b. First Year Studies

Professional Core Courses

The following four professional core courses are compulsory for ALL first-year students. These courses are designated as “core” and offered in your first year because they all aim to instil in you the foundation, knowledge and skills necessary for you to progress in your legal studies and career in the future.

The following table outlines some aspects of the format and expectations of each professional core course:

LLAW1002&1002 LLAW1008 LLAW1009 LLAW1013
Credits 12 6 6 6
Full/half year Full Half Half Half
Semester 1 and 2 1 2 1
Teaching weeks 24 12 12 12
Learning activities Lectures 2 hrs/week 2 hrs/week 2 hrs/week 1 hr/week
Tutorials 5 double-hour/semester 2 hrs/week 1 hr/week 2 hrs/week

Core University English or Free Elective

Those of you who have achieved Level 5 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, or equivalent, may apply to the Faculty to be exempted from this requirement and take an elective course in lieu.

Common Cores

The HKU Common Core Curriculum aims to serve as a platform for you to make connections across all the Faculties, and to develop the intellectual, social and innovative skills that enable you to tackle complex issues of the contemporary world.

You will be required to enrol in one or more of the common cores each year for the first three years of your studies. The actual number you take each year varies, depending on the respective degree regulations as shown below:

LLB BBA(Law)&LLB BSS(GL) &LLB BA&LLB
Year 1 24 credits 6 credits 12 credits 6 credits
Year 2 12 credits 18 credits 12 credits 12 credits
Year 3 N/A N/A N/A 6 credits
Total: 36 credits 24 credits 24 credits 24 credits

You may visit the HKU Common Core Office for further information.