At a glance
24 mo
Duration
6.0
IELTS
€27k
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Master's
Level
- 144Total Credits Required
- 2Years to Complete
- 84Credits in Core Courses
- 54Credits in Electives
The Juris Doctor (JD) programme at the University of Hong Kong is a rigorous graduate-level law degree designed to be completed in two years. It begins with a mandatory three-week induction period in August to equip new students with fundamental legal study skills. The academic year is divided into two regular semesters (September-December and January-May), with an additional one-month June semester in the second year. To graduate, students must successfully complete courses totaling 144 credits. Core courses account for 84 credits, covering essential legal subjects such as Contract Law, Criminal Law, Tort Law, and Constitutional Law. Students must also complete a capstone requirement through courses like Clinical Legal Education, Public Interest Clinic, Dissertation, or International Mooting. The remaining 54 credits are elective, allowing students to specialize in areas of interest such as financial law, international arbitration, competition law, and intellectual property law. For those intending to pursue the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL), specific elective courses like Company Law and Evidence are available. The first year focuses on foundational core subjects, including Legal System & Legal Research, Contract Law, Tort Law, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law, alongside an elective. The second year delves deeper into core subjects like Equity & Trusts and Land Law, includes the capstone course, and provides ample opportunity for students to explore advanced topics through a wide range of electives.
Curriculum
The JD programme requires 144 credits. A standard one-semester course is worth 6 credits, and a full-year course is worth 12 credits.
- Year 1
- Legal System & Legal ResearchInduction Period
- Contract Law
- Tort Law
- Criminal Law
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Commercial Law
- Elective Course
- Year 2
- Equity & Trusts
- Land Law
- Capstone Course (Clinical Legal Education, Public Interest Clinic, Dissertation, or International Mooting)
- Electives
Frequently asked questions
- What are the tuition fees for the Juris Doctor (JD) programme?
- The international tuition fee for the JD programme is HKD 250,000 per year. An application fee of HKD 600 (non-refundable) and caution money of HKD 350 are also required.
- How long does the Juris Doctor (JD) programme take to complete?
- The JD programme is designed to be completed in two years. The academic year includes regular semesters from September to December and January to May, with an additional one-month June semester in the second year.
- What are the English language requirements for the JD programme?
- Applicants whose prior degrees were not taught in English must achieve a minimum overall band of 6.0 in IELTS with no subtest lower than 5.5, or a score of 80 or above in TOEFL.
- How do I apply for the Juris Doctor (JD) programme?
- Applications are submitted online through the HKU Taught Postgraduate Admission system. You will need to complete the application form, pay the application fees, and submit supporting documents like transcripts, diplomas, and certificates.
- What academic qualifications are needed for the JD programme?
- A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification is required. Preference is given to candidates with two or more years of related work experience.
- What is the total credit requirement for the JD programme?
- Students must successfully complete courses totaling 144 credits to graduate. This includes 84 credits in core courses and 54 credits in elective courses.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degreeA Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification is required.
Work experiencePreference is given to candidates with two or more years of related work experience.
IELTSMinimum overall band of 6.0 with no subtest lower than 5.5
TOEFLScore of 80 or above
GCEGrade C or above
IGCSEGrade C or above
Cambridge Test of Proficiency in English LanguageGrade C or above
For qualifications from institutions outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching or examination is not English, one of the specified English language tests must be passed. Note: Starting from the 2026 intake, IELTS and TOEFL tests must be taken within two years prior to September 1 of each admissions year.
Fees
Tuition (international)HKD 250,000 per year
Tuition (home)—
Living—
Application fee: HKD 600 (non-refundable). Caution money: HKD 350.
How to apply
1. 1. Establish Your AccountRegister your account on the online system using your full name, a valid email address, and a username. If applying for multiple programmes, use a new username and complete a separate application for each.
2. 2. Complete the Online Application FormFill out the application form carefully. The system has inactivity timeouts, so save your progress regularly. You can preview your information before submission.
3. 3. Pay the Application FeesProceed to the payment section to pay the non-refundable application fee. Your application details cannot be altered after payment. An acknowledgement email with an application number will be sent upon successful submission.
4. 4. Provide Supporting DocumentsSubmit your supporting documents (transcripts, diplomas, certificates) via the admissions login portal within two weeks after completing the application form and before the deadline. Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. Submitted documents are non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for the Juris Doctor (JD) programme?
+
The international tuition fee for the JD programme is HKD 250,000 per year. An application fee of HKD 600 (non-refundable) and caution money of HKD 350 are also required.
How long does the Juris Doctor (JD) programme take to complete?
+
The JD programme is designed to be completed in two years. The academic year includes regular semesters from September to December and January to May, with an additional one-month June semester in the second year.
What are the English language requirements for the JD programme?
+
Applicants whose prior degrees were not taught in English must achieve a minimum overall band of 6.0 in IELTS with no subtest lower than 5.5, or a score of 80 or above in TOEFL.
How do I apply for the Juris Doctor (JD) programme?
+
Applications are submitted online through the HKU Taught Postgraduate Admission system. You will need to complete the application form, pay the application fees, and submit supporting documents like transcripts, diplomas, and certificates.
What academic qualifications are needed for the JD programme?
+
A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification is required. Preference is given to candidates with two or more years of related work experience.
What is the total credit requirement for the JD programme?
+
Students must successfully complete courses totaling 144 credits to graduate. This includes 84 credits in core courses and 54 credits in elective courses.