Peking University School of Transnational Law (“STL”) is unique in China and in the world. STL’s Master of Laws (“LL.M.”) program is rich in courses emphasizing transnational law and practice, Chinese and Western law and legal traditions, and other cutting-edge courses designed to equip STL graduates of all nationalities for law practice and leadership in advanced economies based on technological innovation, global financial services, and internationalization. LL.M. graduates from PKU STL will go on to distinguished careers in private sector, public sector, public interest legal work, and legal academia around the world.
Peking University
Founded in 1898, Peking University was the first national university covering comprehensive disciplines in China, and has been a leading institution of higher education in China since its establishment. At the end of the 20th century, the Chinese government put Peking University at the top of its agenda for promoting higher education, with the aim to build a world-class university in the 21st Century. Peking University has continually played the essential role of pioneers in the course of China’s modernization. The university’s traditional emphasis on patriotism, progress, democracy, and science, together with its educational standards of diligence, precision, factualism, and innovation, have been passed down from generation to generation.
Students and Faculty
Students at STL represent the highest-qualified candidates from a range of backgrounds and disciplines. International students at STL are classmates with students who are among the most academically talented in China.
STL has assembled a distinguished multinational faculty of leading scholars and practitioners from China, the U.S., the E.U., and elsewhere. The faculty includes scholars of international trade law, food safety policy, public international law, investment treaty arbitration, intellectual property, securities regulation, comparative corporate governance, law and economic development, Chinese legal history and philosophy, Chinese environmental and administrative law, innovation in legal services, China civil law, and several other important fields.
Cutting-Edge Flexible Curriculum
STL’s curriculum emphasizes lawyering skills and knowledge for the 21st century: (i) transnational law and practice, (ii) cross-cultural competence, (iii) the ability to contend with the complex legal and factual issues characteristic of advanced economies based on technological innovation and global financial services, and (iv) the professional responsibilities of lawyers in these contexts.
Global Leaders
STL equips students with deep knowledge and understanding of Chinese and Western legal, commercial and cultural traditions, knowledge that is essential for leadership in today’s inter-connected world and that is prized by the world’s leading law firms, companies, government offices, NGOs and universities.
Shenzhen–A Dynamic City
STL is located in Shenzhen, renowned as China’s “Silicon Valley” and one of the world’s leading centers of innovation and finance. Shenzhen is a coastal city in South China. It is located on the eastern bank of the Pearl River, neighboring Hong Kong. Shenzhen has been a touchstone for China’s reform and opening-up policy.
From 1979 to 2018, Shenzhen has skyrocketed from a tiny border town with a population of more than 30,000 to a metropolis with a population of more than 10 million. It has become a prosperous, chic, innovative, harmonious and beautiful city and established many firsts in the history of world industrialization, urbanization and modernization.
The Economist marveled at the “Miracle of Shenzhen,” saying China’s most extraordinary practice since its reform and opening up 40 years ago is the establishment of special economic zones and calling Shenzhen the biggest success of more than 4,000 SEZs in the world.
As one of the most important international cities in China, Shenzhen is one of the most economically dynamic cities in the world. The city is the high-tech and manufacturing hub of southern China as well as a State-level innovative city.
Shenzhen is the best example of China’s historic leap from “getting on its feet” to “becoming prosperous.” Its GDP has grown from 197 million yuan in 1979 to 2.24 trillion yuan in 2017, ranking only after Beijing and Shanghai, equaling Hong Kong and is among the top 30 cities in the world.
Shenzhen is home to seven Fortune Global 500 companies — Huawei, China Merchants Group, Ping An Group, Tencent, Vanke, Amer International Group and Evergrande. It has attracted more than 200 of Fortune 500 companies to invest here.
Shenzhen offers best public cultural services, hosts cultural exhibitions and performances regularly and enjoys a beautiful environment. It has nearly 1,000 parks. The enviable “Shenzhen Blue Sky” and its developed volunteer culture have made Shenzhen a paradise for entrepreneurs and makers from all over the world. It has been called as “a city without winter” and won the title of “2017 Amazing China — The 10 Most Attractive Chinese Cities for Foreigners.”
Program Structure
STL’s LL.M. for foreign students is a two year program; however the residency and credit requirements can be completed in one year. During the second year, students generally focus on writing their thesis and have the flexibility to remain on campus taking additional courses, perform field research, complete an internship or work. The curriculum of STL’s LL.M. program is designed to emphasize skills and knowledge for the 21st Century: (i) transnational law and practice; (ii) cross-cultural competence;(iii) the ability to contend with the complex legal and factual issues characteristic of advanced economies based on technological innovation and global financial service; and (iv) the professional responsibilities of lawyers in these contexts. Specialized offerings in Chinese legal history and law enable students to acquire a deep understanding of the cultural traditions and modern developments of China today.
