Admissions

GENERAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

1. How many intakes are there for the Faculty of Law in each Academic Year?
   The Faculty of Law has only one intake per Academic Year, which usually commences in early August each year.
    

2. How many students are admitted into the Faculty of Law each year?
   The Faculty of Law takes in more than 200 students each year, including the number of students admitted to the Graduate LL.B. Programme, Double Degree and Concurrent Degree Programmes.
    

3. Does the Faculty of Law offer any part-time LL.B. undergraduate degree courses?
   The Faculty of Law does not offer any part-time undergraduate LL.B. degree courses.
    

4. What admission requirements should applicants meet and how are they shortlisted for the Law test and interview?
   Applicants should have good overall A level results, including at least B grade in H1 General Paper (GP), or a good pass in H2 Knowledge & Inquiry (KI); or SAT I Verbal / Critical Reading score of 700 accompanied by a minimum E grade for GP/KI.
   
   For those who offer the old A level syllabus, a grade B3 or better in General Paper (GP) or a minimum SAT I Verbal / Critical Reading score of 700 and a C6 in GP is required.
   
   An improved GP grade of B3 (for old syllabus) / B (for new syllabus) or better in GP or a good pass in KI (for new syllabus) from another sitting can qualify one for application to Law, but only the GP or KI grade obtained in the same sitting as the other main A level content papers can be used for computation of University Score (US).
   
   International applicants should have equivalent high school qualifications and those who possess high school qualifications which are in the non-English medium are required to submit proof of their proficiency in the English language, for example, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) or IELTS score of 6.5.
   Students completing the International Baccalaureate qualification in the year of admission to NUS may apply based on their projected results.
   
   Please refer to the Office of Admissions website at www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply for the detailed admission requirements and application procedures. Please note that different application deadlines apply to different applicant category and high school qualifications.
   
   Shortlisted applicants will be required to sit for a written test and attend a formal interview, usually held in late April/early May in Singapore. Selection shall be solely within the discretion of the University and will depend upon the number of places available in the Faculty.
   
   To be considered for the shortlisting for the Law test and interview, please indicate Law in your application form as the first and/or second choice. If you are interested in the Double Degree Programmes or Concurrent Degree, you should opt for these in the same application form.
   
    

5. How is one selected for admission to the Faculty of Law?
   Once shortlisted based on academic merit as listed in Qs. 4, admission is also dependent on the outcome of the interview and written test.
    

6. When is the interview and written test usually conducted? What does it aim to do and does one need to prepare for it?
   The dates for the interviews and the written test for 2009 are as follows:
    

   Interviews/Test	Day/Dates
   Interviews	Friday, 17 April 2009 or Saturday, 18 April 2009
   Written test	Sunday (AM), 19 April 2009

   The interview and test aim to assess the level of competency in the English language and reasoning ability of each candidate, as well as the suitability of an applicant for the LL.B. programmes. The duration of the interview is about 10 - 20 minutes, while the written test is of an hour and 15 minutes' duration. No preparation is needed as no prior legal knowledge is assumed.

   Note: The Faculty reserves the right to make further changes. Please check our website again in end March 2009.

7. If I were to intern in one or more law firms after completing high school, would my experience aid in my application to be admitted to Law?
   As mentioned under Qs. 4 and 5, the academic and Law test/interview results form the basis for admission to Law. Internship is not one of the requirements, and hence, not one of the components taken into account when computing the admission score. However, potential applicants may want to undertake an internship so as to find out what a legal career entails. This may help an applicant to decide if the Law course is suitable for him/her.
    

8. When will I be informed that I have been shortlisted for the interview or test?
   You will be notified by email and/or post by mid-April 2008 by the Office of Admissions. Please maintain a functional email at all times.
    

9. Where will the interview and test be held? Can I be exempted from the test/interview if I am shortlisted?
   The interview and test will be held at NUS. All shortlisted applicants are expected to appear personally for both the interview and test even if they possess excellent academic records.
    

10. What if I am unable to appear for the interview or test?
    All shortlisted candidates must attend the interview and sit for the test to be considered for admission. If you are unable to appear for the interview and/or test and have a valid reason, please email to lawadmissions@nus.edu.sg immediately upon receipt of your letter of notification for the test and interview.
     

11. How is the admission score of a shortlisted candidate computed?
    Admission to the Faculty of Law will be based on the composite of two scores: the University Score (50%) and the Faculty Score (50%-comprising written test and interview scores).
    
    For computation of University Score under the old A level curriculum, please refer to the Office of Admissions website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/cata/index_oldcurriculum.htm#CAS
    
    For computation of University Score under the new A level curriculum, please refer to the Office of Admissions website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/cata/index.htm
    
    Those applying with other qualifications will be considered for shortlisting on a case- by-case basis and the final selection for admission will be based on the Faculty score.
    
    
     

12. I have attended the interview and test. What happens if I am not selected for Law?
    If Law is your first choice and you are not successful, you will be considered for subsequent choices as indicated in your application form. This is provided you meet the University Score and subject prerequisites of your other choices.
     

13. I was invited to attend the interview and test last year but was not offered a place in Law. Can I re-apply?
    An unsuccessful applicant can always reapply. However, he/she will have to compete with the same cohort of applicants for a place in Law.
     

GRADUATE LL.B. PROGRAMME (GLP) FAQS

(Formerly known as the 'Approved Graduate Programme')

1. What is the Graduate LL.B. Programme (GLP) in Law?
   The Graduate LL.B. Programme is a special programme for students who already possess a university degree, preferably in a non-law discipline. Students in this programme can obtain an LL.B. (Honours) degree in three years by completing 120 credits of subjects. They are required to take the same compulsory core law subjects as the students in the 4-year LL.B. (Honours) degree. The objective of the GLP is to inject multidisciplinary talent into the legal profession.
    

