Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The Tsinghua University Law School is introducing the Law Leading Talent (Non-Full-Time) Professional Doctoral Program for the 2026 academic year. This program aims to cultivate high-level, application-oriented law leading talents in the field of national social governance and the rule of law system construction. The program focuses on developing individuals with international perspectives, proficiency in foreign languages, and a deep understanding of international legal rules, who can defend China's national and ethnic interests and engage in cross-disciplinary innovative research.

Program Overview

The Law Leading Talent (Non-Full-Time) Professional Doctoral Program is designed to meet the needs of the political and legal practice departments, with the goal of nurturing high-level, application-oriented law leading talents. The program has five research directions:

• National Governance and Government Rule of Law: This direction is dedicated to cultivating high-level law talents who can work in the fields of rule of law, government administration, and judicial system theory research and practice.
• Civil and Commercial Economic Law: This direction focuses on nurturing high-level law talents who can engage in legislation, judiciary, and legal services in the field of civil and commercial economy.
• Criminal Law: This direction aims to cultivate high-level law talents who can work in criminal legislation, criminal judiciary, and criminal defense.
• Science and Technology Law: This direction is designed to develop high-level law talents who can assist in the development of new productive forces, engage in knowledge property, computational law, environmental and energy law, and other emerging and interdisciplinary legal practices.
• Foreign-Related Law: This direction focuses on nurturing high-level law talents who can engage in foreign-related legal practices, international arbitration, and dispute resolution, and promote international rule of law.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Possess a master's degree (degree must be obtained by December 31, 2025)
• Hold a law degree or a degree in law, or possess a legal professional qualification certificate (including a lawyer's professional qualification certificate)
• Have at least 5 years of full-time work experience in the field of law and have excellent law practice performance
• Possess the corresponding foreign language proficiency and research and practice abilities

Application Process

The application period for the program is from October 20, 2025, to December 15, 2025. Applicants must submit the following materials:

• Valid identity proof
• Foreign language proficiency proof (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or national English level 6)
• Academic transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies
• Bachelor's and master's degree certificates
• Legal professional qualification certificate (including lawyer's professional qualification certificate)
• Two letters of recommendation from professors (or equivalent) in the field of law
• Unit recommendation opinion (including political ideology, work experience, work ability, participation in scientific research and management work, and opinions on non-full-time study)
• Research plan for the doctoral study period
• Master's thesis and published papers
• Other materials that can prove research level or practical ability

Evaluation and Admission

The program will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the applicants' materials, and the top candidates will be selected for a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination will include a written test and an interview. The written test will assess the applicants' professional knowledge and research abilities, while the interview will evaluate their academic interests, innovation abilities, and foreign language proficiency.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee for the program is 54,000 yuan per year, paid over four years. The total tuition fee for the program is 216,000 yuan.

Conclusion

The Law Leading Talent (Non-Full-Time) Professional Doctoral Program at Tsinghua University Law School is a unique opportunity for individuals who want to pursue a career in law and governance. The program provides a comprehensive education in law and governance, with a focus on developing high-level, application-oriented law leading talents. With its strong faculty, research-oriented approach, and emphasis on practical skills, this program is an excellent choice for those who want to make a difference in the field of law and governance.