Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laws

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laws is the most advanced research degree in law offered at CUHK. This programme is intended for students who aspire to careers in legal academia. PhD candidates are required to write a dissertation that makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship, working under the supervision of CUHK faculty members. Admission is highly competitive, with only a limited number of places available each year.

Programme Overview

• The PhD in Laws is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in legal academia.
• The programme requires students to write a dissertation that makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship.
• Students work under the supervision of CUHK faculty members.

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must fulfill the CUHK General Admissions Requirements and English Language Proficiency Requirements.
• MPhil applicants must possess:
  • a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree with first class honours or upper second class honours awarded by a recognised university; or
  • a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or a Master of Laws (LLM) degree awarded by a recognised university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above; or
  • an equivalent degree (including non-law related) awarded by a recognised tertiary educational institution.
• PhD applicants must possess either a JD or LLM degree or an equivalent degree.
• Applicants must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirements by:
  • possessing a degree awarded by a recognised university in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country, or taught primarily in the English Language; or
  • achieving a result of Band 7.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
  • achieving at least a score of 600 (Paper Based Test) or 100 (Internet Based Test) in the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL); or
  • providing alternative evidence of English Proficiency equivalent to one of the preceding measures.

Application Materials

• Research Plan: not exceeding 5,000 words, including title, research objectives, major problem(s) to be explored, outline of subject-matter content, literature review, research methodologies, expected contribution to the field, and bibliographical references.
• Personal Statement: not exceeding 1,500 words, describing academic experiences, professional experiences, interests and goals, and personal credentials relevant to proposed research.
• Curriculum Vitae: brief CV highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• References, transcripts, and other documents as detailed in the online application.

Programme Information

• Medium of Instruction: English
• Campus: University main campus in Shatin
• Delivery Mode: Full-time or part-time study modes

Programme Duration

• With Research Master’s Degree:
  • Full-time mode: normative 36 months, maximum 84 months
  • Part-time mode: normative 48 months, maximum 96 months
• Without Research Master’s Degree:
  • Full-time mode: normative 48 months, maximum 84 months
  • Part-time mode: normative 64 months, maximum 96 months

Programme Requirements

• First Two Academic Terms:
  • LAWS7001 Orientation to Research Postgraduate Studies
  • LAWS7002 Research Methodologies
  • LAWS7004 Legal Education Practicum
• First Term of Second Year:
  • LAWS7003 Legal Academic Composition for Research Postgraduate Students
• Throughout Enrollment:
  • LAWS8001 Thesis Research, Writing and Organisation
• Students are also required to complete the following modules for graduation:
  • Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) module on “Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research”
  • Research Ethics Training module on “Publication Ethics” and obtain a valid Publication Ethics Certificate
  • IPL module on “Basics of Research Data Management”
• In their graduating year, students must submit a dissertation that makes a substantial contribution to learning in the field of law.

Financial Information

• Tuition Fees: HK$47,000 per year for full-time and part-time PhD and MPhil students.
• Student Housing: full-time research postgraduate students within their normative study period are eligible to apply for on-campus accommodation at the Postgraduate Halls.
• Studentship:
  • Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS): awards a monthly stipend of HK$28,400 and an annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,200 for up to three years.
  • CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship: fellowship winners are offered a tuition fee waiver for their whole normative study period and an award of HK$40,000 for lodging in the first year of study and HK$20,000 in the subsequent years within the normative study period.
  • CUHK Postgraduate Studentship: all candidates admitted to the CUHK LAW’s full-time PhD or MPhil Programme receive a generous stipend during the normative research and writing period.
  • CUHK Vice-Chancellor PhD Scholarship: PhD candidates who are nominated to the HKPFS by CUHK but not being selected for HKPFS will be offered an award of HK$80,000 in three instalments.
  • Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate Students: the Hong Kong Government grants a tuition waiver to all current and newly admitted local full-time PhD and MPhil students enrolled in UGC-funded RPg programmes for their entire normative period of study.