Master of International and Security Law

Get a global perspective

International and security law governs the pulse of global peace, conflict, and diplomacy. It covers everything from cyber threats to humanitarian crises, arms control, and territorial disputes. Experts in this field negotiate, safeguard, and interpret the norms upholding our interconnected world—preventing threats to peace across the planet. 

What will you do? 
Completed over two years, our Master of International and Security Law deep-dives into the intricacies of the modern legal landscape. You will: 

  • analyse laws across cultures, societies, and disciplines
  • engage with global experts
  • develop advanced skills in legal argument, research, and writing
  • explore space law, nuclear law, cyber conflict law, law of air and naval warfare, counter-terrorism and national security law
  • investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on law with a focus on security
  • choose from a range of elective courses aligned to your interests. 

Where could it take you? 
You’ll graduate with the specialised skills and knowledge needed for policy development, compliance, and legal practice in this field. You could work within the United Nations or International Criminal Court, addressing security challenges and shaping international legal standards. You might strategise with global enterprises on critical dispute resolutions. Perhaps you’ll carve a niche in government, driving foreign policy directives or bolstering international alliances.

Understand opportunities in International and Security Law

Explore space law, nuclear law, cyber conflict law, law of air and naval warfare, counter-terrorism and national security law. Investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on law with a focus on security in our comprehensive masters program.

  • 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

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
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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 3CM278
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study A completed Bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least a credit average; or a completed Graduate Diploma in Law or Graduate Certificate in Law.

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $40,000

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
Check your eligibility today at Study Assist

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 law, policy, government, business, 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.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

ADR Practitioner;  Judicial Associate;  Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister;  Arbitrator;  Member of Parliament;  Ministerial Adviser;  NGO Policy Officer;  Non Government Organisation Worker;  Parliamentary Adviser;  Parliamentary Member ...

Degree Structure

The Master of International and Security Law (AQF Level 9 qualification) provides students with an advanced understanding of principles of law relating to international and national security.   The program suits both domestic and international students, whether proceeding directly from undergraduate study or coming to the program form a professional background.  This program includes a range of elective courses suited to those with a particular interest in international and security law.  In addition, the program will appeal to those wishing to further develop their scholarly skills in legal research and writing.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the degree of Master of International and Security Law, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 48 units, comprising:

  • Core courses to the value of 6 units
  • Research courses to a maximum of 12 units
  • Elective courses to a maximum of 36 units

Example Study Plan

Indicative Study Plan
Core Course 
Research 

12 units PhD Research pathway

All of the following courses must be completed:
LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units0
*LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) (6 units)
**LAW 7194 Law Research Project (3 units)

*Entry into LAW 7025 is by application only and requires confirmation of supervisor and topic. Students must complete at least 9 units of the coursework before commencing the Dissertation, including pre-requisite LAW 7187 Advanced Research and Writing.

**Entry into LAW 7194 is by application only, and requires successful completion of courses relevant to the proposed project and confirmation of supervisor and topic. 


OR

9-unit research component 

LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
*LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) (6 units)

*Entry into LAW 7025 is by application only and requires confirmation of supervisor and topic.  Students must complete at least 9 units of the coursework before commencing the Dissertation, including pre-requisite LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing.

OR

6-unit research component


LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
*LAW 7194 Law Research Project ( units)

*Entry into LAW 7194 is by application only and requires successful completion of courses relevant to the proposed project and confirmation of supervisor and topic. 


OR

6-unit research component - research essays option

Students must complete two 4,000 words (or more) research essays chosen from any course in this program. 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 (other than LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law (3 units) or COMMLAW 7012 Business and Corporation Law (3 units), and they will be accommodated if it possible to do so.

Elective courses 
  • LAW 7034: Anti-discrimination Law: Practice and Theory PG
    LAW 7040: International Environmental Law
  • LAW 7042: AI and Technology: Legal and Security Issues
  • LAW 7061: Regulation of Work:Current Issues
  • LAW 7067: International Criminal Law (PG)
  • LAW 7070: International and Commercial Trade Law 
  • LAW 7073: Counter Terrorism and National Security Law
  • LAW 7074: Transitional Justice (PG)
  • LAW 7120: Human Rights: International Perspectives
  • LAW 7123: Perspectives on Property Law and Society
  • LAW 7129: International Humanitarian Law 
  • LAW 7155: Introduction to Arbitration
  • LAW 7156: Advanced Arbitration
  • LAW 7165: Cyber Security and Cyber Conflict Law
  • LAW 7168: Selected Issues - Military Operations Law
  • LAW 7171: The Law of Weaponry
  • LAW 7172: Strategic Space Law
  • LAW 7173: Maritime Law and Geopolitics in the Asian Region
  • LAW 7174: Advanced Comparative Law
  • LAW 7179: Contemporary Issues in Law
  • LAW 7183: Law of Naval Warfare
  • LAW 7184: Defence Contracting Law
  • LAW 7187: Advanced Legal Research and Writing 
  • LAW 7190: Commercial Space Law
  • LAW 7192: Government, Law, and Policy
  • LAW 7194: Law Research Project 
  • LAW 7195: Federal Criminal and Defence Discipline Law
  • LAW 7196: Law of Air Warfare
  • LAW 7197: IHL and Disruptive Technology
  • LAW 7198: Nuclear Regulatory Law
  • COMMLAW 7012: Business and Corporations Law 

OR
Any another postgraduate coursework course available to the student which has been approved in advance in writing by the Program Director. 

Not all courses will be offered in any one calendar year.

 

Testimonial

The GDLP refined my ability to assess any real situation in an engaging, collaborative, thoughtful and respectful manner.

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Last updated: Monday, 16 Sep 2024