The future of the legal job market
Professor Tania Sourdin addresses misconceptions about job outcomes for students and the impact the changing nature of technology has on the legal industry.
I am a prospective
student, looking to study at
Newcastle City
Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent up to 4 years maximum.1 year full-time.
Mode of deliveryFace to Face
Start datesSemester 1 (26 Feb 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul 2024), Winter (17 Jun 2024),
Semester 1 (26 Feb 2024), Semester 2 (22 Jul 2024), Winter (17 Jun 2024),
FeesFind information about indicative course and program fees.AUD 37,020 (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
Program Code12333
Study Law
The Master of Laws program (LLM) is designed to expand your knowledge and deepen your understanding of a specialist area of law. All courses offered within the LLM program are developed for advanced study, contain a significant research component and focus on critical thinking and critical analysis of complex legal issues.
Why study with us?
- Be taught by experts in the field - learn from leading academics in the fields of Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law, Employment and Labour Relations Law and International Law.
- Flexible study options - at the University of Newcastle, you can choose to study full-time or part-time to suit your professional and personal needs. Our advanced online learning system gives you the flexibility and support to study anytime.
- Choose what you learn - study eight individual courses or choose a specialty, focusing on developing skills and knowledge that will provide the best outcomes according to your particular needs.
- Study at NUspace - NUspace, located in Newcastle’s CBD, provides the optimum environment for you to excel in your studies.
- Study overseas - broaden your cross-cultural legal knowledge through international study experiences and international legal externships.
Top 200
?
in the world for Law
Top 175
?
university in the world
$1528 median weekly income
?
for Solicitors before tax
What you will study
Students are required to complete 80 units of coursework as prescribed by their relevant admission pathway:
Law Pathway
Students admitted via the Law Pathway can either:
- Choose 80 units from the Group A Directed course list; OR
- Complete 40 units from their chosen specialisation plus an additional 40 units chosen from either the specialisation or from the Group A Directed courses.
Specialisations available to students admitted via the Law Pathway are:
- Criminology
- Environmental Law
- Employment and Labour Relations Law
- Dispute Resolution
- International Law
- Law in Practice. This specialisation is only available to students who completed their Law degree outside of Australia.
Non-Law Pathway
Students admitted via the Non-Law Pathway must:
- Complete 10 unit Group B Compulsory Course; AND
- Choose 70 units from the Group B Directed course list.
Specialisations will soon be available to students admitted via the Non-Law Pathway.
Students who have obtained their undergraduate law degree outside Australia must choose LAWS6047 Legal System of Australia as one of their directed courses. Students who have completed their overseas degree in a sufficiently comparable common law system or have completed a substantial number of common law courses as part of their overseas degree may apply for a waiver of this requirement, which will be decided on a caseby- case basis by the Program Convenor.
Additional study information
Various forms of dispute resolution are used to assist people to resolve differences, make decisions and settle disputes. The directed courses in the Dispute Resolution stream offer students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills which can be used in a range of conflict settings.
Study with the most distinguished and experienced Dispute Resolution academics in Australia.
Law in Practice is tailored to practitioners who have completed their law degree in a common law country other than Australia. Once they have had their qualifications assessed by the New South Wales’ Legal Profession Admission Board (LBAP) or equivalent body in another Australian state, students will be able to complete many of the courses required by the LBAP while also obtaining their LLM.
Practitioners who undertake a course in the LLM program that is relevant to their professional development and practice may be eligible to earn Continuing Professional Development Points (CPD) through their study.
Undertaking your CPD through the LLM program gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills as a legal practitioner and improve the level of legal counsel you provide to your clients. It can also help you maintain a competitive edge in your area of practice and may assist those looking to move to a different area of practice.
Practitioners are advised to check with the CPD governing body in their jurisdiction for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Career
Career opportunities
Upon completion of the LLM you will be able to use your specialised knowledge to advance your career and work in various areas including;
- Legal practice and/or advice
- In-house Counsel
- Public policy
- Government sector
- Non-government sector
- Private sector, e.g. finance and business
Practical Experience
International Study Experience or Legal Externship
The LLM program is underpinned by a professional and interactive approach integrating placements, formal workplace training, legal research projects and fieldwork.
Eligible students will have the opportunity to broaden their cross-cultural legal knowledge through participation in organised out-of-country activity, including international study experiences and international legal externships.
For further information regarding the Newcastle International Study Experience and the Newcastle International Clinical Legal Externship please contact the Program Convenor.
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Application info
Applying for Master of Laws (LLM)
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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.
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 into the Master of Laws (LLM) will be available to applicants via the following admission pathways:
Law PathwayTo be eligible for admission to the LLM via the Law Pathway applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree;
- Graduate Certificate in Law or Legal Practice following the completion of a 3 year Bachelor of Laws degree;
- Graduate Diploma in Law or Legal Practice following the completion of a 3 year Bachelor of Laws degree;
- Combined Law degree with a duration of 5 years where 3 years of study was undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws degree with a duration of 4 years where 3 years of study was undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws graduate entry with a duration of 3 years undertaken primarily in law;
- Bachelor of Laws with a duration 3 years undertaken primarily in law and have completed a minimum of two years relevant work experience in a legal environment. Applications will be assessed by the Program Convenor through the consideration of a statement outlining the relevant work experience. Transcripts and detailed CVs must be provided to the University;
- An equivalent Bachelor degree or Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum 3 years of study undertaken primarily in Law. Applications will be assessed by the Program Convenor to determine eligibility; or
- Completed study to the satisfaction of an “admission of Law Body” (similar to LPAB*) that has qualified the student for admission to practice law in a common law jurisdiction.
*Legal Profession Admission Board
Non-Law PathwayTo be eligible for admission to the LLM via the Non-Law Pathway applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:
- A Bachelor Honours Degree or postgraduate qualification in a discipline other than Law or Legal Practice, and at least one year relevant work experience* (or at least two years' full-time legal study completed as part of a Law degree at a Bachelor level or above); or
- A Bachelor Degree and at least two years' relevant work experience* (or at least two years' full time legal study completed as part of a Law degree at a Bachelor level or above).
*Relevant areas of work experience include law, education, social science, psychology, science, engineering and surveying, architecture, medicine, legal studies, business, commerce, human resources and management, industrial relations, management, marketing, environmental science, environmental resource management, environmental planning, human and physical geography, accounting, economics, or finance.
You can look at Uni prep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.
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