Master of Laws [L.L.M] (Cross - Border Business and Finance Law in Asia)

at Singapore Management University

Academic year

• August to April (1 yr full-time / 2 yrs part-time)

No. of credit units    

9.5 credit units (CUs), comprising:

• 3 CUs - common core modules
• 3 CUs - track core modules
• 2 CUs - electives
• 1 CU - PGPD workshops
• 0.5 CU - internship (optional for experienced candidates)

Entry requirements

• Good first degree in Law (LL.B. or J.D. or their equivalent).
• Non-law graduates may be considered on the basis of substantial relevant professional experience in law-related positions.

English Language Proficiency

Proof of English language proficiency is required for all international applicants except those from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom and the United States.

The minimum English proficiency test requirement is as follows:

• IELTS: 6.5
• UKVI: 4
• TOEFL: 90

TOEFL/IELTS scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date and applicants should ensure their scores remain valid at the beginning of the application period of for the LL.M. track applied for. Applicants intending to take the TOEFL/IELTS test are advised to schedule their test sufficiently early to ensure that their score reports are available before the closing date for the submission of supporting documents. Only official score reports are accepted. 

• Good first degree in Law (LL.B. or J.D. or their equivalent).
• Non-law graduates may be considered on the basis of substantial relevant professional experience in law-related positions.

English Language Proficiency

Proof of English language proficiency is required for all international applicants except those from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom and the United States.

The minimum English proficiency test requirement is as follows:

• IELTS: 6.5
• TOEFL: 90
• UKVI: 4

Test scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date and applicants should ensure their scores remain valid at the beginning of the application period of for the LL.M. track applied for. Applicants intending to take the proficiency test are advised to schedule their test sufficiently early to ensure that their score reports are available before the closing date for the submission of supporting documents. Only official score reports are accepted. 

Application fee 

• S$100 Inclusive of GST

*(non-refundable)

Registration fee   

• Singaporeans / SPR: S$400* Inclusive of GST
• Foreigner: S$500* Inclusive of GST

(non-refundable)    

*Amount payable upon acceptance to the programme. The registration fee includes matriculation, examination fees, orientation activities, library & computer account.

Tuition fee    

• S$37,450 Inclusive of GST

*Non-refundable

• Deposit before matriculation: S$5,000 Inclusive of GST
• 1st billing is payable in Aug: S$13,725 Inclusive of GST
• 2nd billing is payable in Dec: S$18,725 Inclusive of GST

*Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a tax collected on behalf of the Singapore Government and will be charged at the prevailing rate.

Please note that there will not be any government subsidy for the LL.M. programme. E.g. MOE Tuition Grant, Service Obligation Scheme. All applicants will have to be self-funded.

With effect from the 2018 admission intake, SMU undergraduate and postgraduate alumni who are offered a place in the LL.M. programme will automatically be granted a 10% discount on the LL.M. tuition fee. The 10% discount will be spread equally over the twice billing periods. SMU exchange and non-graduating students are not eligible for the alumni discount.

With effect from the 2021 admission intake, SMU LLM alumni who apply to the J.D. programme within three years of obtaining their SMU LLM degree and obtain a CGPA of 3.4 need not sit for the written test or interview. They will be granted direct entry to the J.D. programme after completion of their online application and payment of their application fees. A $6,000 discount above the 10% SMU alumni discount may be granted to these SMU LLM alumni if a minimum of 3CUs are approved for transfer. (Please note that the maximum discount amount is $6,000 even if more than 3CUs have been approved for transfer).

The SMU LLM programme is committed to your success from the beginning of the programme. You will receive personalised attention and support from our SMU career coaches who will work with you to develop your job search strategy. These specialised coaches are dedicated professionals who will be able to offer you essential strategies, tips and tools to guide you towards the career development you desire.

Our Career Services team runs workshops and events throughout the year to give you the opportunity to gain exposure across different industries and to build your network with the business community.

The LLM Programme Office also holds networking events and study tours to high-tech companies, law firms and international organizations for students to have in-depth exposure to different dimensions of legal practice. Previous students have secured employment or internships in the private and public sectors in Singapore and abroad.

Foreign Practitioner Examination

While the LLM is not a qualifying law degree in Singapore, eligible foreign-qualified lawyers may take the Foreign Practitioner Examination (FPE) that the Singapore Institute of Legal Education administers. A Foreign Practitioner Certificate would allow foreign lawyers to practise in limited areas of Singapore law such as banking and finance, M&A and intellectual property law.