CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · HONG KONG
Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL)
Certificate · Taught in en
At a glance
12 mo
Duration
7.0
IELTS
€24k
Tuition / yr
en
Language
Certificate
Level
- 1 yearFull-time duration
- EnglishMedium of Instruction
- Central, Hong KongCampus Location
- Skills-focused trainingProgram Emphasis
- Solicitor or Barrister career pathCareer Outcome
The Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) is a skills-focused program designed to closely mirror the daily work of legal professionals. Developed in collaboration with the legal industry, it equips students with the essential skills needed to begin careers as trainee solicitors or pupil barristers. The program emphasizes practical application and aims to meet the current demands of the legal profession.
Curriculum
The PCLL program is structured in two stages. The first stage covers core practice areas and essential skills. The second stage allows students to choose from a variety of electives reflecting the diverse work of solicitors and barristers. Some electives are taught over Term 2, while others, like Trial Advocacy, are intensive summer term courses. The availability of certain electives may depend on student enrollment numbers.
- Stage 1: Compulsory Core
- Professional PracticeLAWS5001
- Commercial PracticeLAWS5002
- Property and Probate PracticeLAWS5003
- Civil Litigation PracticeLAWS5004
- Criminal Litigation PracticeLAWS5005
- Stage 2: Electives (Choose 5)
- Writing & Drafting Litigation Documents*LAWS5011
- Lending & FinanceLAWS5013
- Corporate FinanceLAWS5014
- Writing & Drafting Litigation Documents (in Chinese)LAWS5016
- China PracticeLAWS5017
- Writing & Drafting Commercial Documents (in Chinese)LAWS5018
- Alternative Dispute ResolutionLAWS5019
- Writing and Drafting Commercial DocumentsLAWS5021
- Conference Skills and Opinion Writing*LAWS5022
- Personal Injuries Practice*LAWS5023
- Family Law Practice*LAWS5024
- Legal Practice and TechnologyLAWS5025
- Trial Advocacy*LAWS5020
Careers
Upon successful completion of the PCLL and subsequent practical training, graduates are eligible to apply for admission to practice as a Solicitor or Barrister in the High Court of the HKSAR. The program also opens doors to careers in public service and in-house counsel roles.
- Solicitor
- Barrister
- In-house Counsel
- Public Servant
Entry requirements
Common Law DegreeBachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD), Common Professional Examination (CPE), Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), or Advanced Diploma for Legal Executives (Graduate Level) from HKU SPACE. Academic merit is the primary consideration, assessed by classification, grades, and marks. Consideration may be given to applicants with a law qualification and at least two years of full-time, law-related work experience (excluding internships).
Eligibility StatementMust meet the eligibility requirements set by the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training.
IELTS (Academic Module)Overall score of 7.0 or above in a single sitting. Test must be taken no more than three years prior to the application closing date. Online IELTS tests are not accepted.
Applications are assessed based on academic merit. Reference letters are not considered, and interviews are not conducted. Early applications are encouraged as conditional offers may be made to applicants with outstanding academic merit. Applicants with outstanding conversion exam results and/or IELTS scores may also receive conditional offers. Applicants placed on the waiting list must ensure they have a valid visa for Hong Kong if an offer is made in August.
Fees
Tuition (international)HK$214,000 per academic year for UGC-funded and Distinguished Scholarship places for non-local students.
Tuition (home)HK$47,000 per academic year for UGC-funded and Distinguished Scholarship places for local students.
Living—
Fees are subject to annual review. Self-financed places have a tuition fee of HK$242,000 per academic year.
How to apply
1. Review Application InformationCarefully read the 'How to make your application' and 'Important notes to applicants' documents before starting your application.
2. Complete Online ApplicationSubmit your application through the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Graduate School online application system.
3. Meet Eligibility CriteriaEnsure you meet the academic and English language requirements. Applications with outstanding results may receive conditional offers.
4. Submit ApplicationSubmit your complete application by the deadline of 30 April 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Scholarships
HKSAR Government Scholarships—
Association of China-Appointed Attesting Officers Scholarships—
Dr. Lily Fenn Prizes for Legal Technologies—
Prize for Criminal Litigation Practice—
Sir Oswald Cheung Memorial Fund PCLL Scholarship—
The Boase Cohen & Collins Prize for Civil Litigation Practice—
The Cheng, Yeung & Co. Prize for Personal Injuries Practice—
The Hong Kong Bar Association Prize for Conference Skills and Opinion Writing—
The Hong Kong Bar Association Prize for Trial Advocacy—
The Law Society of Hong Kong Prize for Professional Practice—
The Robertsons Prize for Writing and Drafting Litigation Documents—