Postgraduate coursework degrees

The Faculty of Law offers a range of postgraduate coursework degree programs to suit both law graduates and non-law graduates. The Faculty prides itself on its unique specialisations, greater flexibility and vocational relevance. General Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master's by coursework programs in Law and Legal Studies and specialised programs in Industrial Property, International Trade Law, Practical Legal Training, Taxation Law, Information Technology Law and Dispute Resolution are offered. The Faculty also offers Australia's first Master's-level professional legal qualification – the Master of Law and Legal Practice.

Courses

Coursework programs are normally structured as follows:

• Master's degrees – 48 credit points
• Graduate Diplomas – 36 credit points
• Graduate Certificates – 24 credit points.

Exceptions to this include: the Master of Law and Legal Practice (168 credit points); the Graduate Diploma in Law (96 credit points); the Graduate Diploma in Australian Law (48 credit points); the Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice (12 credit points).

Subjects

The Faculty timetables subjects over three teaching periods – Autumn semester, Spring semester and Summer session. The full range of core and optional subjects available can be found under each of the course entries.

Core law subjects

All core subjects are taught in Autumn and/or Spring semester. Core subjects in the Master of Law and Legal Practice and the Graduate Diploma in Law are offered in both semesters and are timetabled in the day and repeated in the evening.

Optional law subjects

A range of optional law subjects is taught over both Autumn and Spring semesters and in block intensive mode during Summer session. However, not all optional subjects are timetabled every semester and some optional subjects are offered on a two-yearly basis only. Timetabled optional subjects are offered subject to sufficient student interest.

Subject descriptions

Brief descriptions of the postgraduate law subjects available are given in this handbook in the Subject Descriptions section. Detailed subject outlines are available in the online handbook via the subject description.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning, previously known as advanced standing, may be granted within the Faculty's postgraduate law awards on the basis of equivalent postgraduate subjects, subject to University Rules. Faculty policy dictates that no student shall receive subject exemption or credit that totals more than half of a course.

As a general rule, exemptions are not given if the subject was studied more than six years ago. The period in the 'six-year rule' is calculated from the date on which the subject in which the exemption is sought was successfully completed, to when it is due to be undertaken in the Faculty of Law. However, the Faculty Board shall always retain a discretion to waive the strict application of the rule in cases where there is additional evidence of work or study experience. Indeed, in subjects where there have been significant recent changes in the law, an exemption may not be granted even though the subject was successfully completed less than six years ago.

Students seeking recognition of prior learning are required to submit a Recognition of Prior Learning Application form, which is available from http://www.sau.uts.edu.au/forms/index.html. It is recommended that all students seeking recognised prior learning should make an application prior to enrolment. The Faculty must be satisfied that the student has successfully completed a comparable subject elsewhere. To verify this, the student must produce a transcript of his or her academic record and a copy of the relevant institution's handbook containing a detailed description of the subject, together with the reading guide that was current at the time of study. The granting of exemptions will be at the discretion of the Director of the Postgraduate Program.

Inquiries can be directed to:

Postgraduate progression

In accordance with Rules 10.2.3 and 10.4.1, a Graduate Certificate, Diploma or Master's candidate shall be excluded if they fail to maintain a minimum rate of progress.

To maintain a minimum rate of progress, a student must not:

• fail any two subjects, or
• fail a subject twice.

Students may appeal against such exclusion under Rule 10.8.

Mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE)

Participation in postgraduate study may entitle legal practitioners to MCLE points. If this particular educational activity is relevant to students' immediate or long-term needs in relation to their professional development and practice of the law, they may claim one 'unit' per hour of attendance – refreshment breaks not included. For further details contact the Law Society of NSW.

Majors

The Faculty offers seven major areas of study within the Master of Laws, Master of and Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies, and the Master of Law and Legal Practice. Students in these courses elect to complete study within a major or alternatively attempt subjects across the major areas. Students must nominate a major for it to appear on their academic transcript. The major will not appear on the testamur:

• Commercial Law (MAJ09313)
• Dispute Resolution (MAJ09320)
• Family Law (MAJ09367)
• Information Technology Law (MAJ09323)
• Intellectual and Industrial Property Law (MAJ09363)
• International Law (MAJ09322)
• International Trade Law (MAJ09364)