Studying LLM in Singapore for Indian & International Students

The cosmopolitan and financial metropolis of Asia, Singapore is gaining popularity among international students who seek to pursue education overseas. Home to Asia’s highest-ranking law school, NUS (National University of Singapore) as per QS rankings 2021. An LLM in Singapore might take roughly a year to finish and students get to specialize with an advanced legal certificate in a given subject area. A restricted number of colleges provide LLM degrees in Singapore, there is a possibility of doing a double degree program with NYU. This provides a chance of getting two degrees, one from NUS as well as one from NYU. It also gives the possibility to take part in the training in New York if wanted. This program, however, is more competitive with higher entry criteria.

Pursuing an LLM in Singapore is comparatively easy since the applicant needs to have simply a bachelor's degree in law with language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE acceptable) (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE accepted). Applicants may need LORs or SOP/Personal Statement as supplemental materials with the application package. The program costs 27,000 to 51,000 SGD for overseas students. There are plenty of insurance companies, international enterprises, banks, and legal firms in Singapore. Some of the top recruiters to pursue a career with are Baker and McKenzie, Allen and Overy, Clifford Chance, Ashurst, DLA Piper, etc. The options after your LLM in Singapore are abundant and lucrative. You can earn up to 180,000 SGD a year

#Why study LLM in Singapore?

According to the QS World University Rankings for 2021, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Asia's highest-ranked law school, coming in at number 13 overall.

• Corporate secretarial manager, Legal counsel, contracts manager, and counsel are some of the positions in high demand in Singapore's legal sector.
• Private legal practice in an international company in Singapore will reward you with an average pay of 193,000 SGD per year, whilst a local firm will reward you with an average compensation of 110,000 SGD per year.
• According to Michael Page's research, transferring positions within the legal profession results in an average wage boost of 10-20 percent.
• Graduates from Singapore's law schools are in high demand for abilities such as regional exposure, particularly in APAC/Asia, as well as knowledge of media, technology, and communication.
•  In order to practice law in Singapore, international students need to maintain their Mandarin competence in reading, speaking, and writing skills, as law firms in Singapore have a significant presence in the Chinese market.

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#Top universities for LLM in Singapore:

It can be difficult to choose from a small number of universities that offer LLM programs in Singapore. The following are the fundamental course details for these universities, which will assist you in making an informed decision:

At NUS, there are four different types of specialties available in LLM. Among these are  International & Comparative Law, Corporate & Financial Services Law, and Intellectual Property & Technology Law.

#LLM specializations offered in Singapore :

Even though there are only a handful of universities in Singapore that provide LLM degrees, the range of specialties available is extensive and diverse. A few of the most popular specialties are listed in the table below:

#Admissions

The dates for admissions to the best universities in Singapore are updated on a rolling basis. Applicants who have been shortlisted will be required to participate in an interview as well as a brief written test. The information provided in the sections below provides every detail an overseas applicant needs to know in order to apply for LLM courses in Singapore.

Admission deadlines for LLM in Singapore :

Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis, it is recommended that overseas applicants submit their applications by the deadlines listed below :

To guarantee that a Singapore student pass arrives in time for on-campus schooling, it is frequently recommended that applications be submitted well in advance of the deadlines. A growing number of colleges are offering online and hybrid courses in response to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, applicants must research the specifics on the university/college website and only apply for the student pass if off-campus education is provided.

#Eligibility  for LLM in Singapore:

To be eligible to study an LLM in Singapore, you must have a bachelor's degree in law from a recognized university with competitive exam results. Other unique prerequisites for different colleges are described in further detail further down this page:

• The National University of Singapore (NUS) provides only one admissions round per academic year, with the course beginning in August. It is possible, however, that if any applicant is required to take an English language course, they will be asked to enroll in it in July. Apart from holding an excellent bachelor's degree in law, you will require the following qualifications to pursue an LLM from NUS, with or without a specialization:
  • TOEFL scores range from 92 to 99, and IELTS score 7
• LLM from NTU: One of the most important things to keep in mind while considering pursuing an LLM at NTU is that the course needs fluency in Chinese. It is necessary for international applicants to submit scores from exams to demonstrate their ability in Mandarin, which can be done by completing the Chinese performance assessment exam. In addition, you will require a bachelor's degree in law as well as basic English language competence to be considered for this position.
• LLM from SMU: The LLM program at SMU is meant to help students broaden their legal knowledge in both traditional and emerging areas of the law. You'll also gain knowledge of the skill sets required to provide timely and accurate advice on cross-border transactions, as well as produce high-quality adjudication and judicial administration outcomes. With an LLB degree from a reputable university, you will be able to obtain the following:
  • TOEFL iBT-100 
  • IELTS score: 7.0
• With the INSEAD LLM in International Business, students and professionals are prepared for operations such as large acquisitions or market transactions, complex financing, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, financial engineering, leveraged buyouts (LBOs), and industrial projects, among others. One of the most important prerequisites for applying to INSEAD is to have four years of job experience after receiving your bachelor's degree. Language proficiency is also necessary, and the following test scores are accepted:
  • IELTS-  7.0,  TOEFL- 90, PTE- 64 

