Masters (Coursework)
The UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) is a one-year full-time postgraduate degree that offers you the opportunity to develop an advanced and contemporary understanding of one or more areas of legal study, acquire further expertise and enhance your career prospects.
You can choose...
The UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) is a one-year full-time postgraduate degree that offers you the opportunity to develop an advanced and contemporary understanding of one or more areas of legal study, acquire further expertise and enhance your career prospects.
You can choose from eight specialisation areas that reflect UNSW Law & Justice's expertise and the latest developments in legal scholarship. Our LLM areas of specialisation include:
Alternatively, you can complete a generalist program and benefit from choosing courses across our specialisations.
Please note this program is not a pathway to legal practice. Students looking for a postgraduate qualification enabling them to practice law should instead consider UNSW's Juris Doctor.
World-class Scholarship
Learn from the minds at the forefront of research and industry knowledge at UNSW Law & Justice, ranked 1st in Sydney and 12th in the world*. Access the highest teaching quality among Australia's research-intensive law faculty within the Group of Eight (Go8) universities.
Exclusive Career Support
Graduate career-ready with UNSW Law & Justice's in-house careers service, dedicated to our students and alumni. The service includes a jobs board and a range of resources, presentations and workshops to maximise your employability.
Engage with World-recognised Centres
UNSW Law & Justice is home to leading academics in our China International Business and Economic Law (CIBEL) Centre ; Centre for Crime, Law and Justice (CCLJ); Indigenous Law Centre; National Children and Youth Law Centre; Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law; and The Allens Hub for Technology, Law & Innovation. Students have opportunities to undertake internships during their LLM program
Global Student Opportunities
Gain global perspectives by studying other countries' legal systems through overseas electives we offer around the world.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
The UNSW LLM is open to law and non-law graduates. If you're applying to the program with a non-law degree or with a law degree from a non-common law country, you'll need to incorporate compulsory core courses into your program.
To be eligible for the Master of Laws by Coursework, you must have any of the following:
For (5) and (6), relevant professional experience could include professional experience in legal and policy issues gained as an officer in local government; consulting on legal and policy issues; an officer/manager or similar for state or federal government agency with responsibility for legal and policy issues; corporate auditing, monitoring or managing legal and policy issues; project management with a legal or policy focus; NGO or international organisation responsible for law or policy reform.
Credit Transfer Policy
If you've completed postgraduate law courses at another tertiary institution or in another UNSW degree, you may be eligible for a credit transfer. Find out more in the Credit Transfer Rules and Regulations.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
The UNSW LLM is open to law and non-law graduates. If you're applying to the program with a non-law degree or with a law degree from a non-common law country, you'll need to incorporate compulsory core courses into your program.
To be eligible for the Master of Laws by Coursework, you must have any of the following:
For (5) and (6), relevant professional experience could include professional experience in legal and policy issues gained as an officer in local government; consulting on legal and policy issues; an officer/manager or similar for state or federal government agency with responsibility for legal and policy issues; corporate auditing, monitoring or managing legal and policy issues; project management with a legal or policy focus; NGO or international organisation responsible for law or policy reform.
Please note: Applicants from non-211 Chinese Universities interested in studying this program must achieve a minimum overall average of 80 in their current university's grading system. This is equivalent to a 75% scaled average using the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.
Credit Transfer Policy
If you've completed postgraduate law courses at another tertiary institution or in another UNSW degree, you may be eligible for a credit transfer. Find out more in the Credit Transfer Rules and Regulations.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
You'll graduate with advanced, integrated and up-to-date legal knowledge that you can apply to a broad range of law and non-law career opportunities.
Law graduates will find this program appealing as it allows them to acquire a new field of legal knowledge for a career change, career advancement or professional development. For non-law graduates, the acquired legal knowledge and skills will help them understand how the law works in their industry.