The University of Hong Kong (HKU), is Hong Kong’s oldest tertiary institution, with a history stretching back over a hundred years. The University of Hong Kong is ranked 26th amongst the most respected comprehensive research-led universities in the world. HKU is a research-driven university and 111 of the professors have been ranked as the world’s top 1% scientists by Essential Science Indicators, Thomson Reuters.
As of October 2021, HKU ranks 22nd internationally and third in Asia as per QS World Rankings and 30th internationally and fourth in Asia according to Times Higher Education. It has been ranked as the most international university in the world as it has tie-ups with more than 340 leading universities across 43 countries. To further its global influence, HKU has ten academic faculties with English as the main language of instruction. The Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong is a top global law school, ranked 21st in the world by the QS World University Rankings in 2021. Since its establishment, the Faculty has gained considerable international recognition for its human rights and public law research, teaching and learning.
The Master of Laws (LL.M) in Human Rights Programme was established in 1999 to deal with the growing demand for knowledge about human rights in the Asia-Pacific region. HKU offers full and partial competitive scholarships and has attracted students from a broad range of backgrounds. Alumni of the programme have gone on to become legal practitioners, judges, advocates working for national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, journalists, doctors, scholars, government officials and many others.
The Programme focuses on human rights issues of global concern, including in the Asia-Pacific region, and aims to foster an active learning environment. The diverse range of courses enables students to understand the international human rights legal framework as well as reflect on key human rights challenges from global, regional, and domestic perspectives. Further, the comprehensive programme trains its students to apply their knowledge to advocate for real change.
The curriculum covers human rights law but draws on other disciplines such as history, politics, philosophy and sociology to ensure the law is understood in context. The LLM programme offers the clinical Capstone option for students to apply what they learn in practice. The Programme is offered on a one-year full-time or two-year part-time basis.
Eligibility
The applicant must hold the degree of Bachelor of Laws with at least second-class honours of their University.
The applicant must hold a degree in a discipline other than law with at least second-class honours of their University and have at least two years of relevant experience and/or professional qualifications.
English proficiency certification through either IELTS or TOEFL.
Funding Details
For students with excellent academic performance, relevant work experience in human rights, commitment and potential to excel in the field of human rights, full and partial scholarship is available through the Wong Family Scholarships.
The last date to apply for the programme is 12:00 noon (GMT+8) Monday, 28 February 2022.
For further details on the programme, click here.
