【2025 Law Degree】Guide for Hong Kong Students Pursuing a Law Degree in the UK
The law degree has always been a popular choice among university programs in Hong Kong, and a legal qualification is considered a "golden ticket" in the job market, ensuring a respectable future career. However, the limited number of law degree slots offered by the three local universities makes competition extremely fierce, leading to what students often refer to as a "coveted" field, which discourages many passionate students from pursuing law.
As Hong Kong was once a British colony, the foundations of the legal degrees in both regions are quite similar. Therefore, among various study abroad options, students often prioritize pursuing their law studies in the UK.
What Academic Requirements Are Needed to Apply for a Law Degree?
Strictly speaking, there are no specific mandatory subjects, which means you have the freedom to choose subjects you enjoy.
A few specific universities require "English as a mandatory subject," while some universities expect students to select at least two subjects from a list of "preferred subjects." These typically include more academic options such as history, geography, mathematics, foreign languages, and sciences.
Certain universities do not consider general education or critical thinking subjects (such as arts and physical education).
Please be sure to check the individual admission requirements of your chosen universities to ensure everything is in order.
Other Admission Requirements
In addition to exam subjects, English proficiency is crucial for international students. Some top universities also require applicants to pass the LNAT, or National Admissions Test for Law. Among the nine UK universities that require the LNAT, eight are members of the Russell Group (the exception being SOAS). Four of these universities—King’s College London, London School of Economics and Political Science, SOAS University of London, and University College London—are located in London.
UK LNAT Universities
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Durham University
- University of Glasgow
- King’s College, London (KCL)
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- University of Oxford
- University College London (UCL)
- SOAS University of London
International LNAT Universities
- Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
- IE University (Spain)
What is the LNAT Exam?
The LNAT is an entrance exam for law schools that emphasizes critical thinking skills rather than content memorization. Achieving a good score can grant access to several prestigious UK universities (many of which have made the LNAT a requirement for admission), and a few overseas universities also list the LNAT as an admission requirement.
The LNAT primarily assesses your:
- Verbal reasoning skills
- Ability to understand and interpret information
- Inductive and deductive reasoning skills
- Capacity to analyze information and draw inferences
Why Do Some Universities Require the LNAT?
Universities use LNAT scores to help determine admission decisions, especially when applicants have similar backgrounds. In such cases, schools may focus on existing qualifications, such as comparing IB scores and A Levels. Even though some universities (like Oxford and Cambridge) still conduct interview processes, the LNAT remains a valuable reference point in the admissions evaluation.
How Long Does the LNAT Exam Last?
The LNAT exam lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes and is divided into two parts:
Part A: This consists of 42 multiple-choice questions, similar to a driving theory test, and contributes to your final LNAT score. The questions are based on 12 argument paragraphs, with each paragraph containing 3 to 4 multiple-choice questions, to be completed within 95 minutes.
Part B: This is an essay section where you choose 1 topic from 3 options. The topics will cover a range of subjects, so it's recommended to stay updated on current events for writing inspiration. You have 40 minutes to complete this part.
What Score is Required for the LNAT?
Part A will determine your final LNAT score, and you will not receive an official score for Part B.
Last year's average score was around 22. However, it's important to note that the scores of applicants admitted to LNAT universities are significantly higher than the average (for example, G5 universities average around 26; Oxford University scores are close to 27/28).
Key Skills to Develop for Becoming a Lawyer
To become a lawyer, it’s crucial not only to have excellent grades but also to cultivate key professional skills. Here are some methods you can start practicing now:
- Choose the Right Subjects While your chosen university may not specify mandatory A-level subjects, carefully selecting your GCSE and A-level courses can help you start honing the skills needed for your future career. For example, studying English can enhance your written communication skills, mathematics can develop your problem-solving abilities, and history can improve your research skills. Before selecting your subjects, consider which skills you want to strengthen.
