Master of Laws

The Master of Laws (LLM) provides law and non-law graduates with a flexible postgraduate opportunity to develop advanced, integrated and contemporary knowledge in one or more areas of legal study.

The LLM is a sophisticated degree with substantial consideration of relevant international, professional and transdisciplinary aspects of the law which will enhance student career expertise and prospects.

The program develops advanced legal research and writing skills and enhances the ability of students to critically evaluate complex legal issues within a global context.

All students will have the opportunity to apply their legal knowledge and skills by conducting independent research and by engaging in analytical studies on specialised topics in the student’s areas of interest.The Master of Laws (LLM) is open to graduates with or without a law degree.

Different admission pathways, based on recognition of prior learning, apply to law and non-law graduates.

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Admission

The Master of Laws (LLM) is open to graduates with or without a law degree. Different admission pathways, based on recognition of prior learning, apply to law and non-law graduates.

Course duration is typically one year for an 80 credit point pathway, one and a half years for a 120 credit point pathway and two years for a 160 credit point pathway.

Applicants with a law degree

On enrolment in this course, based on previous study and work experience, students can follow either an 80 or 120 credit point entry pathway.

Applicants must have successfully completed, in any jurisdiction, any one of the following:

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree or Juris Doctor degree, at honours standard, or equivalent

Or

Graduate Certificate, or higher, in Law

Or

Bachelor of Laws degree or Juris Doctor degree, or equivalent, without honours and two years’ full time equivalent of documented relevant professional experience.

The applicant does not have to be admitted to practice as a lawyer in a jurisdiction.

Applicants must have successfully completed, in any jurisdiction, a:

Bachelor of Laws degree or Juris Doctor degree, or equivalent, without honours and without at least two years documented relevant professional experience.

This pathway requires students to complete the 80 credit points of academic units while also acquiring 40 credit points of clinical legal experience as a concurrent part of their study. The clinical legal experience has been incorporated into the Master of Laws (International Governance) through the inclusion of the compulsory 201006 Advanced Clinical Legal Placement unit.

The applicant does not have to be admitted to practice as a lawyer in a jurisdiction.

Applicants with a non-law degree

On enrolment in this course, based on previous study and work experience, students can follow an 80 or 120 credit point entry pathway.

Applicants must have successfully completed any one of the following:

Bachelor (Honours) degree in any discipline or equivalent, AND two years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience

Or

Graduate Certificate, or higher, in any discipline and two years full-time equivalent documented relevant professional experience

Or

Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, without honours, and five years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience

Applicants must have successfully completed

Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and two years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience

Or

Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and five years full-time equivalent general work experience.

Applicants with or without a law degree

On enrolment in this course, based on previous study, students can follow a 160 credit point entry pathway.

Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent.

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Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office. International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites Students enrolling in work placement units may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors. This would be managed on an as needs basis.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. The 120 credit point pathway for this course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of the 120 credit point pathway in this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

The course length and structure varies based on the student’s previous study background and work experience.

See individual links for detailed course structure.