Partner University: National University of Singapore
Program Length: 6 semesters
Through this program abroad, students have the opportunity to receive both the JD degree from BU School of Law and an LLM in Asian Legal Studies from the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Students in the program complete a full year of study at NUS, one of the world’s foremost legal institutions. Ranked as one of the world’s top 20 universities by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, NUS offers the unique opportunity to study pan-Asian law topics in the hub of Southeast Asia’s business and legal world—and in one of the most multicultural and diverse communities on earth. This program is available to qualified 3L students, and instruction is offered entirely in English.
Program Requirements
To be eligible for the program, BU Law students will need to complete four semesters of residency, as well as complete all the School’s upper class requirements (writing requirement and professional responsibility) prior to departure. There are no prerequisites for the program.
Program Timing
Students participating in the program will study at NUS for a full academic year. The NUS academic calendar varies slightly each year; however, fall orientation generally occurs in early August and final exams for the spring semester generally end by early May.
Financial Arrangements
BU Law students will pay Boston University’s regular tuition and any applicable fees to Boston University and they will not be charged tuition by NUS. BU students will be expected to pay approximately $100 worth of one-time fees upon their arrival at NUS.
Students will be responsible for the costs of their own room and board, travel and related (e.g., visa) expenses to and from NUS, the cost of any course materials and similar items and their own personal expenses. BU students are required to enroll in the NUS group insurance scheme upon their arrival in Singapore.
Student Status
All students participating in the program shall receive all of the benefits and privileges and shall have all of the rights and responsibilities that NUS establishes for its full-time, matriculated LLM degree students.
Instruction and Assessments
The performance of BU Law students participating in the program will be evaluated in the first instance by the teachers instructing in the Asian Legal Studies program. Promptly after a student completes the program, NUS will inform BU Law of the grades the student received for each course. BU Law will then determine, in its sole judgment, the Boston University credits and grades to be awarded to a BU Law student participating in the program.
Housing
Exchange students at NUS are welcome to apply for on-campus housing. Due to the number of requests they receive, however, BU Law students are not guaranteed to be granted a place in on-campus housing. Detailed information on all housing options will be provided to participating students upon their acceptance into the NUS Asian Legal Studies program.
Admissions Requirements
BU Law may nominate up to two (2) qualified third-year students to study at NUS. The nominated BU Law student(s) will have completed a formal application process and received approval based on the student’s academic standing and prospect for successful performance. The nominated student(s) will then complete the necessary NUS application form(s), provided by NUS, to be reviewed for final selection by Director of the LLM in Asian Legal Studies program at NUS.
Formal admissions to the program are processed through the Graduate & International Programs Office.
Students interested in applying to the program should follow the Study Abroad application procedures as outlined on the Study Abroad Programs Web site. Detailed program information about the full-year program at NUS is found here.
If you would like to learn more about the program or if you have other questions or concerns, stop by the Graduate & International Programs Office (OGIP) or email johnlap@bu.edu. You can also access a sampling of post-program reports written by students here.