C04236v3 Juris Doctor
Award(s): Juris Doctor (JD)CRICOS code: 060932C
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus
Notes
Commonwealth Supported Places
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available in this course, which are competitive and awarded based on merit. To be considered for a CSP, applicants must:
- Indicate their interest in a CSP on their application.
- Have attained a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 out of 7 in their previous studies (note that applicants with a GPA between 5.0 and 5.49 may be assessed for a CSP place depending on availability).
- Apply on time in line with CSP deadlines (it is recommended applicants apply early as applications are assessed progressively)
Eligible applicants must accept their offer by the lapse date to retain their place. For application deadlines and information, please refer to Postgraduate courses with Commonwealth Supported Places.
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 diagram
Course program
Levels of award
Articulation with UTS courses
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The UTS Juris Doctor is an internationally recognised graduate-entry qualification for non-law graduates. As an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 9 master's qualification, this course meets the academic requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW for graduates who have successfully completed a first degree.
As the foremost provider of JD education in Sydney, UTS delivers industry informed, academically rigorous and highly practical courses, equipping students with extensive knowledge in the theory and practice of the law. Flexible timetabling provides options for day and evening classes (core subjects), block study (selected subjects) and online learning (electives), as well as selected recorded lectures and podcasts.
Mentoring programs and co-curricular programs and services are also available to help keep students on track and to build students' career options. Practical Legal Training (PLT) – the practical requirement for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW – can also be completed at UTS. For students seeking a career path beyond the law, the JD can be an entry point into a range of other roles where legal expertise is of value.
Career options
Career options include, but are not limited to, lawyer within a private firm, government department or community law centre, regulatory affairs and policy adviser in the public or private sector or legal specialisation related to students' previous degree or enhanced career options within an existing professional sphere.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | An advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge including: a. The Australian colonial and post-colonial legal system, international and comparative contexts, theoretical and technical knowledge; b. The broader contexts within which legal issues arise and the law operates including cultural awareness, social justice and policy; c. The principles and values of justice and ethical practices in lawyers' roles; d. The impact of Anglo-Australian laws on Indigenous peoples, including their historical origins in the process of colonisation and ongoing impact; and e. Contemporary developments in law and its professional practice. |
| 2.1 | An advanced and integrated capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, cultural respect, accountability,
public service and ethical standards including: a. An understanding of approaches to ethical decision making; b. An understanding of the rules of professional responsibility; c. An ability to reflect upon and respond to ethical challenges in practice; d. A developing ability to engage in the profession of law and to exercise professional judgment; and e. An ability to reflect on and engage constructively with diversity in practice. |
| 3.1 | A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including an ability to: a. Identify and articulate complex legal issues in context, including the skill of critical reading and writing; b. Apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate theoretical and practical responses; and c. Demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching complex legal issues and generating appropriate responses. |
| 4.1 | Specialist cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues including an ability to: a. Demonstrate intellectual and practical skills necessary to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions; and b. Apply ethical research practices. |
| 5.1 | Well-developed professional and appropriate communication skills including: a. Highly effective use of the English language to convey legal ideas and views to different and diverse audiences and environments; b. An ability to inform, analyse, report and persuade; c. An ability to strategically select an appropriate medium and message; d. A cognisance of advanced communication technologies and willingness to adopt where appropriate; and e. An ability to respond respectfully. |
| 6.1 | Advanced and integrated collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace including: a. An ability to give and receive feedback; b. Appropriate professional and interpersonal skills in working collaboratively; and c. A capacity to develop strategies to successfully negotiate group challenges. |
| 7.1 | Juris Doctor graduates will: Critically reflect on the intersection between Indigenous perspectives, legal processes and professional practice to build capability to work for and with Indigenous Australians in a professional context. |
| 8.1 | A high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism and the ability to implement appropriate self-management and life-long learning strategies including: a. An ability to initiate self-directed work and learning; b. Well-developed judgment and responsibility; c. The ability to support personal and professional development by:
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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 doctorate, or overseas equivalent
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.5/7
OR
- Completed Australian graduate certificate or Australian graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 5/7
OR
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.1/7 AND Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience
The qualification must be in a field of study other than law or, if the qualification is in a legal field of study, it shall not be an academic qualification for legal practice.
Applicants who have completed the UTS Master of Intellectual Property are not eligible for admission in this course.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C04264 Master of Legal Studies or C11264 Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies.
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate 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
For Applicants seeking credit recognition for core law subjects in overseas legal qualification
- Written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating which subjects need to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a Legal Practitioner
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
Students who successfully complete the Juris Doctor at UTS and have completed Master of Laws (C04143) equivalent subjects within the Juris Doctor, may apply for these subjects to be credited towards the Master of Laws (C04143).
