YUFUND

With advent of the Revolutionary Council after 1962, a Committee to reform legal education was established, and significant reforms were accomplished by the Higher Education Law, 1964. After 1964, it became a fulltime course. Under this system, students obtained BA (Law) degree after 4 years of study and had to continue their studies another one year for LLB degree.

New system of higher education brought the fulltime legal education course in the name of LLB degree in 1965. It became a five year, full-time course of study at the Department of Law.

The Bachelor of Laws degree program still remains the main vehicle for University legal studies at all Law Departments of Universities except University of Yangon and University of Mandalay. Today the YU Department of Law is exclusively devoted to postgraduate legal studies.

The first postgraduate legal degree program at the Department of Law, the LLM degree program, was established in 1973. The new LLM program presently run is two years in duration.  The program offers the opportunity to specialize in four different areas: Civil Law, Commercial Law, International Law, and Maritime Law.  Since 1999, the Department of Law has offered PhD degree program which has consistently been in high demand. As part of the University’s Human Resources Development Program, graduate diploma courses in Business Law, International Law, and Maritime Law are offered by the Department of Law under the University’s Human Resources Development Program since 2004.

Programs of Study

Master of Laws (LLM)

The first postgraduate legal degree program at the Department of Law, the LLM degree program, was established in 1973.  The new LLM program presently run is two years in duration.  The program offers the opportunity to specialize in four different areas: Civil Law, Commercial Law, International Law, and Maritime Law.  During their first three semesters students take requisite Master level course and are assessed by examination.  During their final semester, students must undertake their own research and produce a written thesis.  Students with LLB degrees are admitted into the LLM program at the University of Yangon, Department of Law after successfully passing an entrance examination.

Master of Research (MRes)

This is a one year program dedicates to researching the law. Students are required to develop and produce a significant piece of scholarship during their candidacy. LLM degree holders who are qualified to do research are admitted to this program.

Doctoral Program (PhD)

Since 1999, the Department of Law has offered PhD degree program which has consistently been in high demand. The duration of the doctoral course is five years. The first year is a preliminary qualifying year, which includes methodological and theoretical study. The remaining four years are devoted to the preparation of the candidate’s dissertation. Eligibility to enter the program is limited to LLM degree holder academic staff and ministerial staff with two or more years of service that pass an entrance examination; and MRes degree holders (who are exempt from the entrance exam). To date YU has conferred 80 PhD graduates for different areas of law (Civil Law, International Law, IP, Environmental Law, etc…).

Graduate Diploma Courses

Graduate diploma courses are offered by the Department of Law under the University’s Human Resources Development Program since 2004. There are three different areas of law in which diplomas are offered: Business Law, International Law, and Maritime Law. Each diploma course lasts one year. Individuals with any undergraduate degree who pass the entrance examination can attend the Diploma courses.

Master of Arts in Business Law (MA Business Law)

The Department of Law is responsible for a two year MA program in business law. In order to gain entry into the program a student must have a graduate diploma in business law and pass an entrance examination.

Other services

The Law Department provides outside lectures when and where requested by the other Institutes and Ministries, such as Business Law courses under the programs of Certified Public Accountant, Evening Classes for Master of Business Administration and Trade Training Institute; Administrative Law courses under the programs of  Evening Classes for Master of Public Administration and Classes for General Administration Department ; International Humanitarian Law, International Law and International Environmental Law courses under the programs of National Defense University and Maritime Law courses under the management of Marine Administration Department .

The Department also plays a great role in the legal translation work assigned not only by its own Ministry but also by other Ministries. Its staffs actively participate and contribute in the process of drafting new laws in the different areas of laws.

Teaching Staffs

Department of Law of YU has a small but dynamic team consisted of three Professors including one Head of Department, six lecturers, four assistant lecturers and five tutors. It is also supported by rich knowledge of distinguished three Part-time Professors who are well acquainted with issues of human rights, international trade, family laws, etc. Very recently the Open Society Foundation (OSF) has sponsored two Visiting Professors at YU Law Department focusing on international human rights law, comparative constitutional law, international law and international environmental law.

Prof Dr.Khin Mar Yee
Professor and Head of Department (LLB, LLM, PhD)
Department of Law, University of Yangon
Contact e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Research interests: Intellectual Property Law
Teaching subjects: Intellectual Property Law, Law of the Sea, International Trade Law