Program Overview

Introduction to the Juris Doctor (JD) Programme

The Juris Doctor (JD) Programme is a versatile postgraduate law degree designed for graduates with bachelor degrees in non-law disciplines. This programme potentially leads to admission into the legal profession or assuming leadership roles in various work sectors. It is a respected and internationally-recognised award conferred by many universities in leading jurisdictions abroad, providing students with an intellectually-enriching general education in law.

Programme Overview

An important feature of this Programme is that it is entirely postgraduate in both form and substance. As a JD student, you will share classes only with other graduate students. You will also be able to choose from a wide range of exciting electives.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the JD Programme, you must have:

• Graduated from a recognised university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in a non-law subject or a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
• Graduated from an Honours Programme of a recognised university with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-law subject or a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than “B” in undergraduate courses; or
• Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

You must also satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement by:

• Possessing a Bachelor’s degree obtained by completing a programme of study in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country, or which was taught primarily in the English Language; or
• Achieving a result of Band 7.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which result was obtained not more than two years prior to the date of applying to join the JD Programme; or
• Achieving a result of 600 (Paper Based Test) or 100 (Internet Based Test) or better in the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), which result was obtained not more than two years prior to the date of applying to join the JD Programme; or
• Providing alternative evidence of English Proficiency equivalent to one of the preceding measures.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines for the JD Programme are:

• 31 January 2026 (First round)
• 28 February 2026 (Second round)
• 10 April 2026 (Third round)

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until all places have been filled. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Programme Information

• Medium of Instruction: English
• Campus: The CUHK Graduate Law Centre, 2/F, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Central.

Programme Duration

The programme duration is as follows:

• Full-time mode: Normative - 24 months
• Part-time mode: Normative - 42 months

Programme Requirements

The programme requires the completion of 72 units, including:

• 15 or 18 units of required courses
• 54 or 57 units of elective courses Students should also pass all assessments and obtain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in order to be recommended for graduation.

Required Courses

The required courses are:

• Comparative Legal Studies
• Ethics and Jurisprudence
• Legal Research, Analysis and Writing
• Legal System
• Independent Research or Independent Research Dissertation

Elective Courses

Elective courses are available, but the specific courses are not listed in the provided context.

Study Sequence

The study sequence for the JD Programme is as follows:

Full-time Mode

• Year 1:
  • Term One: Legal Research, Analysis and Writing, Legal System, Principles of Constitutional Law, Principles of Contract, Principles of Criminal Law
  • Term Two: Principles of Administrative Law, Principles of Equity and Trusts, Principles of Tort, Elective, Elective
  • Summer Term: Comparative Legal Studies, Elective
• Year 2:
  • Term One: Principles of Company Law, Principles of Land Law, Elective, Elective, Elective
  • Term Two: Ethics and Jurisprudence, Independent Research OR Independent Research Dissertation, Principles of Commercial Law, Principles of Evidence, Elective
  • Summer Term: Principles of Property Law, Elective

Part-time Mode

• Year 1:
  • Term One: Legal Research, Analysis and Writing, Legal System, Principles of Contract
  • Term Two: Principles of Administrative Law, Principles of Equity and Trusts, Principles of Tort
  • Summer Term: Elective
• Year 2:
  • Term One: Principles of Constitutional Law, Principles of Land Law, Elective
  • Term Two: Principles of Criminal Law, Elective, Elective
  • Summer Term: Comparative Legal Studies
• Year 3:
  • Term One: Principles of Company Law, Elective, Elective
  • Term Two: Ethics and Jurisprudence, Principles of Commercial Law, Principles of Evidence
  • Summer Term: Principles of Property Law
• Year 4:
  • Term One: Independent Research OR Independent Research Dissertation, Elective, Elective

Delivery Mode

There will be typically classes of three hours per week for each course during term time. For part-time students, classes will be held on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Evening classes will typically commence at 6:30pm. Saturday classes will typically commence at 2:30pm. Classes will incorporate a mix of lectures, seminars, presentations and class discussions.

Study Options

Students may also take elective courses offered in the LLM Programmes at CUHK LAW.

Financial Information

• Tuition Fees: HK$7,360 per unit* for a total of 72 units within normative study period.
• Scholarships and Financial Aid: Available, including Juris Doctor Scholarships for outstanding full-time students admitted in 2026/27 and other postgraduate scholarships and prizes.

Career Options

The JD Programme can lead to various career options, including:

• Solicitor
• In-house Lawyer
• Barrister
• Careers in commerce, finance, education, public service, etc.

Admission to Practice

You are qualified to be eligible for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister of the High Court of Hong Kong after completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) and a Solicitor’s training contract (2 years) or pupillage at the Bar (1 year).

Further Study Options

Postgraduate studies for Master or PhD degrees, as well as the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL), are available.

Additional Learning and Development Opportunities

The JD Programme offers additional learning and development opportunities, including The Sir TL Yang Society, Mooting, and Exchange Programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the JD Programme a doctoral or a master’s degree? The JD Programme is formally classified as a taught master’s degree programme.
• What is the difference between JD & LLM programmes? The JD Programme is much more extensive than the typical LLM Programmes, requiring the completion of three times more units.
• Do classes take place at the University’s main campus in Shatin or at the Graduate Law Centre? All classes for the JD Programme will be taught in the CUHK Graduate Law Centre in the Bank of America Tower in Central, Hong Kong.
• How many hours of teaching each week is there for each course? Except for research-based courses and International Legal Advocacy II, all courses in the JD Programme are 3 unit courses with 3 hours of teaching per week.
• How are applicants selected for the JD Programme? The paramount factor in deciding upon applications will be the strength of the applicants’ academic record and prior study history.
• Will there be an interview or written test as part of the application process? However, applicants who do not possess a bachelor’s degree obtained in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country are required to fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
• Can I apply for admission to the JD Programme if it has been several years since I finished my first degree? Yes, CUHK LAW will consider the past work experience of the applicant and the time which has elapsed since he or she last engaged in formal academic study.
• If I obtained my bachelor’s degree not in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country or the bachelor’s degree I completed was not taught primarily in the English, what kind of evidence for do I need to satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement for admission to the JD Programme? You will be required to obtain prescribed results in IELTS or TOEFL in order to fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
• Are there any scholarships or financial subsidies for JD students? There will be a limited number of scholarships and prizes for JD students.
• Will I be charged extra tuition fees if I study outside the normative study period? Extra tuition fees may be charged for students studying outside the normative study period.
• When do I need to pay my tuition fees? For newly admitted students, you are required to pay your tuition fees for the first term before the due date as stated in the debit note in the admission package provided to you.
• I am a non-local student. If I am admitted to the JD Programme will there be any accommodation arranged for me? There is a shortage of on-campus student accommodation for non-local postgraduate students.
• Are applications welcome from applicants from different cultural backgrounds and countries? Yes, the JD Programme welcomes applicants from different cultural backgrounds and countries.
• If I have studied similar course(s) at another institute, can I apply for an exemption? JD students may apply for an exemption for certain courses that are either required for graduation in the JD Programme or for elective courses required for admission to the PCLL Programme.
• Can I apply to be a lawyer in other jurisdictions after completing JD Programme? The JD Programme may fulfill certain entry requirements for admission into the legal professions of other common law jurisdictions.