As a city-state in maritime Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the most unique places for higher education. By many, it is considered the cultural, political, and economic center of Asia. Because of its warm and welcoming climate, diversity, and development Singapore is the perfect place to study for people from all walks of life.
The city is especially known for its law programs, as its legal scholars come from all around the world to give their unique perspectives to future legal experts. For a better understanding of all the opportunities for legal education in Singapore, here are the five best law universities in Singapore.
Top Law Universities in Singapore
1. National University of Singapore
Based in the nation’s capital, the National University of Singapore is recognized as a top law university and considered to be among the finest institution for higher education. As it was founded in 1905, it is also the oldest autonomous university in Singapore. Presently, the university offers courses at seventeen faculties and schools at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It aims to create a community of academics, researchers, students, and alumni who will work together and offer solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues. Within its walls, the university wishes to educate its students to be not only highly-skilled experts but visionaries who will serve society as well.
One of the most renowned departments at the National University of Singapore is its Department of Law. Referred to as Asia’s Global Law School, the department takes great pride in its diverse and highly acclaimed faculty. Moreover, it strives to create an international environment by welcoming visiting faculty and students from every continent. Along with a rigorous core curriculum, students may choose electives from legal fields ranging from arbitration and jurisprudence to international law and intellectual property. During their studies, students are encouraged to reflect and debate fundamental legal issues, thus facilitating their skills of critical thinking.
2. Singapore Management University
Singapore Management University is the first publicly-funded private university and is one of the best law universities in Singapore. Its curriculum and overall style of education were modeled after the Wharton School offering students the chance to complete their degree programs in three and a half years. Currently, its student body is comprised of around 10,000 students who are enrolled in programs ranging from business and economics on the one hand to social sciences and arts on the other.
Officially established in 2007, the Yong Pung How School of Law is the smallest school at the Singapore Management University. Its administration and selection process is quite selective, as it annually enrolls only 180 students. During their studies, faculty members try to nurture their students’ intellectual curiosity and creativity while preparing them to work in some of the country’s leading law firms. One of the program’s primary objectives is to make their students aware that the law is a fluid and changeable discipline. Once their students become aware of this, they can harmonize different aspects of the law to come up with innovative and sustainable solutions to legal issues.
3. Singapore University of Social Sciences
Another university situated in the cultural and economic hub of Asia, Singapore University of Social Sciences is ranked among the most prominent institutions for higher education in Singapore. It is comprised of five schools and four centers. The university has stated that the transformation of society through applied social sciences is its prime concern. By teaching its students to be in a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, the university believes it will create individuals who will benefit society throughout their careers.
In line with the core values of the university, the School of Law (SLAW) implements a high-quality law curriculum and program in Singapore and focuses on educating highly-skilled legal experts in the fields of criminal and family law. The school’s approach to learning combines theoretical knowledge with application. Thus, throughout their studies, students are given the chance to fine-tune their debate, argumentation, and critical thinking skills. Moreover, the curriculum is built to include multi-disciplinary subjects. In other words, along with fundamental legal subjects, students acquire knowledge in other areas such as sociology, economics, and history. Through this multi-disciplinary approach, the university aims to give its students an in-depth understanding of the law in real-world circumstances.
4. BAC College Singapore
Formally known as the ITC School of Law, BAC College Singapore is an excellent law school in the country that is synonymous with academic excellence in the field of law. This private educational institution has prepared and trained some of the most prominent legal figures for more than twenty years. It provides its students with the chance of gradual recognition as well as various international opportunities. While attending the college, students are encouraged to fine-tune their collaboration, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
BAC College Singapore offers students the chance to study law on the undergraduate level for eight months. During this time, students are acquainted with core legal principles and practices. Moreover, they are given the knowledge and tools necessary for pursuing further legal study. The law program at BAC College Singapore is equivalent to Year 1 of a degree program. In other words, it is an excellent starting point for further legal study at universities within the United Kingdom that are connected to the BAC Education Group.
5. Sorbonne-Assas International Law School
Founded in 1970, Pantheon-Assas University is a leading law institution in Singapore and has since been recognized as one of the leading French universities in the field of law. In 2011, the university decided to launch an ambitious international program that would span across various countries and continents. The program was termed Sorbonne-Assas International Law School and is currently comprised of campuses in Dubai, Paris, Mauritius, and Singapore. It offers law degrees on both the undergraduate and graduate level depending on the campus location. The primary objective of this program is to educate and train future financial and legal experts.
Concerning Singapore, the Sorbonne-Assas International Law School Campus is situated in the INSEAD Business School-Asia campus and offers a master’s degree in International Business Law. In addition to the master’s program, the law school offers seminars concerned with executive education and legal business in China, as well as three-week academic programs in both the winter and summer semesters. Due to its international character, the faculty at each university campus is made up of acclaimed legal professionals from France as well as other countries and continents.
We hope that this article on Best Law Universities in Singapore was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Law Programs for International Students!
