Global 3+1 Study Pathway
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) & Master of Laws (LLM)
(Applicable to JUPAS and Non-JUPAS applicants for 2027 entry)
About Global 3+1 Study Pathway
The Global 3+1 Study Pathway enables high-achieving and ambitious students to obtain both an undergraduate law degree (LLB) from CUHK and a postgraduate law degree (LLM) from a world-leading partner institution in four years.
Applicants indicate their preferred LLM partner institution(s) during application. Places are allocated based on academic merit and interview performance at admission.
3+1 Dual LLB-LLM Degree offered by CUHK and The Dickson Poon School of Law of King’s College London (KCL), U.K.
CUHK – UCLA
3+1 Dual LLB-LLM Degree offered by CUHK and the School of Law of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), U.S.A.
CUHK – USC
3+1 Dual LLB-LLM Degree offered by CUHK and Gould School of Law of the University of Southern California (USC), U.S.A.
Students enrolled in the Global 3+1 Study Pathway will study at CUHK in Hong Kong for the first three years and at the partner institution for the fourth year. Subject to the fulfilment of all the requirements set by the respective legal professions, students will be potentially qualified for admission to practice law in both Hong Kong and England or California, as the case may be.
Key Features & Benefits
Graduate with Two Prestigious Degrees in 4 Years
Earn two elite qualifications within four years, as opposed to the five years typically required to complete the degrees separately.
Guaranteed Admission to a Top LLM Programme
Secure a place in a premier LLM programme at a much earlier stage (subject to meeting the minimum GPA requirement).
Guaranteed Award of Exclusive Entrance Scholarship
Automatically qualify for an entrance scholarship upon successful enrolment.
Accelerated Career & Global Advantage
Gain early access to specialised postgraduate legal studies, exposure to an international jurisdiction, and valuable global professional networks to enhance career prospects.
Key Features & Benefits
Graduate with Two Prestigious Degrees in Four Years
Earn two elite qualifications within four years, as opposed to the five years typically required to complete the degrees separately.
Guaranteed Admission to a Top LLM Programme
Secure a place in a premier LLM programme at a much earlier stage
(subject to meeting the specified minimum GPA requirement).
Guaranteed Award of Exclusive Entrance Scholarship
Automatically qualify for an entrance scholarship upon successful enrolment.
Accelerated Career & Global Advantage
Gain early access to specialised postgraduate legal studies, exposure to an international jurisdiction, and valuable global professional networks to enhance career prospects.
Structure
The curriculum for the Global 3+1 Study Pathway normally requires four years of full-time study.
Students will spend the first three years at CUHK and the fourth year at the partner institution. Upon successful completion of all graduation requirements at both universities at the end of the fourth year of study, students will be awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) by CUHK and a Master of Laws (LLM) by the partner institution.
Year 1 – 3
LLB at CUHK
Total 109 units:
- 72 units of LLB courses
- 25 units of University Core courses
- 12 units of non-law electives courses
LLM at KCL / UCLA / USC
Students who complete a specified number of credits/units of elective courses at the partner institution will be granted course and unit exemptions for up to 18 units of Law electives in the CUHK LLB programme.
To complete the curriculum, students shall pass a total of 109 units during their studies at CUHK. In their fourth year, they shall fulfill the LLM graduation requirements by completing the required credits/units at the partner institution. Students who complete a specified number of credit/units of elective courses at the partner institution will be granted course and unit exemptions for up to 18 units of Law electives in the CUHK LLB programme.
For details regarding the LLM programmes at the partner institutions, please visit their respective websites.
