The City University of Hong Kong offers its students, and aspiring lawyers a diversified selection of LLM degree options to choose from. Students are also given the opportunity to earn the degrees on flexible schedules.
For many, earning a master degree in law studies is a full-time commitment. Although true, it is not limited to people who have that luxury. The university seeks to provide access to higher levels of education to those who have other full-time commitments to prioritize. One can earn an LLM degree from CityU through three scheduling option schemes. The scheduling options are as follows: Full-time (for local and non-local students), part-time (for local and non-local students), and combined Mode (for local students only)
Before applying for a slot at the School of Law for an LLM degree, it is important to note that classes will be conducted in the daytime. Evening and weekend classes are also available but are not guaranteed.
Lawyers are held with high esteem in both local societies and professional communities all around the world. Because of the prestige that comes with being a lawyer, many have sought to earn the title for themselves. Today, the world is abundant with good lawyers managing their own practice. With the amount of work that comes with their careers, many lawyers are unable to proceed with taking up further studies even if it was something they had always intended to do. It is undeniable that earning an additional LLM degree will take any lawyer a cut above the majority.
The City University of Hong Kong offers its LLM degree students seven different, yet equally important streams of learning to choose from. These streams of learning are designed to provide each student with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matters involved in their chosen fields of study. By taking up further education in a more specialized discipline of study, each aspiring lawyer is trained to become more globally competent and to be of greater value to society and the law community.
The top ranking law school continues to strive to become the top university for law studies. True to its commitment, it has provided its students with only the best quality of education achieved through years of development. Since its establishment, the university now offers seven LLM degree courses of study.
The following streams of learning are available for study to students with the right qualifications: Masters of Laws in Chinese and Comparative Law, Masters of Laws in International Economic Law, Masters of Laws in Common Law, Masters of Laws in Maritime and Transportation Law, Masters of Laws in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Masters of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law and Masters of Laws.
The City University of Hong Kong upholds the highest of standards when selecting individuals to be accepted into the LLM degree programmes in the School of Law. The requirements for entry into the university include having a law education and an experience in a professional practice in the country. Furthermore, applicants are expected to have passed certain examinations and assessments at the university-accepted minimum.
Apart from the necessary documentation, applicants to the School of Law must also be proficient English speakers. Applicants coming from non-English speaking institutions are required to submit documentation of their English speaking and writing skills to university for further assessment.
Aims | Streams | Award Titles | Medium of Instruction and Assessment | Mode of Programme and Class Schedule | Programme Structure | Courses | Courses offered in 2018/19
Cooperation with the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC | Cooperation with Overseas Universities
Entrance Requirements | Tuition Fee | Scholarships for 2019/20 | Accommodation | How to Apply | Admission Enquiries | Contact
The programme aims to provide an intensive study of issues and practices relating to Chinese and Comparative Law, International Economic Law, Common Law, Maritime and Transportation Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, and Corporate and Commercial Law. Students may also choose to follow a general course of study. Participants with a pre-entry background in law will be provided with an opportunity to enhance their professional competence, specialist knowledge and career focus.
[Important Note] (not applicable to non-law applicants for Maritime and Transportation Law Stream)
All students with their LLB obtained from non-common law jurisdictions admitted to any of the above streams are required to attend an intensive course “Introduction to Common Law System and Methodology” in the latter half of August 2019. Students have to apply for their student visa and exit permit, if applicable, in advance so that they will be able to attend the course at CityU. LLM students who are not taking a full year of study at CityU may be exempted.
| English Title | Chinese Title |
|---|---|
| Master of Laws in Chinese and Comparative Law | 法學碩士(中國法與比較法) |
| Master of Laws in International Economic Law | 法學碩士(國際經濟法) |
| Master of Laws in Common Law | 法學碩士(普通法) |
| Master of Laws in Maritime and Transportation Law | 法學碩士(海事法與運輸法) |
| Master of Laws in Intellectual Property and Technology Law | 法學碩士(知識產權與科技法) |
| Master of Laws in Corporate and Commercial Law | 法學碩士(公司與商事法) |
| Master of Laws | 法學碩士 |
In 2019/20 academic year, only English module will be offered for the following streams:
For Chinese module, please visit http://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/201819/programme/LLM3.htm for details.
Combined mode: Local students taking programmes in combined mode can attend full-time (12-18 credit units per semester) or part-time (no more than 11 credit units per semester) study in different semesters without seeking approval from the University. For non-local students, they will be admitted to these programmes for either full-time or part-time studies. Non-local students must maintain the required credit load for their full-time or part-time studies and any changes will require approval from the University.
Classes are held during daytime. Classes may be offered in weekday evenings / Saturdays in special cases. The School of Law does not guarantee to offer weekday-evening or weekend classes to LLM students enrolled in the combined mode or part-time mode.
