Campuses and locations
The University of Newcastle is a multi-campus institution offering programs in a number of locations.
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle City
Duration3 years full-time.3 years full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesTrimester 1 (29 Jan 2024), Winter (17 Jun 2024),
Trimester 1 (29 Jan 2024), Winter (17 Jun 2024),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 36,290 (indicative annual fee, 2024)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units). Find out more about fees
English proficiencyIELTS overall minimum - 6.5, IELTS section minimum - 6.0 Find out more about IELTS.
Program Code50016
Study a Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor (JD) allows you to develop high level academic skills. Designed for university graduates, the new JD-standalone program will provide you with professional skills and attributes that are in high demand in both the legal profession as well as other industries.
Gain in-depth knowledge and experience across a broad range of legal subjects including core courses and directed units. As Australia’s leading clinical Law School, you will join an interactive learning community with access to highly qualified academic staff dedicated to your success.
Why study with us?
- Study at Australia’s premier clinical law school – you will not just learn how the law works in theory; you will get extensive supervised experience helping real people with real legal issues.
- Study at NUspace – our contemporary learning space is located in Newcastle’s CBD. This means it is not only close to Newcastle’s spectacular beaches and fashionable cafés, bars and restaurants, it is also close to Newcastle’s court precinct, making it easy to network with local practitioners and attend court.
- Highly competitive tuition fees – students at many other Australian law schools commonly pay tens of thousands of dollars more to complete a JD compared to what you will pay at the University of Newcastle. Accommodation in Newcastle is also significantly more affordable than in nearby Sydney.
- Build your networks – the Law Students' Association (UNLSA) is at the heart of the student community and allows you to form relationships to help you at university and beyond.
- Be in demand - 20400 new Solicitors needed by 2026 (Labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
Top 200
?
in the world for Law
$1528 median weekly income
?
for Solicitors before tax
21% Projected employment growth by 2026*
?
for Solicitors
What you will study
The JD program requires the completion of 240 units of study over three years. During this time, students will study 160 units of core subjects as prescribed by the Legal Professional Admission Board. Students will also be required to take 80 units of courses from our expansive list of directed courses. This allows students to tailor their learning experience based on their own interests and career goals.
- Legal System and Method I
- Legal System and Method II
- Property
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Civil Dispute Resolution
- Evidence
- Company Law
- Professional Conduct
- Equity and Trusts
- Public International Law
- Torts I
- Torts II
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Contracts I
- Contracts II
Career
Career opportunities
Graduating with the Juris Doctor (JD) gives you the work-ready skills and extensive knowledge to become a leader in Australian and global legal industries.
Graduates are also able to use the highly transferable skills gained in their studies to work outside the field of Law. For those students who are interested in applying for admission, further study and/or work experience is required.
Career opportunities include:
- Contracts Administrator
- Court Officer
- International Aid/Development Worker
- Policy Officer/Analyst
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Witness Assistance Officer
In addition to completing the Juris Doctor program, students who wish to apply for admission to practice in Australia will be required to complete a further program of Practical Legal Training including further study and supervised experience.
Professional recognition
Accreditation of this program by the NSW Legal Practitioners Admission Board for admission to legal practice is currently under consideration.
Study with us
Hear from our students
Listen to our students talk about their degree and life at the University of Newcastle.
Application info
Applying for Juris Doctor
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle City
Ok, great, let's go!
Applications to study are now open. Submit your application now..
Apply to study in Australia
Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.
Alternatively you may complete a paper-based application.
Before you get started
To ensure that the process goes smoothly for you, you should complete the following steps before applying:
- Review the program that you wish to apply for. Note the admission criteria, admission instructions, requirements & structure and any additional information listed.
- Review the program fees and costs.
- Check whether your postgraduate program has a Semester or a Trimester closing date. Please view the application closing date.
- If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you need to satisfy the University's English language requirements and ensure that you can provide evidence of your English proficiency if required.
You will be considered for entry based on criteria such as your undergraduate studies and/or equivalent prior learning and/or relevant work experience.
Other things to consider
Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:
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.
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.
You can look at Uni prep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
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.