Master of Laws

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Master of Laws at UNE?

The Master of Laws by coursework is designed for both Australian and international law graduates. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will be able to broaden their knowledge and enhance their independent, critical thinking and research skills. The course will also enable students to achieve a high standard of professional writing and research relevant to current issues in law and practice. Students will have the opportunity to choose units of interest or specialise by undertaking units that form a major.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete the Master of Law program may use their specialised knowledge and skills in their employment with businesses and organisations to deal with legal requirements. Those who work as lawyers may use the experience and skills gained to become specialists in a particular area of law.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

Full Fee
International

2017 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Off Campus
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus
Trimester 3, On Campus

Official Abbreviation

LLM

Course Type

Postgraduate

CRICOS Code

079197G; 084919B

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Off Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	On Campus

Course Duration

1 or 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
Up to 6 years Part-time

Fees

Full Fee / International

Total Credit Points

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(i)(a) hold an AQF Level 8 Bachelor of Law with Honours or AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Law with at least two years full-time, documented, relevant professional experience; or AQF Level 9 Masters qualification in Law; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor; or

(ii) comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based that meet the degree rules.

Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 36 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based that meet the degree rules.

Academic Colours

Ultramarine (BCC 148)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Laws in 2017.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(i)(a) hold an AQF Level 8 Bachelor of Law with Honours or AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Law with at least two years full-time, documented, relevant professional experience; or AQF Level 9 Masters qualification in Law; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor; or
(c) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; and
(ii) comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (a) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based that meet the degree rules.
Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 36 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based that meet the degree rules.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one and a half years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including a minimum of 48 credit points at 500-level.

Candidates admitted under Rule (a) must complete 48 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
Candidates admitted under Rule (b) may complete a maximum of 24 credit points at 300-level and must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
Candidates admitted under Rule (c) may complete a maximum of 12 credit points at 100-level; a maximum of 24 credit points at 200/300/400-level; and a minimum of 48 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

Australian LLB or JD Graduates Program

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	48 cps
Core Units	18 cps
One Major	0-24 cps
Listed Units	6-30 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Commercial
Crime and Criminal Justice
Health and Science
International
Natural Resource Governance

Non Australian LLB or JD Graduates Program

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	48 cps
Core Units	24 cps
One Major	0-24 cps
Listed Units	0-24 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Commercial
Crime and Criminal Justice
Health and Science
International
Natural Resource Governance

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)

Australian LLB or JD Graduates Program

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	24 cps
Core Units	18 cps
One Major	0-24 cps
Listed Units	30-54 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Commercial
Crime and Criminal Justice
Health and Science
International
Natural Resource Governance

Non Australian LLB or JD Graduates Program

Course Structure	Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing	24 cps
Core Units	24 cps
One Major	0-24 cps
Listed Units	24-48 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Commercial
Crime and Criminal Justice
Health and Science
International
Natural Resource Governance

For candidates admitted under Rule (c)

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	24 cps
One Major	0-24 cps
Listed Units	0-72 cps
Total	96 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Commercial
Crime and Criminal Justice
Health and Science
International
Natural Resource Governance

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Laws.

Candidates who have specialised shall be awarded the Master of Laws (Commercial) or (Crime and Criminal Justice) or (Health Science) or (International) or (Natural Resource Governance).

Course Aims	The Master of Laws aims to enable students to use their undergraduate skills, as well as any practical or professional experience, to develop independent critical thinking and to reflect upon and further develop research analysis in legal environments. They can gain specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice, scholarship, research and/or further learning. These studies enable students to apply interdisciplinary and global approaches to the development of law.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate a well developed understanding of advanced skills in research analysis and the written or oral communication of complex ideas; demonstrate a sound knowledge in a range of theories that seek to explain how law is created and operates in society; demonstrate advanced knowledge of, and an ability to, apply methodological approaches to legal research in order to identify and analyse complex legal and policy problems. In doing so exhibit a highly developed understanding of the use of relevant technology; demonstrate developed concrete conceptual, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; and demonstrate a well-formed and tested ability to design and construct a logically compelling legal thesis dealing with issues of significance in contemporary society.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline Students are presented with appropriate scholastic, teaching and assessment experiences to enable them to develop and demonstrate that they have a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the legal skills needed to conduct research into contemporary issues. Students are also challenged to take an interdisciplinary and theoretical approach to research in order that they have a more holistic understanding of law and its relationship with society. The dominant focus of this Masters is the Australian legal system. However, students are encouraged to take a global and international perspective in evaluating the law. To this end students are required to read academic literature and scholastic articles dealing with other jurisdictions and are challenged to engage in a comparative analysis. Consequently they can critically evaluate the effectiveness of Australian law in the global context. Communication Skills The learning environment has been designed to facilitate student interaction and collaboration with their peers and for them to practise the skills of communicating effectively and confidently both orally and in writing, either physically or with the application of relevant technologies. Problem Solving Individual units will present students with problem-based learning and case studies so that they can learn and practice solutions. Identification, conceptualisation and solution modelling is required, both in teams or individually, and also forms part of their assessment. Information Literacy Throughout their studies, students are taught advanced legal research methods. This provides them with the means to construct arguments, to present new considerations, and the ability to verify or refute the academic literature on a particular topic. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility In law, students are constantly reminded that their actions, and reporting of research findings, have consequences. It is important that they conduct their research ethically, and report their findings responsibly. Lifelong Learning The skills aquired and developed throughout the course will prepare the students with self-motivated learning techniques for their future challenges. Independence and Collaboration Academia is, on the whole, a collegial vocation, which is reflected in this course. Students are required to work independently and to participate in small groups. They will be discussing the work of others and may be asked to generate a single submission, lead a team, and interact with other students from various disciplines as appropriate. Participatory exercises are assessed in some units.