FAQs

Applicants in this category are welcome to apply our LLM programmes with specialisations, such as LLM(Arb&DR), LLM(CFL), LLM(CR), etc.

The University accepts admission of students with 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 relevant experience and professional qualifications.

Only if you are from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching and/or examination is not English. Applications for exemption may be considered with justifications.

Acceptable English language qualifications are either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Academic and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please see below the programme required standard for the respective test:

- IELTS (Academic): An overall band of 7.0 or above with no subtest below 6.5 (for both LLMs and MCL programmes)
- TOEFL (Paper-based Test): A score of 593 or above
- TOEFL (Internet-based Test): A score of 97 or above

For admissions purposes, the test score report is regarded as valid if obtained within two years of the application deadline.
The Faculty does not accept scores from “IELTS Indicator” and “TOEFL iBT Home Edition” for admission.

There is only one intake in every September.

Invitations for applications for September intake usually begin in December of the previous calendar year. The application deadline will be the end of February of the same calendar year.

Applicants must apply through the online application system before the application deadline, then submit their supporting documents by post shortly after making an application.

Applications fee is HK$300 per application and should be made online by the end of the online application.

Please submit an online application form through the online application system for each programme and pay the application fees for each application.

Yes. Please send us the most up-to-date transcript together with other supporting documents for assessment shortly after submitting an online application. An official transcript containing the final examination results for the award of the degree must be sent to us as soon as it is made available, and by August of the same calendar year the latest for the purpose of facilitating the application process.

Each application must come with a set of supporting documents, including a copy of a transcript for the consideration of the respective Admissions Committee.

Yes. However, we also accept copies of academic transcripts for preliminary references if they are yet to be made available at the time of submission. A certified true copy of a transcript/diploma must have been duly declared or have been certified as true copies before a notary public (e.g. a Commissioner for Oaths at a Home Affairs Enquiry Centre in Hong Kong) or by the appropriate officials of your home institute.

Copies of documents must be certified true by the appropriate officials of your home institute with an official stamp if you are an overseas applicant.

An official statement from your Institution/University certifying the issuance of digital transcript is the only transcript issued to students must be provided to us, or alternatively, a certified true copy of a digital transcript with the official signature of the institution representative and the official stamp is acceptable. Please feel free to contact us for further instructions if you have any further questions.

Applicants are obliged to produce either the original or a certified true copy of the transcript(s) in BOTH its original language and its English version. We are unable to process your application if either version is missing. Official translations must be verified by your original university, a qualified legal profession, a notary public or official translation service.

Subject to application and approval, a student may be granted advanced standing for up to 9 credits in accordance with the degree regulations, for studies completed successfully no more than 5 years before admissions to the programme.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications as soon as late April via post and/or email. If you have not heard from us by August 15, you may wish to contact the Faculty of Law Office by email at lawpgs@hku.hk for assistance.

According to the University General Regulations, registration for more than one degree is NOT allowed.

You are considered as a local student if you are holding a dependent or working visa. Please note that working visa holders may take up part-time study subject to the endorsement of your employer.

Non-local students can ONLY take up full-time study and are not permitted to take any employment, regardless of paid or unpaid, during their stay in Hong Kong unless the circumstances detailed in the Hong Kong Immigration Department website is met.

The HKU Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) provides residential halls for students, with priority given to undergraduate students. There is no guarantee of admission to a hall place for postgraduate students (except for limited scholarship awardees that have agreement with the Faculty of Law). For further information on residential halls, please visit CEDARS’ accommodation website.

Scholarships are available to eligible candidates for applying for admission to Master of Common Law programme and to Master of Laws in Human Rights programme on merit and financial basis subject to application.

You may look for FAQs specifically for LLM(Arb&DR) students at LLM(ADR&DR) programme website.