The legal education system in the UK is highly renowned worldwide, and its legal system is closely related to that of Hong Kong. Therefore, the law department in the UK naturally becomes one of the "elite subjects" in the eyes of Hong Kong students. So, what are the high-score DSE requirements for studying Law in the UK? And what is the path for returning to Hong Kong as a lawyer after studying law in the UK? Cyclopes is here to answer all your questions!
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Can you become a lawyer in Hong Kong by studying law in the UK?
Why study law in the UK? Unlike other disciplines, Hong Kong students who choose to study law overseas need to carefully select the target country for their studies. This is because different countries adopt different legal systems, mainly the Common Law System and the Civil Law System. The law faculties of universities in each country naturally follow the legal system used locally. Therefore, if you plan to practise law in Hong Kong after graduation, you need to consider in advance whether the legal system of the study abroad country aligns with that of Hong Kong.
Due to historical reasons, both the UK and Hong Kong have adopted the Common Law system, and their legal systems are closely related. It is relatively easy for law graduates from the UK to bridge their legal qualifications to Hong Kong. After returning to Hong Kong, students can ensure sufficient understanding of the Hong Kong legal system by passing the conversion examination. They can then pursue the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) program offered by local universities, which qualifies them to practise law in Hong Kong.
Rankings of UK Law Departments
Before enrolling in a law program in the UK, students should refer to the rankings of UK law departments to have a basic understanding. In the QS World University Rankings 2023, there are 38 renowned UK law schools on the list. The top five are Oxford University, Cambridge University, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University College London (UCL), and King's College London (KCL).
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Oxford University and Cambridge University have the top law schools in the UK, which are the preferred choices for aspiring law students due to their teaching quality and employment advantages after graduation. However, it is not necessarily limited to Oxford or Cambridge to pursue a career in law. When choosing a university, students can consider both the overall university ranking and the ranking of its law school, taking into account their own scores and devising a strategic selection plan.
DSE Requirements for Studying Law in the UK
The legal profession emphasises students' logical reasoning abilities, as well as their abilities to collect and analyse data. Therefore, there are no specific subject restrictions for selecting courses. Under the Hong Kong secondary school DSE system, students from humanities, sciences, and even commerce streams can apply to study law in the UK. However, since law is a traditional elite discipline, the admission requirements are generally high. Ideally, students should aim for scores of 5*55 or above, with top-ranking universities generally requiring a minimum of 555 points. For IELTS, a minimum score of 7.0 to 7.5 is usually required.
If students do not meet the DSE score requirements for Law, but still aspire to study law in the UK, pursuing a foundation program is another option. As long as the required scores are achieved, students may later transition to formal law degree programs. For more details, refer to our article on " Didn't perform well in the HKDSE exam? Introduction to the requirements, difficulty, and application deadlines for UK university Foundation programs. "
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The legal profession involves professional qualifications and examinations, making academic and career planning more complex. For example, certain universities in the UK have specific admission requirements, such as passing the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT) before enrollment. As the study of law is more professionally oriented, careful planning is necessary to succeed in practising law in Hong Kong. Factors such as the competitiveness of law degrees from target universities in Hong Kong should be considered. Whether students intend to return to Hong Kong or pursue a legal career in the UK after graduation, Cyclopes' professional team can provide guidance tailored to individual aspirations and DSE scores. We are dedicated to helping you study law in the UK with confidence, paving the way for a successful career in the legal field!
