Australian National University
Master of Laws
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Master's
Deepen your understanding of how law operates in and interacts with the modern world, equipping you with skills and knowledge for the 21st-century job.
Course overview
Pursue a general Master of Laws for a broad perspective of the role of law in domestic and international societies. You are able to focus your studies on one of four specialisations – Public Law, International Law, Human Security Law or Private Commercial Law.
Open to law and non-law graduates, the Master of Laws offers you the flexibility to complete your studies in a way that suits you. Courses are delivered in a variety of modes – semester length, online or in a shorter ‘intensive’ format.
Upon completion, you will join a prestigious and highly recognised alumni network of over 19,000 professionals in Australia and around the globe.
The Master of Laws is not professionally accredited and does not lead to admission as a legal practitioner. In Australia, professional accreditation in law is limited to qualifications that lead directly to admission to legal practice — namely the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and the Juris Doctor. No Graduate Certificate in Law nor Master of Laws in Australia carries professional accreditation.
Key facts
What you will study
The Master of Laws requires the completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
Six units from completion of the compulsory course:
- Law and Legal Institutions; and
- A minimum of 30 units from completion of 8000-level courses in the subject area LAWS Law; and
- A maximum of 12 units from completion of any 8000-level courses on offer at the ANU
Students who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor or equivalent are exempted from LAW8586 Law and Legal Institutions and are required to complete an additional six units from the course list.
Specialisations
- International Law
- Law Research
- Private Commercial Law
- Public Law
Entry requirements
Applicants must present one of the following:
- A Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Juris Doctor, Graduate Certificate of Law or Bachelor's Degree in any cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 5.0
- Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Juris Doctor, Graduate Certificate of Law or Bachelor's Degree in any cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 4.0 plus three years of relevant professional experience.
The GPA for a Bachelor's program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor's degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor's degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor's degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.
Ranking and English Language Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.
In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor's degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:
- A GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor's degree used for admission purposes; and/or
- Demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.
Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor's degree reassessed to confirm that the minimum requirements were met.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Learning
Students who have undertaken previous studies that are relevant to their current academic program can request to receive course credit based on their prior learning. University rules, policy and procedure relating to the granting credit is set out in the Coursework Awards Rule, Policy: Credit and Procedure: Credit and exemptions.
For more information and instructions on applying, please refer to the ANU College of Law Application for Credit/Status.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Develop and apply specialist knowledge within the areas of law studied.
- Evaluate case law, legislation and scholarly writings on the specialist areas of law studied.
- Synthesise legal materials into a concise and cohesive argument that addresses a legal question.
- Incorporate social, comparative or interdisciplinary approaches into legal analysis.
- Undertake legal research and present findings using a variety of materials and sources.
- Engage in original and critical reflection on the law.
- Contribute to debates on theoretical, policy and practical issues in the areas of law studied.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Fee information not provided.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
All students are required to pay a services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.