PhD in Laws Admission 2027-28 at Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (HKPFS Stipend HK$28,700 per month; Apply by 1 December 2026)

The Faculty of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK LAW) has opened applications for its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laws for the 2027-28 intake. The Faculty describes the PhD as its most advanced research degree in law, intended for students who aspire to careers in legal academia. Candidates write a dissertation that makes a significant contribution to legal scholarship under the supervision of CUHK faculty members. Admission is highly competitive, with only a limited number of places available each year.

• Medium of instruction: English
• Campus: University main campus in Shatin, Hong Kong
• Delivery mode: full-time or part-time
• Normative duration (full-time): 36 months with a research master's degree, 48 months without one
• Normative duration (part-time): 48 months with a research master's degree, 64 months without one

All applicants must meet the CUHK Graduate School General Admissions Requirements and English Language Proficiency Requirements. In addition, PhD applicants must hold either:

• a Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) degree from a recognised university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above; or
• an equivalent degree (including non-law related) from a recognised tertiary educational institution.

The Faculty notes these are only minimum requirements and competitive admission could demand much more.

English proficiency can be shown by a degree from a recognised university in Hong Kong or an English-speaking country, or one taught primarily in English; or IELTS Band 7.5 or better; or TOEFL 100 of 120 (or 5 of 6 for the Internet-based/Home Edition); or alternative equivalent evidence. IELTS and TOEFL results must be not more than two years old at the date of applying.

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is open to candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience and ethnic background, according to the Research Grants Council.

• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS): a monthly stipend of HK$28,700 and an annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 for up to three years. If a Fellowship winner has a normative study period of four years, CUHK provides financing at the same level during the fourth year.
• CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship: Fellowship winners receive a tuition fee waiver for the whole normative study period, HK$40,000 for lodging in the first year and HK$20,000 in subsequent years within the normative period, guaranteed on-campus accommodation for timely applicants, and a waived hostel fee in the first year.
• CUHK Postgraduate Studentship: all candidates admitted to the full-time PhD or MPhil programme receive a stipend during the normative research and writing period, which for the current academic year is HK$19,100 per month. Funding for conferences and research-related travel is also available.
• CUHK Vice-Chancellor PhD Scholarship: PhD candidates nominated to the HKPFS by CUHK but not selected receive HK$80,000 in three instalments (HK$40,000 in the first year and HK$20,000 in each of the second and third years, subject to satisfactory progress).

• Application fee: HK$500 per programme application (CUHK Graduate School).
• Tuition fee: HK$49,500 per year for 2027-28, for both full-time and part-time PhD and MPhil students.

All fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable. HKPFS winners receive a tuition fee waiver for the normative study period, as set out above.

• Research plan of not more than 5,000 words: 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. It must be your own independent work.
• Personal statement of not more than 1,500 words: academic and professional experiences, interests and goals, and personal credentials relevant to the proposed research.
• Curriculum vitae highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• References, transcripts and other documents as detailed in the online application.

You do not need to name a preferred supervisor; the Faculty assigns supervisors by research interest and availability, but naming one helps if your application is built around working with a specific person. MPhil and PhD applications must be submitted separately.

HKPFS applicants: submit an initial application to the Research Grants Council by 12 noon, 1 December 2026 (Hong Kong time; 9:30 am IST), and the full application to CUHK through the Graduate School online application system by 11:59 pm, 1 December 2026 (Hong Kong time; 9:29 pm IST).

Non-Fellowship applicants: apply to CUHK through the Graduate School online application system. Main round: 1 December 2026. Clearing round: 31 March 2027, considered only if places are available.

The Faculty strongly recommends applying by 1 December 2026 even if you are not applying for the HKPFS, as most (if not all) research students are selected from the main round.

CUHK LAW is holding an online information session on the PhD in Laws on 13 October 2026 (Tuesday), 5 pm to 6 pm Hong Kong time (2:30 pm to 3:30 pm IST), on Zoom. Registration closes at 12 noon Hong Kong time (9:30 am IST) on 13 October 2026 through the Faculty's registration form.