National University of Singapore (NUS): Singapore
a. General Information
A leading global university centered in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. Its transformative education includes a broad‐based curriculum underscored by multi‐disciplinary courses and cross‐faculty enrichment, as well as special programmes which allow students to realise their potential. Over 30,000 students from 100 countries further enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives, making campus life vibrant and exciting.
The NUS mission is transform the way people think and do things through education, research and service and comprises three mutually reinforcing thrusts:
- Trans-formative education that nurtures thinking individuals who are alive to opportunities to make a difference, are valued members and leaders of society, and global citizens effective in diverse settings.
- High‐impact research that advances the boundaries of knowledge and contributes to the betterment of society.
- Dedicated service, as a national university, that adds to social, economic and national development.
b. The Exchange Program
The NUS Faculty of Law prides itself on its global outlook, and as part of this mission, has invested heavily in developing an extensive student exchange programme. The Faculty hosts over 120 exchange students each year and over 100 international LLM students, who study alongside NUS students, bringing an extremely vibrant and cosmopolitan feel to the classrooms as well as the campus. We look forward to welcoming you to our diverse community of students and scholars and hope you will, if you choose to come, have a rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Basic Exchange Program Information
c. Academic Calendar
Visit the NUS website for a copy of their academic calendar.
d. Language of Instruction
Instruction at NUS is in English. Students can take any of the language courses offered by the Centre for Language Studies subject to qualification and availability.
e. Eligible Courses
All non‐graduating students are generally expected to choose from the same elective subjects that are available to NUS Third and Final year LLB students. Please select law electives with module codes of Level 4000 (i.e. LL 4XXX). Only Level 4000 law elective modules are open to exchange students. It is important for all students to read the module restrictions at NUS before applying for the exchange.
The NUS Faculty of Law offers a wide range of elective subjects. Non‐graduating students are advised to read elective subjects that are not available in your home university especially subjects that will provide a common law, Asian, or Singapore perspective on legal issues.
Some elective subjects also have specific prerequisites. For example, several subjects in the corporate and financial services area are only available to students who have done Company Law or an equivalent course in Corporations Law in a common law jurisdiction. You are therefore advised to ensure that you have the necessary prerequisites before applying for such subjects. Students are required to ensure they have meet the pre-requisites/co-requisites/preclusions before applying for modules.
f. English Language Courses
All NUS Faculty of Law courses are in English.
g. Academic Requirements for Admission to the Exchange Program
Incoming exchange students must have completed at least one year of law study at Stanford Law School.
h. Standard Course Loads
Exchange students are required to take a minimum workload of 12 modular credits (approximately 3 modules) per semester in order to be eligible for a Student’s Pass (Student Visa). During application for admission, all students will be registered for at least 12 modular credits (MCs) per semester in order to secure admission and for the purpose of the Student’s Pass application. Students can add more modules or make changes to their modules when they officially register at NUS. Exchange students with Law as one of their majors must secure at least 8-10MCs of law modules per semester.
The usual load for NUS law students is 17-23 MCs per semester. Exchange students normally take a range of 12-20MCs per semester (about 3-4 modules). Students are encouraged to take modules for sufficient number of credits (not in excess), as required by their home university. Elective modules in NUS Faculty of Law carry a weight of 4, 5 or 8 credits. Elective modules with 4/5-credit have 3 contact hours for students per week for 12 weeks, and are usually taught using an interactive method of teaching. Elective 8-credit modules have 6 contact hours for students per week for 12 weeks, and are taught using a combination of lecture-style and interactive-style teaching. Students on law exchange are to apply for undergraduate law electives Level 4000 modules. Intensive modules are 4-credit modules taught by Visiting Professors and are taught in 3-hour sessions three times a week for 3 weeks.
i. Course Enrollment and Registration
Applicants offered a place in the Non-Graduating programme are required to register physically at NUS. Registration day is typically held one week before the semester commences, before Week 0 (for Semester 1) and before Week 1 (for Semester 2). Refer to the academic calendar here. An orientation briefing for International Students will also be held in the same period.
j. Grading System
The grading system for the modules taken in NUS can be found at the back of the official NUS transcripts.
k. The Application Procedure
- Exchange students must obtain formal approval from your home university (student exchange co ordinator) to attend NUS. Exchange applications will only be accepted on the basis of official nominations from a partner university.