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).
General and course-specific recognition of prior learning information regarding the Juris Doctor is available at postgraduate course information.
Course duration and attendance
The standard course can be completed in three years of full-time or five-and-a-half years of part-time study. There are two intakes a year (in Autumn and Spring).
Note: The academic qualifications required to practice law include successfully completing a tertiary academic course in Australia with a duration of at least three years' full-time study of law.
Course structure
The course comprises a total of 144 credit points. The study components for course completion are as follows:
- 108 credit points of compulsory core law subjects (15 subjects)
- 30 credit points of law options (five subjects), and
- a 6-credit-point legal theory option (one subject).
Industrial training/professional practice
To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal qualification and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
Course completion requirements
| STM90831 Core subjects (JD) | 108cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
| CBK90921 Options (Legal Theory PG) | 6cp | |
| Total | 144cp |
Course diagram
Course program
Students in the standard full-time program enrol in 24 to 26 credit points in Autumn and Spring sessions. Optional subjects are regularly timetabled but not all options are offered in any one session. Students may choose to study one of the 30-credit-point option subjects instead of the 6-credit-point legal theory subject in the recommended sequence, provided that they complete the legal theory subject in a later session. The UTS Timetable Planner enables current and future UTS students to view subject timetables.
The standard full-time and part-time programs are shown below.
| full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70102 Foundations of Law | 8cp | |
| 70103 Ethics Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70211 Contracts | 8cp | |
| 70311 Torts | 8cp | |
| 70616 Australian Constitutional Law | 8cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law | 6cp | |
| 70104 Civil Practice | 6cp | |
| 70617 Administrative Law | 8cp | |
| 70109 Evidence | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70317 Real Property | 8cp | |
| 70517 Equity and Trusts | 8cp | |
| 70106 Principles of Public International Law | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 71116 Remedies | 6cp | |
| 70107 Principles of Company Law | 8cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| 78210 Law and Literature | 6cp | |
| 78235 Justice | 6cp | |
| 78236 Environmental Ethics | 6cp | |
| 78238 History and Theory of Intellectual Property | 6cp | |
| 78239 Feminist Perspectives on Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| 78241 Reading the Law: Language, Power and Ideology | 6cp | |
| 78218 Animal Law and Policy in Australia | 6cp | |
| 78126 Corporate Governance | 6cp | |
| 78270 Crime, Victims and Criminal Justice | 6cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select 24 credit points from the following: | 24cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
| part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70102 Foundations of Law | 8cp | |
| 70103 Ethics Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure | 8cp | |
| 70211 Contracts | 8cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70311 Torts | 8cp | |
| 70616 Australian Constitutional Law | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70104 Civil Practice | 6cp | |
| 70109 Evidence | 6cp | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law | 6cp | |
| 70617 Administrative Law | 8cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70317 Real Property | 8cp | |
| 70517 Equity and Trusts | 8cp | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 71116 Remedies | 6cp | |
| 70106 Principles of Public International Law | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 70107 Principles of Company Law | 8cp | |
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| 78210 Law and Literature | 6cp | |
| 78235 Justice | 6cp | |
| 78236 Environmental Ethics | 6cp | |
| 78238 History and Theory of Intellectual Property | 6cp | |
| 78239 Feminist Perspectives on Law and Justice | 6cp | |
| 78241 Reading the Law: Language, Power and Ideology | 6cp | |
| 78218 Animal Law and Policy in Australia | 6cp | |
| 78126 Corporate Governance | 6cp | |
| 78270 Crime, Victims and Criminal Justice | 6cp | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 12 credit points from the following: | 12cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select 12 credit points from the following: | 12cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
| Year 6 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select 6 credit points from the following: | 6cp | |
| CBK90920 Options (JD) | 30cp | |
Levels of award
The Juris Doctor may be awarded with distinction. An additional year of study is not required. To qualify for distinction, a student must complete 77740 Research Paper within CBK90920 Options (JD). The rules governing the Juris Doctor with distinction can be found in postgraduate course information. See coursework research on the UTS: Law website for information on how to apply to enrol.
Articulation with UTS courses
Subjects undertaken within the Juris Doctor are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies (C04264) and the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies (C07122). Students enrolled in the Juris Doctor may apply to internally transfer to the master's or graduate diploma. Candidates are not awarded the Juris Doctor but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's or graduate diploma.
Professional recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW, provided students undertake a PLT program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice (C11232).
Other information
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