C04143v9 Master of Laws

Award(s): Master of Laws (LLM)
CRICOS code: 001125A (Autumn Spring); 113536F (Summer)
Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 48
Course EFTSL: 1
Location: City campus

Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Levels of award
Articulation with UTS courses
Other information

Overview

This course gives students the opportunity to build specialist legal skills in their area of professional practice, as well as theoretical and practical research capabilities as they relate to the study of the law.

The degree is highly customisable – students pursue 48 credit points of study incorporating two research based subjects (12 credit points) and 36 credit points of electives based on their personal or professional interests, choosing from a wide range of law electives (such as finance, patent, insurance, human rights, copyright, family, international and common law) and majors (corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, law and technology, and intellectual property).

Course content is delivered by a mix of practising law professionals, full-time academic staff and international visiting academics, giving students access to a wide range of expertise and perspectives on the study and practice of law. Cross-institutional study in Australia and overseas is encouraged as part of this degree.

Career options

Specialisation and development of expertise leads to careers in a range of sought-after specialist vocations in the practice of law.

Course intended learning outcomes

1.1	Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge relating to the Australian legal system and laws and contemporary legal developments.
2.1	Apply advanced legal research skills and a high level of professional ethics, responsibility, integrity and accountability to reflect upon and respond to ethical challenges in legal research.
3.1	Critically evaluate and synthesise legal theories and concepts, employing both cognitive and creative skills to formulate complex legal arguments and propositions.
6.1	Generate solutions to complex legal issues and communicate accurately and persuasively in multidisciplinary contexts with a variety of audiences and in a range of specialised and technical formats.
7.1	Critically reflect on ethical Indigenous research practice to inform professional capability to work for and with Indigenous peoples across the legal and community sector.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have one of the following:

Completed Australian Doctoral degree in Law, or overseas equivalent

Completed Australian Master of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or Australian Bachelor of Laws with a minimum GPA of 5/7

Completed Australian Master of Laws, Australian Juris Doctor, or Australian Bachelor of Laws with a minimum GPA of 4/7 AND A minimum of 1 year full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant legal experience

Completed NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) Diploma in Law AND Completed Australian graduate certificate in law

Completed NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) Diploma in Law AND A minimum of 1 year full-time, or equivalent part-time, relevant legal experience

Completed a legal qualification supported by evidence the qualification enables admission to practise as a legal practitioner in Australia

Completed overseas legal qualification supported by evidence the qualification enables admission to practise as a legal practitioner in an overseas jurisdiction (excluding a Shari’a law degree) AND Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C11265 Graduate Certificate in Laws.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For applicants who need to demonstrate work experience or capacity to pursue this course:

Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
Personal statement outlining relevant professional experience and reasons to pursue this course
Relevant work-related references

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Recognition of prior learning

A student in the Master of Laws will receive no more than one quarter of the credit-point value of the Master of Laws (12 credit points) on the basis of a completed award (except in circumstances outlined in the Credit point limits section).

Solicitors with current 'specialist accreditation' from the Law Society of NSW may be granted six credit points of unspecified electives. Unspecified credit points cannot count towards the requirements of a major in the Master of Laws. Students with specialist accreditation who are seeking credit for major subjects should be referred to the faculty for consideration.

Students who successfully complete Master of International Commercial and Business Law (C04432) or the Master of International Commercial and Business Law Master of Business Administration (C04433) may apply for 24cp of elective credit to be applied to the Juris Doctor (C04236), the Master of Legal Studies (C04264), or Master of Laws (C04143).

More detailed information (including application, credit point limits, time limits, appeal of decision, record of precedent) about Recognition of prior learning in the Master of Laws can be found in postgraduate course information.

Course duration and attendance

The course can be completed in a minimum of one year of full-time or two years of part-time study. Subjects may also be available in Summer session, allowing accelerated progression.

Course structure

Students in this course undertake eight 6-credit-point postgraduate subjects (totalling 48 credit points).

Students undertake two 6-credit-point research based subjects. Students may choose to undertake one or two majors by completing at least three subjects (18 credit points) within the area of the major. Students may also choose not to major in a particular area and instead choose six subjects (36 credit points) from across the major areas.

Course completion requirements

STM91940 Core Subjects		12cp
CBK92368 Options		36cp
Total		48cp

Course program

Most subjects are timetabled over a two-year period and consequently not all subjects listed are offered in any one year. The UTS Timetable Planner enables current and future UTS students to view subject timetables.

Levels of award

To qualify for distinction in the Master of Laws, candidates must attain a weighted average mark of 75.00 per cent across all subjects attempted (note that in calculating the eligibility for a distinction mark, rounding occurs to two decimal places).

Articulation with UTS courses

Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Certificate in Laws (C11265) are recognised within the Master of Laws. Students enrolled in the graduate certificate may apply to internally transfer to the master's program following successful completion of four core subjects. Candidates are not awarded the graduate certificate but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.

Other information

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