The Master of Laws (LLM) programme at HKU Law is a highly competitive programme. We welcome students with outstanding results from their first law degree at top universities worldwide to apply. Many have come to the programme with a wealth of legal experience and other postgraduate degrees. The programme provides students maximum flexibility to develop their legal interests and expertise in a friendly, engaging, international environment.
Students in the programme can either choose a general focus or one of the following specialisations:
- Competition Law and Policy^
- Maritime Law^
^Open to non-law graduates, i.e., students without a prior Law degree.
LLM with Specialisation in Competition Law and Policy (CLP)
This specialisation leverages the faculty's long-standing strength in competition law, with staff members who are leading competition law scholars in the region and globally. With competition law being one of the fastest growing areas of law in Asia, the specialization will help fulfil needs for postgraduate education in competition law (taught in English) in the East Asian region.
LLM with Specialisation in Maritime Law (ML)
This specialisation aims to improve legal practice in the maritime sector by providing professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and comparative insights, leading to enhanced fair industry standards and service quality.
To be eligible for admission to the courses leading to the degree of Master of Laws, a candidate:
(a) shall comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;
(b) shall either:
(1) hold the degree of Bachelor of Laws with at least second-class honours of this University; or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose; or
(2) obtain either the Common Professional Examination of England and Wales or the Common Professional Examination Certificate of this University provided that in either case the candidate has also obtained a degree with at least second class honours of this University, or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose; and
(c) for a candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to higher degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b).
The Faculty has its specific requirements with regard to IELTS and TOEFL tests*:
- IELTS (Academic): An overall band of 7.0 or above
- TOEFL (Internet-based Test): A score of 100 or above
*For admissions purposes, please note:
- IELTS and TOEFL tests must be taken within two years prior to September 1 of each admissions year; and
- Scores from "IELTS One Skill Retake", “IELTS Indicator” and “TOEFL iBT Home Edition” will not be accepted.
To be eligible for admission to the courses leading to the degree of Master of Laws (with specialisation in Competition Law and Policy or Maritime Law), a candidate:
(a) shall comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;
(b) shall either:
(1) hold the degree of Bachelor of Laws with at least second-class honours of this University; or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose; or
(2) obtain either the Common Professional Examination of England and Wales or the Common Professional Examination Certificate of this University provided that in either case the candidate has also obtained a degree with at least second class honours of this University, or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose; or
(3) hold a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than law with at least second class honours of this University, or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose, and have at least two years of relevant experience or professional qualifications; and
(c) for a candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to higher degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b).
The Faculty has its specific requirements with regard to IELTS and TOEFL tests*:
- IELTS (Academic): An overall band of 7.0 or above
- TOEFL (Internet-based Test): A score of 100 or above
*For admissions purposes, please note:
- IELTS and TOEFL tests must be taken within two years prior to September 1 of each admissions year; and
- Scores from "IELTS One Skill Retake", “IELTS Indicator” and “TOEFL iBT Home Edition” will not be accepted.
Subject to satisfying these entrance requirements, applications are considered for admission based on factors including the applicant's academic record, their relevant experience, academic and other references, the quality of their personal statement, and other information submitted in the application. Admission decisions will be made in light of other applications received and subject to admissions quota, if any.
Important Remark(s):
1. Admission to the programme is typically competitive. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications early and ensure they are complete.
2. All supporting documents must be submitted within 15 calendar days from the date of your application.
3. If you anticipate being unable to meet all documentary requirements simultaneously, we encourage you to proceed with your application. Please include a brief explanation of the reason for the delay and indicate when the required documents will be available.
4. Applications will not be reviewed or processed until they are complete. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted in a timely manner.
For additional information, we recommend reviewing the following documents:
If you have any inquiries regarding the programme or faculty, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the contact methods provided below: