Online Application
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.
Important Dates (For 2026 intake)
| Event | Date |
| Online Application Open | TBC |
| Online Application Form Submission Deadline | TBC |
| Admission Interviews | TBC |
| Common Law Workshop / Legal Writing Workshop | TBC |
| First Week of Classes | TBC |
Admission Process
ONLY FOR Judicial Studies / Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia / Law and Technology Track.
For the Dual LLM in Commercial Law (Singapore & London) application, please check details here.
LLM applicants are admitted on a rolling basis. Once the class size is filled, applications for this cohort will close. All other applicants will then be considered for the following year's cohort.
An application is only considered complete when,
- Online application and all required supporting documents are submitted before the application deadline.
- Application fee is paid before the applicaiton deadline.
Failure to complete the above will render the application invalid.
Step 1: Online Application
It is recommended that applicants access the online application system on a computer instead of a mobile device or tablet.
SMU LLM Online application step-by-step guide is available here.
Those completing their first degree by early July of the year of admission may also apply using their latest provisonal transcript. Students will be asked to submit their 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 during the application stage.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to take a LLM written test and participate in an interview online.
Any enquiries regarding the online application, please contact at smullm@smu.edu.sg. For IT issues, please contact SMU IT Help Centre at helpdesk@smu.edu.sg.
The following documents are required to accompany the online application:
Incomplete submission of documents will render the application to be dismissed from consideration.
Download LLM application document checklist here.
Identification document(s) 1) Singapore Citizen: A copy of NRIC. 2) Singapore Permanent Resident (PR): A copy of NRIC and re-entry permit. 3) Foreigner: A copy of passport personal particulars page. | 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 LLM 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 LLM programme office at smullm@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 except those from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States. Scores that are more than 2 years old will not be accepted. For more details, please refer to the 'Admission Criteria'. GRE/GMAT, LSAT/LNAT or SMU Admission Test (SMUAT) is not required to the LLM application. | 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 smullm@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)
- All applicants must take an LLM written test (1 hour) if shortlisted. The written test will be conducted via a Zoom meeting.
- Once required supporting documents are verified and completed online recommendations are well received, the LLM programme office will contact shortlisted applicants via email to register for the written test.
- Once the written test registration is confirmed, applicants will receive a confirmation email with a zoom link. Reminder emails are available near the test date.
- For the text invitation email, confirmation email and reminder emails, please kindly check both inbox and spam folders regularly.
- The written test is similar as a reading comprehension, applicants have to answer several short essay questions along side a long reading material in 1-hour. It aims to test the applicant's reasoning skills, legal knowledge is not required. No sample paper for reference. More details regarding the written test will be shared in the invitation email.
- There is no addional fees required to the LLM written test.
Step 3: Admission Interview (Online)
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an admission interview, which will be held individually (1 candidate to 1 faculty).
- The interview will be conducted via Zoom meeting.
- The LLM programme office will contact shortlisted candidates via email to register for the interview. Once the registration is confirmed, candidates will receive a confirmation email with a zoom link. Reminder emails are available near the interview date.
- Each interview session is around 15mins. No legal knowledge is compulsory.
- After the interview, LLM programme office will update application status via email within 2 weeks in general.
