PhD

Law

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 8.94 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 6, 2025
126 place StudyQA ranking:2533 Duration:4 years

Photos of university / #cityuhongkong

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program at City University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive and rigorous undergraduate degree designed to equip students with a solid foundation in legal principles and practices. This programme aims to foster critical thinking, analytical skills, and a thorough understanding of both Hong Kong legal frameworks and international legal standards. The curriculum covers a wide range of core legal disciplines, including Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Property Law, and Civil Litigation, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for diverse legal careers. Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage with specialized modules such as Human Rights Law, Commercial Law, Environmental Law, and Intellectual Property Law, reflecting the evolving landscape of the legal profession. The programme emphasizes experiential learning through moot courts, legal clinics, and internships, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and develop practical skills essential for legal practice. CityU’s strong links with law firms, government agencies, and international organizations provide students with valuable networking opportunities and practical exposures that enhance employability upon graduation. The faculty comprises experienced legal scholars and practitioners dedicated to providing quality instruction and mentorship. The bilingual instruction in English and Chinese prepares students for both local and international legal environments. Upon completing the degree, graduates are well-equipped to pursue further legal qualifications, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) in Hong Kong, or to enter various legal and non-legal careers in government, corporate sectors, academia, or international organizations. The CityU LLB programme encourages a global perspective, ethical standards, and lifelong learning, ensuring graduates can adapt to the dynamic legal landscape and contribute meaningfully to society.

  • Advanced Legal Research Methodology
  • Research Seminars
  • Teaching Students: First Steps

Thesis

The thesis offers a student a challenging and enriching opportunity to propose, formulate and carry out an independent research project and develop research methodology to be applied in his/her own research. The thesis will help the student to develop innovative thinking in tackling legal issues (either theoretical or practical) to meet the needs of local as well as international communities and to make substantial original contribution to legal scholarship.

Requirements

  • Be a current MPhil student in the University who seeks transfer to PhD candidature; or
  • Hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
  • Hold a taught Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.
  • Applicants from an institution where the language of teaching is not English should satisfy the minimum English proficiency requirements specified by both the University and individual Colleges and Schools. The University’s minimum English proficiency requirement for research degree programmes is 580 (paper-based test) or 92 (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR an overall band score of 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Equivalent qualifications are also acceptable. 
  • Official certificates and transcripts of academic qualifications (Certificates and transcripts that are not in English should be accompanied by a formal certified translation in English.) [Applicants who obtained degrees from institutions that gave degree classification and/or grade point average but are not shown in the certificate or transcript are required to also send copies of any other official documents that indicate their formal degree classification or grade point average.]
  • Certificates of professional qualifications, if applicable (Certificates that are not in English should be accompanied by a formal certified translation in English.) 
  • (In support of the applicant’s publication record, if applicable) the front page of the papers (for papers that have been published) or the letter of acceptance (for papers that have been accepted for publication). [Applicants to the School of Law must also submit a self-assessment (of not more than 400 words) of their publications together with full copies of their best three publications. Where any publication so submitted is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an abstract in English.]
  • Nominate two academic referees who can comment on their academic performances (proposed supervisor and persons from non-academic circles are normally not acceptable as academic referees). 
  • A non-refundable application fee of HK$200 will be charged for each online application. Settlement of the application fee shall be made via online credit card payment.

Scholarships

  • Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
  • Postgraduate Studentship
  • Research Tuition Scholarship
  • Conference Grant
  • Research Activities Fund
  • Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarships

The Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) programme at City University of Hong Kong is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in legal principles, critical thinking skills, and practical legal understanding. The curriculum covers a wide range of legal disciplines, including constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, administrative law, property law, tort law, and legal ethics. Emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the programme prepares graduates for diverse careers in law, the public sector, and private industry. The programme often incorporates internships, moot courts, and legal clinics to enhance experiential learning, giving students real-world exposure and fostering their advocacy, negotiation, and legal research skills.

Students are encouraged to engage in academic research and participate in various student organizations and legal seminars, further enriching their educational experience. The CityU Law programme also emphasizes international perspectives, reflecting Hong Kong's status as a global legal hub. Courses related to international law, human rights law, and dispute resolution are integral parts of the curriculum.

Admission to the programme typically requires a strong academic background and a passion for law. Graduates of the programme gain eligibility to pursue postgraduate legal qualifications, such as admission to the Hong Kong Solicitors' or Barristers' admission examinations. The university also offers pathways for students interested in careers in academia, government, or corporate legal departments. Throughout the programme, students are supported by experienced faculty members who are experts in their fields, and extensive academic resources are available to assist their learning journey. CityU's law programme aims to develop well-rounded legal professionals equipped to meet the challenges of the modern legal landscape, both locally and internationally.

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