Medium of instruction:English
How and when to apply:Applications for 2025 intake are now invited. You may apply through the online application system at the University’s Graduate School webpage.
Admission requirements:

You must have:

  • graduated from a recognised university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in a non-law subject or a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
  • graduated from an Honours Programme of a recognised university with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-law subject or a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than “B” in undergraduate courses; or
  • completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement by:

    • possessing a Bachelor’s degree obtained by completing a programme of study in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country, or which was taught primarily in the English Language; or
    • achieving a result of Band 7.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which result was obtained not more than two years prior to the date of applying to join the JD Programme; or
    • achieving a result of 600 (Paper Based Test) or 100 (Internet Based Test) or better in the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), which result was obtained not more than two years prior to the date of applying to join the JD Programme; or
    • providing alternative evidence of English Proficiency equivalent to one of the preceding measures.
    Duration:

    Full-time: 24 months (normative study period).

    Part-time: 42 months (normative study period).

    (Application for change of study mode prior to the beginning of the first term of study will not be approved).

    Campus:The CUHK Graduate Law Centre, 2/F, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central.
    Programme requirements:

    72 units: including 15 or 18 units required courses and 54 or 57 units of elective courses. Student should also pass all assessments and obtain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in order to be recommended for graduation.

    Required Courses:

    • Comparative Legal Studies
    • Ethics and Jurisprudence
    • Legal Research, Analysis and Writing
    • Legal System
    • Independent Research or Independent Research Dissertation

    Elective Courses: Click here

    Study Sequence:

    Full-time Mode

    Year 1
    Term One
    • Legal Research, Analysis and Writing
    • Legal System
    • Principles of Constitutional Law
    • Principles of Contract
    • Principles of Criminal Law
    Term Two
    • Principles of Administrative Law
    • Principles of Equity and Trusts
    • Principles of Tort
    • Elective
    • Elective
    Summer Term
    • Comparative Legal Studies
    • Elective
    Year 2
    Term One
    • Principles of Company Law
    • Principles of Land Law
    • Elective
    • Elective
    • Elective
    Term Two
    • Ethics and Jurisprudence
    • Independent Research OR Independent Research Dissertation
    • Principles of Commercial Law
    • Principles of Evidence
    • Elective
    Summer Term
    • Principles of Property Law
    • Elective

    Part-time mode

    Year 1
    Term One
    • Legal Research, Analysis and Writing
    • Legal System
    • Principles of Contract
    Term Two
    • Principles of Administrative Law
    • Principles of Equity and Trusts
    • Principles of Tort
    Summer Term
    • Elective
    Year 2
    Term One
    • Principles of Constitutional Law
    • Principles of Land Law
    • Elective
    Term Two
    • Principles of Criminal Law
    • Elective
    • Elective
    Summer Term
    • Comparative Legal Studies
    Year 3
    Term One
    • Principles of Company Law
    • Elective
    • Elective
    Term Two
    • Ethics and Jurisprudence
    • Principles of Commercial Law
    • Principles of Evidence
    Summer Term
    • Principles of Property Law
    Year 4
    Term One
    • Independent Research OR Independent Research Dissertation
    • Elective
    • Elective
    Delivery mode:There will be typically classes of three hours per week for each course during term time. For part-time students, classes will be held on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Evening classes will typically commence at 6:30pm. Saturday classes will typically commence at 2:30pm. Classes will incorporate a mix of lectures, seminars, presentations and class discussions.
    Study options:

    Students may also take elective courses offered in the LLM Programmes at CUHK LAW.

    Course and Unit exemptions: may be granted. Please click here for details.

    Additional learning &

    development opportunities:

    The Sir TL Yang Society

    Mooting

    Exchange Programmes with overseas universities

    Tuition fees:

    HK$6,880 per unit* for a total of 72 units within normative study period.

    Students will be billed at the beginning of each term based on the number of units for which they have registered. Extra fees may be charged for students studying outside the normative study period.

    *subject to annual review

    Scholarships and Financial Aid:

    Juris Doctor Scholarships for outstanding full-time students admitted in 2025/26

    Other Postgraduate Scholarships and Prizes

    The below four courses are CEF reimbursable courses under the Juris Doctor (JD) Programme. JD students may claim reimbursement for taking the below courses commencing between 14 December 2021 and 13 December 2025, subject to the fulfilment of the requirements prescribed by Government’s Labour and Welfare Bureau.
    • Comparative Legal Studies #
    • Ethics and Jurisprudence #
    • Legal Research, Analysis and Writing  #
    • Legal System  #

    # This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund. The mother course (Juris  Doctor Programme) of this module is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [6]).

    Career options:

    Solicitor

    In-house Lawyer

    Barrister

    Careers in commerce, finance, education, public service etc.

    Admission to practice:You are qualified to be eligible for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister of the High Court of Hong Kong after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) and a Solicitor’s training contract (2 years) or pupillage at the Bar (1 year). More
    Further study options:

    Postgraduate studies for Master or PhD degrees.

    Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) (on completion of required elective courses and meeting other rigorous admission requirements).