Collaborative Programme with Georgetown University on CityUHK Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Juris Doctor (JD)/ Georgetown University Master of Laws (LLM)

The collaborative programme will provide opportunity to JD and LLB students to start on an LLM programme with the Georgetown University, U.S.A. (Georgetown).  Details are as below:

A. Eligibility

Programme	Minimum credits completed	Min CGPA	English requirements	Stage	When to apply
CityUHK LLB	90	3.40	TOEFL score of 100 (internet-based) or IELTS score of 7.5 or higher	Completion of third year of the CityUHK LLB programme	Completion of at least four semesters of CityUHK LLB programme
CityUHK JD	54	3.40		Completion of second year of the CityUHK JD programme	Completion of first two semesters of CityUHK JD programme

Successful CityUHK School of Law (SLW) students will be admitted to the Master of Laws (LLM) at Georgetown.  The LLM degree at Georgetown will not lead to the admission of the New York Bars.

CityUHK LLB or JD students must meet all admissions requirements for the Georgetown LLM, with the exception of prior completion of a first degree in law.

Number of places: three students (LLB and JD combined)

Selection criteria: On academic merit

Proposed study time (CityUHK LLB or JD + Georgetown LLM):

• CityUHK LLB and Georgetown LLM in four years (3+1). Please click here for proposed programme structure.
• CityUHK JD and Georgetown LLM in three years (2+1). Please click here for proposed programme structure. 

B. Credit Transfer and Recognition

Upon successful completion of the Georgetown LLM, credits for a full year at the Georgetown programme will be recognized by SLW in fulfilment of the CityUHK LLB or JD programme.

CityUHK students enrolling in the Georgetown LLM programme will pay tuition and fees as required by Georgetown University. 

CityUHK LLB students participating in the programme will be eligible to transfer a maximum of 20 credits from Georgetown to CityUHK towards its CityUHK LLB programme. CityUHK students are required to complete at least 20 credits in order to satisfy Georgetown LLM requirements. LLB students should also need to take remaining credits in order to fulfil CityUHK LLB programme requirement of 120 or 126 credits (depending on the programme requirement of different cohort), if any.

CityUHK JD students participating in the programme will be eligible to transfer a maximum of 18 credits from Georgetown to CityUHK towards its CityUHK JD programme. CityUHK students are required to complete at least 20 credits in order to satisfy Georgetown LLM requirements. JD students should also need to take remaining credits in order to fulfil CityUHK JD requirement of 72 credits, if any.

According to AR 5.6, credit transfer for postgraduate programme should be limited to a maximum of 30% of the total credit units for the award being pursued. JD Students are advised to refer to the Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees Section 5, Credit Transfer for details of CityUHK’s credit transfer policy.

The Georgetown Law LLM will be conferred after the conferral of the CityUHK LLB or JD programme.

The transferred credit units do not count in the calculation of a student's GPA.

C. Tentative course list available to the CityUHK students 

Class schedules will be available in March or April. For reference, please visit online Curriculum Guide.  Students may select from any classes that are not specifically limited to students in a particular programme.

Course Title	Credits
See https://curriculum.law.georgetown.edu/course-search/	Credits are provided in individual course descriptions

D. Duration

Each programme period will last for a minimum duration of one semester and a maximum duration of two semesters (i.e. from September to June of the following year).

The Georgetown LLM programme typically starts with Orientation on the third Monday in August, with classes beginning on the following Monday. For details, please go to the academic calendar: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/academic-resources/registrar/academic-calendars/  

The LLM course of study begins with Orientation in late August. Entering students who arrive in Washington, D.C. too late to participate in Orientation may be required to defer their start date for one academic year. Students who arrive in Washington, D.C. after the first day of regular classes will be required to defer their start date for one academic year, with no exceptions. 

E. Tuition Fees and Other Financial Matters

The 2024-25 tuition, fees and costs for Georgetown LLM (in US dollars, below) can be used as an estimate:

FULL-TIME LLM / MLT / MSL

Tuition – $82,264
+ Books – $1,215
+ Basic Living Expenses* – $25,364
+ Personal Expenses – $3,555
+ Transportation – $3,414
= Estimated Cost of Attendance – $115,812

(Website: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/tuition-cost-of-attendance/)

Students shall additionally pay on their own the costs for accommodation, food, transportation, travel insurances, personal expenses, visa, residence permit, as well as all costs related to their mobility.

For studying in Georgetown, students must purchase an appropriate health insurance which covers medical expenses (illness and accident) including international repatriation, and a civil liability insurance covering them for their whole stay in the U.S.

CityUHK JD and LLB students can contact the SLW Office regarding the CityUHK tuition fee arrangement.

F. Accommodation

Students should also take care of all other expenses related to the cost of living.  The accommodation information can be found at: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/your-life-career/housing/

G. Application Procedures

Students should refer to email and the SLW office will announce the application details. 

For details of the Georgetown LLM programme, please refer to the following website: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/graduate-programs/degrees/ll-m-degrees/

Georgetown retains the right to reject nominees.