Studying Law (LLB and LLM) Across Asia

What 'studying law' means across Asia

Asian universities offer law at several levels. The undergraduate law degree is usually the LLB (Bachelor of Laws), the postgraduate research or specialisation degree is the LLM (Master of Laws), and the Philippines uses a professional Juris Doctor (JD) route entered after a first bachelor's degree. Programme lengths, structures and intakes differ by country and university, so treat any duration you read as indicative and confirm it on the faculty's official page.

A single, important idea runs through this whole guide: earning a law degree is not the same as being licensed to practise law. A degree teaches you the law; a separate professional qualification (which varies by jurisdiction) is what allows you to appear in court or sign legal work. Keep the two apart when you plan.

• LLB — undergraduate law degree, the common entry qualification
• LLM — postgraduate degree for specialisation or research
• JD (Philippines) — professional law degree taken after a bachelor's
• A law degree is academic; practising rights are licensed separately

Common-law versus civil-law systems

Asia contains two broad legal traditions, and which one a country follows shapes how its law is taught. Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia sit largely in the common-law tradition, where case law and judicial precedent are central and much teaching happens in English. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and Thailand are largely civil-law systems built around codified statutes, where the core degree is typically taught in the national language.

The Philippines blends influences and delivers its professional legal education through the JD, with English widely used. None of these systems is presented here as better or worse — they are simply different frameworks, and the right fit depends on where you eventually hope to work and study.

• Common-law leaning: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia
• Civil-law leaning: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand
• Mixed influences with a JD route: the Philippines

English-taught LLB and LLM availability

For international students, language of instruction is often the deciding factor. Common-law jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia commonly deliver law in English, and the Philippines' JD is widely taught in English. In civil-law countries, the full national-language LLB is the norm, but selected universities run English-taught LLM tracks or specialised master's programmes aimed at international students.

Because the exact list of English-medium programmes changes and varies by university, do not rely on general summaries. Check each faculty's official admissions page for the specific degree, its language of instruction, and the current entry requirements before you apply.

Typical entry routes and admission requirements

Undergraduate LLB admission usually rests on your school-leaving results (or an equivalent qualification) and proof of English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL where the programme is English-taught. Some universities also weigh a personal statement, interview, or written assessment.

LLM admission generally expects a completed first law degree, though some programmes admit strong applicants from related backgrounds — again, confirm this per programme. Exact cut-offs, application windows, tuition and any document-attestation rules differ by university and change over time, so verify every number and deadline on the official source rather than assuming.

• Undergraduate: school results/equivalent + English test where required
• LLM: usually a prior law degree; some accept related backgrounds
• Some programmes add interviews, statements or written tests
• Confirm fees, deadlines and eligibility on the official faculty page

A foreign law degree is separate from a licence to practise

Each jurisdiction controls who may practise law within it, and the qualification route is local. In Singapore, for example, bar admission is governed under a statutory framework and the Singapore Institute of Legal Education administers the Bar Examinations and the admission requirements that sit around them; other countries run their own examinations and training steps. Check the requirements on the official body's own site — they are detailed and they change.

If your goal is to practise in India, the recognition of a foreign law degree and the requirement to pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and enrol with a State Bar Council are governed by the Bar Council of India. Those rules can change and involve conditions, so treat this as general information — not legal advice — and verify the current position directly on the Bar Council of India website. No guide, agent or university can guarantee that a particular foreign degree will be recognised; treat any such promise as a warning sign.

Choosing between jurisdictions

There is no single 'best' place to study law in Asia — the sensible choice depends on your language, budget, the legal system you want to work in, and whether you plan to practise, do research, or move into a law-adjacent field.

Work backwards from where you hope to end up. If you intend to return to India, prioritise how the degree is recognised there and what further steps you would need. If you want to practise in the country of study, check that jurisdiction's own licensing pathway before you commit.