An Overview of the LL.M. Program
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program in Chinese Law is a Graduate Law program offered by Peking University Law School. It has a focus on Chinese Civil and Commercial Law and the language of instruction is English.
This program provides an intensive instruction in Chinese law. Leading faculty members will offer Chinese law courses specially designed for international students. Teaching will comprise of both lectures and small-group seminars. Additionally, Peking University regularly attracts top scholars and practitioners in Chinese law and students will have first-hand access to such distinguished guests. There are also optional subjects in non-law areas such as politics, economy and society to facilitate students’ understanding of China's culture.
The LL.M. Program offers valuable internship opportunities to work in the top law firms and other legal institutions in China to help the students to get a better comprehension of the Chinese legal system and its cultural underpinnings. Through the program, students can establish a solid foundation for their career development in China.
The duration of the program is 2 years (4 semesters). The first year is full time course-work with class attendance. The second year is set aside for thesis writing, legal practice and internship. Students are required to enrol in a minimum of 36 credits and write a master’s thesis. They have the option to stay in China or return to their home country in the second academic year, but they must attend the thesis defence before the end of the 4th semester.
This degree is equivalent to the Master of Laws degree offered to Chinese students. No more than 30 students will be admitted into this program in the year.
Academic advisors will be assigned to each student for his/her study and thesis. Chinese students in Peking University Law School are also available to offer personal counselling.
Course List
Chinese Civil Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Contract Law (Credit Unit: 2)
Chinese Company Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Economic Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Foreign Investment Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Intellectual Property Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Civil Procedure and Arbitration Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Constitutional and Administrative Law (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure (Credit Unit: 3)
Chinese Judicial System (Credit Unit: 2)
International Law as Applied in China: Theory and Practice (Credit Unit: 2)
Chinese Family Law (Credit Unit: 2)
Legal Chinese (Credit Unit: 2)
General Information of China (Credit Unit: 2)
Fieldwork (Credit Unit: 2)
Elementary Chinese (Credit Unit: 4)
Credit and Thesis Requirements
Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 36 credits including all required courses and pass all course examinations.
In order to obtain the LL.M. degree, students must complete the master’s thesis relating to Chinese law and pass the thesis defence. A master’s thesis between 12,000 and 20,000 words is recommended. The thesis should be written in Chinese or English. Students who produce thesis that is written in English should provide an abstract in Chinese.
After being approved by Peking University Degree Committee, the students will receive the LL.M. Program’s graduation certificate and degree diploma.
Tuition
The tuition for the whole program is 160,000 RMB.
Students should pay 80,000 RMB in the first fall semester before registration and the other 80,000 RMB in the second. The tuition should be paid in RMB.
Room and Board
Students should afford their own accommodation. Peking University Law School will assist the students to arrange their accommodation.
Scholarship
The program offers merit scholarships for 5 students, each of whom can receive 8,000 RMB.
Library and Internet
At Peking University, law students have ready access to the materials of legal research through library collection and networked electronic information sources. Databases like Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw are available in the law library.
Deadline for Application
The deadline for application is March 20, 2012. All application materials should reach the program office before the deadline.
Admission Decisions
The Admission Committee will make decisions according to the applicants’ materials after approved by Peking University. Official admission letter will be sent out in June, 2012.
Registration Time
September 2012. The students will be notified about the exact entrance time in the admission letter.
Entry Requirements
1. The program is only designed for non-Chinese-nationality, Kong Hong, Macao and Taiwan applicants under the age of 40.
2. Applicants should comply with Chinese laws and Peking University’s rules and respect the customs of Chinese people.
3. Applicants must have a first law degree (J.D., LL.B. or the equivalent) from a law school. Those who don’t have any of the above-mentioned law degree but have a Bachelor’s degree and substantial law-related working experience can also apply for this program.
4. All applicants who are not native English speakers or who did not have a postsecondary education entirely conducted in the English language must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination. The Program requires a minimum score of 92 in TOEFL IBT, or 6.5 in IELTS with 7.0 in IELTS writing.
5. A health certificate is required before registration.
Application Materials
1. Photocopy of valid passport
With photo, passport number &expiration date and name included.
2. Passport-sized photo
A passport-sized photo taken recently of the applicant.
3. Bachelor's degree diploma
Graduation certificate should be in Chinese or English.If not, it should be translated into Chinese or English and be notarized.
4. Transcript of undergraduate school
5. Two recommendation letters
From professor,associate professor or equivalents.
6. Certificate of English proficiency test
IELTS or TOEFl will only be required if the applicant is not a native English speaker.
7. Personal Statement
Personal Statement with the applicant's signature, written in Chinese or in English. You can download a template or sample from here.
8. Copy of article or papers published
9. Resume Written in Chinese or in English
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