Hello,guys!

I am interested in NUS LLM programmes, and currently doing some research about the possibilities of getting scholarships there.

When I browsed the NUS website, I noticed something confused concerning the eligibility of Scholarship for Young Asian Academics. Here it is.

Eligibility

1. The scholarship is tenable for full-time coursework programmes leading to the degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.) or any of the specialist LL.M. degrees at this University.

2. Applicants must be holding academic appointments at higher-learning institutions and be university graduates with an LL.B. degree or equivalent.

3. The scholarship is available for award to outstanding Asian applicants, except Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

I am confused about the section 2. What does it mean "Applicants must be holding academic appointments at higher-learning institutions and be university graduates with an LL.B. degree or equivalent. "?

I graduated from china university of politics and science of law with an LLB. Does it mean I am quailified to apply for this scholarship?

Thanks for you kindly help.

let's break section 2 down:

(a) you should hold an academic appointment at a higher-learning institution -- this means you should be a teacher in a university

(b) AND BE university graduate with LLB degree or equivalent -- this means you should have an LLB or a JD. since you have an LLB from CUPL

-- but you should both be a teacher AND have an LLB. although there are many other scholarships available in NUS for those who are not teachers.

let's break section 2 down:

(a) you should hold an academic appointment at a higher-learning institution -- this means you should be a teacher in a university

(b) AND BE university graduate with LLB degree or equivalent -- this means you should have an LLB or a JD. since you have an LLB from CUPL

-- but you should both be a teacher AND have an LLB. although there are many other scholarships available in NUS for those who are not teachers.

i'm actually a grad student in Peking University, but I have some friends who studied in NUS. go ahead and ask me, let's see if I can help.

i'm actually a grad student in Peking University, but I have some friends who studied in NUS. go ahead and ask me, let's see if I can help.

If you and your friends don't mind, could I ask for the emails of your friends? So I could contact with them directly.

Well, don't worry, I will try my best to do the research about application to a law school before disturbing your friends. I know the work load is much more than I could imagine.

Anyway, if your friends are not willing, that is ok. I understand. Don't feel like you are imposed to do sth.

hi, sorry i haven't replied for so long!

i'm actually not very sure about the singapore legal market for prospective employees holding singapore LLMs (compared to, say, US/UK LLMs). for sure, it will be easier to get a job, whether in an international firm or a local firm with US/UK LLM (more plus if you have US bar qualification). i know several people who don't have LLMs (either singapore LLM or US/UK LLM) but were able to get jobs in local singapore law firms like kelvin chia or colin ng.

those i know who were able to get jobs in local singapore law firms were not chinese lawyers. they were from the philippines, and they didn't know chinese, but they had some (one to two years) experience, were fluent in english, graduated with honors in their JD in the philippines. since you have 3 years pqe + are fluent in english and mandarin + will have an LLM in singapore, you will most likely be able to find a job in a local singapore law firm quite easily. i'm just not sure about the hiring practices of international law firms in singapore.

what i would suggest that you do is to check the websites of the singapore branch of international firms. check the profiles of the lawyers working in the singapore branch of the international firms. check in particular if there are lawyers who are already working there who, like yourself, are a chinese lawyer. then check if they have an LLM, and where they got their LLM (singapore? or US/UK?), and if they have US bar qualification. then you can try to acquire as many of the relevant qualifications as you can, to make yourself fit the "profile" of one of the lawyers working there, so that when you apply, you can have a good resume.

good luck!