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.

  • 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 3CM069
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

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.

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

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 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.
  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:

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.

  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.

*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

Indicative study plan
Course - 24 units chosen from the following 3 units courses
  • LAW 7025 : Dissertation PG
  • 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 Commercial and Trade Law
  • LAW 7071 : The Law of Weaponry
  • 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 7170 : Public International Law
  • 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 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
  • LAW 7187 : Advanced Legal Research and Writing
  • LAW 7194 : Law Research Project
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.

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.

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: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024