☰

General 

  1. Does studying law still offer a good future in Hong Kong? 

In the first place, studying law is a good training in itself, irrespective of whether you will become a lawyer or not. Legal knowledge as well as the analytical and critical skills acquired through the study of law are immensely useful in a wide variety of other kinds of career, including government, business, politics, journalism, and social work, just to name a few.

But secondly, Hong Kong’s future as the commercial, financial and legal gateway between the Mainland and the rest of the world will continue. The development of the GBA, with Hong Kong at its centre, continues to generate demand for high-quality and global legal services. Qualified legal professionals will continue to play a vital role in servicing the needs of parties participating in Hong Kong’s commercial and financial future, as well as servicing the more down-to-earth daily legal needs of Hong Kong’s population.

  1. What distinguishes HKU Law from the other law schools in Hong Kong?

HKU Law continues to offer students the best path to participation as a legal professional in Hong Kong.  We are the oldest law school in HK, with the deepest roots in the legal community. Our experiential learning programme, China experiences and international exchanges provide students with a wide range of learning opportunities. But we are also the most diverse of the law schools in HK, offering students exposure to legal academics from multiple jurisdictions, ensuring that HKU Law students graduate with an understanding both of HK law and also its connections to and place within an international legal network.

Admissions

  1. How many places are available for LLB and BA&LLB?

The intake quota is 93 for LLB and 20 for BA&LLB. The proportions for JUPAS and non-JUPAS vary from year to year, depending on the quality of applicants. In general, we aim for around 30-40% of the total intake to be allocated for competition among non-JUPAS candidates, if quality permits.

[Note: JUPAS = Joint Universities Programmes Admissions System: this refers to students applying on the basis of HK’s local secondary school qualification – Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE)

Non-JUPAS refers to all other applicants, local or non-local]

  1. What is the selection principle of LLB and BA&LLB programmes under JUPAS scheme?

English language + Best 5 Subjects (under Category A)

Programme minimum entrance requirements:
English Language    5
Chinese Language   4
Mathematics            3
Citizenship and Social Development/ Liberal Studies^       Attained (A)/ 3
Elective Subject 1   3
Elective Subject 2   3

^  Liberal Studies (LS) was replaced by the curriculum of Citizenship and Social Development (CSD) at S4 in 2021-22, and CSD will still be a Senior Secondary core subject and be graded “Attained or Not Attained”. Following the HKDSE curriculum reform, from the 2024-25 admission cycle, a 3rd Elective is needed. For this purpose, Mathematics Extended Part (Modules 1 and 2) will each be recognised as equivalent to that of a full elective in fulfilling the University Entrance Requirement on the condition that other two elective subjects must be a Senior Secondary Subject (i.e. Category A Subject).

  1. Am I eligible to apply for admissions via the International/ Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme?

We welcome applications via International/ Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme from the following applicants:

  • Non-local students with an international qualification or other national examination qualifications other than Mainland China’s National Joint College Entrance Examination (NJCEE) or GaoKao (which are admitted via a separate HKU-led admissions process)
  • Local students with an international qualification or pending international qualification other than the HKDSE.
  1. Is a degree holder eligible to apply for admissions via Non-JUPAS Admissions Scheme?

No.  Interested applicants with a first degree or who will be graduating in June of the admission year, who wish to pursue a degree in law must apply for admission to our taught postgraduate programme, Juris Doctor (JD) Programme, which offers an intensive two-year self-funded programme.

  1. Are there any other general entrance requirements?

For JUPAS applicants, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for details.

For non-JUPAS applicants, applicants are required to satisfy the English language and second language requirement as required by the University. Details can be viewed at https://aal.hku.hk/admissions/international/admissions-information?page=admissions-standards.

  1. When is the application deadline?

If you are a JUPAS applicant, the deadline will be in early December of each calendar year. Details of the JUPAS calendar are available at the JUPAS website.

For non-JUPAS applicant, please check the Important Dates for the Year of Admission. The online application system normally opens in September. The usual deadline for first round evaluation is by mid-November.  Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis. 

