Dear all!

I am aware of the fact that this is a very unique question and there will be hardly anyone who faced the same problem since those people just may not exist. However, this is a very important decision for me and I really would appreciate it a lot to get some advice to one or the other point.

I studied law in Germany and I will get my German bar exam this year.

For several reasons, I am devoted to Southeast Asia and I want to work in that region later, preferred Singapore or Honkong. (Yes, I thought about it under every viewpoint, yes, I already lived and worked in that region over a longer period and yes, I am aware of the fact that my chances in this region of the world are less favorable compared to people who studied in UK or US :-). I can imagine to work as a lawyer, in-house lawyer, in a bank, consulting firm, etc. I am also aware that it may be realistic that I have to work for some years in Europe first, but I hope that I can start working in Singapore directly (even it may be less favorable for my career).

To improve my chances of a career in this region, I want to do a postgraduate study. The options are NYU@NUS program (a double degree offered by the NYU Law School and the National University of Singapore) or an Oxford MJur or Cambridge LL.M. So far, I am not specialized in a area, although I have mainly worked in the banking/capital markets/M&A and corporate department of leading UK and US law firms ( as a law clerk during my legal clerkship, mandatory in Germany).

I have already asked many people about their opinions and these are the viewpoints:
Pro Oxbridge:
- More renowned Law Schools compared to the relatively new NYU@NUS program
- Studying in the Common Law country of origin
- UK Solicitor is the preferred additional qualification in Singapore compared to the attorney at law
- Cheaper

Pro NYU@NUS:

- Studying Asian/Singaporean law => basic knowledge of the Singaporean law ( although I already worked in a law firm in Singapore during my legal clerkship)
- Being in the region during my studies so I can already get in contact with potential employers ( if we consider the possibility of starting my career in Singapore directly, not sure if possible)
- Potential German/European employers want someone who is educated in the German/European law and the law of the country I work in (= Singapore) ( so Oxbridge may be less productive/target orientated)

Note: If I do the NYU@NUS program, I would work as a lawyer in a leading US law firm for about one year first. If I do Oxbridge, I would most probably directly start this October. This may be important if we consider the possibility of finding a job directly in Singapore after completing the NYU@NUS program ( so I could at least show some work experience as a lawyer in a global leading law firm).

I´m looking forward for your opinion. Really need your help. Many thanks!!

"If I do Oxbridge, I would most probably directly start this October"

May I ask you whether you have already applied for admission to Ox. or Cam? If not, you cannot start directly this October, as the applications have to be submitted 10 months prior to enrollment...

I already have offers for Oxford and Cambridge, and I should reply if I intend to accept the offers until the end of the month, that´s why it´s quite urgent!!

Thank you

to be a UK solicitor you'd have to do a UK law conversion (GDL) after your MJUR/LLM as well as a further year of professional qualification, after which you'd spend at least a year (possible longer, depending on the firm) before being posted in singapore. if your goal is to get out to singapore asap, then go for nyu. if your goal is to go for the brand with the most weight, go for the oxford mjur or cambridge llm, though nyu is nothing to sneer at either.

it's a close call, good luck with your choice.

Thank you guys.
I´m still torn between both options. Probably, I will make my decision dependent on the scholarships granted. But my heart still says NYU@NUS...

I made my decision and I will go for the NYU/NUS program next year.