5 Best Law Schools in China

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Many local and international students are attracted to the educational offers of China for its program connections, top-notch learning conditions, and rich culture. China has more to offer than its well-known, excellent educational system. Students are immersed in the beautiful scenery and centuries-old historical places to see and explore. It is one of the top countries to choose from in Asia in continuing a law degree. In this article, we will be looking at the best law schools in China.

Like most law schools, Chinese law schools offer courses such as civil law, international law, commercial law, comparative law, intellectual property law, constitutional and administrative law, labor and social security law, and criminal law to name a few. In China, students have to take a four-year bachelor’s degree, followed by a two-year master’s degree, and lastly a three-year doctoral degree. After completing the necessary courses, graduates have the advantage of pursuing a legal career in China or in other countries.

Most universities worldwide have the same requirements. For a bachelor’s degree, a student must obtain a high school diploma and should be proficient in English. As for the master’s degree, a student should complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, submit a letter of recommendation, and must be proficient in English. Lastly, for a doctoral degree, applicants should have a master’s degree, submit a letter of recommendation, and be proficient in English as well. Schools in China usually begin in September and the next semester in March. Here are some of the most prominent law schools to choose from:

Top Law Schools in China

1. China University of Political Science and Law

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Chinese (All levels), English (Only LL.M. and Ph.D. in Comparative Law)

China University of Political Science and Law was established in 1952, with about 15,600 students studying in the university annually. Today, there are approximately 928 lecturers, which includes professors, Ph.D., and masters instructors. An innovator in education, they produced the first two English-medium programs in China, the Comparative Law Degrees. Students of the university are at a higher advantage due to its strategic location in the capital city of Beijing, being a center of judiciary courts and best legal firms. As a result, China University of Political Science and Law is the best law school in China.

Their courses are Chinese or English-medium courses. The LL.B. Major in Law is taught in Chinese and takes four years to complete. The tuition fee is about USD 3,027, plus an additional USD 794 for accommodation per academic year. The LL.M. and Ph.D. can be in Chinese or English (LL.M. and Ph.D. in Comparative Law) for three years. The LL.M. tuition fee costs USD 4,389 per academic year, whereas the Ph.D. costs about USD 4,995.

2. Renmin University of China

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Chinese, English

Bearing its name as the People’s University of China, The Renmin University of China was founded in 1937 in Beijing and is one of the top law schools in China. The Law School started in 1950, being the first established law institution after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the first to be given the National May First Labor Medal in China. Today, The Law School admits over 3,000 students every year, in the undergraduate (LL.B.) and graduate degrees (LL.M. and Ph.D.)

The LL.B. program takes four years to complete for USD 3,511 per academic year. Some courses in the program include the Chinese Legal System, the Chinese constitution, Jurisprudence, Administrative Procedure Law, and Criminal Law. After completing a bachelor’s degree, students pursue a master’s for two years which costs around USD 10,595, then followed by a doctorate program for three years at approximately USD 4,510. The graduate programs introduce the Chinese legal system taught by exceptional professors.

3. The Southwest University of Political Science and Law

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: Ll.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Chinese, English

Next on our list of best law schools in China is the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, a public university founded in 1950 in Chongqing, southwest of China. At present, there are 14 schools, two campuses, and over 90 affiliated universities worldwide from North America, Europe and Asia. The university is among the earliest legal higher education after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The Bachelor’s Degree Major in Law is a four-year program that is taught in Chinese. It costs USD 3,027 per year. The master program can major in two programs: Chinese Law and Law. It is completed for two to three years in English and Chinese and costs USD 3,784 a year. Students are equipped with in-depth knowledge of Chinese law, including its culture and history, and business-related international law. Lastly, the Ph.D. program is taken for three years in Chinese and English.

4. Peking University

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., J.D., Ph.D
  • Language of Instruction: Chinese

Peking University was established in 1898 in Haidian, Beijing, being one of the top universities and the first national university incorporating extensive majors in the country. They produce around 200 to 300 graduates every year. It claims to be the only law school in China that incorporates American common law with Chinese law education.

Peking University Law School was established in 1999. It focuses on four major pillars: economic law, jurisprudence, constitution and administrative law, and criminal law. The university offers an undergraduate degree Major in Law, Master of Law, J.D. and Ph.D. all taught in Kaiyuan Building, Chen Ming Building, National Double Courtyard and Fazhu Square.

5. Tsinghua University

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Chinese, English

We end our list of best law schools in China with Tsinghua University. It is one of the most beautiful universities in China, located in a prestigious royal garden of the Qing Dynasty called Qing Hua Yuan. It was first established in 1911 as Tsing Hua Imperial College, a preparatory institute for students sent to the USA for schooling. Today, they have 20 schools, 59 departments, 3,565 faculty members teaching their 50,394 students, including 435 foreign students.

Tsinghua University’s Law School was founded in 1920. Since the establishment, it has graduated many leading lawyers, legal professionals, and judges. It provides an enhanced learning environment with its outstanding professors and contemporary facilities such as the law library, computer laboratory and classrooms. The Law School offers a Juris Master (LL.M. in Chinese Law), an undergraduate degree major in law and a Ph.D. in Law.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the China Scholarships Page!