  1. What kind of scores/grades do I need to obtain in order to be likely considered for admissions?

For JUPAS applicants, our overall expected average scores are 33 or above for LLB and 36 or above for BA&LLB (based on HKU’s scoring system – for details see Undergraduate Admissions website). Both programmes also require at least level 5 in English and no score less than 4 in other subjects.

For non-JUPAS applicants, admission is on competitive basis and applications are assessed on academic merit, interview performance and related supporting documents.  

  1. Do I need to submit any supporting documents?

For JUPAS applicants, please follow the instruction of the JUPAS while completing the form, except for candidates who also apply for admission to the following dual degree programmes:

HKU&PKU DD
HKU&UCL DD

Please refer to the website of the respective programme for further details.

For non-JUPAS applicants, you are required to provide us with academic reference(s) with predicted grades, a personal statement, and related supporting documents regardless of your choice of programmes through the non-JUPAS application system.  You are encouraged to submit your application and documents early to avoid any competitive disadvantage over other applicants who have submitted complete files.

  1. Are there any interviews for JUPAS and Non-JUPAS applicants?

JUPAS – The Faculty will likely invite Band A JUPAS applicants to attend group interviews in late June or early July of the calendar year. Details will be announced at a later date.

Non-JUPAS – Shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a panel interview.  Following past practice, small group interviews will be arranged beginning in late December/ January of the calendar year, and then again in early to mid-April of the calendar year. Satisfactory performance in interview is generally a prerequisite for admission.

  1. Is English an important criterion for admission to the LLB and other LLB related programmes?

Competence in using English as a tool for thinking and analysis is among the most important qualities of law students and indeed lawyers in Hong Kong.  We place great emphasis on the standard of English of our students, but at the same time, we expect our students to be able to think critically and to communicate their analysis and arguments clearly and logically. The two skills really go together. Naturally, good ability to read and write Chinese, and to speak Cantonese and Putonghua, are also highly desirable since legal professions are using more Chinese in their work nowadays.

  1. Are there any subject preferences for applicants applying on the strength of HKDSE (JUPAS) or qualifications other than HKDSE (non-JUPAS) for admissions purpose?

No. But in the case of an IB candidate, subject to academic reference with good predicted grades, a student taking English language/literature A (SL or HL) will have higher chance to be shortlisted in comparison to a student taking English B (SL or HL).  Likewise, the same applies to students taking Chinese language.  Should a student decide to choose English B, a HL is recommended in order to enhance a chance for being considered.

  1. Will the Faculty only consider JUPAS Band A applicants?

In theory, the Faculty considers applicants of Band A, B and C, but experience suggests all places can be filled without exhausting the Band A pool. Therefore, students who really wish to get into Law Faculty really need to put LLB not only as a Band A choice, but preferably as their first choice (A1). This will give them the best chance of being admitted by the Faculty while matching the applicant with their choice of programmes after the release of HKDSE examination results.

Curriculum

  1. What are the special features of the 4-year LLB curriculum?

The design of the curriculum enables students to build up a solid foundation in law while also providing students with flexibility in their choice of courses. The first 2 years serve to equip students with basic legal knowledge and skills. This will establish a good foundation in core law subjects, enabling students to proceed to the 3rd and 4th years of the curriculum in which they can choose among electives, and if they wish, specialize in Chinese law, or commercial, corporate and financial law, or international trade and economic law (by completing at least 36 credits in any one of these three categories).

The four-year LLB provides students with enhanced opportunities to address the following challenges:

  • Acquiring a solid foundation in legal knowledge, transferable critical and analytical skills, and broadening of intellectual horizons;
  • Developing a high level of language proficiency;
  • Preparing for vocational training in the new skill-based PCLL;
  • Understanding globalisation and the changing International Scene;
  • Understanding the close interaction between the systems of China and Hong Kong; and
  • Developing maturity of personality
  1. Why do I have to take the 4-year LLB when I can complete an LLB in England in 3 years?