How and When to Apply
Combining an accelerated curriculum with a distinct global and career advantage, the Global 3+1 Study Pathway targets top-performing students with an international outlook and strong leadership potential. Admission is highly competitive, offering a carefully chosen cohort an unmatched dual-degree pathway.
| JUPAS | Non-JUPAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Standards | HKDSE / Admission Requirements:
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Non-HKDSE / Admission Requirement:
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Progression Requirements
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| Annual Intake | 10 | |
| Interview Arrangement | Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an admissions interview. | |
| Application |
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| Application Deadline | 31 January 2027 Admissions will be processed on a rolling basis. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged. |
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| Result Notification Timeline | Successful applicants for the Global 3+1 Study Pathway will normally receive notification from January - August of the admission year. Allocation of places to partner institutions will be determined by applicants' order of preference, academic merit and interview performance. |
To be eligible for consideration by the Global 3+1 Study Pathway, applicants must first receive, accept and hold a conditional or firm offer of admission to the CUHK LLB programme issued by the University. Successful applicants for the Global 3+1 Study Pathway will normally receive notification from January - August of the admission year. Allocation of places to partner institutions will be determined by applicants' order of preference, academic merit and interview performance. |
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees
Students will pay tuition fees to CUHK in the first three years when they are studying at CUHK. In the fourth year, the students will pay a retention fee to CUHK and tuition fees to the partner institution for the LLM studies.
Year 1 – 3 (LLB at CUHK)
Paying CUHK tuition fees
HK$49,500 per year for local students (subject to annual review).
Please visit Fees – CUHK Undergraduate Admissions for more details.
Year 4 (LLM at KCL / UCLA / USC)
Paying partner institution’s tuition fees and CUHK retention fee
LLM tuition fees are determined by partner institutions and subject to annual review.
University Admission Scholarships
CUHK offers admission scholarships to new undergraduate students on the basis of academic or non-academic achievements. These university-level scholarships normally offset CUHK tuition fees. For details, please refer to the University’s admission scholarships page.
Faculty Admission Scholarships
CUHK LAW offers admission scholarships to new undergraduate students based on outstanding academic performance or overall profile. Admitted students of the Global 3+1 Study Pathway are automatically qualified for the following Faculty-level scholarships, with final award amounts subject to meeting specified criteria.
- CUHK LAW Future Global Legal Leaders Junior Fellowship (HK$300,000 / HK$100,000)
- 4+1 Double Degree Scholarship Scheme (Up to HK$242,000)
- CUHK LAW Admission Scholarship
- Scholarship for Oxford University Summer Programme (100% subsidy for tuition and accommodation – ~HK$90,000) (Up to five places)
Partner Institution Scholarships
Partner institutions may offer scholarship based on CUHK LAW’s nomination. Consequently, tuition fees for the LLM studies may be fully covered through a combination of partner institution scholarships and CUHK LAW admission scholarships.
| Partner Institution | LLM Quota | LLM Tuition Fee (Reference) | Partner Institution Scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | 10 | HK$627,000 (US$79,843) per annum (2026-27) |
Available |
| University of Southern California (USC) | 3 | HK$679,000 (US$86,472) per annum (2026-27) |
Available (50% tuition fee waiver) |
| King’s College London (KCL) | 5 | HK$398,000 (£38,300) per annum (2026-27) |
Nil |
Frequently Asked Questions
While the Global 3+1 Study Pathway has a combined annual intake quota of 10 places across all admission routes, there are additional individual quotas for each partner institution’s LLM programme.
Yes, interviews will be conducted on a selective basis.
Students pay CUHK tuition fees during their first three years of LLB study. In the fourth year, students pay a CUHK retention fee and the partner institution’s tuition fees for the LLM study. For details on CUHK tuition fees, please visit Fees – CUHK Undergraduate Admissions.
Exceptional applicants may be awarded CUHK LAW entrance scholarships and partner institution scholarships based on academic merit, which may fully cover the tuition fees for the LLM studies.
Yes. Students have the flexibility to withdraw from the dual-degree pathway prior to Year 4 and graduate with a CUHK LLB degree.
All information regarding the Global 3+1 Study Pathway is subject to change without prior notice. Please check the website regularly for updates.
For enquiries, please contact lawugadm@cuhk.edu.hk.