The UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) is a flexible, world-class postgraduate program that offers graduates the opportunity to develop an advanced and contemporary understanding of one or more areas of legal study, to ultimately acquire further expertise and enhance career prospects.
The UNSW LLM is open to law and non-law graduates. Students applying to the program with a non-law degree, or with a law degree from a non-common law country, will need to incorporate compulsory core courses into their program.
A key feature of the UNSW study experience is the opportunity to engage, network and learn from fellow students and teachers – a more diverse student cohort benefits our students with interdisciplinary perspectives in their fields.
At UNSW Law, we continuously review our program offerings to ensure our curriculum offers students the latest in innovative legal education, tailored to the evolving needs of the industry.
Our students engage in flexible study, while still accessing the highest level of teaching quality among Australia’s research-intensive law schools within the Group of Eight (Go8) universities.
The UNSW LLM is supported by a teaching faculty which ranks among the finest in the world, with a vibrant mix of leading international academic experts teaching alongside distinguished members of the profession. UNSW Sydney is a leading research-intensive university, and the Law School’s outstanding research informs, inspires and enlivens our teaching.
For more details on entry requirements, visit the Master of Laws degree page.
Specialisations
Students can choose from eight areas of specialisation that reflect UNSW Law’s expertise and the latest developments in legal scholarship. Alternatively, students can complete a generalist program and choose courses from any of our specialisations. Please note that not every course available in the LLM is offered each year.
To be awarded an LLM with a specialisation, students must successfully complete at least four courses in their chosen field. By incorporating a specialisation into the LLM, students can pursue an area of law that complements their existing profession or provides entry into a new field.
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Alison Battisson, a lawyer, kickboxer, and taking on powerful figures as her charity law firm, Human Rights 4 All sets out to achieve the firm’s namesake. Interviewed by Sarah MacDonald, renowned Australian journalist, author, and radio presenter.
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Admission to the UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) is based on academic merit and in some cases relevant professional experience. All applicants must meet the University's English Language Requirements.
For more information on the various entry requirements for the UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) please see the table listed under entry requirements below.
Australian citizens and permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens
Applications for Master of Laws (LLM) at UNSW should apply through UNSW Apply Online.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications made via Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Postgraduate prior to the 1 May 2019 will still be considered.
International students
To apply, go to UNSW Apply Online.
In order to allow sufficient time to process your application for admission and subsequently your student visa, it is desirable that you make your application for admission at least four months prior to the commencement of the semester in which you wish to enrol. You should also consult the UNSW International Student Website for important information for international students.
Entry requirements
The UNSW Master of Laws (LLM) is open to applicants with or without a law degree.
Students applying to the program with a non-law degree, or with a law degree from a non-common law country, will need to incorporate compulsory core courses into their program. All applicants must meet UNSW Law’s English language requirements.
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Minimum Entry Requirements |
Degree Structure |
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LLB or JD from a common law country with a credit average. Applicants without a credit average will be considered if they can demonstrate a minimum of two years relevant professional experience* |
8 elective courses (48 UOC) |
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LLB or JD from a non-common law country with a credit average. Applicants without a credit average will be considered if they can demonstrate a minimum of two years relevant professional experience* |
8 courses (48 UOC), including one compulsory course: Global Common Law Systems |
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Degree in a related non-law discipline (e.g. Social Sciences or Humanities) with a credit average. Applicants without a credit average will be considered if they can demonstrate a minimum of two years relevant professional experience* |
8 courses (48 UOC) including two compulsory courses: Legal Concepts, Research & Writing and Global Common Law Systems |
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Degree in an unrelated non-law program (e.g. Science or Engineering) with a credit average and two years relevant professional experience* |
8 courses (48 UOC) including two compulsory courses: Legal Concepts, Research & Writing and Global Common Law Systems |
*Includes professional experience with legal and/or policy issues. For example, you may have engaged with the law via policy-making, handling contracts or engaging with the justice system as a social worker or criminologist.
I chose UNSW Law School as I wanted an interactive experience in which I would be engaged and pushed - both by lecturers and my peers. I previously worked as a corporate lawyer for approximately 7 years in top-tier firms in Australia and overseas – and I wanted a similar high calibre experience. When I decided on a career change into international human rights law, I wanted a school that would provide me with a solid basis in IHR – and provide an opportunity to look at issues in interesting and new ways.
UNSW has certainly delivered! In particular, I attended a two-week transitional justice program in Chile, which was simply mind-expanding.
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