Postgraduate course information

The UTS Faculty of Law's postgraduate program has grown dramatically, with around 1,000 postgraduate students enrolled in 2006, and we are constantly developing our suite of offerings to keep in line with the needs of the profession and our students.

Close interaction between the legal profession and the Faculty guarantees first-class education and a marketable postgraduate legal qualification. Classes are taught by a mix of practicing professionals and full-time academic staff, who ensure students gain specialised knowledge and training within their degrees.

Apart from the standard range of postgraduate courses, such as the Master of Laws (Research), the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), the Faculty offers specialised courses in the areas of Dispute Resolution, International Trade Law and Intellectual Property Law.

New challenges are facing the study and practice of law. The blurring of lines between business and law, and the impact of technology are increasing the interdisciplinary relevance and interest in law right across the marketplace. The challenge for the Faculty is to pursue our tradition of excellence to meet the expectations of our increasing numbers to provide the best environment for the finest intellectual pursuits and cultural enrichment.

Internal course transfer

Students may apply to articulate up or down between Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters, within the same area of studies. They should do so by applying for internal course transfer before the program they are currently enrolled in is completed. Appropriate successfully completed subjects will be credited when the transfer is approved.

Students are also permitted to apply for internal course transfer between postgraduate courses, however, only completed subjects relevant to the new course can be credited once the transfer is approved. Students are not permitted to apply for internal course transfer between undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

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 completed as part of a law degree offered by a Law school at a recognised tertiary institution, subject to University Rules. Furthermore, no student shall receive exemption for more than one-quarter of a course of three years' or less full-time duration on the basis of subjects undertaken towards completed postgraduate studies.

As a general rule exemptions are not granted if the subject was studied more than six years ago. The period in the 'six-year rule' is calculated from the date the subject (the exemption is based upon) 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. Currently, recognition for prior learning for Practical Legal Training subjects have a time limit of three years.

Solicitors with current Specialist Accreditation from the Law Society of NSW are able to claim a 6-credit-point exemption in the Master of Laws program.

Students seeking recognition of prior learning are required to submit a Recognition of Prior Learning 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 detailed subject description, together with the reading guide that was current at the time of study. The granting of exemptions will be at the discretion of the Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning.

Current information regarding RPL can be found at:

Inquiries can be made to:

Concurrent study at another tertiary institution

Subject to approval by the Faculty, candidates may apply to undertake subjects in postgraduate law courses at other universities for credit towards their course at UTS. A concurrent studies application, detailing the academic content, attendance, assessment requirements and reading guide of the subject(s) proposed to be completed, should be submitted to the Law Information Office before applying to the other institution. Subjects completed concurrently at another institution without prior approval risk not being credited to their course at UTS.

The concurrent studies application form is available from:

Mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE)

Participation in postgraduate study may entitle legal practitioners to MCLE points. If this particular educational activity is relevant to the student's 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 (excluding refreshment breaks). For further details regarding MCLE points, contact the Law Society of NSW.

Postgraduate coursework

The Faculty of Law offers a range of postgraduate coursework degree programs to suit both law graduates and graduates of other disciplines. The Faculty prides itself on its unique specialisations, greater flexibility and vocational relevance. General Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters programs in Law and Legal Studies, and specialised programs in Intellectual Property Law, International Trade Law, Practical Legal Training, and Dispute Resolution are available. The Faculty also offers Australia's first Masters level professional legal qualification – the Master of Law and Legal Practice (C04148).

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); and 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 during the day and repeated in the evening.

Optional law subjects

A range of optional law subjects is taught in 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

Descriptions of the postgraduate law subjects available are provided in Subject lists and descriptions.

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.

Contacts and inquiries

For further information and opening hours see online at:

Majors

The Faculty offers six major areas of study within the Master of Laws (C04143). Students in this course elect to complete study within a major or alternatively attempt subjects from 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. Majors are available in:

• Commercial Law
• Dispute Resolution
• Family Law
• Intellectual and Industrial Property Law
• International Law
• International Trade Law.

Postgraduate research

Higher research degrees provide an opportunity for law and non-law graduates who want to make a major contribution to knowledge by undertaking advanced-level research through the exploration of ideas and issues in a thesis. The Faculty offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Law (C02028), the 'professional Doctorate', the Doctor of Juridical Science (C02027), and a Master of Laws (Research) (C03024). These degrees are particularly valuable for persons wishing to pursue a career in research or academia; entry is on the basis of proven research achievement.

Researchers and teachers in the Faculty of Law engage in a wide variety of research activities. Key research areas and strengths include:

• Asian Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bioethics
• Constitutional Law
• Corporate Governance
• Criminal Law
• Dispute Resolution
• Environmental Law
• European Union Law
• Industrial and Intellectual Property
• International Environmental Law
• International Commercial Law
• International Law
• International Trade Law, and
• Migration and Refugee Law.

Research degree management is coordinated by the Associate Dean (Research). The Faculty's Research Management Committee has delegated authority from the Faculty of Law Board for recommendations relating to the admission, progression and examination of research degree candidates, together with the development of policies and practices across the Faculty to assist candidates and enhance outcomes.

Support for research students

In addition to the support provided by the UTS Library and the University Graduate School, the Faculty provides a range of shared facilities for higher-degree research candidates, such as:

• study space
• printing access, and
• email, internet and telephone access.

Contacts and inquiries

Administrative advice

Research interests of staff members

The research interests of academic staff can be found at:

Read about our academics in the news at:

Staff contact details can also be found at the above address or at: