PhD in Law Admission 2027-28 at Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong (3-Year and 4-Year Full-time; Main Round, Apply by 15 November 2026)

The Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) offers research postgraduate programmes at master and doctorate levels: the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Law and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law. Applications are open for 2027-28 admission to the PhD programme. A successful thesis should represent the result of the candidate's own research, demonstrating originality, a sound understanding of the field and appropriate research methods. Candidates research under the supervision of the Faculty's academic members, who are experts in their respective fields.

• Full-time: 3 years or 4 years.
• Research postgraduate students must satisfactorily complete the Graduate School courses as well as the Faculty courses prescribed for their field of study, i.e. 1 compulsory course and 2 elective courses from the list of research methodology courses.

3-year full-time PhD: an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a research Master degree in law from this or any other approved University.

4-year full-time PhD: any one of the following:

• an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a taught Masters degree in law from this or any other approved University; or
• an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with First Class Honours or equivalent.

Applicants must have completed foundational law training. They are evaluated on academic record, research experience and capacity for independent, original thought, as demonstrated through the research proposal.

The Faculty states no nationality restriction. Its page provides for "applicants who seek admissions on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong": where the language of teaching and/or examination was not English, the applicant should satisfy the University English language requirement. Preference is given to applicants with one of the following:

• TOEFL (internet-based test): overall 97 or above for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or overall 5 or above for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards; or
• IELTS (Academic Module): overall band 7 or above with no subtest below 6.5.

The test score report is regarded as valid for two years.

Besides the supporting documents required by the HKU Graduate School, applicants to HKU Law research postgraduate programmes must submit, in English:

• A research proposal
• A brief CV
• Official statement of class rank, if available

The Graduate School's process also asks applicants to identify two academic referees and obtain their consent.

• Application fee: HK$780, paid through the online application system.
• Composition fee (per the HKU Graduate School): HK$49,500 per year for full-time studies in 2027/28 (HK$47,000 for 2026/27). Fees are reviewed annually.

The HKPFS, established in 2009 by the Research Grants Council (RGC), provides a competitive annual stipend and a conference and research-related travel allowance for up to three years. Per the HKU Graduate School, new applicants to full-time PhD programmes are eligible irrespective of country of origin, and for 2027/28 each awardee receives HK$28,700 per month plus HK$14,400 per year in travel allowance, with the HKU Presidential PhD Scholarship on top.

HKPFS applicants must submit the initial application through the RGC's HKPFS Electronic System on or before 1 December 2026 at 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (9:30 am IST) and quote the HKPFS Reference Number in the HKU application. Note that the Faculty of Law considers applications in its Main Round only, closing 15 November 2026, so HKU Law applicants should file with HKU by that date.

Apply directly to HKU through the Graduate School's Online Application System: create an account (valid for 4 weeks), fill in the form, upload supporting documents, pay the application fee and submit. Do not engage an agency or third party to submit your application.

Main Round: 1 September 2026 to 15 November 2026, closing at 23:59 Hong Kong Time (GMT+8), which is 9:29 pm IST on 15 November 2026. Applications are considered in the Main Round only.

Applications are considered by a Faculty committee collectively. The Faculty does not encourage contacting a supervisor before applying, and will not carry out preliminary assessment of qualifications or research proposals. Admitted applicants may indicate a preferred supervisor after selection decisions are made.