How to Get into the School of Law at the SUSS

Excerpt

Singapore University of Social Sciences’ School of Law (SUSS Law) is uniquely positioned as a leader in community law, with a mission to train socially conscious and practice-ready lawyers. Offering both undergraduate and graduate legal education, SUSS Law places a strong emphasis on family and criminal law, part-time learning, and accessibility for mid-career professionals. If you’re looking to make a difference through the law, this guide will walk you through how to gain admission to SUSS Law’s LLB and JD programmes.

What does SUSS Law look for?

SUSS offers a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Juris Doctor (JD), both qualifying degrees recognised for admission to the Singapore Bar. The university is committed to nurturing lawyers who are passionate about serving the community, particularly in areas like criminal justice, family matters, and access to justice.

Unlike traditional full-time law schools, SUSS Law is tailored for working adults and mid-career switchers. The programmes are offered in part-time mode with evening and weekend classes, making them especially attractive to those already engaged in professional life. Admissions are highly selective, and applicants are assessed not just on academic merit, but on their aptitude for legal practice, work experience, maturity, and alignment with the school’s mission.

As part of the LLB programme, students will complete an additional 30 credit units of electives in related fields such as law, psychology, or social work, reflecting SUSS Law’s interdisciplinary and community-focused approach. In their final year, students will undergo a Legal Clerkship Programme, which offers structured, hands-on training in real-world legal settings. Both the LLB and JD degrees are recognised under the Legal Profession Act, and graduates who achieve a cGPA of 3.5 or higher will be considered qualified persons, eligible to sit for Part B of the Singapore Bar Examinations.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at SUSS Law

SUSS’s LLB is a 4.5 to 6-year part-time degree programme designed primarily for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents only, with prior academic qualifications such as:

GCE A-Levels (with at least 3 H2 passes)
Diplomas from local polytechnics
International Baccalaureate (IB)
NUS High School Diploma
Other Equivalent International Qualifications
Demonstrate aptitude to practise law through taking the UK Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

All applicants (other than fresh school leavers with 'A' Levels or diploma certificates) will be required to provide a full CV detailing their work experience as well.

Pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) at SUSS Law

The Juris Doctor (JD) is SUSS’s graduate-entry programme for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who already hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline and are seeking to transition into the legal profession. It is also conducted part-time and takes approximately 4–6 years to complete. The following minimum requirements have to be met:

Hold at least a Bachelor's degree AND substantial work experience
Demonstrate aptitude to practise law through taking the UK Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)
Provide a full CV detailing prior work experience

Mother Tongue Language (MTL) Requirements

All applicants must meet one of the following MTL requirements:

Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' Levels / NUS High School Diploma	Minimum of D7 for the higher MTL paper taken at the GCE 'O' Level examination Minimum of 'S' grade for the H1 MTL paper or General Studies in Chinese taken at the GCE 'A' Level examination. Minimum of 'S' grade for the H2 MTL and Literature taken at the GCE 'A' Level examination Pass in the MTL 'B' Syllabus paper at the GCE 'A' Level examination
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma	Pass in SL/HL MTL A: Literature, MTL A: Language and Literature, or Language B paper taken at IBDP Examination IB SL Language ab initio or IGCSE MTL First Language examination does not meet MTL requirement.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you submit your application online, SUSS begins its review of your academic transcripts, work history, and supporting materials.

For the LLB and JD programmes, LNAT scores are reviewed to assess your aptitude for legal reasoning. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a written essay and undergo an interview panel, which evaluates your motivation, communication skills, and understanding of community law. The interview process is designed to ensure you not only have the ability to cope with the academic demands of law school but also the commitment to serve in areas like Criminal Law and Family Law.

Strengthening Your SUSS Law Application

SUSS Law places heavy emphasis on applicants’ alignment with its mission of public service, access to justice, and practical, hands-on legal education. Here’s how to stand out:

Perform well on the LNAT. While no fixed cutoff is published, competitive scores tend to fall in the upper 20s or above (out of 42).
Highlight your community service or pro bono work. Experience in family service centres, community legal clinics, or social work is especially valuable.
Showcase work maturity. SUSS Law, especially the Juris Doctor programme, favours working adults with a track record of responsibility, discipline, and purpose.
Demonstrate motivation. Be clear about why you are pursuing law, especially if you are making a career switch. Reflect on your values, goals, and how law aligns with them.
Prepare for the interview. Be ready to discuss legal and ethical issues in society, your reasons for wanting to serve in the Criminal or Family Law space, and how you manage time and pressure.

While this guide is not exhaustive, we hope it offers a helpful starting point for structuring your SUSS Law application journey. If you would like more targeted support or tailored advice, feel free to reach out to our team here at Icon Education. We wish you the very best in your applications!