Master of Legal Studies

The course can be completed in a minimum of two years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Subjects may also be available in Summer session, allowing accelerated progression.

The course features a variety of attendance patterns, including intensive block attendance and weekly on-campus evening classes.

Full time, on campus
Part time, on campus

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 3.8/7

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 GPA between 3.30/7 and 3.79/7 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 do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C07122 Graduate Diploma in 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 the 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 for pursuing the 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.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

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 Master of Legal Studies is available at postgraduate course information.

Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies (C07122) are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies. Students enrolled in the graduate diploma may apply to internally transfer to the master's program. Candidates are not awarded the graduate diploma but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.

Subjects undertaken within the Juris Doctor (C04236) are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies. Students enrolled in the Juris Doctor may apply to internally transfer to the master's program. Candidates are not awarded the Juris Doctor but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.

Students who successfully complete three core subjects in the Master of Legal Studies may apply to internally transfer to the Juris Doctor (C04236). Candidates are not awarded the master’s, but completed subjects are applied towards the Juris Doctor (C04236).

Scholarships

Prizes and awards