Master of Laws

Melbourne Law School's Master of Laws (LLM) is internationally recognised as a graduate degree in law of the highest quality, providing broad subject choice and scholarship. This course is ideal for law graduates who wish to enhance their skills in a particular legal area or simply gain a broader knowledge of the law. Students in the LLM can choose from all subjects available in the Melbourne Law Masters, allowing you to tailor your degree to suit your professional aspirations. Students may also choose to undertake the Master of Laws as a combination of coursework and a minor thesis.

The Master of Laws by Coursework focuses on:

• The changing knowledge base in selected areas of the law
• Identifying and resolving legal problems and issues from theoretical and practical perspectives
• Advanced skills and techniques in finding and using the law
• The capacity to articulate your knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations
• The impact of globalisation on the substance, theory and practice of law
• The design, conduct and reporting of original research.

Master of Laws by Coursework

Students must satisfactorily complete eight coursework subjects from the subjects available in the Melbourne Law Masters. Your subject choice may reflect your own interests or take advantage of the standard opportunities for specialisation. The Law School must approve your combination of subjects.

Master of Laws by Coursework and Minor Thesis

Students must satisfactorily complete four coursework subjects and achieve a minimum of 70% in each subject. Students may then prepare either a minor thesis of 20,000 to 35,000 words or two major articles of 10,000 words each, suitable for publication in a learned legal journal.

The Law School must approve your combination of subjects and thesis topic. Your thesis topic will usually build on the subjects you have completed, and the minor thesis should be suitable for publication in a learned legal journal or otherwise of a standard approved by the Law School.

Once you have submitted your thesis topic to the Law School for approval, an appropriate supervisor will be sought who may help you to refine your chosen topic. Once final approval is obtained, a supervisor is appointed and supervision is carried out in accordance with the Law School's Code of Supervisory Practice.

Guidelines for preparing a Minor Thesis proposal

For information to assist with a preparation of a minor thesis proposal, see the Guidelines for preparing a Minor Thesis proposal (.pdf).

Note: Selection criteria for the Master of Laws by Coursework and Minor Thesis is currently under review and the most up-to-date requirements will be made available on this website.

Duration

• Full-time: 12 to 18 months
• Part-time: Three years