Law Course In Malaysia

1. What is Law?

Law is a system of rules created and enforced by governments, institutions, or societies to regulate behavior and maintain order. It defines rights, duties, and penalties, ensuring justice and fairness. 

Laws can be written (statutes, constitutions) or based on precedent (common law). They cover various areas, including criminal, civil, corporate, and international law.

Why it matters?

• Laws protect our general safety and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, or even the government itself. 

• Laws and the justice system serve as a channel to bring justice and remedy circumstances of a victim without resorting to vigilantism.

Here’s some grounded advice about your future as a lawyer: 

2. Where To Study Law Courses In Malaysia?

Here are 10 best universities to study Law courses in Malaysia.

• #1 University Malaya (UM)
• #2 University of Reading Malaysia
• #3 University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia
• #4 Multimedia University (MMU)
• #5 Taylor’s University
• #6 Brickfields Asia College (BAC)
• #7 Advance Tertiary College (ATC)
• #8 HELP University
• #9 Crescendo International College
• #10 SEGI University

10 Best Universities To Study Law In Malaysia

3. Law Course Pathways & Entry Requirements

There are 2 pathways one can consider when studying Law.

Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Law Degree

This pathway option is by far the most common and recommended, especially when trying to enter a prestigious university, whether locally or abroad.

Many students who plan to enter Law will start with an International Pre-University course such as A-Level, SACE or AUSMAT. Students who want to keep the option open to enter Public Universities may take STPM. 

Alternatively, one can also choose a Foundation in Law course from reputable universities that provide Law programmes.

As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including English and Bahasa Melayu to enter Pre-U or Foundation.

A Pre-University course or Foundation typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Bachelor of Law or LLB (Hons) Degree.

A Law Degree will take 3 years to complete. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:

Qualifications	General Requirements
A-Level	2D
AUSMAT/SACE	ATAR 70
CIMP	65%
STPM	2C
UEC	5B
Foundation	CGPA 2.0

Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities.

In total, this pathway generally takes 4 years to complete.

Did you know? There are certain universities such as the Multimedia University (MMU) that offer a 4-year law degree that exempts you from the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). However, many law firms tend to have a more positive perception of students who have taken CLP due to its high difficulty to pass. More on CLP later.

Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Law Degree

A Diploma in Law pathway is rarely taken and not offered by most universities. A qualification in a Diploma in Law does not offer many career opportunities in the space as they will be mainly limited to roles such as a Legal Assistant.

As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits including English and Bahasa Melayu to enter a Diploma in Law and takes about 3 years to complete. 

Once you have a Diploma qualification, you only need to enrol for 2 years to complete the Degree in Law course with a minimum entry requirement of CGPA 2.0 for your Diploma.

WARNING however, as there aren’t many reputable universities offering a Diploma in Law, there is a risk that your Diploma qualification may not be recognised by the university offering the Law Degree you intend to enrol into.

4. Accreditation For Law Studies In Malaysia

How to be a qualified lawyer in Malaysia?

As a qualified lawyer, These professionals are qualified to provide legal advice, represent clients in court proceedings, prepare legal documents, and handle various legal matters across different areas of law

Graduating with a Law Degree does not mean you automatically become a qualified lawyer. You need to pass industry examinations such as the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), complete 9 months of chambering or apprenticeship with a legal firm and apply to be admitted to the Malaysian Bar.

There are 2 qualifying pathways: 

• If you graduated locally, you must pass the CLP; or
• If you graduated from a recognised UK university, in which case your qualifying examination will be taken in the UK.

Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP)

The Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) is a 9-month course with 5 papers. These include General Papers, Civil Procedures, Criminal Procedures, Evidence, and Professional Practice.

The Legal Professional Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) conducts the CLP exam that happens in July. If you were to fail two subjects in this exam, you would need to sit for all 5 papers again.

Note that you are only allowed to sit for the papers 4 times before having to re-register for CLP and pay for the full tuition again.

Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

BPTC is a course taken in the UK for students aspiring to be barristers in England and Wales, as well as an advocator and a solicitor in Malaysia. Full-time students can complete the BPTC in 1-year. 

To be an eligible candidate, you will need a qualifying Law Degree, a 7.5 score in each section of your IELTS, registered with one of the Inns of Court, and have passed your Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT). You must pass all your units in this course and the 12 sessions with your Inn (see Inns of Court above). 

