Law

Program Introduction

In recent years, the most popular majors among liberal arts students have been concentrated in finance, law, accounting, Chinese language and literature, and financial management. Among them, law has been one of the hottest choices. Today, we will introduce the law major, its employment prospects and salary expectations, different academic directions, key considerations for applying to this major, and more.

In many films and television dramas, lawyers are portrayed as the perfect combination of wisdom, justice, idealism, and wealth. They defend justice and protect the interests of their clients with eloquence and sharp reasoning. A law student once wrote in their blog: "I chose to study law with this very idea in mind."

According to Li Xuening, a partner at a law firm, law (also known as legal science or jurisprudence) is the specialized study of law, legal phenomena, and related issues. It is a system of knowledge and theories about legal matters and an important discipline within the social sciences.

At the undergraduate level, the study of law focuses on learning a specific form of language—legal language. 

Training Objectives

This major aims to cultivate high-quality legal professionals with a solid theoretical foundation in law and strong legal application skills. Graduates will possess good humanities literacy, necessary knowledge in natural sciences and management, and a well-rounded development in moral, intellectual, and physical aspects, meeting the needs of national development.

• Develop a systematic understanding of legal knowledge, possess fundamental skills in legal practice, uphold the concept of the rule of law, and meet the requirements of the socialist legal system for legal professionals.

• Train applied legal professionals who can engage in legal practice, legal education, and research in government agencies, enterprises, and social organizations.

• Equip students with interdisciplinary and cross-field knowledge, enabling them to analyze and solve legal problems in the context of social and economic development and technological progress.

Graduation Requirements

(1) Knowledge Requirements

• Master basic theories of law and have a solid foundation in legal knowledge.

• Possess a broad knowledge base in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences related to the legal field.

(2) Ability Requirements

• Apply legal theories and knowledge to analyze and solve legal issues.

• Develop legal reasoning skills, including accurate comprehension of legal concepts, establishment and interpretation of legal propositions, and conducting legal argumentation and legal reasoning.

• Acquire practical legal skills, including the ability to investigate, collect, analyze, and verify legal facts, as well as apply legal procedures, use evidence, conduct courtroom debates, and make judgments.

• Demonstrate strong verbal and written legal communication skills.

• Be proficient in one foreign language and have basic legal professional communication skills in that language.

• Utilize computer software, networks, and digital tools effectively in legal research and practice.

• Master literature retrieval and data collection methods, and possess basic research and practical work capabilities.

(3) Quality Requirements

• Maintain a firm political stance, love the socialist motherland, and support the leadership of the Communist Party of China while upholding a correct worldview, values, and outlook on life.

• Be physically and mentally healthy, possess basic knowledge and skills in physical fitness, and meet the national university students' physical health standards while developing strong interpersonal communication skills.

• Develop a commitment to public legislation and law enforcement for the people, uphold the pursuit of truth and justice, and cultivate a strong belief in the supremacy of law.

• Cultivate moral integrity, a professional legal identity, and a strong sense of responsibility in building a socialist rule of law state.

Core Courses

• Introduction to Law

• Jurisprudence

• Chinese Legal History

• Constitutional Law

• Administrative Law and Administrative Litigation Law

• General Principles of Criminal Law

• Special Topics in Criminal Law

• Criminal Procedure Law

• General Principles of Civil Law

• Property Law

• Law of Obligations

• Civil Procedure Law

• Public International Law

• Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct

• Economic Law

• Commercial Law

• Intellectual Property Law

• Private International Law

• International Economic Law

• Environmental and Resource Law

• Labor and Social Security Law

Research Directions in Law

• Civil and Commercial Law: Studies civil legal relations and commercial legal affairs.

• Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law: Examines crimes, punishments, and criminal litigation procedures.

• International Law and Comparative Law: Studies international legal systems and the legal frameworks of different countries.

• Economic Law and Labor Law: Analyzes legal issues in economic activities and labor relations.

• Environmental Law and Resource Law: Investigates legal issues in environmental protection and resource utilization.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

Career Prospects

The law major was once considered a "golden career" with strong job security. However, due to an oversaturation of graduates and a high number of legal professionals in the public sector, the legal job market has become increasingly competitive. Although challenges exist, the long-term prospects for law graduates remain promising. 

Graduates can pursue careers in judicial administration, trials, prosecution, legal practice, or work in enterprises and public institutions as legal professionals. Those interested in academia can engage in legal research and teaching.

Additionally, specializing in a specific legal field and becoming a legal consultant in that industry can be a highly viable career path. Statistics indicate that Beijing offers some of the best employment opportunities for law graduates, ranking 4th among "Law-related Professions" nationwide.

Primary Career Paths for Law Graduates

• Civil Servant

• Postgraduate Studies (LL.M. or J.D.)

• Public Institution Staff

• Paralegal

• Legal Specialist/Assistant

• Prosecutor

• Lawyer

Related Majors

• Intellectual Property Law

• Penology

• Credit Risk Management and Legal Prevention

• International Trade and Economic Rules

• Judicial Police Science

• Community Correction

• Discipline Inspection and Supervision

• International Law

• Forensic Science

• National Security Studies

• Overseas Interest and Security

Ranking of Universities Offering Law Programs

1. Renmin University of China

2. China University of Political Science and Law

3. Peking University

4. Southwest University of Political Science and Law

5. Wuhan University

6. Tsinghua University

7. Shanghai Jiao Tong University

8. East China University of Political Science and Law

9. Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

10. Xiamen University

11. Jilin University

12. Nanjing University

13. Sichuan University

14. Zhejiang University

15. Northwest University of Political Science and Law

16. Fudan University

17. Shandong University

18. University of International Business and Economics

19. Beijing Normal University

20. Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

21. Nanjing Normal University

22. Nankai University

23. Hunan University

24. Sun Yat-sen University

25. Tianjin University

26. Central South University

27. Southeast University

28. Central University of Finance and Economics

29. Shanghai University of Finance and Economics

30. Dalian Maritime University