Master of Business Law

Note: we are no longer taking enrolments into this program and from Semester 1 2024 a new program will be available Master of International and Security Law

A competitive edge in business

Want to bolster your business skills with legal expertise?

The ability to understand, analyse and use legal information can be critical for strength and longevity in the business realm. Postgraduate law courses provide an overview of legal issues within a contemporary business context.

What will you do?

Our Master of Business Law caters to the needs of busy professionals. The majority of courses are taught intensively over one or two weeks and some include evening and weekend sessions. Intakes occur in late February and late July. You will:

  • learn about different laws affecting your business sector
  • build legal communication skills
  • undertake a substantial research project
  • learn best practices for dealing with legal and regulatory challenges
  • broaden your networks through the University’s Lex Salus, Next Steps and Law Students' Society events.

Note: Applicants must hold a bachelor degree or equivalent in a field other than law. This program is suited to applicants with a background in business and commerce. Applicants with an LLB, JD or LLB(Hons) from an Australian university are not eligible for entry.

There is also available a Graduate Certificate in Business Law or Graduate Diploma in Business Law which can lead into the Master of Business Law.

  • Ranked 87 globally for Law*
  • Majority of courses taught intensively
  • AACSB accredited

* 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 3CM185
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study A completed Bachelors degree or equivalent in a field other than law (this program is suited to applicants with a background in business and commerce), with at least a credit average; or a completed Graduate Diploma in Business Law or Graduate Certificate in Business Law.

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 1 100.0%

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.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $38,000

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

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Graduates are well prepared to pursue advanced 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 Bachelor of Laws 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.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Potential careers

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

Manager / Business Management;  Auditor;  Business Analyst;  Business Consultant;  Business Management;  Business Manager;  Commercial and Operation Analyst;  Commercialisation Manager;  Government or Corporate Policy Adviser;  Taxation Officer ...

Degree Structure

To qualify for the degree of Master of Business Law, students must satisfactorily complete:

  1. A foundation law course which provides the background for students' study: LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law (3 units).
  2. Law elective courses to the value of 39 units.*
  3. Research equivalent courses to the value of 6 units, in the form of a research dissertation or two research essays.

*It is possible to include courses from other disciplines within the University, subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.

Research Component

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.

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Core course
  • LAW 7177: Introduction to Australian Law
Elective courses
Research
Students must complete either:

  • LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing (3 units)
  • LAW 7025: Law Dissertation (PG) 6 unit course
or

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

Note: other courses may be taken subject to the approval of the Program Co-ordinator.

Assessment

There shall be four classifications of pass in any course for the Masters degree:

  • Pass with High Distinction
  • Pass with Distinction
  • Pass with Credit
  • Pass.

A candidate who has failed a course twice may not re-enrol in that course except by special permission of the Faculty; and then only under such conditions as may be prescribed.

Testimonial

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

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, 19 Dec 2023