Master of Common Law [MCL]

The Master of Common Law (MCL) programme is specifically designed for graduates in law from non-common law jurisdictions (notably Mainland China) who wish to acquire expertise in Common Law as it is practised in Hong Kong and in other common law jurisdictions.

The curriculum extends over one academic year of full-time study. Teaching is in English and therefore candidates shall be required to have an adequate standard of English.

Students are required to complete the compulsory non-credit bearing course and not fewer than 72 credits, including a capstone experience in accordance with the regulations for this degree and the syllabuses. Students may also choose courses from any of the LLM specialist programmes but in any event no more than two courses from other LLM specialist programmes.

Students who hold a law degree from a PRC university may not choose courses related to PRC law subjects, except with the approval from Programme Director and the Department Head.

Please refer to the Regulations and Syllabus of your respective intake for more details.

Remark: Not all courses will be offered in any given year. You may also refer to the course schedule per academic year for actual classes available.

To be eligible for admission to the programme, applicants shall:

(a) comply with the General Regulations and the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula; and

(b) hold the degree of Bachelor of Laws with at least second class honours or equivalent qualification in a non-common law jurisdiction; and

(c) for a candidate seeking admission based on 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*:
TOEFL (Paper-based Test): A score of 593 or above
TOEFL (Internet-based Test): A score of 97 or above
IELTS: Overall band 6.5 or above

*The Faculty only accepts IELTS/TOEFL score reports if the result is obtained within two years of the application deadline.

Full or partial scholarships will be awarded to a limited number of qualified students enrolled in the MCL programme.

An invitation to apply for the scholarship will be sent to all admitted students after announcing the first semester results, i.e. around February 2024 for the September 2023 intake. Applicants who would like to apply for the scholarship shall submit a separate application by a specific deadline.

In any given year if candidates are adjudged to be of insufficient merit, no awards shall be made.

The application deadlines for the September 2023 intake are as follows:-
- Main Round: 12:00 noon (UTC+08:00) on 28th December 2022 (Wednesday)
- Clearing Round: 12:00 noon (UTC+08:00) on 28th February 2023 (Tuesday)

Please submit your application at https://admissions.hku.hk/tpg/programme-list-2324