#Documents required

• Documentation of identification: A photocopy of the page containing your personal information from your passport.
• Two Recommendation Forms are required, with professional LORs (letters of recommendation) being required as well.
• A photocopy of your Bachelor's Degree Certificate is required.
• It should be a brief resume that offers chronological information about your educational history, professional experience, and achievements.
• A certified copy of your official transcripts from the institution that issued them.
• All applicants are asked to submit a detailed personal statement as well as the results of their English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS).
• It is necessary to make the application fee payment online using a credit card.

#Cost of studying for LLM in Singapore :

Based on the school and course you have applied for, tuition fees for an LLM in Singapore range between 27,000 and 51,000 SGD. As a general guideline, the program costs between 27,000 and 51,000 SGD. Furthermore, students must factor in the costs of living in Singapore, which include things like housing, utilities, food, clothing, transportation, books and stationery, health care, and other personal expenditures. The typical cost of living might range from 1000 SGD to 2,500 SGD per month, depending on one's way of life.

#Pre-arrival costs

Some of the expenses you will incur even before you leave your home country include the following:

#Tuition fees for LLM in Singapore :

The following are the costs associated with pursuing an LLM in Singapore for an Indian applicant:

When studying for an LLM in India, the cost ranges between 18,000 INR to 1LPA, depending on the university chosen.

#Living expenses in Singapore

The cost of living while studying abroad, including lodging, meals, and other expenses, is significant. Some of the costs you should factor in when deciding whether or not to study in Singapore are:

#Scholarships for LLM

A limited number of specified scholarships for LLM students are available in Singapore, with the majority of funds going towards covering tuition fees. Universities such as the National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University provide some services to overseas students, while others are supplied by third-party organizations such as the International Students' Association of Singapore.

• Faculty Graduate Scholarships by NUS
• Young Asian Scholarships by NUS
• The Financial Sumo Educational Scholarship Program: The amount awarded to international students 1,333 SGD.
• Kwa Geok Choo Graduate Scholarship by SMU
• Lee Kong Chian Masters of Law Scholarship by NUS
• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA): It awards an amount of 2,000 SGD.
• BrokerFish International Student Scholarship: International students are awarded around 1,333 SGD under this scholarship.

Work-study opportunities while pursuing an LLM in Singapore Obtaining the opportunity to work part-time while studying in Singapore is an extra means of paying for your education in the country. The opportunity to work part-time is not available to students enrolled in private universities. Part-time work is available for international students studying at government-sponsored universities for a total of 16 hours per week.

#Career prospects

The ongoing growth of Singapore's legal institutions, supported by the expansion of the region's economies, has increased the demand for competent legal and judicial services in the city-state of Singapore. Law schools in Singapore are dedicated to broadening your legal knowledge in both traditional and emerging areas of the law, while also preparing you with the skills set necessary to provide on-point guidance on high-quality adjudication.

• In Singapore, the pay scale of a lawyer is determined by his or her position within a particular legal firm or law office.
• The typical pay range for a Paralegal in a business is between 19,000 and 70,000 SGD, whereas the average pay scale for an attorney or lawyer in a law firm is between 37,000 and 279,000 SGD.
• The typical pay range for an independent council engaged in litigation in the courts of Singapore is between 54,000 and 203,000 SGD, but the average pay scale for an Associate Attorney in a law firm is between 46,000 and 116,000 SGD.

Intellectual property law, Corporate law, arbitration, banking law, finance law, and marine law are just a few of the areas of practice that are particularly prominent in Singapore. While studying at one of Singapore's law schools, there are numerous opportunities to earn internationally recognized and useful experience through post-graduate career opportunities.

LLM in Singapore is one of the most well-known degrees offered by the country's leading colleges, and it is well worth your time and money to pursue. So, if you're wondering why you should study in Singapore, consider the following:

• The LLM degree at the NUS is one of the best-paying degrees in the country, with alumni earning an average income of 109,000 SGD.
• LLM Graduates at SMU typically earn an annual salary of 93,000 Singapore dollars on average.
• Graduates of NTU's Business Law program earn roughly 83,000 SGD per month on average.

Salaries for different legal jobs can be considerably different from one another. If you are interested in the salary of a specific position, you may find compensation information for individual job titles in the table below:

Every 13 months, legal professionals in Singapore may expect to see an increase in their pay of roughly 11 percent on average. Employees receive a 9 percent annual raise on average, which is distributed every 15 months, on a national level for all professions combined. With its competitive pay and high educational standards, Singapore is an excellent study abroad choice for LLM candidates who want to be close to home.