Juris Doctor

Admissions information

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• Course description arrow_forward_ios

  If you’re a non-law graduate aiming to enter the legal profession, the UTS Juris Doctor is your gateway to becoming a lawyer in NSW. This course meets the academic requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW and is a qualification that is recognised around the globe. The course is geared towards real-world application based on industry insights from scholars, practitioners and experts in the field.

  Throughout the course, you’ll master legal theory and practice, preparing you to take legal challenges with confidence. You’ll also have the flexibility to tailor your learning experience with options for day or evening classes, intensive blocks and online electives.

  Beyond the classroom you’ll benefit from research and writing masterclasses, mentoring and co-curricular program opportunities to enhance your learning and expand your career prospects. Plus, you can complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT) at UTS, fulfilling the practical requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW.

  If you are considering a career across a variety of legal roles, the JD opens doors to numerous opportunities where legal expertise is invaluable.

  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.

• Important dates arrow_forward_ios

  Find out more about application dates relating to this course

• Scholarships and prizes arrow_forward_ios

  Discover our scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. Our scholarships celebrate diversity and academic excellence. Use the scholarship search tool to find the right scholarship for you.

  Scholarships for domestic students

  Scholarships for international students

• Course duration arrow_forward_ios

  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.

• Admission requirements arrow_forward_ios

  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

  Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

• Domestic course fees arrow_forward_ios

  2025 Indicative tuition fees for government-supported domestic students

  This course offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). This means the Australian Government contributes to your education costs, and you pay the remaining tuition fees, known as the student contribution. If eligible, you can defer payment through HECS-HELP, or you can choose to pay your fees upfront each session.  

  CSP applications are reviewed continuously by the university and offered based on merit, so we recommend applying early to be considered. Learn more about applying for a CSP, eligibility and key dates.

  2025 Tuition Fees

  • Indicative first-year tuition fee: $16,992.00
  • Indicative Total tuition fee: $52,312.86

  Tuition fees are reviewed annually, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year. The total indicative tuition fee includes estimated annual increases over the duration of the course.

  Additional Costs 

  Your tuition fees do not include:

  • The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), which supports student services and activities. If eligible, you can defer this fee using SA-HELP.
  • Textbooks, materials, and other course-related costs.
  • Any applicable payment processing fees (e.g., credit card surcharges). 

  Important Information 

  • Fees are shown in Australian Dollars (AUD).
  • The indicative tuition fees above are based on full-time study (1 year = 48 credit points).
  • Your actual fees depend on the year you enrol, your study load and the subjects you choose. Some subjects fall into different student contribution bands.
  • You can calculate your student contribution based on the amounts listed in the student contribution table.

  Alumni Advantage Program 

  As a UTS graduate, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your course fees. Just apply for the course you're interested in, and if you're accepted, the discount will automatically be applied to your enrolment invoice. Learn more about the Alumni Advantage Program. 

  If you have any questions about course fees, please feel free to make an enquiry.

• Inherent requirements arrow_forward_ios

  Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing a course at UTS. You can find the inherent requirements for your course via the inherent requirements directory.

• Professional recognition arrow_forward_ios

  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).

• Recognition of prior learning arrow_forward_ios

  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.

• Transfer between UTS courses arrow_forward_ios

  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.