- Engage in Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular activities are an excellent way to develop key skills and demonstrate initiative. Joining a sports team can boost your teamwork abilities; participating in debate competitions can help you master public speaking; and managing a club can sharpen your organizational skills. Explore the various activities offered by your school and local community!
- Volunteer Volunteering not only fosters empathy and connects you to the local community but also showcases your initiative, organizational skills, and reliability. Engaging in volunteer work can be a highlight of your application and interviews, especially if it’s related to law!
✨Additional Tips
- Read Legal Literature: Immerse yourself in books and articles related to law to deepen your understanding of the field.
- Participate in Mock Trials: Engage in mock court competitions or legal seminars to gain practical experience and sharpen your advocacy skills.
- Network with Practicing Lawyers: Talk to practicing attorneys to learn about their daily work and experiences, gaining valuable insights into the profession.
Want to Apply for a Law Degree? What Can You Do to Prepare Now?
Dreaming of entering the legal field? Being well-prepared is key! Law is a complex and rigorous profession, so it’s essential to understand it in depth ahead of time:
- Do Your Research
The legal world is multifaceted, and in-depth research will give you a clearer understanding of your career path. In addition to reading our articles, consider these resources to gain more legal knowledge and information, which you can also include in your Personal Statement to enhance its persuasiveness:
- The Law Society
- The Bar Council
- Prospects Careers fairs
- University websites
- Law firm websites
- Legal news and commentary
- Legal textbooks and articles
- Study Hard
Law is a popular and competitive field, requiring excellent academic performance at every stage. You must work hard to achieve top grades to stand out in the future! Ascent Prep's Knowledge Building program can enhance students' understanding of the subject, effectively target individual abilities, and assist with interview preparation.
- Make the Most of Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are a great opportunity to gain knowledge and experience. Engaging in various activities both inside and outside school can help you develop important skills related to law.
- Develop Key Skills
Focus on cultivating the core skills required for a legal profession. Participating in extracurricular activities or taking on part-time work can be excellent starting points.
Here are some key skills related to law:
- Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze complex information and present well-reasoned arguments.
- Research Skills: The ability to effectively search for and utilize legal information.
- Written and Oral Communication: The ability to express your thoughts clearly and concisely.
- Problem-Solving: The ability to identify and resolve issues.
- Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively with others.
- Time Management: The ability to manage your time and workload efficiently.
- Professional Ethics: The ability to adhere to relevant ethical standards.
Cultivating these skills requires time and effort, but with determination and perseverance, starting your preparation early will lead to success in the legal field.
Extended Readings
Key to Enhancing Admission Chances for Oxford, Cambridge, and G5 Universities
Complete Guide to Applying for Oxbridge Universities in 2025
Complete Guide to Applying for HKU and CUHK Medical Schools via Non-JUPAS in 2025
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Ready to Hear Success Stories? See Why Ascent Prep is a Student Favourite!
Michelle has excelled in academics since she was young and has been determined to apply to medical school since her third year of junior high school. She attends a local traditional girls' school that offers British A-Level courses. To lay a solid foundation for her dream of studying medicine, Michelle chose challenging subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. In the summer vacation after completing the IGCSE exam, Michelle interned in a cardiologist's clinic for five days through our arrangement. During her internship, she deeply realized the busy schedule of doctors and their sense of mission for the recovery of patients, which made her more determined to become a doctor.
Academically, Michelle took a UCAT preparation course during her first Christmas in the A-Level course, and learned various exam techniques under the guidance of the tutor, mastering how to quickly understand questions. She eventually scored an excellent 2830 in the UCAT exam and obtained a level 1 in the situational judgement test, which led to an interview invitation from the University of Nottingham Medical School. During the Easter period, she attended a personal statement guidance course. With the advice of her tutor, Michelle chose appropriate extracurricular activities and revised the content of her personal statement to make it more clearly express her passion and motivation for medicine. In addition, Michelle also took the BMAT exam (note that the BMAT has now been cancelled) and obtained a good score of 12.7, which exceeded the qualifying score and increased her chances of entering medical school.
