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Faculty of Law
Master of Laws in Human Rights
LLM(HR) | Full-time & Part-time
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Programme Highlights:
Expected Duration
Expected Duration
1 year
Fees
Fees
Local: HK$44,500
Non-local: HK$198,000
*A ‘non-local’ student is a person entering Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration.
Expected Programme Start Date
Expected Programme Start Date
1st September
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Main Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), December 13, 2024
Clearing Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 28, 2025
Description
Description
Full Time (one year)
Apply Now
Expected Duration
Expected Duration
2 years
Fees
Fees
Local: HK$44,500
Non-local: HK$198,000
*A ‘non-local’ student is a person entering Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration.
Expected Programme Start Date
Expected Programme Start Date
1st September
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Main Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), December 13, 2024
Clearing Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 28, 2025
Description
Description
Part Time (two years)
Apply Now

Overview

The Master of Laws in Human Rights Programme [LLM(HR)] was established in 1999 in response to the growing demand for knowledge about human rights in the Asia-Pacific region. The programme focuses on human rights issues of global concern, including in the Asia-Pacific region, and aims to foster an active learning environment.

The diverse range of courses enables students to 1) understand the international human rights legal framework, 2) reflect on key human rights challenges from global, regional, and domestic perspectives, and 3) apply their knowledge to advocate for real change. The curriculum covers human rights law but draws on other disciplines such as history, politics, philosophy, and sociology to ensure the law is understood in context. It also has a clinical option so students can apply what they learn in practice.

Teachers include renowned experts in the field from around the world, including eminent scholars, judges, United Nations (UN) human rights mandate holders, and heads of non-governmental organisations.

We attract students from a broad range of backgrounds, including lawyers, judges, the staff of national human rights institutions and NGOs, journalists, doctors, scholars, government officials, and many others.

This diversity has enriched the learning experience and contributed to a vibrant international alumni network

Scholarships
The Pam Baker Scholarships in Human Rights (for local applicants) and the Wong Family Scholarships* (for applicants from jurisdictions outside of Hong Kong, especially within the Asian region) are available for application. Full or partial scholarships will be awarded to a limited number of qualified students enrolled in the programme.

*Tuition and living expenses are covered.

Entrance Requirements

*For admission in the academic year 2025-2026: To be advised

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:

Additional Information
PDFPDF Document
Regulations & Syllabuses
PDFPDF Document
Supporting Documents
PDFPDF Document
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Faculty

Faculty of Law
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/.
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Contacts

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:

Programme Admissions Advisor(s)
Ms Stephanie BIEDERMANN / Professor Stefano OSELLA
Contact Info
Faculty of Law, HKU