Visiting Scholars & Researchers Programme
The NUS Faculty of Law Visiting Scholar and Visiting Researcher Programme is intended to accommodate legal professionals and academic faculty from other universities who wish to spend a period of time at NUS Law pursuing research on a particular topic. This program is designed to accommodate visitors with a broad range of legal experience and qualifications. We strongly believe that the intellectual life at NUS Law is enriched by the academic and regional diversity of our visitors.
Visiting Scholars are those with a Faculty appointment at their home institution or equivalent professional status (e.g., experienced jurists, government officials, and senior practitioners), who may wish to visit for a temporary period of one to two months.
Visiting Researchers will typically be Ph.D. degree candidates (or equivalent), younger professionals and others who are at the beginning of a promising legal or academic career, who may wish to visit for a temporary period of one to two months.
The integration of visitors into NUS Law is a central goal of this program. Visiting Scholars and Researchers may therefore be invited to attend Faculty events, ad hoc workshops, legal studies conferences, and colloquia.
If you are a current graduate student registered at another University who has completed at least two semesters (one full year) at your university, you may elect to spend one semester or year with NUS as a Non-Graduating Non-Exchange (NGNE) student. Note, however, that the NGNE programme is administered separately from the Visiting Researcher & Scholars Programme. Admission to this programme is subjected to applicants fulfilling the relevant application and admission criteria. Details may be found at http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/prospective-students/non-graduating.
Application Procedure
Applications for the Visiting Scholar and Visiting Researcher Programme will be accepted for periods of no more than 2 months. According to our HR procedures, we can only process your application 6 months before your arrival date.
All prospective Visiting Scholars and Researchers are requested to provide all of the following information:
| » | a completed application form; |
| » | a current curriculum vitae; |
| » | a one-page description of intended research project; |
| » | a letter of recommendation from an academic referee; and |
| » | a TOEFL score or other documentation of English-language proficiency, if not a native English speaker. Applicants generally are expected to have TOFEL scores of 600+ for paper-based tests, 250+ for computer-based tests, or 100+ for the Internet-Based Test |
Please note that an application cannot be processed until all of these items have been received.
Applicants should expect to be notified within six to eight weeks of the outcome. If accepted as a Visiting Scholar or Visiting Researcher, the candidate will receive a formal notification letter.
Please click here to download the application form.
Programme Logistics
Visiting Scholars and Researchers must arrive at NUS Law at a mutually agreed date. Although not required, we encourage applicants to arrive at NUS at the beginning of our University Semesters. We recommend that visitors plan to stay at the Law School for minimum of one month, though shorter stays will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Depending upon availability, timing, and relationship to ongoing NUS Law research initiatives, the Law School may offer Visiting Scholars some or all of the following benefits:
| » | NUS visitor card |
| » | NUS wireless computer network access |
| » | Shared office space on a hot-desking basis |
| » | Use of the CJ Koh Law Library |
| » | Invitation to faculty seminars and symposia |
As non-employees of NUS, Visiting Scholars & Researchers are not entitled to salary, housing, medical insurance or benefits other than those privileges cited above. NUS Law will not provide financial support for travel, accommodation or subsistence.
Housing & Living Expenses
We strongly advise Visiting Scholars or Visiting Researchers to make housing arrangements well in advance prior to their arrival.
Please note that NUS Law cannot reserve or provide housing for Visiting Scholars or Researchers, assist in finding them housing, or arrange housing on their behalf. It is sometimes possible to book guest rooms in one of the university’s halls of residences. Please click here for details on rates and contact information. Alternatively, accepted applicants may wish to consider other privately-run student or budget accommodation options available in the market.
Applicants should be aware that housing and living expenses in Singapore are comparable to other major world cities and accommodation in the vicinity of the campus, at Bukit Timah, is comparatively more expensive. As a comparator, the anticipated expenses for single graduate students is approximately S$15,000 for the 10-month academic year, with married student expenses in excess of S$25,000 for the same period. Visiting Scholars or Researchers should budget to pay approximately S$600 to S$1,000 month for one/two-bedded privately rented accommodation and ensure they have sufficient financial support for the visit.
Medical Insurance
Visiting Scholars and Visiting Researchers are not employees of the National University of Singapore. Hence, they are not eligible for insurance benefits or to purchase insurance through the University. Once accepted into the program, they will be required to purchase their own private health insurance and travel insurance.
Entry Visas & Visit Pass
Visiting Scholars and Visiting Researchers are responsible in ensuring that they have the correct travel documentation, including visas for their entry and stay in Singapore. Generally, a visit pass for a foreigner entering Singapore for social, business or professional purposes or as a tourist is valid for 30 days. Participants are responsible for renewing their own visit passes and entry visas if they wish to visit Singapore beyond one month.
If you are currently a resident full-time graduate student of a university and wish to be considered for the Visiting Researcher Programme, you may apply for a Work Holiday Pass to spend up to two months in Singapore. The Work Holiday Programme (WHP) is applicable to students from selected countries/territories. For more details, please click here to go to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower website or contact the relevant education ministry in your home country.
Programme Fees and Expenses
Although there is no regular programme fee, a nominal programme fee may be applicable for applicants from OECD member countries. Visiting Scholars and Visiting Researchers will, if successful, be advised of the appropriate fee. Visitors who wish to audit classes may do so but kindly note that the Faculty’s Continuing Legal Education Programme (CLE) currently charges S$1,284 per elective course for such attendances.
Further Information
To request further information, or to submit an application, please contact:
Ms Kris Zhao
National University of Singapore
Faculty of Law
469G Bukit Timah Road
Eu Tong Sen Building
Singapore 259776
Phone: +65 6516 3600
E-mail: law.research@nus.edu.sg