Students of the 2019 cohort who obtained their LLB from a non-common law jurisdiction must attend a compulsory two-credit course “Introduction to Common Law System and Methodology” to be held at CityU from 20 to 29 August 2019. As such, successful applicants with LLB from a non-common law jurisdiction must arrive in Hong Kong and complete the student enrolment procedures at CityU by 19 August 2019 (Monday) at the latest. That would mean you must also obtain an activated student visa/entry permit to study in the LLM programme before enrolment.
To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and the following programme-specific entrance requirements: *
For applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English, the minimum English language proficiency requirement is as follows: ^
* An applicant who holds a legal qualification from a common law jurisdiction will not be eligible to enrol in the Common Law Stream.
# Foundation Courses
Students of the LLM Maritime and Transportation Law stream who do not have a degree in law are required to take two foundation law courses – LW6164E Law of Contract and LW6181E Common Law System, Reasoning and Methodology – on top of the stipulated curriculum for students with a law degree to keep up their study progress. Foundation courses serve as foundation for all other non-foundational law courses. Given the nature of these two courses, the School of Law offers both in Semester A of each academic year and students will need to take the foundation courses before or at the same time of taking other non-foundation law courses in the first semester of their study.
Students who complete the required courses and electives and achieve a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or above will receive the degree of Master of Laws (LLM).
Each LLM course is worth 3 credit units except Dissertation (6 credit units), Introduction to Common Law System and Methodology (2 credit units), Intensive Seminar (1 or 2 credit units), Research Seminars, and Judgment-writing: Principles and Practice (1 credit unit).
Chinese and Comparative Law Stream
Required Electives (15 credit units):
| 1. | LW6115E | Selected Issues on Chinese IP Law |
| 2. | LW6121E | Constitutional and Administrative Law of China |
| 3. | LW6122E | Chinese and Comparative Financial Law |
| 4. | LW6129E | Chinese and Comparative Environmental Law |
| 5. | LW6134E | Chinese and Comparative Company Law |
| 6. | LW6136E | Property Rights in China: Legal, Economic, and Policy Analysis |
| 7. | LW6138E | Chinese Law of Obligations |
| 8. | LW6140E | Chinese and Comparative Commercial Law |
| 9. | LW6141E | Chinese Foreign Trade and Investment Law |
| 10. | LW6161E | Chinese and Comparative Competition Law |
| 11. | LW6169E | Chinese and Comparative Labour Law |
| 12. | LW6172E | Law and Society in China |
| 13. | LW6187E | Chinese and Comparative Alternative Dispute Resolution |
Electives (9 credit units):
Select 9 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes).
International Economic Law Stream
Required Courses:
Programme Electives:
Select 18 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes) with at least 6 credit units from the following courses (which will be offered depending upon demand and available expertise):
LW6143E Law and Business in Asia
LW6145E Transnational Legal Problems
LW6160E Advanced Study of Antidumping and Countervailing Measures
LW6167E Current Issues in WTO Law
LW6173E Private International Law
LW6180E International Commercial Contracts and Uniform Sales Law
Common Law Stream
Required Courses:
* Students who have taken a contract law and/or tort law course(s) at undergraduate level or above at CityU or other institutions in a common law jurisdiction are not allowed to take this/these course(s).
Programme Electives: Select at least 13 credit units from:
(i) the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E”, or
(ii) designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes) except:
| Course Code and Title | |
| LW5602 | Law of Contract |
| LW5603 | Law of Tort |
| LW5606A | Criminal Law I |
| LW5606B | Criminal Law II |
| LW5607A | Land Law I |
| LW5607B | Land Law II |
| LW5617 | Family Law in Hong Kong |
| LW5621 | Legal System of Hong Kong and Mainland China |
| LW5622 | Legal Methods, Research and Writing |
| LW5623 | Jurisprudence |
| LW5630 | Equity & Trusts |
| LW5634 | Public International Law |
| LW5641 | Intellectual Property: Theory, Copyright and Design |
| LW5647 | Law of Wills |
| LW5664 | European Competition Law and Policy |
| LW5670 | International Human Rights Law |
| LW5671 | Consumer Law |
| LW5618 | Law and Gender |
| LW5673 | Animal Law and Welfare |
Maritime and Transportation Law Stream
Required Courses for MTL students who have a university degree in law:
Required Courses for MTL students who do not have a university degree in law:
Select 18 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes) with at least 6 credit units from the following courses (which will be offered depending upon demand and available expertise):
| Course Code and Title | ||
| LW6111E | Insurance Law | |
| LW6175E | Maritime Insurance Law | |
| LW6176E | Aviation Law | |
| LW6179E | Maritime Arbitration Law | |
| LW6188E | Chinese and Comparative Maritime Law | |
| LW6190E | Charterparties Law | |
| LW6191E | Admiralty Procedure Law | |
Intellectual Property and Technology Law Stream
Required Courses:Select 18 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes) with at least 6 credit units from the following courses (which will be offered depending upon demand and available expertise):
| Course Code and Title | ||
| LW6115E | Selected Issues on Chinese IP Law | |
| LW6127E | International and Comparative Intellectual Property Law: Trademarks and Patents | |
| LW6133E | International and Comparative Copyright Law | |
| LW6198E | Intellectual Property: Law, Practice and Procedure | |
| LW6199E | Business Intellectual Property | |
Corporate and Commercial Law Stream
Required Electives (15 credit units):
| 1. | LW6103E | Company Law (subject to approval) |
| 2. | LW6105E | Cross-Border Restructuring and Insolvency |
| 3. | LW6106E | Legal and Operational Aspects of Corporate Governance |
| 4. | LW6107E | Capital and Securities Market Regulation |
| 5. | LW6108E | International Financial Law (subject to approval) |
| 6. | LW6109E | Banking Law |
| 7. | LW6110E | Commercial Law |
| 8. | LW6111E | Insurance Law |
| 9. | LW6112E | Human Rights Responsibilities of Business |
| 10. | LW6161E | Chinese and Comparative Competition Law |
Electives (9 credit units):
Select 9 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes).