At HKU, students study HK and related laws of direct relevance to local practice. Law graduates from overseas have to complete additional conversion courses for admission to the PCLL, since the PCLL requires applicants to have knowledge of core areas of HK law. Details of conversion examinations can be viewed from https://www.pcea.com.hk/.

In addition, study over 4 years will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of legal studies and will be better prepared for life as a professional legal expert. In fact, 4 years undergraduate study is now the ‘norm’ for LLB internationally. Many countries, such as Australia, New Zealand or Singapore, or European countries or Mainland China offer 4 or even 5 years undergraduate programmes.  In the US and Canada, a law degree is a second degree studied as a postgraduate programme. 

  1. What are the teaching methods?

The 4-year LLB is taught in a variety of modes, including lectures, small groups, and seminars, with an emphasis on problem-based and student-centred learning. This emphasis reflects our belief that student-centred learning is the best way to ensure students acquire the core competencies in legal learning which are of life-long value. Small group classes provide ample opportunities for student exercises and teacher feedback.  Many courses also require or encourage the use of computers for learning or research.

  1. What is the examination system?

In each year of study, the degree examinations are usually held in December for first-semester 6-credit courses, and in May for second-semester 6-credit and 12-credit courses.  Most courses use a mix of assessment methods, from written assignments, class presentations, experiential reports, to oral and in-hall examinations.

  1. Are there any exchange opportunities during the course of study of the programme?

Yes. The Faculty has an active programme of exchanges and visits with law schools in the UK, China and other Pacific Rim countries, and elsewhere.  It may be possible for a student, after completing the first two years of LLB study or the first three years of an integrated double degree programme, to apply to study for a semester, or even a full academic year, in another country, as part of The University of Hong Kong degree.  It is the University/Faculty’s mission to offer each UG student an exchange opportunity during the course of the study at HKU.

  1. What are the integrated double degree programmes offered by the Faculty?

We jointly offer the following double degree programmes with the respective Faculties:
BBA(Law)&LLB with HKU Business School;
BSocSc(Govt&Laws)&LLB with Faculty of Social Sciences
BA&LLB with Faculty of Arts; and
BSc&LLB with Faculty of Science

  1. What’s the duration of the integrated double degree programmes?

All four double degree programmes – BBA(Law)&LLB, BSocSc(Govt & Laws)&LLB, BA&LLB and BSc&LLB – require ten semesters of full-time study, extending over not fewer than five academic years.

  1. Are there any scholarships available?

HKU may offer entrance scholarships based on academic merits. Successful candidates will be notified of the award if he or she meets the awarding criteria.  After you are admitted to the University, you may apply for other HKU scholarships. Please refer to http://www.scholarships.hku.hk/.

 

Others

  1. What are my career prospects after receiving an LLB degree?

One of the responsibilities of our Faculty is to train good quality lawyers for the legal profession, but we certainly have a broader mission in training leaders of our community. The study of law is a good training in itself, irrespective of whether you will become a lawyer or not. Legal knowledge as well as the skills acquired through the study of law are immensely useful in other kinds of career, including government, business, politics, journalism, and social work, just to name a few.

However, the majority of our LLB graduates will proceed to study the one-year full-time PCLL programme which is the qualification for entry into the legal profession in Hong Kong, either as solicitors or barristers. Some graduates may continue pursuing postgraduate study at HKU or elsewhere around the world. Some law graduates may also choose to enter into other sectors, such as business, banking and public service etc.

  1. After completing the LLB, can I work as a barrister or solicitor in Hong Kong?

Not immediately. The LLB is the academic stage of your training. There is also a vocational or professional stage to your training before qualifying as a trainee solicitor or pupilage. This is a one-year full-time programme, Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) in which you will learn about the day-to-day aspects of being a practicing lawyer in Hong Kong and become familiar with the working skill-set of a legal professionals. 

  1. Is there any PCLL intake quota set aside for HKU LLB graduates?

Admissions to PCLL is on competitive basis subject to applications.  However, in recent years, the majority of HKU LLB graduates obtain admission to the PCLL at HKU and complete their PCLL studies with us.