Juris Doctor (JD)
Admissions Criteria
Basic Selection Criteria
The JD programme looks for a record of demonstrated academic excellence. We expect to admit applicants with degree qualifications with at least a 2:1 or the equivalent (cum laude from North American universities) from a reputable university in Hong Kong or overseas. We seek to admit students with diverse backgrounds and relevant professional and other experiences. The application entails a personal statement, a writing sample, an English language requirement, and letters of reference. To help us make better decisions, some applicants may be asked to attend in-person or phone/video interviews.
English Language Requirement
Courses in the JD programme will require a substantial volume of reading and regular written assignments. Moreover, students are expected to make frequent contributions to class discussions. Therefore, we expect a high degree of proficiency in English from our students.
Applicants who did not graduate from a university in which the medium of instruction is English are required to take either IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The following are minimum requirements on IELTS and TOEFL for admission to the JD programme:
IELTS: a minimum overall band score of 7.5, with no individual score below 6.5, and a minimum band score of 7.0 in the academic writing module
TOEFL: a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test or 100 on the internet-based test)
These results must be obtained no more than two years prior to the expected date of entry to the JD programme. For example, if a candidate is submitting his or her application for entry in September 2010, his or her English test scores must have been obtained no earlier than September 1, 2008.
