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.
What will you do?
- Focus your program through a range of elective options, focussing on international and security law
- Develop advanced legal writing, reasoning and analysis skills.
- Study with legal professionals, former judges and international academics.
- Undertake a substantial research project.
Where could it take you?
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.
^ Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject, 2022
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3CM069 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | Applicants must: a) have a completed Honours degree of Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent); OR b) have a completed Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent) plus a completed Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice; OR c) have a completed Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent), plus substantial professional experience^ within the profession; OR d) have a completed Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent), plus substantial research experience^^ within the profession. ^Substantial professional experience is considered to be at least two years of practice as either a barrister or a solicitor. ^^Relevant research experience is the ability to demonstrate knowledge of the underlying principles in law at an advanced level and would include the demonstration of cognitive technical and communication skills and method associated with the discipline. |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students International students 2 16.7% All students 12 100.0%
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Australian Full-fee place: $38,000
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Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:
- receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
- use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Career Readiness
Graduates are well equipped to pursue advanced and rewarding career options in business, management and many other professional fields.
Note: this degree does not provide admission to practise law. Those seeking admission to practise should refer to the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and the Bachelor of Laws programs in Degree Finder.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Jury Consultant; Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister
Degree Structure
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.
- 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.
- 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)
Areas of Specialisation
While the Master of Laws has no official specialisations, students can choose to focus in a number of different study areas, such as the following:
- Human Rights Law
- International Law
- Military Law
- AI and the Law
- Workplace Law
- Space Law
- Nuclear Law
- Cyber Conflict Law
- Law of Air and Naval Warfare
- Counter-terrorism and National Security Law
Example Study Plan
| Course - 24 units chosen from the following 3 units courses |
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| Research |
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Students must complete either:
or
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Note: Other courses may be taken subject to the approval of the Program Co-ordinator Not all courses will be offered in any one calendar year. |
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The one-year program was perfect it gave me time to figure out if I wanted to practice as a lawyer or to work as a Developmental Educator. It was a win/win situation for me.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 5 Mar 2024
