| Medium of instruction: | English | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How and when to apply: | Applications for 2023 intake are now invited. You may apply through our on-line application system at the University’s Graduate School webpage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Admission requirements: | You must have:
You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement by:
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| 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 Required Courses:
Elective Courses: Click here Study Sequence: Full-time Mode
Part-time mode
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional learning & development opportunities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuition fees: | HK$6,060 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 2023/24 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.
Click here for more courses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career options: | Solicitor In- Barrister Careers in commerce, finance, education, public | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) (on completion of required elective courses and meeting other rigorous admission requirements). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Juris Doctor (JD)
The JD Programme is a versatile postgraduate law degree for graduates with bachelor degrees in non-law disciplines, which potentially leads to admission into the legal profession or assuming leadership roles in a variety of work sectors. It is a respected and internationally-recognised award conferred by many universities in leading jurisdictions abroad and provides students with an intellectually-enriching general education in law.
An important feature of this Programme is that it is entirely postgraduate in both form and substance. As a JD student, you will share classes only with other graduate students. You will also be able to choose from a wide range of exciting electives.
All classes for the JD Programme will be taught in the CUHK Graduate Law Centre in the Bank of America Tower in Central, Hong Kong, the heart of the legal district of Hong Kong.
Except for research based courses and International Legal Advocacy II, all courses in the JD Programme are 3 unit courses with 3 hours of teaching per week. For the JD Full-time Programme, the recommended course load for terms one and two is 15 units and 6 units for the summer term. For the JD Part-time Programme, the recommended course load for terms one and two is 9 units, and 3 units for the summer term.
The paramount factor in deciding upon applications will be the strength of the applicants’ academic record. CUHK LAW is not looking for any particular GPA or class of honours but will take a comprehensive view of the applicants’ ability to successfully complete the JD Programme. Where an applicant has been in the workforce and acquired a record of professional attainment or community service, CUHK LAW will consider (i) the nature and extent of the record, and (ii) the time which has elapsed since the applicant last engaged in formal academic study. An impressive record of professional attainment or community service may compensate for a less strong academic performance especially where the academic record is not recent.
No. However, applicants who do not possess a bachelor’s degree obtained in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country are required to fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement required for admission to the JD Programme. Please refer to the admission requirements for the Programme set out on this website or the Programme brochure.
Where an applicant has been in the workforce, CUHK LAW will consider the past work experience of the applicant, and the time which has elapsed since he or she last engaged in formal academic study. Impressive experience in the workforce may enhance past academic performance especially where the academic record is not recent. Applicants are encouraged to submit relevant documents which they think will strengthen the competitiveness of their applications.
You will be required to obtain prescribed results in IELTS or TOEFL in order to fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement. Alternative evidence will be considered only in special circumstances on a case-by-case basis (subject to the recommendation of the JD Programme Director).
There will be a limited number of scholarships and prizes for JD students. Students will be eligible to receive scholarships and prizes once they have accepted an offer to join the JD programme. Scholarships will be awarded to students of outstanding academic merit. Students may also be eligible to apply for the HKSAR Government’s Non-Means Test Loan, please refer to the website of Hong Kong Student Financial Assistance Agency for details.
Overseas students may check with organizations, government authorities etc, of their home countries if there is any financial support available.
Yes. Extra tuition fees may be charged for students studying outside the normative study period. Tuition fees are subject to review and may be adjusted from time to time.
For newly admitted students, you are required to pay your tuition fees for first term before the due date as stated in the debit note in the admission package provided to you. For current students, you will receive a debit note at the beginning of each term, and you are required to settle your tuition fees before the stipulated due date, normally around week two of the term.
There is a shortage of on-campus student accommodation for non-local postgraduate students. When relocating to Hong Kong, students will need to rely on private off-campus accommodation during their studies. Relevant information regarding off-campus accommodation is available on the website of the Office of Student Affairs at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/osa.
Yes. The JD Programme welcomes applicants from different cultural backgrounds and countries. In the JD Programme we have had students from Hong Kong, Mainland China, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, France, Singapore and other countries.
Yes. JD students may apply for an exemption for certain courses that are either required for graduation in the JD Programme or for elective courses required for admission to the PCLL Programme. Students must satisfy the requirements as set out in the Policy on Course and Unit Exemptions for the JD Programme in order to qualify for exemption.
The JD Programme may fulfill certain entry requirements for admission into the legal professions of other common law jurisdictions. However, entry requirements vary across jurisdictions and are subject to change from time to time. If you are interested in practicing law in jurisdictions outside Hong Kong, please contact the relevant professional bodies directly for information.
| Tel: | (852) 3943 4310 |
| Fax: | (852) 2994 2505 |
| E-mail: | lawpgadm@cuhk.edu.hk / jd.law@link.cuhk.edu.hk |
| Address: | Faculty of Law 6/F, Lee Shau Kee Building The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, New Territories Hong Kong |