Concurrent Degree Programme in Law (LLB Hons) & Masters in Law (LLM)


Overview

The LLB-LLM programme allows current NUS law students in the four-year LLB programme to seek early admission to the Masters in Law (LLM) at New York University (NYU) School of Law and commence the LLM in their fourth year of studies at NUS, before graduating with the LLB. The credits read at NYU towards the LLM will count towards the NUS LLB degree. Upon completion of the LLM requirements, students will receive the NUS LLB and the NYU LLM.

The LLM at NYU is a coursework-based Master’s degree in law that normally takes nine months to complete. There are no compulsory subjects in this programme. Students are at liberty to choose their subjects from a list of elective modules available on the NYU website (http://its.law.nyu.edu/StudentCourseInfo.cfm) .


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will the programme commence, and how do I apply?
   
   Applications for the first intake at NYU, commencing September 2008 in the 2008/09 academic year, have closed.
   
   The next intake will be in the 2009/10 academic year, commencing September 2009. The application season opens around October, with the closing date usually being 1 December.
   
   Only students in Law 2 and Law 3 in AY2008-2009 will qualify to apply. For the Law 3's, in particular, you will apply in October 2008, using your results from your first two years, and enrol at NYU in September 2009 after completing your third year at NUS. For Law 2's, you may also apply in October 2008 using your results from 1st year, for enrolment in September 2010.
    

2. Can Graduate LLB students apply?
   
   No. Since Graduate LLB students study only for 3 years at NUS, they should apply for admission through the ordinary route, i.e. to be enrolled after they graduate.
    

3. Can I go for student exchange AND the LLB/LLM?
   
   No. Our rules allow a maximum period of two semesters away from NUS. Hence, students must choose EITHER student exchange OR the LLB/LLM programme.
   
   Students who are applying for the LLB/LLM programme using their Year 1 results only (ie. Year 2s), may wish to apply for both the student exchange and the LLB/LLM programmes. The application outcome of the student exchange and the LLB/LLM programmes are normally made known sometime in January. At that point, if you are selected for both programmes, you must decide which programme you will opt for and you must withdraw from the other programme. You cannot hold on to both options.
   
   Students who are applying for the LLB/LLM programme using their Year 1 & 2 results (ie Year 3s), or who had decisions on their applications in Year 2 deferred by NYU, cannot hold on to any exchange places that may have been offered to them earlier, ie if you have accepted an exchange place, you are precluded from LLB/LLM programme.
    

4. How will admission be assessed (i.e. what are my chances)?
   
   You will apply to the LLM just like any other applicant in the world. The programme does not "reserve" a minimum (nor limit the maximum) number of spots for NUS law students. Its advantage is that it facilitates earlier entry for NUS students even before graduation. Admission will be assessed within the competitive pool of applicants applying to NYU's LLM in any particular year. For more information on admissions standards, see: http://www.nyulawglobal.org/graduateadmissions/eligibilitystandards.htm.
    

5. How much will it cost me?
   
   You will pay the same amount in tuition fees as any other LLM student. For an estimate, please see: http://www.law.nyu.edu/depts/financialaid/budget/entering.html.
    

6. Will there be scholarships available?
   
   You will be entitled to compete for the same scholarships that are available to every other applicant to NYU's LLM, e.g. the Hauser Global Scholarships. For more information on scholarships, please see http://www.nyulawglobal.org/graduateadmissions/scholarship/index.htm.
    

7. Will I be entitled to take the New York Bar examination?
   
   All NUS LLB graduates are already entitled to take the New York Bar, as we are one of a handful of law schools outside the United States to enjoy this facility. Hence, as far as the NY Bar is concerned, it does not matter whether or not you go for this programme.
    

More Information

For more information on admissions, fees, and programme requirements for the LLM, please visit the NYU website at www.nyulawglobal.org/graduateadmissions/masteroflaws/llbllmnus.htm or email the Administrative Coordinator at NYU, Ms Lauren Goslin, at goslinl@juris.law.nyu.edu.