Programme Introduction
Pursue a career in Law, Humanities and beyond
Jointly offered by the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Arts, this programme draws on the complementary strengths of the two Faculties where questions of textual interpretation are paramount. It aims to develop competence in both legal and literary analysis, encourage interdisciplinary thinking, and enrich students’ sense of human and social values.
2 2 bachelor’s degrees in 5 years
Study across the fields of law and arts to earn two degrees in 5 years.
Professional opportunities
BA&LLB graduates pursue a wide spectrum of career paths. Alongside traditional legal professional pathways – such as solicitors and barristers – this unique programme opens up additional career possibilities through its training in Arts and Literary Studies.
The programme cultivates essential skills in both legal argumentation and literary analysis. As a Literary Studies major, BA&LLB students have the opportunity to choose from a wide array of subjects offered by the Faculty of Arts, including English literature, Chinese literature, comparative literature, language and communication, linguistics, translation studies, and more. Concurrently, students undertake foundational courses in legal studies in the Faculty of Law, as well as upper-level electives that allow them to explore their interests in greater depth.
In addition to studying individual subjects in both faculties, students in this programme also engage in interdisciplinary seminars that bring together legal and literary texts – offering an opportunity to broaden legal knowledge and sharpen critical analysis skills. The programme currently offers subjects examining law and film; medieval law and literature; law, meaning and interpretation; contemporary law and literary texts; legal history; and more.
Students successfully admitted to this programme will be part of a small cohort, with whom they will take the core subjects in the programme. They also engage fully in the opportunities offered by both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Law – including university clubs and societies, international exchange, internships, experiential learning, and other programmes. In addition, BA&LLB students have access to tailored internship and research opportunities in their final year, offered only within the programme.
To practise law in Hong Kong, LLB graduates must pass the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). The Faculty of Law at HKU offers a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme. Admission to the PCLL offered by the Faculty of Law is open to law graduates from HKU and other approved universities and institutions in Hong Kong. Holders of other approved law qualifications who can demonstrate competence in the required core subjects are also eligible to apply. Admission is competitive and primarily based on the origin of the applicant’s first law degree.
Prospective solicitors must spend a further two years training as a trainee solicitor at a law firm or in the Department of Justice, and prospective barristers need to complete twelve months of pupillage.
This exciting double degree programme offers students a range of highly in-demand skills for careers in the law. Combining creativity, critical analysis, language skills and rigorous legal training, the course equips graduates with the skill-set and qualifications for a dynamic career. Upon attaining their LLB, many students from the programme pursue further qualifications in the law, preparatory to becoming a barrister or a solicitor in Hong Kong or abroad. At the same time, the programme offers its students a wide array of additional career options, including academia, journalism, politics, consulting, and many more.
