Finding a law school that matches both your ambition and your practical needs takes more than a brochure. The Yong Pung How School of Law at Singapore Management University offers a compelling option, whether you are a local student or considering Singapore from abroad. This guide pulls together everything from getting to campus and understanding admissions to what the school is known for and who leads it.

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Established: 2007 ·
Location: 55 Armenian Street, Singapore 179943 ·
Degrees: LLB, JD, LLM, PhD ·
QS ranking (2017): 9th best young university worldwide

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact acceptance rate not publicly disclosed by SMU
  • Exact class size for LLB program not provided on official pages
  • Specific global ranking of the law school not listed on the official site
3Timeline signal
  • School admitted first cohort in August 2007 (SMU News Room media release)
  • Acquired its own premises along Armenian Street in 2017 (SMU Yong Pung How School of Law about page)
  • Appointed Dean Lee Pey Woan in July 2022 (SMU Yong Pung How School of Law about page)
4What’s next
  • JD and LLB application cycles open annually
  • Potential campus visits and open houses scheduled periodically

Five key facts shape the identity of this school.

Label Value
Full name SMU Yong Pung How School of Law
Year established 2007
Dean Pey Woan Lee
Address 55 Armenian Street, Singapore 179943
Degrees offered LLB, JD, LLM, PhD

The implication: SMU’s law school is young but has established a clear institutional identity rooted in a holistic admissions model and a named legacy.

How to get to Yong Pung How School of Law?

Directions by MRT

The nearest MRT stations to 55 Armenian Street are City Hall (on the North-South and East-West lines) and Clarke Quay (on the North-East line). Both are about a 5–10 minute walk from the school entrance. From City Hall, exit via the Bras Basah Road exit and walk along Armenian Street past the Singapore Art Museum. From Clarke Quay, head north along the Singapore River and turn right onto Armenian Street.

The catch

Both stations get crowded during peak hours, but the short walk means you will likely arrive faster than if you took a cab from further out.

Directions by car

If you are driving, set your GPS to 55 Armenian Street. The school sits at the intersection of Armenian Street and Canning Rise. Parking is available at SMU’s Bras Basah Campus Car Park, but spaces are limited, especially during term time and when university events are running. The school’s official address is listed on the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law contact page.

Parking options

SMU’s Bras Basah car park (entrance on Victoria Street) is the closest option. Parking fees apply, and the lot can fill up by 9 a.m. on weekdays. Nearby public parking is also available at the Singapore Art Museum and Chijmes complex, both within a few minutes’ walk.

Why this matters

For prospective students coming from outside the city center, the MRT is the more reliable option. Driving may cost more in both time and parking fees than it saves.

The pattern: Getting to campus is straightforward by MRT, but parking constraints mean that driving is best reserved for off-peak visits or special appointments.

Who is the dean of Yong Pung How School of Law?

Current dean: Pey Woan Lee

As of 2025, the dean is Professor Lee Pey Woan. She was appointed to the role in July 2022, as confirmed by SMU’s official about page. Her email (pwlee@smu.edu.sg) is listed on the school’s contact page. The dean oversees the school’s academic programs, faculty development, and strategic direction.

Previous deans

Before Professor Lee, the school was led by other appointed deans since its founding in 2007. The school was originally established as part of SMU and renamed the Yong Pung How School of Law in 2021, as noted in the SMU News Room media release.

The pattern: Institutional leadership changes are documented in the school’s official timeline, but the dean’s role in shaping admissions policy has not been publicly detailed. Prospective students should note that the dean sets academic priorities, but application decisions are handled by the admissions office.

What is Yong Pung How known for?

Yong Pung How the person

The school is named after Yong Pung How, the second Chief Justice of Singapore, who served from 1990 to 2006. He is credited with modernizing Singapore’s legal system and establishing the Supreme Court’s current structure.

The law school’s reputation

SMU Yong Pung How School of Law is known for its holistic admissions approach, which evaluates academic records alongside co-curricular achievements, intellectual curiosity, and communication skills, as described on the SMU LLB admissions page. The school’s parent institution, Singapore Management University, was ranked the 9th best young university worldwide in the 2017 QS ranking. The law school itself benefits from SMU’s overall reputation, but no independent global ranking of the law school is publicly available. The school is part of a young university (Wikipedia article on SMU), which emphasizes interactive pedagogy and a “SMU-X” experiential learning approach.