After this, you may begin your pupilage (chambering) in the law firm of your choice, where you will gain knowledge and experience by shadowing a senior lawyer. In addition, you must also complete a course on Ethics and Professional Standards while providing 14 days of legal aid.

5. You Learn In A Law Course

A Law Course is not just about rules and statutes. The most essential lesson you will receive is sharpening your reasoning skills and building your oratory skills in mock trial sessions. 

Here are the subjects you will be exposed to. They may vary slightly from one university to another.

• Administrative Law
• Civil Law and Practice
• Civil Procedure
• Civil Trial Advocacy
• Commercial Law
• Company Law
• Constitutional Law
• Consumer Rights Law
• Contract Law
• Conveyancing Practice
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Litigation
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Trial Advocacy
• Employment Law
• Environmental Law
• Cyberlaw
• Dispute Resolution
• Equity and Trust
• Family Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Human Rights
• International Mooting Law
• International Trade Law
• Islamic Law
• Land Law
• Law of Insolvency
• Law of Tort
• Legal Research Methods
• Malaysian Legal System
• Medical Law
• Professional Practice

6. Why Should I Study Law?

What compels one to become a lawyer? If you are still reflecting your options, here are some reasons to take the plunge:

• High Demand For Legal Practitioners – The legal profession can be demanding which is why many law firms are constantly on the look out for new talents.

• Many Legal Niches To Choose – The types of laws that exist are diverse. Some areas are lucrative such as corporate and litigation law, and some niche specialisations may present opportunities, such as cyberlaw, environmental law or maritime law.

• Well Paid Career – The career path of a solicitor is generally well compensated and generally well above the median salary of RM2,800 even for fresh graduates. According to salary reports, lawyers with 5-8 years of experience are earning between RM94,000 – RM160,000 annually.

• Answering A Higher Calling – Going through a Law Course and passing the Bar Exams is by no means a walk in the park. And it takes grit and courage to walk the path of a legal practitioner. Yet many still aspire to be a part of the system to make a change.

7. RIASEC Compatibility To A Law Course

The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:

• Realistic (R)
• Investigative (I)
• Artistic (A)
• Social (S)
• Enterprising (E)
• Conventional (C)

With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.

Future lawyers should exhibit these Top 3 traits:

INVESTIGATIVE

• A lawyer’s strength in research, critical thinking, and problem-solving are crucial for analyzing cases, interpreting laws, and constructing sound legal arguments.

ENTERPRISING

• The ability to lead, persuade, and influence others is essential for lawyers, especially for those who appear in court in front of a judge and jury. In other settings, lawyers must advocate for their clients, negotiate settlements, and present compelling justifications.

SOCIAL

• Those with social personalities enjoy helping and serving others and value fairness and understanding. A strong sense of social responsibility and a desire to help others is important for lawyers.

8. Career Opportunities For Law

Just like accounting, legal support is needed in almost every industry. As such, you have many options to choose from or can transition into later in your career:

Areas of Opportunity	Types of Roles
Legal Practice	Lawyer/Attorney, Litigator, Corporate Lawyer, Criminal Lawyer, Family Lawyer, Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer, Real Estate / Conveyancing Lawyer, Tax Lawyer
Judiciary & Legal Services	Judge/Magistrate, Legal Clerk, Paralegal, Court Reporter
Corporate & Business Law	In-House Counsel, Compliance Officer, Contracts Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions Specialist
Government & Public Sector	Government Lawyer, Policy Advisor, Public Defender, Prosecutor/District Attorney
International Law & Human Rights	International Lawyer, Human Rights Lawyer, Diplomat/Legal Attaché, NGO Legal Advisor
Consulting & Advisory Roles	Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Mediator/Arbitrator
Law Enforcement & Investigation	Legal Analyst, Investigator (Legal), Forensic Expert
Academia & Research	Law Professor/Lecturer, Legal Researcher, Author/Legal Writer
Specialized Legal Fields	Environmental Lawyer, Health Law Specialist, Technology and Cyberlaw Expert, Sports and Entertainment Lawyer
Entrepreneurship & Innovation	Legal Tech Entrepreneur, Law Firm Owner/Partner, Legal Start-up Consultant
Media & Communications	Legal Journalist, Legal Analyst (Media), Legal Content Creator

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About the Author:

Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.