Online Application & Key Dates
For New Applicant
You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form.
For Existing Applicant
If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to continue with your application.
KEY DATES (FOR 2026 INTAKE)
Please refer below to the key dates for the application stages:
| Application Stages (Pre-Acceptance) | Time |
|---|---|
| Online Application Open | TBC |
| Online Application Deadline | TBC |
| Written Test and Interview (Rolling Basis) | TBC |
| Application Stages (After Acceptance) | |
|---|---|
| Online Matriculation | TBC |
| Verification of Documents, application for J.D. scholarship, compulsory orientation | TBC |
| Term Commences | TBC |
APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1: ONLINE APPLICATION
The online application will be on a rolling basis. Once the cohort size is filled, applications for the intake will close. All other applicants will then be considered for the following year's intake. SMU JD has only one admission in August per year.
It's recommended to use a computer to access the online application system. A step-by-step guide for the JD online application is available here.
Those completing their first degree by early July of the year of admission may apply using their latest official transcript. Applicants will be asked to submit final transcript and graduate certificate letter/degree scroll later if they are offered a place in the programme.
An official translation would need to be uploaded for all documents which are not in English. Translation should be certified by the issuing institution or a Notary Public/Commissioner of Oath. Hard copies of required documents are not required at the application stage.
Any enquiries about the online application, please email at jd@smu.edu.sg. For IT issues, please contact SMU IT Help Centre directly at helpdesk@smu.edu.sg.
The following documents will be required to accompany the online application:
Applications with incomplete document submissions will be disqualified from consideration.
Download JD application document checklist here.
Identification document
| Two Referees Two different referees are required. Please indicate the details of two referees in the online application form, including name, designation and email. The referee will receive a recommendation email from SMU once the JD application is submitted. It may take around 15-20mins to complete the online recommendation form. Where possible, at least one of the recommendations should be from someone who has taught the applicant or supervised applicant's work in university studies. If applicant has left school for a long time and are unable to submit academic references, please provide 2 referees from people who are familiar with applicant's performance, such as employers/colleagues/clients etc. The contents of the recommendation are confidential. Under no circumstance should the applicant be able to see the contents of the recommendation. If referee couldn't receive SMU recommendation email, please ask referee to check spam folders or contact JD programme office at jd@smu.edu.sg directly. |
Degree Certificate The copy of the degree certificate(s) certified by the issuing institution or a Notary Public/Commissioner of Oath. And the bachelor's degree certificate is compulsory. Combine all degree certificates into one PDF file. | CV A concise resume that provides chronological information about your educational background, work experiences and accomplishments. Up to two (2) A4 pages. |
Transcript The copy of the official transcript certified by the issuing institution or a Notary Public/Commissioner of Oath. And the undergraduate transcript is compulsory. Combine all transcripts in one PDF file. | Statement of Purpose All applicants are required to submit a detailed personal statement based on the questions in the online application form. Maximum 600 words to each answer. |
IELTS/TOEFL English proficiency test results (TOEFL or IELTS) for all international applicants whose bachelor's degree was not conducted in English. Scores that are more than 2 years old will not be accepted. For more details, please refer to the 'Admission Criteria'. GRE/GMAT or SMU Admission Test is not required. LSAT or LNAT is optional. | Application Fee Payment for the application fee must be made through the online application system. Applications submitted without payment will be considered incomplete and invalid. Please note that checks are no longer accepted by SMU. DO NOT pay the 'Optional Fee: 1st Attempt for SMU Admission Test (S$125)', which is not required to the LLM programme. All fees paid at the application and matriculation stages are non-refundable under any circumstances. |
Other Supporting Documents If any additional significant supporting documents, please send them to jd@smu.edu.sg with the applicant’s full name and application reference number by the application deadline. Kindly combine all documents into a single PDF file, with a maximum length of six A4 pages. No additional supporting documents will be accepted after the application deadline. | |
STEP 2: WRITTEN TEST (Online)
- Shortlisted applicants must attend a J.D. written test (1 hour) after completion of online application, verificaiton of supporting documents and payment of application fee.
- The JD programme office will contact shortlisted applicants via email to register for the written test.
- The written test will be conducted via a Zoom meeting. Once the written test registration is confirmed, applicants will receive confirmation email with zoom link. Reminder emails are available near the test date.
- The written test is similar as reading comprehension, several short essay questions following a long reading material. No legal knowledge is required for the written test. No sample paper for reference. The test is open book, applicants have access to online rescources apart from AI tools.
- No additional fee charged for the written test.
STEP 3: ADMISSION INTERVIEW (ONLINE)
- After written test, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an admission interview conducted by two (2) law faculties.
- The interview will be conducted via Zoom meeting. The JD programme office will contact shortlisted candidates via email to register for interview. Once the registration is confirmed, candidates will receive a confirmation email with azoom link. Reminder emails are available near the interview date.
- After the interview, JD programme office will generally update application outcome via email within 2 weeks.
