Law – Postgraduate courses

Master of Laws (by thesis)


UTS course code: C03024 Testamur title: Master of Laws Abbreviation: LLM Course fee: see note (local); $8,000 per semester (international) Note: Higher degree research courses are offered under a variety of fee structures. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty or the University Graduate School for further details. Overview Admission requirements Attendance Course duration Course structure Articulation and progression Rules and regulations Overview A candidate for the Master of Laws (by thesis) (LLM) is required to submit a thesis representing an original investigation, criticism or review of a field of legal research, of a standard suitable for publication. For details regarding the Faculty's key research areas and strengths, application procedures, fees and scholarships, infrastructure support for research students and developing a research proposal, see Research degrees – General information. Admission requirements For admission to the LLM (by thesis), applicants require a Bachelor of Laws degree. Details of eligibility for admission are set out in the UTS Rules for Master's Students published in the UTS: Calendar and online at: www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/rules/3.4.html Eligibility for admission is not a guarantee that an application will be accepted. Support for the project, availability of supervision, availability of places, and the applicant's overall abilities and experience are all taken into account. All postgraduate research students are expected to be proficient in English comprehension and expression. Applicants, whose education was in a language other than English will be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency. Attendance Candidature may be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. LLM (by thesis) candidates are not required to attend classes. The work may be carried out either on University premises, at a site external to the University, or some combination of both. Candidates are required to make contact with theirsupervisor(s) at least once a month to discussthe research being undertaken. Candidates must comply with the University Graduate School Board's Code of Practice for Supervisors and Thesis Candidates available from the University Graduate School or online at: www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/policies/index Course duration The course can be completed in: a minimum of two semesters (one year) for a full-time student, or three semesters (one-an-a-half years) for a part-time student. Course structure Students are required to submit a thesis of approximately 40,000–60,000 words in length. Once final approval is obtained for a research proposal the topic cannot be changed except with the approval of the University. Progress reports Both the candidate and the candidate's principal supervisor are required to submit progress reports at the end of each semester. The candidate's supervisor and the Faculty are asked to indicate whether progress has been satisfactory. Note that the progress reports are considered at the time of the Thesis Assessment. Further details are available online at: www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/current/candidature Thesis Assessment Within the first year of candidacy for full-time students, or the first two years of candidacy for part-time students, candidates have to complete a formalised Thesis Assessment. The objectives of the Assessment are to ensure that: the candidate has gained the prerequisite knowledge and skills to allow successful and timely completion of the proposed research program; and the candidate's progress is consistent with completion of the research program in the prescribed time and demonstrates potential to complete the work to standard. A student who does not satisfy the requirements for the Assessment will not be permitted to proceed with his or her candidature unless, with the approval of the Academic Board, they are invited to reattempt the Assessment. Further information about the Assessment can be found online at: www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/current/candidature Submission of thesis Candidates must lodge a Notification of Intent to Submit a Thesis form with the University Graduate School at least two months before submitting their thesis for examination. Information about the requirements on the presentation and format of the thesis will be forwarded to candidates when this form is lodged. The form is available from the University Graduate School or online under 'Examination' at: www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/policies/index.html Examination of thesis The thesis is examined by three examiners, of which at least two are external to the University and who are experts in the area of research addressed in the thesis. Guidelines for presentation and submission of the thesis are available from the University Graduate School or online at: www.gradschool.uts.edu.au/current/candidature Articulation and progression Candidates in the LLM (by thesis) who wish to transfer into the PhD but do not meet the PhD admission requirements can apply to transfer. Transfer applicants must have completed a minimum of one year's study and have reached a standard equivalent to that of a Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or Second Class Honours (Division 1). Candidates applying to transfer must also demonstrate, with the support of their supervisor(s), that their topic has Doctoral scope. Final approval of the transfer resides with the University Graduate School. Rules and regulations Candidates are encouraged to read the Rules of the University, especially in relation to the course they are enrolled in. The Rules are published annually in the UTS: Calendar. The Calendar is available in the UTS Library and is also online at: www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/contents.html It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all course requirements are met. The Faculty's staff are available to answer any inquiries students may have regarding the Rules of the University.