schools in Asia and globally.
- Singapore’s legal system is based on English common law which is widely followed by the Commonwealth and beyond. As a result, studying law in Singapore can open job opportunities both locally and in other countries with similar legal systems.
Top 10 Law Colleges in Singapore for International Students
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PictureUniversity NameCoursesUniversity Details
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National University of Singapore Faculty of Law (NUS)Undergraduate LLB
Master of Laws (LLM)Full-time
On Campus
Duration: 4 years(LLB) and 12 months(LLM)
Intakes: Around Aug
Tuition fees: SGD 28,000 pa(LLB) and SGD 37,000 pa(LLM)
QS Ranking: 8
Application fee: SGD 20 to SGD 50 -
Nanyang Technological UniversityBachelor of Business (The program includes Business Law module)Full- time
On Campus
Duration: 50- 70 hours
Intakes: Around Aug
Tuition fees: $18,900
QS Ranking: 15
Application Fee: NA -
London School of Business and FinanceDiploma in LawFull-time/Part-time
On-Campus
Duration: 8 months (full-time) and 12 months (part-time)
Intakes: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, and Nov (Full-time) and Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct (Part-time)
Tuition fees: SGD 8,000
Webometrics Rankings: 409
Application Fee: SGD 175 to SGD 350 -
Singapore Management UniversityBachelor of Laws (LLB)
Master of LawsFull-time
On campus
Duration: 4 years(LLB) and 1 year(LLM)
Intakes: Usually Aug
Tuition fees: $28,000- $50,000 pa(LLB) and SGD 38,000 pa(Master of Laws)
QS Ranking: 10
Application Fee: NA -
Temasek PolytechnicDiploma in Law and ManagementFull-time
On Campus
Duration: 3 years
Intakes: Around Apr
Tuition fees: SGD 12,000
Webometrics Rankings: 5057
Application Fee: Free -
Republic PolytechnicDiploma in Business (Business Law is a major module in this program)Full-time
On Campus
Duration: 3 years
Intakes: Around Aug
Tuition fees: SGD 12,000
Webometrics Rankings: 7359
Application Fee: NA -
Kaplan SingaporeBachelor of Business in Accounting and Business Law (Double Major)Full-time
On Campus
Duration: 16- 28 months
Intakes: January, May, and August
Tuition fees: SGD 34,000
Webometrics Rankings: 9,000
Application Fee: SGD 523 -
Amity Global Institute Singapore CampusPostgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (Law)Full-time/Part-time
On Campus
Duration: 12 months
Intakes: Oct, Jan, and April
Tuition fees: SGD 27,000
Application Fee: SGD 450 -
Assas International School (Singapore)LLM International Business LawFull-time
On Campus
Duration: 9- 12 months
Intakes: October or January
Tuition fees: Approximately SGD 27,000
Application Fee: SGD 112 -
BAC College SingaporeLLB(Hons), Awarded by University of LondonFull-time/Part-time
On Campus
Duration: 36 months
Intakes: January, April, June, and August
Tuition fees: Approximately SGD 9,000 per year
Application Fee: NA
Eligibility CritEria
Below are the academic and standardized test requirements for admission to law schools in Singapore:
- For undergraduate programs, international students must have completed or will be completing high school, with 12 years of general education.
- For graduate or postgraduate programs, international students must hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized university in related fields.
- For Juris Doctor programs, a university degree in any non-law discipline is acceptable.
- For undergraduate and graduate programs, non-native English speakers or those whose previous education was not conducted in English have to prove their English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL scores. Additionally, some universities may require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions.
- Each university has its own requirements, visit the university’s official website to get the exact grade cut-offs and other requirements.
Documents Required
- Academic documents (high school diploma/ Bachelor’s certificate)
- Official transcripts
- English Proficiency Test Scores
- Valid passport
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation: Typically 2 – 3
- Resume
- Proof of financial support such as bank statements
- Additional documents
How to Apply?
To apply for a law school in Singapore, you need to:
- Research and choose a law course and university.
- Check the eligibility requirements.
- Visit the online application portal of your chosen university.
- Create an account.
- Log into the account and complete the online application form. Fill out all the required information and upload documents.
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
Scholarships to study Law in Sinagpore
Graduate Scholarship (Supported by Tahir Foundation)
- Offered by: National University of Singapore
- Description: The Graduate Scholarship (supported by Tahir Foundation) is awarded to any nationality pursuing coursework degrees at NUS Law, such as JD and LLM courses. The scholarship will cover the tuition fees.
- Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship will be awarded to outstanding applicants with exceptional academic achievements.
- Application Deadline: The scholarship is included in the online application form, so the deadline aligns with the online application form deadline.
CCPL Scholarship
- Offered By: Singapore Management University
- Description: The CCPL Scholarship was established in 2022 and is awarded to full-time undergraduate students.
- Eligibility Criteria: Full-time incoming freshmen belonging to any nationality enrolled in any undergraduate degree program. Besides this, the applicant’s gross monthly household per capita income must not exceed $ 750.
- Application Deadline: No separate application form is needed. All you need to do is indicate if you are interested in the scholarship while filling out the application form.
The Amity Scholarship
- Offered By: Amity Global Institute Singapore Campus
- Description: The Amity Scholarship is awarded to all applicants who have outstanding academic achievements. It is provided as a reduction in tuition fees.
- Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have excellent grades in their highest qualification; a minimum of 6.5 on a 10 point scale. In addition to this, applicants must also have outstanding IELTS test scores. Check out the website for more information on exact test scores.
- Application Deadline: NA
Job Roles and Expected Salaries
Below are some job roles for legal professionals in Singapore:
Job Role | Expected Annual Salary | Responsibilities |
Legal Executive | SGD 3.4K to SGD 170K | Legal executive conducts legal research, manages case files, and drafts documents. |
Ethics and Compliance Officer | SGD 150K to SGD 220K | Ethics and Compliance Officers ensure an organization is adhering to applicable laws. |
Arbitration Lawyer | SGD 100,000 to SGD 300,000 | An arbitration lawyer represents clients in international arbitration disputes before bodies like the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. |
Corporate Lawyer | Around SGD 156,000 | A corporate lawyer advises clients on complex business transactions, drafts legal documents, and performs other important legal duties. |
Intellectual Property Lawyer | Around SGD 350,000 | An intellectual property lawyer advises clients on protecting their IP and performs other important IP-related legal work. |
Conclusion
Singapore law colleges like NUS and NTU are consistently ranked among the top colleges in the world, offering international students a world-class education experience. In addition to this, the country’s robust legal system and expertise in international dispute resolution make it the ideal destination for aspiring legal professionals.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose a law college that aligns with your goals and take the first step towards achieving your dreams in the legal field.
FAQs
Some of the law courses in Singapore are Master of Laws (LLM) in Intellectual Property & Technology Law and International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution. In addition to this, there are undergraduate degrees such as LLB and diplomas in law.
It depends on the school you choose. Gaining admission to a top law school can be highly competitive while getting into a low-ranked institute will be less competitive.
International students on student visas are allowed to work part-time for up to 16 hours per week. Visit Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower website to learn more.