Master of Law and Development

Most Melbourne Law Masters subjects are available online in 2021 with some taught on campus. See subject quotas for current subject availability.

Students must complete 100 credit points in total.

Students who do not have a law degree must complete International Law, as well as at least 75 credit points from the prescribed list (including the compulsory subject International Law and Development). Students may choose the remaining 12.5 credit points from the subjects available in the Master of Laws (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law and the Minor Thesis).

Students with a law degree must complete at least 75 credit points from the prescribed list (including the compulsory subject International Law and Development). Students may choose their remaining 25 credit points from the subjects available in the Master of Laws (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law).

As a student in the Master of Law and Development, you'll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of law and development, including:

• the processes and actors involved in the legalisation of development
• the history and range of rule of law or law reform projects initiated by international and regional institutions
• the role of international economic institutions in proposing, designing and implementing law reform projects
• development strategies enabled or foreclosed by attempts at law reform or legal institutional design
• the success or failure of particular attempts at law reform or rule of law initiatives
• theoretical approaches to understanding and critiquing law and development initiatives

You'll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

• Australian or New Zealand citizens
• Australian permanent residents
• Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders

(View eligibility requirements and application dates for International citizens)

The majority of students will start in either the Semester 1 (start year) or Semester 2 (mid year) intake:

For students wishing to begin study outside of the normal intake periods (for example, a winter intensive subject) - find your first subject's starting date in the Handbook, then find the name of the intake period you should apply for below.

Applicants are advised to apply at least a month prior to the start of the subject.

Note: Students will need to ensure their desired subject hasn't yet reached its quota limit - view quotas

Once we receive the completed application, we aim to have a response to you within four to six weeks.

• Orientation week for full-time students
  • Start year intake: 22-26 February 2021, online via Zoom
  • Mid year intake: TBC
• Orientation for part-time students
  • Online via the Learning Management System (Canvas LMS)