Exchange Plus Programmes​

NUS-Boston University LLB & LLM

Overview

The 4-year NUS-Boston University Law School LLB-LLM Exchange Plus programme is available to students on the four-year LLB programme. Under this arrangement, students will complete three years at NUS and then go to Boston to read an LLM for one year, on a tuition fee waiver basis. Upon successful completion of the LLM at Boston, NUS law students will graduate with an LLB (Hons) from NUS and an LLM from Boston. ​

You may choose to read:​

  • LLM in American Law​
  • LLM in Banking & Financial Law​
  • LLM in Taxation​
  • LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law​

For more information, please visit Boston University Law School website HERE.​

Curriculum Matters

The credits read at Boston towards the LLM will count towards the NUS LLB degree as NUS 40Units. Courses completed at Boston do not count towards the LLB Class of Honours.​

Eligibility & Application

Applications for the programme are open from now till Monday, 9 December 2024. Only students in Law 2 may apply. In some years, the programme may also be open to Law 3. Interested students should look out for announcements. ​

Please apply via EduRec (Login > Self-Service > Global Education > External Study Application > "Law Exchange Plus AY2025/2026" OR "Law Exchange Plus AY2026/2027“) and upload the following documents:​

  • Resume​
  • Personal Statement (Please indicate matric no)​
  • Latest Unofficial Transcript​

Please also submit 2 Letters of Recommendation provided by Academic Referees. Your referees may:

  • email their letters directly to Ms. Rahima at lawsep@nus.edu.sg, or
  • provide you with a hardcopy letter in a sealed envelope with their signature on the back flap and you deliver this sealed letter to Ms. Rahima at the Student Affairs Office (Law Exchange Team) at Eu Tong Sen Building, Level 1.

After you are nominated by the Dean's Office for this programme, you will be required to also submit the following, at a later time (during Year 3), for Boston's consideration. Documents required and relevant deadlines will be provided to nominated students in due course. BU will then consider the nominated candidates and have the discretion to make (or not make) offers to them. Students who are nominated in Year 2 are expected to maintain good grades over 5 semesters to better secure an offer of admission by BU.​

For queries, please write to lawsep@nus.edu.sg.

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can I go for student exchange (SEP) AND the LLB-LLM?​

    Our rules for 4-year LLB programme allow a maximum period of two semesters away from NUS. Hence, students must choose EITHER SEP OR the LLB-LLM programme.​

    Students in Year 2 may concurrently apply for the SEP and the LLB-LLM but can only go for one programme. The application outcome of the SEP 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.​

    Thus, students who accept an exchange place will be precluded from pursuing the LLB-LLM programme. Students who withdraw from the exchange to pursue the LLB-LLM programme where the final selection by Boston is not confirmed, will be allowed to re-apply for exchange in Year 3 to go on exchange in Semester 1 of Year 4, should their Boston applications be unsuccessful. Re-application for exchange at this point will be subject to available places and it falling within the possible application window period of partner universities.
    ​

  • What are the selection criteria?​

    The selection criteria include your academic grades, character and personal statement. In some instances, you will be called for an interview by both faculty and BU. Selection will normally be up to 2 students per academic year. While you may be nominated for the programme in Year 2, you will formally apply to BU in Year 3 and you are expected to maintain good grades over 5 semesters to better secure an offer of admission by BU.
    ​

  • How much will it cost me?​

    The NUS-Boston programme is on a tuition fee waiver basis. You will continue to pay your LLB tuition fees at NUS. No tuition fee is payable to Boston. However, there will be some miscellaneous student fee payable to Boston.
    ​

  • Will there be scholarships or financial aid available?​

    NUS NASA Degree Scholarship or Bursary is available for application if you are accepted into the programme. The scholarship/bursary aims to help defray a small fraction of the cost of studying abroad. You will be invited to apply when the application opens, usually the year prior to your commencement of the programme.
    ​

  • Will I be entitled to take the New York Bar examination?​

    It is not necessary for you to undertake this programme to be eligible to take the New York Bar Exam. It has been the practice for NUS Law LLB graduates to be eligible to sit for the New York Bar Exam. Having said that, all candidates seeking to sit for the New York Bar Exam are responsible for ensuring their own eligibility and should check the requirements of the NY Bar from time to time.