HKU's LLM(CR) is a unique programme located in one of the world's leading international financial centres.
Designed for law and non-law graduates, typically with industry experience, students have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of regulatory policies and cutting edge issues impacting on the financial services sector.
The programme balances theory and practice to strengthen students' insights on the drivers of domestic and international trends that shape the industry as well as providing a solid foundation for their next career step.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must comply with the General Regulations, the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula, and fulfil at least one of requirements (1) to (3) below AND (if applicable) requirement (4):
(1) hold a degree of Bachelor of Laws with at least second class honours or an equivalent qualification accepted by the University for this purpose; or
(2) hold a degree in a discipline other than law with at least second class honours accepted by the University for this purpose and have at least two years of relevant experience and professional qualifications; or
(3) have obtained either the Common Professional Examination of England and Wales or the Common Professional Examination Certificate of this University, provided that in either case a second class honours degree or a qualification of equivalent standard of this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose has also been obtained; and if applicable:
(4) 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 Faculty English language requirement with one of the following recognized English tests:
i. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - an overall band score of 7 or above with no subtest below 6.5; or
ii. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - 97 or above (internet-based test)
In each case, for admissions purposes, the test score report is regarded as valid for two years of the application deadline.
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.
Download Documents
For additional information, we recommend reviewing the following documents:
The Faculty of Law at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) traces its origins to 1969, when a Department of Law was established within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Beginning with three teachers and 40 students, the Department offered a three-year LLB degree and, from 1972, a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). The department was Hong Kong's first law school, and its LLB and PCLL were the first local university qualifications to be recognized for admission to legal practice in Hong Kong. Formerly, all barristers and most solicitors had trained and qualified in the United Kingdom. Law had been taught at HKU in the 1920s and 1930s, but only as part of a broad-based Arts curriculum. From 1964 to 1969 the Department of Extra-mural Studies at HKU had also taught part-time courses leading to an external LLB degree from the University of London. The law school at HKU was designed to increase the supply of lawyers, train lawyers in Hong Kong law rather than just English law, and make formal legal education available without the need for students to go overseas.
From a teaching department in 1969 to a Faculty today with about 2,500 students and over 80 full-time academic staff from about 17 jurisdictions, the Faculty of Law has been the training ground of many distinguished legal minds. Generations of lawyers who graduated from the Faculty now form the backbone of the legal profession and protect the Rule of Law in Hong Kong, which is crucial to the success of the territory.
The Faculty is committed to academic and professional excellence in meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing environment. While the Faculty has gone a long way from its inception, it continues its efforts in international outreach, in strengthening the ties with Mainland China, and in enhancing the quality of legal education with a view to train not just good lawyers but also leaders who have a passion to serve, wherever they are.
You can find more information about HKU Law at https://www.law.hku.hk/.