89.9% employed within four months of graduating.
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-2022 - Postgraduate Law and Paralegal)
Degree overview
Make your move into Law
The Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate-entry program for non-law graduates and for graduates who have completed a law degree overseas. You’ll study at Australia’s top clinical law school and gain in-demand professional skills that can be applied across many professions.
We offer competitive tuition fees, and modern learning spaces. Located in Newcastle’s thriving CBD, NUspace is close to Newcastle’s court precinct, making it easy to network with local practitioners and attend court.
This program is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board as satisfying the academic training requirements to become a lawyer in Australia. Upon completion of this program, you can qualify to become a lawyer with the addition of accredited Practical Legal Training.* If you would like to complete accredited Practical Legal Training while you complete your JD, you may be interested in our integrated Juris Doctor/ Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
This degree is not only recognised in Australia. With further study it can help qualify you to practise law in a number of other common law countries, including Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
*To be admitted to the legal profession you also need to be “of good fame and character” and a “fit and proper person”.
World top 200
?
for Law
$1,528 median weekly income
?
for Solicitors before tax
Top 200
?
university in the world
Career opportunities
Possible career paths may include:
- In-House Legal Counsel
- Criminal Prosecutor
- Community Legal Centre Lawyer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Barrister
- Policy Analyst.
Graduates of this program who wish to apply for admission to practice in Australia must also complete an accredited Practical Legal Training program. This involves further study and supervised experience. You have the option to move into our Juris Doctor/ Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice which offers integrated practical training.
What you will study
In addition to the compulsory courses required by the Legal Profession Admission Board, you can choose directed courses from a range of areas including:
- Family Law
- Health Law
- Indigenous Peoples, Issues and the Law
- International Human Rights, and many others.
All courses are taught by our highly qualified staff, many of whom have been recognised through national teaching awards.
You may also have the opportunity to travel overseas to participate in an international clinical legal externship.
How to apply
How to apply
Apply as a domestic student
Before you get started
To ensure a smooth application process, please complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the Program Handbook.
- Review the Admission Requirements.
- Review the Program fees and costs.
- Decide on your preferred commencement date.
Note: Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University of Newcastle’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
You are a domestic student if you are:
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen (including dual citizens)
- A permanent resident of Australia
- A holder of a permanent Australian visa.
Entry to the Juris Doctor is available to students who have one of the following qualifications, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or above:
- a Bachelor Degree
- a Bachelor Honours Degree
- a Master's Degree
Students with a Bachelor of Laws degree from an Australian University cannot be admitted.
Applicants with one of the above qualifications with a GPA of 3.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students with an overseas law degree qualification can apply for up to 80 units of specified or unspecified credit through recognition of prior learning.
Where a student seeks specified credit for one or more of the eleven courses normally required for admission to practice law in Australia (known as the Priestley 11), then this will be considered where applicants have satisfied the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (or the equivalent body in another Australian state) that courses completed at the relevant overseas institution are substantially equivalent to the courses for which they are seeking specified credit.
Apply as an international student
Before you get started
To ensure a smooth application process, please complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the Program Handbook.
- Review the Admission Requirements.
- Review the Program fees and costs.
- Decide on your preferred commencement date.
Note: Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University of Newcastle’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
English proficiency requirements
Applicants who do not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University's English proficiency requirement. Further information regarding English language proficiency requirements can be found at the English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy.
- IELTS overall minimum - 7.0
- IELTS section minimum - 6.5
- About English Language Pathways
Apply to the University via our online application portal.
In the application portal, you can enter the program you wish to study and upload relevant documents needed as part of your application. It is recommended you submit your application a minimum of 12 weeks before your intended semester of trimester start date.
If you are applying through an education agent, they can also apply through the application portal. Ensure your agent is contracted to the University to avoid delays with your application.
Once you have started your application you will be provided with a reference number. You or your education agent will be able to track your application as it progresses.
Entry to the Juris Doctor is available to students who have one of the following qualifications with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or above:
- a Bachelor Degree
- a Bachelor Honours Degree
- a Master's Degree
Students who have gained one of the above qualifications from a University outside of Australia in the discipline of law with a GPA of 4.0 or above can be admitted.
Scholarships
Scholarships
If you are a current student, or planning to study with us, we encourage you to apply for all scholarships you meet the criteria for.
Scholarships are available for current, future and international students, Asylum seekers, Graduate research, abroad and exchange study and opportunities with external providers.
Featured scholarships
Shaping Futures Scholarships
The Shaping Futures Scholarship Program was established in 2011 with the aim of helping those students who are most in need. Shaping Futures Scholarships will be awarded to students who are managing their academic progress alongside complex personal circumstances such as: Carer responsibilities Fina...
$5,000 AUD
Applications close 05 Mar 2025
Shaping Futures Postgraduate Scholarship
From 2021, the Shaping Futures Postgraduate Scholarship will support postgraduate coursework students, alongside our undergraduate students supported by the Shaping Futures Scholarship, to overcome adversity and educational disadvantage. These scholarships support students who are academically capab...
$5,000 AUD
Applications close 05 Mar 2025
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1 Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Learn more.
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Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. However, changes to courses and programs may occur. The University accepts no responsibility for any information supplied on this web site or any actions taken on the basis of the information. Users are advised to seek confirmation of the information from the relevant area of the University.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.