Master of Laws

A competitive edge in law

Studying law is more challenging and intellectually adventurous than ever before. In an expanding and evolving legal landscape, extended development is a strategic door opener.

Our Master of Laws is suited to students proceeding directly from undergraduate study, as well as experienced legal practitioners looking to specialise.

You'll graduate with the specialised legal skills and knowledge needed for policy development, compliance, and legal practice and advising in Australia and internationally. You could work in law, with international and/or non-governmental organisations, in global enterprises, or for governments and policy-makers. The advanced legal reasoning and research skills of a master in law can take you just about anywhere.

Note: This program is offered in intensive mode with intakes in late February and late July.

• Ranked 87 globally for Law^
• Have partnerships with leading overseas universities
• Program delivered via intensive mode of study

^ Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject, 2022

The degree is designed to offer flexibility to suit particular interests.

It consists of 24 units chosen from the list of law courses. It is also possible to include courses from other disciplines within the University, subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.

Seminar-style teaching is employed, with one course usually involving 24 hours of classes. Some courses are taught during the evening or on weekends, while other courses may be taught intensively one or more weeks.

Students who do not already hold an LLB, JD or LLB (Hons) from a common law jurisdiction must complete LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law in their first semester of studies.

A candidate shall satisfactorily complete a substantial research piece of scholarship. To satisfy this requirement, candidates must complete one of two options.

1. A candidate must satisfactorily complete two 4,000 word (or more) research essays chosen from any postgraduate coursework Law elective course. The research essays will be in addition to any other course assessment requirements if students seek to undertake the essay in a course which does not otherwise have a research essay assessment. Where a research essay with shorter length is part of the course assessment, the word limit will be extended to 4,000 words to satisfy this requirement. Students may apply to undertake the extended research essay option for any course during the program, and will be accommodated if it possible for the courses in which students propose to complete the essay.
   
   
   
2. A candidate must satisfactorily complete:
   LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
   LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) (6 units)
   
   

Entry into LAW 7025 is by application only and students must complete at least 9 units of courses (including LAW 7187) before commencing the Dissertation.

*PhD Pathway

Students wishing to proceed to undertake a PhD, who do not have a research-based Honours degree enabling direct admission to the PhD, may complete a PhD pathway within this program, consisting of the following courses:

• LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
• LAW 7194 Law Research Project (3 units)
• LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) (6 units)