Wuhan University

1. Goal of Cultivation

This graduate program is set for overseas students in China, using English as the class language, teaching international law mainly and also Chinese. Its purpose is to foster high-level and interdisciplinary legal talents who have a global outlook, master two or more languages and fundamental theories and knowledge in all fields of international law and understand Chinese culture. Its professional ethics are mainly embodied in the introduction and propaganda of China’s law and social system, and make students have a better understanding of Chinese language and culture and become a messenger of Chinese culture in their professional careers. Professional skills and abilities are mainly embodied in legal professional way of thought and ability and ability to conduct independent legal study.

Specific requirements:

(1) Master firm basic theory of international law and extensive subject knowledge, have knowledge structure and practical ability required by legal practice.

(2) Master Chinese and use Chinese skillfully in normal communication.

(3) Have deep knowledge and understanding of China’s law and its social basic system, and become a propagandist of Chinese culture and laws.

(4) Have the ability to comprehensively use knowledge in each department law and other relevant subjects such as politics, economy, sociology, foreign language and computer technology. Have preliminary ability of academic study and ability to independently analyze and solve legal issues. 

(5) Physical and mental health.

2. Research Direction

Modern International Law Theory and Practice

Nature and Basis of the International Law; Source and Codification of the International Law; Basic Principle of the International Law; Subject of the International Law; The international Law Responsibility; History of the International Law

Sea Laws 

The historical Development of Sea Laws; Continental Shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone System; Adjacent Sea and Region System; High Seas System; International Sea-bed System; Chinese Sea Laws System.

International Organization Law

Theory and Practice of the International Organization Law; Interaction of the International Organization and International Law; the Articles, Structure, Functions and Powers and Activity Programs of the International Organization; the United National Laws; International Economic Law; Regional International Organization Law; Specialized Organization Law and International Administrative Law; Relations between China and the International Organization; WTO Laws; EU Laws.

International Law of Treaty

Historical Development of International Law of Treaty; Categories and Characteristics of the Current Treaties; Status and Function of treaty; Conclusion and entry of effect of treaty; Reservation of Treaty; Responsibility for Breach of Contract and Settlement of Disputes 

Settlement of International Civil and Commercial Disputes

the International Civil and Commercial Dispute Resolution Methods, including theory and practice of the International civil dispute lawsuit system, and of international commercial arbitration system; ADR (alternative Disputes Reservation, etc.

International Investment Law

Chinese Investment Law, Comparative Investment Law and some Private Overseas Investment International Laws.

International Trade Law

WTO Laws; Regional Trade Agreement; Comparative Foreign Trade Law; Chinese Foreign Trade Law; and International Commercial Law

International Monetary and Banking Law 

Legal System of International financial transactions, international financial regulation and International Monetary and Banking Organization; International Issues of Transnational Currency Circulation.

 International Intellectual Property Law

International Law Protection of the Intellectual Property 

International Environmental Law

Principle, Regulation and System of the International Environmental Problems.

3. Learning methods and study period 

It’s usually two-year’s full-time learning. But if students get the required credits and pass the dissertation defense, applying for early graduation is permitted.

4. Curriculum (in the below table) and credits

Total credits for the semester must meet 36 points, among which course credits should amount to 26 points and academic dissertation 10 points.

1  Degree Course：16 points

① Fundamental Compulsory Course: 6 points, Chinese Language Comprehension of 72 hours and 4 points, and Introduction to China of 36 hours and 2 points included.

② Major Compulsory Course should be no less than 10 points.

2  Elective Course:  10 points

Total credits should be no less than 36 points (including academic dissertation of 10 points).

5. Training methods

(1) Course instruction is the main method, and international law courses will adopt lectures, workshops and other methods, emphasize on case teaching and encourage students to actively participate in classroom teaching. Chinese courses adopt small-class-based lecture model, focus on improving the students’ ability of listening, speaking, reading and writing and emphasize on interaction between teaching and learning. 

(2) Adopt credit system and total credits should not be less than 24 points.

(3) Mentors are mainly composed by professors and associate professors from Institute of International Law of Wuhan University who have background of studying abroad and excellent English skills and have the qualification to guide graduates.

(4) Promote students’ global outlook and their ability of independent study. Employ experts at home and abroad who have a high academic reputation to give lectures.

(5) Assessment methods of compulsory courses include examination and appraisal. Appraisal is aimed to supervise and urge students to participate in course learning actively and focuses on testing students’ ability and method of using their existing theory and background knowledge to analyze, judge and resolve practical problems, and its forms may be versatile. Examination can adopt book-close examination and thesis or other forms, testing students’ abilities to understand and use their learned theoretical knowledge systematically and their abilities to conduct independent research. Both methods are chosen by teachers.

6. Other required parts

(1) Practice: Time is arranged in summer vocation. Postgraduates should put their professional theory into practice by taking part in practical activities in the summer vocation in their own country, such as teaching training, scientific research practice, social and economical investment etc. This part lasts 1 to 2 months. All the details of your practical activities must fill in the rating form of academic exchange and practical activities taken by master of academic students and hand in final report of your practical activities. Only all the above files be audited by the School of Law and approved and recorded by Graduate School, can postgraduates take part in oral defense and gain 2 credits.

(2) Mid-term Examination: This part will be held in the third semester and run under early warning system. Whether a student has the chance to continue his master of degree is judged by his study and scientific research and combining his professional achievements at the some time. 

7. Degree thesis and degree awarded 

Topics of degree thesis should locate in frontier issues with great theoretical and practical significance in the field of international law, or carry on comparative study of their own country’s or China’s legal system, which focus on reflecting students’ ability to analyze complicated legal problems in international community with integrated use of theory and knowledge. Mentor groups determine a specific mentor to guide students according to his or her topic.

Degree thesis should be reviewed by three experts with senior professional titles of associate professor or above.

Students whose degree exams and elective exams are all qualified and passed the dissertation defense can be granted master’s degree of law.

Curriculum of International Law

*The above information is for reference only.