LL.M. graduates are uniquely equipped for leadership in today’s inter-connected world, with deep knowledge and understanding of Chinese and Western law and legal traditions and with the practical skills necessary for cross-cultural success. The curriculum is the most diverse and extensive English-language coursework in China with more than 70 English-language courses covering a wide range of subjects, from international and comparative law to American law to Chinese law. Courses cover complex transnational business transactions and dispute resolution, as well as Chinese law, legal history and legal systems. Mandarin language courses focusing on language needed in legal practice are also available. LL.M. graduates from PKU STL will go on to distinguished careers in private sector, public sector, public interest legal work, and legal academia around the world.
To earn the LL.M. degree, candidates must:
have been in residence for at least three full academic quarters;
earn a minimum of 36 credits (approximately 12 courses, one of which includes a substantial research paper/thesis on a topic of their choice); and
have completed their studies with a minimum grade point average of 80 or better.
How to Apply
Applicants ordinarily should have a first degree in law (e.g., J.D., J.M., or LL.B.) or otherwise be licensed to practice law in their home jurisdiction.
Applicants whose first language is not English or who did not have a postsecondary education entirely conducted in the English language must provide evidence of English proficiency. The Program requires a minimum score of 92 in TOEFL IBT, or 6.5 in IELTS with 7.0 in IELTS writing.
Application Procedures
All documents must be submitted by March 31, 2019, 24:00pm, Beijing Standard Time. We recommend applying by March 1, 2019 to avoid the application fee and the rush of last minute applications.
Please apply online using the PKU portal. Once you receive the confirmation report of a successfully completed application, please print a copy to email and send to STL (see below).
Please also e-mail to llm@stl.pku.edu.cn and coleagar@stl.pku.edu.cn a copy of all the documents in your complete application and the confirmation report.
Please also send to the address below by a trackable delivery method with a confirmation of receipt: the original application form and the supporting documents listed below.
Zoe Dai
School of Transnational Law, Room 410
Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School
2199 Lishui Road，Nanshan District
Shenzhen, China 518055
中国广东省深圳市南山区丽水路2199号
北京大学深圳研究生院
北京大学国际法学院大楼410室
Application Checklist
Applicants must submit the materials listed below. Applications will only be reviewed after all materials are received. All documents should be written in English. If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.
Peking University School of Transnational Law Application Form.
Personal statement: A personal statement explaining the applicant’s reasons for pursuing an LL.M. degree and how the degree will help advance their plans and goals. (700 to 1000 words)
Academic Records: Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, and official degree certificates (original and notarized documents with English translations if documents are not in English).
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Letters of Recommendation: At least two signed letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or others familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional qualifications. (original)
Proof of English Competency: One photocopy of results of TOEFL or IELTS examination (unless the applicant is a native English speaker or has a degree from a postsecondary institution entirely conducted in the English language).
Copy of passport, or identification card.
Please note: all the Application Materials must be received before the March 31, 2019.
Application Fee
Amount: 800 RMB. (Please note: the fee is waived for applications received by March 1, 2019)
Deadline for Application
The deadline for applications is March 31, 2019. All application materials should reach the program office before the deadline.
Admission Decisions
The Admissions Committee will make decisions according to the applicants’ materials after approval by Peking University. Official admission letters will be sent out by June, 2019.
Accommodations and Services
Most international students choose to live on our beautiful campus and to enjoy the community, dining, and sports opportunities as well as the close proximity to the law school building. Single and double rooms are available on campus. Students may also choose to live off campus.
Tuition and Costs
The tuition fee for the STL LL.M. program is 176,000 RMB for the entire two year program. The cost of living is relatively low. For example, the current annual cost for a single room with private bathroom and small balcony is 12,000 RMB.
Scholarships
STL is committed to making the program accessible for qualified candidates, and there are a limited number of international fellowships available. Applicants are also encouraged to consider scholarships for which they are qualified.
Contact Us
LL.M. Admissions Office, Room 410
Peking University School of Transnational Law
Xili University Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518055, China
Email: llm@stl.pku.edu.cn
Cole I. Agar
Director of Graduate and International Programs and Lecturer of Law
Tel: (86 755) 2603 1484
Fax: (86 755) 2603 2567
Email: coleagar@stl.pku.edu.cn
Zoe Dai
Assistant Director of International Programs and Academic Affairs
Tel: (86 755) 2603 2569
Fax: (86 755) 2603 2567
Email: daizheng@stl.pku.edu.cn