- Students pursuing research need to obtain formal approval from a research supervisor at NUS before applying for admission to NUS. You will need to contact the relevant department at NUS to arrange for a willing supervisor. Alternatively, you may search through our Staff Research Directory System for a full listing of research interests of all academic and research staff members at NUS.
- Please read the general instructions before proceeding to apply online. For coursework applicants, you may wish to review the list of modules that will be offered in the coming semester(s) before you select your module choices in the application system. Please note that this list may be subject to change.
- Refer to the supporting document checklist applicable to the admission period that you are applying for and submit them well in advance of our application deadlines below. All documents have to be uploaded online at the end of the online application period. Additional supporting documents can be emailed to nghelp@nus.edu.sg.
- Only Non-Exchange applicants are required to post their hard copy application documents to NUS Registrar’s Office. The hard copy documents should reach NUS Registrar’s Office by the deadline stated below.
Note: All applications must be submitted through the online application system. Late applications and incomplete applications (including those submitted online but with no supporting documents) will not be processed.
l. Application Deadlines
Exchange application timeline and deadlines are subject to change.
| Intake | Submission deadline of Online Application (with Supporting Documents) |
|---|---|
| NUS Semester 1 (August – December) |
21 March to 10 April |
| NUS Semester 2 (January – May) |
1 September to 22 September |
m. Housing Information
Please note that exchange students are not guaranteed on-campus accommodation. Students will only be invited to apply for on-campus housing if they have indicated that they would like housing in their application form.
On-campus Accommodation Application Guide
n. Visa/Immigration Information
All students will need to obtain a Student’s Pass (Student Visa) to study at NUS. NUS Registrar’s Office will email instructions on applying for your Student’s Pass at least one month before the start of the semester. Students will collect their Student’s Pass after arriving in Singapore, but will need to complete some online steps prior to arrival to ensure that the Student’s Pass is issued smoothly. Students who need a visa to enter Singapore can print the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via the SOLAR system. They can use this letter as a single-trip entry visa. All other students will enter on a tourist visa, and convert this visa to a Student’s Pass during Registration. More information can be found in the Registration Guide (http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/info/ng/NG-Registration-Guide.pdf).
o. Fees
Here’s a breakdown of expected monthly expenses (in Singapore dollars):
| Expense | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $480-$850
(depending on room type) |
$600-$1300 |
| Food (3 meals a day) | $250-$500 | $400-$800 |
| Public Transport | $100-$150 | $200-$300 |
| Personal Expenses | $300-$500 | $300-$500 |
| Total | $1,130-$2,000 | $1,500-$2,900 |
p. Health Insurance Requirements
All international students must enroll in a compulsory NUS Health and Insurance Scheme, which is included in the Miscellaneous Student Fees.Insurance coverage: http://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/services/billing-insurance/insurance-matters#localThe NUS population is served by the University Health Centre (UHC) (http://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/) at Kent Ridge main campus. Students may also visit the University Counselling Services (http://www.nus.edu.sg/uhc/mental-health/student) for counselling and psychological services.Students who require medical support during their visits to NUS are encouraged to declare their health condition in their application form. They can also write to the Disability Support Office to enquire about the range of services and facilities.
q. Program Contacts
National University of Singapore
Global Relations Office
3rd Storey, Unit 03-03,
Shaw Foundation Alumni House,
11 Kent Ridge Drive,
Singapore 119244
Phone: (65) 6516 4356
Fax: (65) 6778 0177
Operating hours: Mon-Thur: 8.30am–6.00pm, Fri: 8.30am–5.30pm.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Associate Professor and Vice Dean Student Affairs: Eleanor Wong
Assistant Dean (Student Affairs): Ms. Grace Lam
Management Assistant Officer: Ms. Rahima Hussain
Faculty of Law
c/o International Programmes
National University of Singapore
469G Bukit Timah Road
Eu Tong Sen Building
Singapore 259776
Email: lawsep@nus.edu.sg
Telephone: (65) 6516 6631
Facsimile: (65) 6779 0979