General Stream
There is no required course in the General Stream. Students should select 24 credit units from the offered LLM courses of which the course codes end with “E” and/or designated courses from the JD and LLMArbDR Programmes of the respective academic year (please refer to courses under JD and LLMArbDR programmes).
Courses under the Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (LLMArbDR) Programmes
For non Common Law Stream students:
For all students:
For the information on each course, please click HERE.
The tuition fee for academic year 2019/20 is HK$5,390 per credit. The minimum number of credits required to complete the programme is 24. For students in the Maritime and Transportation Law Stream without a law degree, the minimum number of credits required for them to complete the programme is 30 as they are required to take two more law foundation courses (6 credits).
CityU School of Law operates collaborative programmes with Europe-Asia Research Institute of Aix-Marseille University, University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in France, and Université de Fribourg in Switzerland. Selected students will study at these partner universities and obtain one postgraduate degree from CityU and one from the partner university, where the designated study-loads at the institutions are successfully discharged. For further details, please visit //www6.cityu.edu.hk/slw/academic/global_gateway.html.
CityU School of Law also collaborates with the National Judges College and the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC to provide advanced legal education to Chinese judges. A number of Chinese judges are selected to study in the LLM programme at CityU. During their study at CityU, they will have an opportunity to undertake internships at the Hong Kong courts.
• LLM Admission Scholarships
There are three types of scholarships provided to LLM students:
- a maximum of 1 full scholarship to the value of 24-credit tuition fees, which equals HK$129,360;
- a maximum of 3 scholarships, each to the value of 12-credit tuition fees, which equals HK$64,680; and
- a maximum of 4 scholarships, each to the value of HK$30,000.
Further details of the LLM Admission Scholarship are available at
//www6.cityu.edu.hk/slw/pros_students/LLM_scholarship.htmlThe number of scholarships and the allocation of scholarships each year are left entirely at the discretion of the Law School.
• The HK Maritime Law Scholarship Scheme
The Hong Kong Maritime Law Scholarship Scheme was initiated in 2010-11 and has been operated under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund since 1 April 2014. Each year, a number of scholarships are offered to selected students of the Maritime and Transportation Law Stream of the LLM programme. These scholarships can be used to cover the full tuition fees at CityU.
Remark: The scholarships would continue to be operated, subject to the injection of additional funding being endorsed by the LegCo in the first quarter of 2019.
Further details of the HK Maritime Law Scholarship are available at
//www6.cityu.edu.hk/slw/HKCML/scholarship.html
Students should be prepared to arrange their own accommodation, as on-campus accommodation is usually not available due to limited space. For assistance in locating information on off-campus accommodation, see “Off-campus Accommodation” at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus.htm
Before submitting your application, please visit https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/taught-postgraduate-programmes/apply-now for “Notes for Applicants”.
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies
Telephone: (852) 3442 5588
Fax: (852) 3442 0187
Email: tpadmit@cityu.edu.hk
Website://www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs
Further information about the programme is obtainable from:
| Dr LIN Yu-Hsin Assistant Professor LLM Programme Director School of Law City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 7672 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 E-mail: yuhlin@cityu.edu.hk |
General Office, School of Law City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 8008 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 E-mail: lwllm@cityu.edu.hk Website: //www.cityu.edu.hk/slw |
| Dr Zhao Liang Assistant Professor LLM Programme Associate Director School of Law City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 4178 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 E-mail: l.zhao@cityu.edu.hk |
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