PhD in Laws Programme
Join a world-leading law school at The Chinese University of Hong Kong for a prestigious doctoral research programme.
Best for:Best for aspiring legal scholars with a strong academic record and a clear research proposal.
Overview
The Faculty of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong invites applications for its PhD in Laws programme, designed for scholars seeking to conduct advanced legal research. Admitted students will engage in a three-to-four-year normative study period supported by competitive funding tracks, including the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme or the CUHK Postgraduate Studentship. The programme encourages diverse research proposals across various legal disciplines, providing access to a vibrant academic community and expert supervision. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic potential and a clear research focus to contribute to the faculty's scholarly output.
What you'll do
- Conduct independent and original legal research leading to a doctoral thesis.
- Participate in faculty seminars, workshops, and academic conferences.
- Engage with the academic community and contribute to the research culture of the Faculty of Law.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the normative study period.
- Prepare research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
Degree required: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), or equivalent degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency must be demonstrated.
Instruction: English
- Demonstrated proficiency in English.
- Strong research and analytical skills in legal topics.
- Ability to formulate a coherent and original research proposal.
- Academic record meeting the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.
- Must hold a recognized JD, LLM, or equivalent degree.
- Must meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-01 (Hong Kong time)
Applicants for the HKPFS must submit an initial application to the Research Grants Council and a full application to CUHK by the specified deadline. Applicants for the CUHK Postgraduate Studentship should apply directly to the university by the main round deadline. All applicants must ensure their documentation is complete and submitted through the official university portal.
- Research proposal
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
- Letters of reference
Contact
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