The Master of Laws by thesis equips candidates for careers in advanced research, policy development, public service, tertiary teaching or professional leadership. It will enable you to acquire and develop sophisticated research and analysis skills, honed through work on a topic of your choice that expands legal thinking and understanding.

The LLM is up to two years full-time and four years part-time and is awarded on the basis of a supervised thesis of 50,000 words. The thesis must make a substantial contribution to the knowledge of the subject concerned. Candidates are also required to undertake the compulsory research-support unit, LAWS6077 Legal Research 1.

A successful applicant for admission to candidature for the Master of Laws (LLM) requires an Honours degree with first or second class honours. Applications for admission to candidature for the Master of Laws (LLM) by thesis are assessed on the basis of: suitability and sufficiency of merit of the applicant's prior qualification (Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent); suitability of proposed topic; and availability of appropriate supervision.

Applying for admission

The formal application will include an application form, supporting documentation, and a research proposal satisfactory evidence of the applicant's eligibility for admission, a proposed course of research and advanced study, approved by the Head of the Department in which the work is to be undertaken, a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use; and Evidence of minimum English language requirements, where not demonstrated by academic qualifications.