Student Voices

The CUHK BBA-JD Programme has provided me with a solid foundation of practical knowledge and other transferrable skills. Studying business and law side-by-side opens up room for further reflection on their interrelations, highlighting the complexities of complications faced by these sectors to provide students with a more sophisticated and encompassing worldview. 

Besides classroom learning, our school lives are enriched by much-coveted opportunities to participate in workshops, visit different organisations and interact with experienced mentors. These varied opportunities, in addition to the career support by the BBA-JD Programme, have equipped me for my professional life, which helped me land internships at leading law firms such as Linklaters, Allen & Overy and Mayer Brown. Getting a dream training contract offer from Linklaters to receive excellent, all-rounded training represents a significant step in my journey to be a competent solicitor. As I move into the professional world, I believe the diverse skill set acquired will allow me to adapt to this evolving commercial landscape.

The interdisciplinary nature of the CUHK BBA-JD Programme has provided me with a solid foundation in both business and law, allowing me to explore my interests and acquire valuable experience across diverse fields.

From contract analysis and commercial law, to financial management and strategic decision-making, the comprehensive curriculum of the programme has equipped me with a competitive edge in different areas of expertise. This diverse skill set has enabled me to navigate various industries, ranging from multinational conglomerates like Jardine Matheson, financial institutions like Fidelity International, to legal sectors like Parkside Chambers.

Besides, engaging in interactive classes and participating in extracurricular activities, such as case competitions, have allowed me to interact and collaborate with talented individuals, broadening my perspective and honing my ability to adapt and excel in dynamic environments.

Upon graduation, I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter at HKEX, where I can utilize my unique skill set, combined with a deep understanding of business principles and legal expertise, to thrive in my role with confidence and gratitude.

In addition to the packed study schedule being one of the features of the 5-year double degree programme, CUHK BBA-JD has provided a variety of learning opportunities to complement our academic studies and broaden our horizons. The Mentorship Programmes offered by CUHK Business School and CUHK LAW are precious chances for us to build connections with professionals in different industries and expand our social network. Interacting with my mentor is a thought-provoking and wholesome experience, during which I have gained valuable advice on my career path, far-sighted views on the future prospect in the legal field, as well as practical study tips and research technique that are certainly beneficial to my future studies, internships and mini-pupilages.

During my summer internship at a law firm, I was assigned to the capital market team and had gained hands-on experience in the preparation of initial public offerings and drafting legal documents with commercial elements, which truly reflected the interconnection and dependency between business and law in real life. I am certain that I made the right decision to study CUHK BBA-JD."

CUHK BBA-JD being a double degree programme, undoubtedly, can sometimes be stressful and tough. However, potentials can only be reached if you dare challenge yourself and go beyond presumed limitations. As a result, BBA-JD is not only a programme about knowing and practising the synergy generated between business and law, it is also a programme about building a nurture ground for its ambitious students to excel themselves.

Studying with CUHK BBA-JD Programme, apart from being encouraged to explore marvelous connections between the two academic areas, I was also granted opportunities in miscellaneous aspects. I participated in an exchange programme at Bocconi University in Italy and attended summer courses at the University of California, Berkeley in the USA. These had enhanced my global vision and awareness. Besides, I am pleased to have experienced business and law under different contexts. Committee and internship opportunities are also everywhere. In particular, BBA-JD students are fortunate since we are provided with the privilege of joining targeted talks and sharing sessions that are extremely advantageous and inspiring. Through learning from the journeys and successes of CUHK alumni, we are especially prepared for our future careers."

Back then, I was intrigued by the interconnection of business and law in academia and the workplace, so I joined the inaugural class of the CUHK BBA-JD Programme to probe into this profound mystery.

Looking back, I would like to summarise my 5-year university life in one word, fruitful. Not only did I gain tons of knowledge and insights into the legal industry and financial markets, but I also managed to put what I learned into practice through different banking and legal internships. Besides, I actively participated in various extra-curricular activities hosted by CUHK, ranging from overseas study tours to case competitions, where I have made lifelong friends and widened my horizon outside of the classroom.

