As a city-state in maritime Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the most unique places for higher education and is considered the cultural, political, and economic center of Asia by many. Because of its warm and welcoming climate, diversity, and development, this country is the perfect place to study for people from all walks of life.
The city is especially known for its law programs, as its legal scholars come from all around the world to give their unique perspectives to future legal experts. For a better understanding of all the opportunities for legal education in Singapore, here are the five best law universities in Singapore.
Top Law Schools in Singapore
1. National University of Singapore
Based in the nation’s capital, the National University of Singapore is recognized as a top law university and considered among the finest institutions for higher education. Founded in 1905, it is also the oldest autonomous university in Singapore. Presently, the university offers courses at 17 faculties and schools at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It aims to create a community of academics, researchers, students, and alumni who will work together and offer solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues. Within its walls, the university wishes to educate its students to be not only highly skilled experts but visionaries who will serve society as well.
One of the most renowned departments at the National University of Singapore is its Department of Law. Referred to as Asia’s Global Law School, the department takes great pride in its diverse and highly acclaimed faculty. Moreover, it strives to create an international environment by welcoming visiting faculty and students from every continent. Along with a rigorous core curriculum, students may choose electives from legal fields ranging from arbitration and jurisprudence to international law and intellectual property.
The institution offers a four-year LL.B. program, a concurrent degree program in Law & Public Policy, and double degree programs in Business Administration & Law, and Economics & Law.
Its graduate programs are graduate coursework degrees (LL.M.) and a graduate research degree (Ph.D). The NUS Master of Law is a one-year program conducted on a full-time basis. Other coursework programs available are the Juris Doctor program (JD), Graduate Diploma (under NUS Law Academy), and Graduate Coursework Certificates (under NUS Law Academy).
2. Singapore Management University
Singapore Management University is the first publicly-funded private university and one of the best law universities in Singapore. Its curriculum and overall style of education were modeled after the Wharton School offering students the chance to complete their degree programs in three and a half years. Currently, its student body is comprised of around 10,000 students who are enrolled in programs ranging from business and economics to social sciences and arts.
Officially established in 2007, the Yong Pung How School of Law is the smallest school at the Singapore Management University. Its administration and selection process is quite selective, as it annually enrolls only 180 students. During their studies, faculty members try to nurture their student’s intellectual curiosity and creativity while preparing them to work in some of the country’s leading law firms.
The institution offers a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Computing & Law) under its undergraduate programs. Under its postgraduate program, it offers a Juris Doctor, Dual LL.M. in Commercial Law (Singapore & London), a Master of Law, and a Ph.D. in Law, Commerce & Technology.
3. Singapore University of Social Sciences
Singapore University of Social Sciences is ranked among the most prominent institutions for higher education in Singapore and comprises five schools and four centers. The university has stated that the transformation of society through applied social sciences is its prime concern.
In line with the core values of the university, the School of Law (SLAW) implements a high-quality law curriculum and program in Singapore and focuses on educating highly skilled legal experts in the fields of criminal and family law. The school’s approach to learning combines theoretical knowledge with application. Thus, throughout their studies, students are given the chance to fine-tune their debate, argumentation, and critical thinking skills.
The institution offers a Bachelor of Laws and a Juris Doctor degree.
Also available are stackable graduate programs, at the graduate certificate, graduate diploma, Master’s, and Doctoral levels, in a diverse range of disciplines. The duration for completion is six months for graduate certificate programs, 12 months for graduate diplomas, and 24 months for Master’s degree programs by coursework.
4. BAC College Singapore
Formally known as the ITC School of Law, BAC College Singapore is an excellent law school in the country that is synonymous with academic excellence in the field of law. This private educational institution has prepared and trained some of the most prominent legal figures for more than twenty years. It provides its students with the chance of gradual recognition as well as various international opportunities.
BAC College Singapore offers students the chance to study law at the undergraduate level for eight months. During this time, students are acquainted with core legal principles and practices.
This college offers two foundation diplomas, two undergraduate diplomas, two advanced diplomas, an LLB (Hons), a graduate diploma in Commercial Law, and a certificate of Higher Education in Common Law awarded by the University of London.
It further offers a four-month Postgraduate Certificate in Law (E-Learning) and a student has to complete four subjects to complete the course. Successful completion entitles a student to transfer credits onto the Veritas Master Programs.
5. Assas International School
Founded in 1970, Assas International is a leading law institution in Singapore and has since been recognized as one of the leading French universities in the field of law. In 2011, the university decided to launch an ambitious international program that would span across various countries and continents. The program was termed Assas International School and is currently comprised of campuses in Dubai, Paris, Mauritius, and Singapore. It offers law degrees on both the undergraduate and graduate levels depending on the campus location. The primary objective of this program is to educate and train future financial and legal experts.
The Assas International School Campus is situated in the INSEAD Business School-Asia campus and offers a master’s degree in International Business Law and LL.M. in International Construction Contracts. Those are the only two programs available in Singapore. In addition to the master’s program, the law school offers seminars concerned with executive education and legal business in China, as well as three-week academic programs in both the winter and summer semesters. Due to its international character, the faculty at each university campus is made up of acclaimed legal professionals from France as well as other countries and continents.
If you are an aspiring legal expert, Singapore offers a vibrant and stimulating environment that can enable you to become a part of a global network of professionals known for legal excellence.
We hope that this article on Best Law Universities in Singapore was helpful. Make sure to check out our Guide to Study in Singapore and more Available Law Programs for International Students!