What to watch

The school’s reputation is tied to SMU’s brand and the legacy of Chief Justice Yong Pung How. For applicants comparing schools like NUS Law, which has a longer history and established global ranking, the relative youth of SMU law school may matter.

The implication: SMU’s law school brand is strong locally but less established globally than older competitors, a factor applicants should weigh alongside program fit.

How long does it take to get a law degree in Singapore?

LLB duration

The LLB (Bachelor of Laws) is a 4-year undergraduate degree at SMU. It is a direct-entry program for students who have completed their A-levels or equivalent.

JD duration

The JD (Juris Doctor) programme at SMU typically takes 3 years and is designed for graduates in other disciplines who wish to enter the legal profession. The programme also requires meeting English proficiency standards: TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS overall band 7.5 for applicants whose undergraduate degree was not conducted in English, as stated in the SMU JD Brochure (November 2024).

LLM and PhD duration

The LLM (Master of Laws) and PhD programmes vary in length depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. LLM programmes typically take 1 year full-time, while a PhD can take 3-5 years, depending on research progress.

The pattern: Degree timelines are standard for Singapore, but the JD’s English proficiency requirement adds an extra step for international applicants that is worth planning for.

What are the admissions requirements for Yong Pung How School of Law?

Acceptance rate

SMU Yong Pung How School of Law does not publicly disclose its acceptance rate. The admissions process is competitive and holistic, considering academic grades, co-curricular records, and personal qualities such as positive attitude, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills, according to the SMU LLB admissions page.

Application process

Applicants to the LLB programme must submit their application through SMU’s centralized admissions system. For the JD programme, applicants should have at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree in any discipline, as outlined in the SMU JD Brochure (November 2024). The same brochure notes that law graduates from civil law countries or non-gazetted common law universities may also qualify with at least a Cum Laude or Second Class Upper Honours degree. Since the 2018 intake, applicants with degrees obtained via distance learning or part-time study have been considered if they hold at least a Second Class Upper Honours degree.

Requirements for international students

International students must meet English proficiency requirements if their undergraduate degree was not conducted entirely in English. The official standards are TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS overall band 7.5. The same source also notes that TOEFL or IELTS scores older than two years are not accepted.

Bottom line: SMU Yong Pung How School of Law offers a rigorous education within a young but respected university. A prospective student should expect holistic evaluation with no public acceptance rate and should take the MRT to avoid peak driving hours. For an international applicant, budgeting for English proficiency testing and application timing is key.
Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, law.smu.edu.sg, sgdi.gov.sg, matriculation.smu.edu.sg, law.smu.edu.sg, straitstimes.com, en.wikipedia.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between LLB and JD at SMU?

The LLB is a 4-year undergraduate degree for students entering directly from high school. The JD is a 3-year graduate programme for applicants who already hold a degree in another discipline.

Can I visit the campus without an appointment?

You can walk around the public areas of the campus during normal working hours. For a guided tour or to visit specific facilities, it is best to contact the admissions office in advance.

Does the law school offer scholarships?

Yes, SMU offers various scholarships. The school’s financial aid page provides details on eligibility and application procedures for both local and international students.

Are there double degree programs?

Yes, SMU offers double degree programmes. For law students, this typically means combining a law degree with a degree in business, accountancy, or economics.

What is the class size at Yong Pung How School of Law?

Class sizes vary. The first cohort in 2007 had 116 students. Current class sizes are not publicly listed, but SMU generally emphasizes small-group teaching.

How do I apply as an international student?

International students apply through the same online portal as local applicants. Additional requirements include English proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.5) and evidence of financial means.

Is the Yong Pung How School of Law the same as NUS Law?

No. The Yong Pung How School of Law is part of Singapore Management University (SMU). The National University of Singapore (NUS) has its own separate law school, which is older and independently ranked.

What is the school’s ranking?

SMU itself was ranked 9th best young university worldwide in the QS 2017 ranking. The law school’s independent global ranking is not publicly available.