To ensure that Michelle can fully express herself in the interview, we recommend arranging three targeted mock interviews to ensure that the areas that need improvement can be accurately improved. Finally, Michelle received an interview invitation from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong through the Non-JUPAS application. Her efforts finally paid off and she successfully received admission notices from the University of Nottingham and the University of Hong Kong.
After sharing Michelle's case, for students who aspire to enter the medical school, starting preparation one to two years in advance can indeed significantly increase the chances of success. Michelle's story not only inspires other students, but also proves that with planning and hard work, pursuing your dreams is achievable.
David attends a top secondary school in the UK and has excellent academic performance, with all 9s in GCSE and all A* predicted A-level grades. His dream has always been to become a doctor, and he has worked hard to achieve this goal. However, David unfortunately encountered a setback in the interview for a British medical school in January. The failure of the interview for his first application to a medical school made him depressed and anxious, and he began to doubt his abilities and future. At this time, his father contacted us at Ascent Prep for advice and suggestions.
We first comforted David and encouraged him not to give up his dream. Although he missed the chance to apply for medical school at a British university, the start date of medical school in Australia is half a year later than that in the UK, so he still has a chance to enroll. We suggested that he consider switching to medical school in Australia. In order to help David overcome the difficulties in the interview, we analyzed the reasons for his failure and found that although he was knowledgeable, he was flustered in the interview, especially lacking logic in judgment and problem-solving questions. We developed a personalized coaching program for him, including mock interview training and various coping skills, such as the STAR rule, responding to open-ended questions, and demonstrating passion for medicine and personal traits.
Through these intensive trainings, David's interview skills and confidence have been significantly improved. He also used the summer vacation when he returned to Hong Kong to retake the ISAT and UCAT exams and continued to practice under our guidance. At the same time, he continued to work as a research assistant at HKU, enhancing his medical experience and understanding of medical biology. Eventually, David successfully obtained admission notices from three Australian medical schools, including the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This proves that as long as you persevere, you can overcome challenges. His experience inspires other students pursuing their medical dreams, demonstrating to them the importance of persistence and hard work.
Brian is a student with a passion for medicine and his goal is to attend one of the top medical schools in the world. In order to realize this dream, he not only worked hard in his studies and achieved excellent results, but also actively participated in various extracurricular activities to comprehensively improve his abilities. Brian observed in the hospital’s cardiology department for a week and participated in the BSMS Virtual Work Experience, which allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of the medical field through technological simulation. He not only learned the skills and qualities required to be a competent doctor, but also experienced the close relationship between doctors and patients.
After learning about Brian's goals, we encouraged him to set his sights on the University of Cambridge Medical School, whose outstanding reputation in medical research and teaching quality are impeccable. We also advised him to apply to other G5 medical schools such as Imperial, UCL and KCL. In order to improve his BMAT score and interview skills, we arranged a 15-hour BMAT preparation course ((Note that BMAT has been cancelled), which provided systematic training by experienced tutors, including problem-solving skills, test-taking strategies and time management. We also conducted several mock interviews for him, specifically targeting the interview style of Cambridge University, and designed relevant questions to help him prepare and better deal with academic and ethical issues.
Brian submitted his UCAS application in mid-October, took the BMAT in November, and received an interview invitation from Cambridge University in December. He was successfully accepted by Cambridge in January and also successfully obtained interview invitations from ICL and UCL. In order to reduce his financial burden, we encouraged him to apply for the Hong Kong Excellence Scholarship Scheme, which offers a scholarship of up to HK$300,000 and can support outstanding students to study in well-known overseas universities. In the end, Brian not only achieved high scores in the BMAT exam, but also was admitted to Cambridge University Medical School and KCL. He finally chose to go to Dowling College, Cambridge, England to pursue higher academic goals and realize his dream.
