Study Juris Doctor (JD) at Singapore Management University (SMU) in Singapore, Yong Pung How School of Law

About this course

About this course
- Overview
- Department
Study options
Entry requirements
- International

What will I learn?

SMU Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a postgraduate degree for aspiring practitioners of law. This robust programme will comprehensively expose students to interdisciplinary and applied practices in the legal landscape. It's a 3-year full-time programme including totally 25 credit units. Through the core modules and rich electives of the JD programme, students can not only build a solid foundation of law, but also improve critical thinking, professional judgements and soft skills. All core modules are taught in classes exclusively for JD students only.SMU JD students have a diverse background, promoting a rich exchange of study and work experience. The SMU JD programme will allow graduates to take the Singapore Bar Exam if they attain a GPA of at least 3.0. During the JD programme, students can also choose to complete another MBA degree, Dual-JD or JD-LLM programme with partner universities.SMU LLM alumni may complete the JD programme in two years if apply for the SMU JD within 3 years of graduation.A J.D. student is required to complete a total of 25 course units (cus) of law courses. The cu of each core course will vary from 0.5 cu to 1.5 cus. A student will complete an average of 8 cus of core course in 1 year. No core course can be deferred in Year 1. Approval is required to defer any Year 2 core modules to Year 3. Students are only allowed to commence their 6 week legal internship, 20 hours of pro bono work and choose their electives after completing all Year 1 core courses.

Which department am I in?

Yong Pung How School of Law

Study options

Full Time (36 Months)

Tuition fees

SG$26,523.33 (US$ 19,981) per year

Application deadline

Expected May 2027

Start date

Expected August 2027

Venue

Singapore Management University

Administration Building,

81 Victoria Street,

Singapore,

188065, Singapore

Entry requirements

For international students

Non-law and law graduates are welcome to apply for the SMU JD programme if meet admission criteria as follows:

1. Completed an undergraduate education in any discipline with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree; or

2. Law graduates from a civil law country or a non-gazetted common law university* with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree, or

3. Graduands who will obtain their final transcript and graduation certification letter by early July

Applicants who have obtained their undergraduate degree via distance learning or part-time studies will be considered for admission if they have obtained at least a second-class upper honours degree.

Candidates who do not meet the above academic criteria but with significant achievements such as having an outstanding further degree and/or outstanding work experience that could contribute to the class and legal profession will be reviewed closely by the Admissions Committee.