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 bachelor degrees in 5 years
Study across the fields of law and arts to earn two degrees in 5 years.
Professional opportunities
BA&LLB graduates use their degree to move into a range of careers. These include all of the traditional legal pathways – solicitors, barristers, etc. – but also an additional range of possibilities opened up by the training in Arts and Literary Studies made available by this unique degree.
The programme fosters valuable skills in both legal argumentation and literary analysis. As a Literary Studies major, BA&LLB students can choose their course of study in the Faculty of Arts from a wide array of subjects in English literature, Chinese literature, comparative literature, language and communication, linguistics, translation studies, and many others. In the Faculty of Law, students take foundational courses in legal studies 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 take interdisciplinary seminars which bring together legal and literary texts – an opportunity to deepen and broaden both legal knowledge and critical analysis skills. Currently offered in the programme are subjects examining law and film; medieval law and literature; law, meaning and interpretation; contemporary law and literary texts; legal history; and many more.
Students successfully entering this programme will be part of a small cohort, with whom they will take the core subjects in the programme. They also participate 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, students in the BA&LLB programme have access to tailored internship and research opportunities in their final year, available only within the programme.
To practise law in Hong Kong, LLB graduates must pass the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). The Department of Professional Legal Education of the Faculty of Law at HKU offers a one-year full-time or two-year part-time certificate course. Admission 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 your first law degree.
Prospective solicitors must spend a further two years training 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.
