I am receiving mails from Indian students who have made it to IBL program this year, and most of them have similar queries, therefore I am posting another blog based on the common set of questions being asked. Caveat, these are my personal remarks and findings, NUS has nothing to do with it.
Welcome on Board:
At the outset I would like to Congratulate all those who have made it to LL.M(IBL).
Course:
Course is well recognized by UGC and by Indian law firms. Course is structured in a manner that meets your practical requirements of this profession after the successful completion of this degree and as you would have read it in my erstwhile post, taught by Professors who are authority in their respective fields. Whether you will have an edge over others or not would be a matter of your performance and luck both.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation inherently is two pronged question, accommodation in Singapore and Shanghai. In Singapore I would strongly recommend Evans Lodge as it is spit away from the Law Faculty and library. In Shanghai, ECUPL provides you an option to stay in the Hostel which is located within the premise, alternatively few of you can come together and rent a private house as well, something that I did.
Coming to the expenses, Singapore would cost you, roughly, 1000 SGD per month including your lodging and boarding as you will be there for two and half months it should not be more than 2200SGD- flight ticket to shanghai would cost you an additional 400 SGD(approx)- subject to the condition that you live a modest life. In Shanghai, if you opt for hostel which will be around 4800 RMB(single room)or 2400RMB(double bed room), for whole year, your monthly expenses would be very less around 1000 RMB/month at the max, subject to the condition that you do not go for night outs in clubs and pubs. Same formula applies to your private accommodation just add the rent that you will be paying for your apartment.

JOBS:
There are students from previous year and this year who have successfully secured a job for themselves, so yes there is job opportunity for everyone. Having said that one should keep in his/her mind that LLM per se does not guarantee a job, other factors, such as grades, previous experience, luck etc etc, do have a role to play. Nevertheless, about the job prospects in shanghai I am not in a position to answer, as I have never tried it, but, apparently,it is extremely difficult, if not a wild goose chase, to find a job in Shanghai, ratio is your inability to read and write Mandarin plus the Civil law jurisdiction. Package determination is not in my capacity, its up to your previous academics, achievements, experiences, LLM result and above all market requirement in Singapore.
Best
Abhishek

Hi Abhishek,
I wrote you 5 months ago to ask you some questions about the IBL, I don't know if you remember me.
I'm writing you again because I received the admission mail to the next IBL a few days ago. Immediately I was really happy but, after reading your post, I want to ask you if you highly suggest a Master like the IBL, in particular with regard to the job opportunities, or you think it's better something different.
- Is it possible to find an internship (or a job) in Shanghai without knowing Mandarin or not?
Thank you.
Fedefra

Dear Pal,
Being honest, I dont really remember, your previous mail. However, it is altogether irrelevant here. I understand your position as I was also in the same situation while joining this program, when I left Geneva. Candidly, its up to you to decide, there is possibility of you getting internship in China and Singapore, both. Another advantage would be Networking, China is growing market you can develop a network in the lawfirms and company during your studies. One of our alumni, a swiss guy, is working here in China. Yes you can find an internship without knowing Manadarin, there is precedent to it. one of our alumni did an internship, without knowing Manadarin, in one the top tier law firms in China.I hope I answered your questions. To take up this course or not, is something your personal decision. However, after deciding that I will take up this course, I never have any regret, and find it one of the good decisions for me.
Best,
A

hi, I got this admission(IBL) seveal weeks ago, and I think this program is really worth. Maybe we will become classmates in July. ^_^

PS: I come from China, so if you have questions with the studying life in China, please contact with me freely and I will try my best.

msn: scorpio_yang86@hotmail.com

hi, I got this admission(IBL) seveal weeks ago, and I think this program is really worth. Maybe we will become classmates in July. ^_^

PS: I come from China, so if you have questions with the studying life in China, please contact with me freely and I will try my best.

msn: scorpio_yang86@hotmail.com

Hi,

has anyone yet received the official offer package from NUS? It was announced for early May...

Not yet. How about you and below?

Hi.

I have received my offer from NUS for the IBL programme. i am only confused about my accomodation at Singapore. I have applied Evans Lodge for a room. other than this is there any other option....in case i dont get a booking at Evans. I prefer any hostel close to the capmus... not private accomodation.

or else is there a on capmus accomodation available??

further, what about stay at Shanghai... when should we book our accomodation?

Hi.

I have received my offer from NUS for the IBL programme. i am only confused about my accomodation at Singapore. I have applied Evans Lodge for a room. other than this is there any other option....in case i dont get a booking at Evans. I prefer any hostel close to the capmus... not private accomodation.

or else is there a on capmus accomodation available??

further, what about stay at Shanghai... when should we book our accomodation?

guys evans lodge is supposedly full..... i have no idea where else should i stay in singpre

Study for your LLM in two of Asia's great cities: applications are now open for the NUS LLM in International Business Law programme. This is a collaboration between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the East China University of Political Science and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai, China.

The degree is awarded solely by NUS. Students will spend the first two months (August and September) at the NUS campus in Singapore, where they will read 2 to 3 subjects and undertake internships with leading law firms, government agencies or the courts. They will then spend seven months (October to April) at ECUPL's downtown Changning campus in Shanghai, where professors from both NUS and ECUPL will offer a total of 10 subjects.

The programme provides a solid legal foundation in international business and financial transactions law. The cutting-edge subjects taught include comparative corporations law, banking and international payments, international taxation, comparative corporate governance, international commercial arbitration, international and comparative law of sale, international corporate finance, cross-border commercial transactions and Chinese intellectual property law.

The programme lasts 10 months, requiring the study of 10 subjects in total, and is taught entirely in English by leading NUS and ECUPL faculty. The course is primarily targeted at students from outside Asia who desire a comprehensive English-language specialization in international business law, with a focus on emerging Asian markets such as China. It also provides students from non-common law backgrounds with an overview of common law principles relevant to international business and commerce. Finally, the course offers students a unique and unparalleled opportunity to live and study in two great Asian financial centres, Singapore and Shanghai.

The current group of students comprises 44 highly motivated individuals from 12 countries, including China, India, Canada, Austria, Spain, Chile, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Philippines and Turkey.

The tuition fee is US$6,900 (or S$10,000, 4,800 Euros or RMB 50,000). Accommodation is available near or within both campuses in Singapore and Shanghai. Applications close 31 January 2008. For application materials, pre-requisites, course details and more information in English or Chinese, click on http://law.nus.edu.sg/prospective/postgrad/coursework/llm_ibl.htm. Enquiries may be sent to lawtankj@nus.edu.sg.