University of Macau

What you'll study

This four‑year undergraduate programme provides a core legal foundation in subjects central to Chinese law alongside comparative, international and transnational topics. Early years concentrate on legal method and foundational subjects such as Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law and Legal Research. Parallel training in Legal Chinese and Legal English develops bilingual proficiency for drafting, advocacy and cross‑border practice.

In later years students take specialised modules that typically include Chinese Administrative Law, Property Law, Commercial and Company Law, Evidence and Procedure, Family Law, Intellectual Property, Labour Law, and Macau Law and Institutions. Complementary international modules such as Public International Law, International Trade Law, WTO Law, International Investment Law and Dispute Resolution place Chinese law in a global context. Students also study elective options that may cover arbitration, comparative Hong Kong law, Mainland legal institutions, contemporary regulatory topics (financial regulation, cyber law, environmental law) and legal ethics.

Practical and experiential learning is embedded through moot court and advocacy training, legal clinic placements, internships with courts, law firms or government agencies, a research project or capstone seminar, and opportunities to participate in international exchange programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification with strong academic performance. Admissions typically consider overall grades, personal statement, and any relevant extracurricular or work experience that demonstrates interest in law.

Because the programme emphasises bilingual legal competence, applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in English and in Chinese (Putonghua and/or Cantonese) appropriate to study law. International applicants normally provide recognised proof of English language ability if their prior education was not conducted in English. Specific documentary and interview requirements are provided by the university admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of legal and related careers. Common destinations include:

• Legal practice in Macau, Mainland China, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions (following any required professional conversion or bar qualification).
• In‑house counsel, compliance and regulatory roles in financial services, technology and multinational corporations operating in Greater China.
• Government, public administration and judicial careers, including roles in courts, prosecution, and regulatory agencies.
• International organisations, arbitration institutions and dispute resolution centres, particularly those handling cross‑border commercial matters.
• Academic or research careers, or postgraduate study (LLM, PhD) in comparative law, Chinese law, international law or related fields.

Why study at University of Macau

The University of Macau offers a distinct advantage as a university located at the intersection of Chinese, Portuguese and common law traditions. The law faculty combines scholars with expertise in Mainland, Macau and comparative law, and emphasises bilingual legal training that meets the needs of the region's legal market.

Students benefit from strong practical learning opportunities — legal clinics, moot courts, internships with local and regional institutions, and collaborative projects with partner universities — as well as access to research centres and specialised resources on Chinese and Macau law. The university’s international links and exchange networks also enable students to gain comparative perspectives and placements across Greater China and overseas.

Overall, the programme is shaped to develop graduates who can navigate both domestic Chinese legal systems and international legal challenges, making them attractive to employers across public, private and international sectors.