The Faculty of Law currently offers three research postgraduate programmes at the master and doctorate levels. They are Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Law, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law, and the Doctor of Legal Science (SJD). A successful thesis should represent the result of the candidate’s research which demonstrates originality, a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods. Candidates will conduct research work under the supervision of our academic members who are experts in their respective fields. Please check out our major research areas at https://www.law.hku.hk/prospective-students/research-programmes-guidelines-and-forms-for-current-students/research-programmes-major-research-area/.
Mode of Attendance
Full-time: 3 years or 4 years
Coursework
Research postgraduate students are required to satisfactorily complete the Graduate School courses as well as the Faculty courses prescribed for their respective fields of study/degrees, i.e. 1 compulsory course and 2 elective courses from the list of research methodology courses.
Entrance Requirements
For 3-year full-time programme, applicants should hold the following qualification:
(i) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a research Master degree in law from this or any other approved University
For 4-year full-time programme, applicants should hold any one of the following qualifications:
(i) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a taught Masters degree in law from this or any other approved University; or
(ii) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with First Class Honours or equivalent.
For applicants who seek admissions on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, s/he should satisfy the University English language requirement. Preference will be given to those who obtain one of the following recognized English tests:
(i) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (internet-based test) – a score of 97 or above; or
(ii) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic Module) – an overall band score of 7 or above with no subtest below 6.5.
For admissions purposes, the above test score report is regarded as valid for two years.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong’s universities. The Fellowship Scheme will provide a competitive annual stipend and conference and research-related travel allowance per year up to three years. Further details can be found at https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/fees_scholarships_and_financial_support/hong_kong_phd_fellowship_scheme.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit their applications to HKU directly via the Graduate School’s application platform. Do not engage an agency or third party to submit your application.
Application procedure and supporting documents
Please visit HKU Graduate School at https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/how_to_apply for details.
In addition to the supporting documents required by the Graduate School, there are discipline-specific requirements to be fulfilled. Applicants should prepare and submit the information below in English in their application for HKU Law research postgraduate programmes:
1. A research proposal
2. A brief CV
3. Official statement of class rank, if available
Deadline of Application
For 2026/27 admissions to the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
on or before 1 December 2025 at 12:00 noon, Hong Kong Time (GMT +8)
For 2026/27 admissions to the PhD programme
Faculty of Law’s Deadline for Application: 15 November 2025 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
Main Round: 1 September 2025 – 1 December 2025 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
Enrolment in the HKU Law’s research postgraduate programmes is highly competitive. Applications will be considered in the Main Round only. Please submit application on or before the Faculty of Law’s deadline as stated above (i.e. 15 November 2025).
Admission
Applications are considered by a Faculty committee collectively. It is not necessary to identify and contact a supervisor before applying. For the sake of fairness and impartiality, the committee will only consider applications submitted officially via the Graduate School’s application platform. Preliminary or advance assessment of the qualifications and research proposal of an individual applicant will not be conducted.
Applicants to our research postgraduate programmes are required to have completed foundational law training. They are evaluated based on their academic record, research experience, and capacity for independent, original thought, as demonstrated through the research proposal. Admitted applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their preferred supervisor after selection decisions have been made.