Lastly, I would like to thank CUHK Business School and CUHK LAW for providing me with such a stimulating, rewarding and all-rounded learning experience, not to mention endless career guidance and support. Today, I am embarking on a new journey at Deutsche Bank to pursue my aspiration in the banking and finance industry. Despite the uncertain economic outlook ahead, I can envisage that I can overcome every challenge in my future career, given the diverse skill set in business and law I have obtained from the BBA-JD Programme.

The CUHK BBA-JD Programme has been an exciting journey. With the guidance of my professors and friends, I have managed to explore opportunities and widen my horizons beyond my expectations. Although the curriculum, admittedly, is rigorous, help is always accessible. Not all time is spent studying; in Year 2, I participated in a highly meaningful exchange programme with the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, where I spent half a year making lifelong international friends and exploring international cultures. Equipped with both business and legal skills, I also had the opportunity to intern in leading banks such as J.P. Morgan and law firms such as Slaughter and May. Moreover, CUHK Business School and CUHK LAW organise periodic networking events and responds favourably with faculty support when students propose insightful activities. As such, I have been able to move further with my goal of being a ‘global citizen’ with the BBA-JD Programme."

I was one of the founding students of the CUHK JD programme. My decision to pursue law largely came down to appreciating the interplay between law and business, an area of interest of mine since my undergraduate business studies at the CUHK. I started my full-time career in the banking field while studying the JD part-time. The experience of being able to bring my work knowledge into the classroom (and vice versa) was both valuable and rewarding; certainly, it enlightened me to consider how different legal rules and principles are applied in practice. Although I took a somewhat unconventional path of not seeking a legal qualification after obtaining my JD, I am still reaping the fruits of the knowledge and skills from my business and legal studies at the CUHK in my current roles as a senior in-house risk and compliance advisor at an international law firm and a member of the teaching faculty at the HKU Law School.

I always wanted to do both business and law because the two do go hand in hand. This seems a cliché but it is also true. Business is not just about numbers, but is also about how one's interest can be protected to the largest extent by agreeing good legal terms. During our business degree, we learned how to market products to boost sales and how to use financial models to give insight into business structures and to evaluate key performance drivers. Often, though, we neglected the underlying legal issues, such as how to avoid potential claims from other parties, what to do to prevent others from stealing ideas, etc. This is where law comes in. I also think law helps provide a more complete picture of how to run a business and how to uphold a company’s best interests, whether commercial or legal, without affecting business progress.”

A question I and students with business and finance backgrounds are frequently asked is how I can generate an excellent return on my educational investment. My answer to this question is to invest in yourself when you are still young. The CUHK Juris Doctor programme gives business students an excellent opportunity to break into the legal profession, which is a professional path that offers tremendous upside potential. The Faculty of Law is highly international, with professors from solid academic and industry backgrounds. As a cradle for an increasing number of Hong Kong’s legal elite, the JD is developing an increasingly strong alumni network. A business background also provides a valuable synergy if one aspires to be a solicitor handling large corporate transactions or IPO exercises, or a barrister cutting through complex commercial disputes. The Juris Doctor program, together with a sound business background, gives prospective talent an unparalleled edge for development in various commercial disciplines in a knowledge-based society.”

I first became interested in law after taking a course on business law during my undergraduate BBA degree. I was fascinated by how business and law are closely interconnected. Most importantly, I realised that without a sound legal system, Hong Kong would never have grown into such a successful international business center. In fact, today’s world is a sophisticated one that goes beyond the scope of traditionally defined disciplines. It demands talented professionals who possess transferable skills to excel in different areas. The study of the JD programme after completing my BBA degree equips me precisely with that exceptional blend of knowledge and skills. It undoubtedly provides me with a unique competitive edge, whether ultimately I embark on a career in law or business.”