2. When and how do I apply for the Graduate LL.B. Programme?
   You may apply using the online application form available at the Office of Admissions website. There is no separate option for the 'Graduate LL.B. Programme' under the choice of courses. Please opt for 'Law'.
   
   Online application forms are to be submitted under Category D or Category E depending on the qualification/s you possess. For example:
   
   International applicants with foreign university degrees should apply under Category D. The application period is usually from October to April of the following year. However, different application closing dates apply to different types of qualifications.
   
   Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents with local or foreign university degrees should apply under Category E. The application period usually starts in early February of the admission year.
   Please note that non-Singaporeans with local university degrees should also apply under Category E.
    

3. What are the requirements to gain admission to this course?
   Please refer to the admission requirements stated here.
    

4. If I already have a degree, do I still need to submit my high school results? Will my degree transcript be sufficient?
   Please submit all academic documents, including high school results as required by the Office of Admissions.
    

5. Will I get a different degree from students in the 4-year LL.B. course? Is the degree recognized for practice in Singapore?
   Graduate LL.B. Programme students will be awarded the same LL.B. (Honours) degree as students who complete the 4-year LL.B. programme. They are also awarded the same classes of Honours as the 4-year LL.B. students.
   
   The degree is also recognized for practice in Singapore.
    

6. Will I be entitled to the MOE Tuition Grant?
   As the Graduate LL.B. Programme is essentially an undergraduate programme, students admitted to this programme may expect the same Tuition Grant guidelines to apply as for applicants in Categories D and E. Any change in Tuition Grant entitlement will be communicated to the successful applicant when an offer is made.
   
   Please refer to the Registrar’s Office website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/edu/UG/fees.html for more information on the tuition fees and tuition grant.
   
    

7. Can I also apply for the Tuition Fee Loan and other financial assistance?
   Since the Graduate LL.B. Programme is an undergraduate programme, the Tuition Fee Loan and other financial assistance schemes are available for application by candidates in this programme. Please refer to our website at http://law.nus.edu.sg/prospective/fees_financialaid.htm
    

8. What if I am unable to obtain 2 academic referees? Can I get my employer to write a letter of recommendation? Can I submit personal statements?
   Academic referees are preferred. If you have left school for some years and are unable to submit academic referees, please provide 2 recommendation letters from your employers as an alternative.
    

9. Is there any age limit imposed on applicants to the Graduate LL.B. Programme?
   There is no age limit imposed on applicants.
    

10. If I fail to gain admission into this Programme, can I then be considered for the 4-year LL.B. programme?
    All applicants with a first degree will automatically be considered for the Graduate LL.B. Programme. If an applicant is unsuccessful in his application to the Programme, it is highly unlikely that he would qualify for the 4-year LL.B. programme.
     

TRANSFERS

1. I am currently studying/have completed my studies in an overseas university / college. Can I apply for a transfer to NUS or gain advanced standing?
   NUS do not have a system of direct credit transfer with overseas universities. Therefore, we will not consider former or current students of overseas universities for credit transfers. However, once a candidate has gained admission into Faculty of Law, he/she can apply for exemption from law modules that he/she has already completed at another institution. Exemptions from modules can be granted by the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and factors such as the content of subjects which have already been completed as well as the grade obtained by the candidates will be considered in deciding whether to grant the exemption.
    

2. I am currently studying in another course at NUS. If I apply for a transfer to Law and are successful, can I transfer some or all of my credits?
   A student who transfers to Law from another course at NUS should start on a clean slate. This means that there will be no waiver, credit transfer/exemption of modules. However, the Faculty has the discretion to allow for credit transfer if a student requests so. He/She will only be allowed to transfer all credits taken in a semester and not selected modules within that semester.
   
   All Law students are allowed to take a maximum of 8 credits of non-law subjects without special approval. By transferring all subjects taken in another course, this will mean more than 8 credits of non-law subjects and approval from the Dean must be obtained. Please see point 12 on our website at http://law.nus.edu.sg/current/LLB/ay0708/sem1/infollb.htm
   
   In the event that approval by the Dean is given, please note the following:

   1. In accordance with point 13 on http://law.nus.edu.sg/current/LLB/ay0708/sem1/infollb.htm, all such non-law subjects transferred will be taken into account in the computation of the class of honours.
       

   2. Students may not be allowed to go for an exchange under the Student Exchange Programme beyond one semester.
      
       

   Please contact the Undergraduate Division at lawweb@nus.edu.sg upon your enrolment should you need further assistance.
    

OTHERS

1. After completing my law degree, am I then considered a lawyer?
   To be considered a lawyer, you must also complete a five-month Practice Law Course (PLC) organized by the Board of Legal Education, and a six-month pupilage with an advocate and solicitor in Singapore or with a legal officer upon completing your law degree.
    

2. Where can I get more information on admission to Law and other related courses?
   
   
   Please visit the following websites:
   
   Faculty of Law homepage:
   http://law.nus.edu.sg
   
   3-Year Graduate LL.B. Programme: http://law.nus.edu.sg/prospective/undergrad/glp.htm
   
   4-Year LL.B. Programme: http://law.nus.edu.sg/prospective/undergrad/4yrllb.htm
   
   Double Degree Programme in Business Administration and Law: http://www.nus.edu.sg/prog/bbalaw/overview.html
   
   Double Degree Programme in Economics and Law: http://www.nus.edu.sg/prog/econlaw/
   
   Double Degree Programme in Law and Life Sciences: http://www.nus.edu.sg/prog/lawlifesciences/
   
   Concurrent Degree Programme in Law and Public Policy: http://www.nus.edu.sg/prog/mpplaw/
   
   Office of Admissions:
   http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/interview.htm