Master of Laws (2824)
- Approved Abbreviation: LLM
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 2824
- AQF Level: 9
CRICOS Code: 0101780
Program Status:
This program applies to students who commenced in 2020 or later.
The Master of Laws (LLM) provides law and non-law graduates with a flexible postgraduate opportunity to develop advanced, integrated and contemporary knowledge in one or more areas of legal study. The LLM is a sophisticated degree with substantial consideration of relevant international, professional and transdisciplinary aspects of the law which will enhance student career expertise and prospects. The program develops advanced legal research and writing skills and enhances the ability of students to critically evaluate complex legal issues within a global context. All students will have the opportunity to apply their legal knowledge and skills by conducting independent research and by engaging in analytical studies on specialised topics in the student’s areas of interest.
The program offers an invaluable opportunity for law graduates without experience in a legal environment to be supervised and mentored by experienced legal practitioners through a legal placement subject. There is no tuition fee associated with this subject and the subject may be undertaken at the same time as the academic subjects.
Students may select a major in International Governance. This major enables students to enhance their knowledge and skills of both private and public law issues related to corporate governance, with a strong theoretical core, and a series of subjects providing specialist information and skills.
Study Mode
Two years full-time, one and a half years full-time or one year full-time depending upon entry qualifications (see Pathways listed under Program Structure) or the equivalent part-time.
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Full Time | Internal | See above |
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Part Time | Internal | See above |
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is an optional work component available in this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.
Admission
The Master of Laws (LLM) is open to graduates with or without a law degree. Different admission pathways, based on recognition of prior learning, apply to law and non-law graduates.
Program duration is typically one year for an 80 credit point pathway, one and a half years for a 120 credit point pathway and two years for a 160 credit point pathway.
Applicants with a Law Degree
On enrolment in this program, based on previous study and work experience, students can follow either an 80 or 120 credit point entry pathway.
Entry Pathway 1 (80 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed, in any jurisdiction, any one of the following:
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree or Juris Doctor degree, at honours standard, or equivalent
Or
Graduate Certificate, or higher, in Law
Or
Bachelor of Laws degree or Juris Doctor degree, or equivalent, without honours and two years’ full time equivalent of documented relevant professional experience.
The applicant does not have to be admitted to practice as a lawyer in a jurisdiction.
Entry Pathway 2 (120 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed, in any jurisdiction, a:
Bachelor of Laws degree or Juris Doctor degree, or equivalent, without honours and without at least two years documented relevant professional experience.
The applicant does not have to be admitted to practice as a lawyer in a jurisdiction.
Applicants with a Non-law Degree
On enrolment in this program, based on previous study and work experience, students can follow an 80 or 120 credit point entry pathway.
Entry Pathway 3 (80 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed any one of the following:
Bachelor (Honours) degree in any discipline or equivalent, and two years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience
Or
Graduate Certificate, or higher, in any discipline and two years full-time equivalent documented relevant professional experience
Or
Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, without honours, and five years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience
Entry Pathway 4 (120 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed
Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and two years full-time equivalent relevant professional experience
Or
Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and five years full-time equivalent general work experience.
Applicants With or Without a Law Degree
On enrolment in this program, based on previous study, students can follow a 160 credit point entry pathway.
Entry Pathway 5 (160 credit points)
Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree in any discipline, or equivalent.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Special Requirements Prerequisites
Students enrolling in work placement subjects may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors. This would be managed on an as needs basis.
Program Structure
The program length and structure varies based on the student’s previous study background and work experience.
Master of Laws (Law Graduate) - 80cp pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points comprising 20 credit points of core subjects plus 60 credit points of Major and/or alternate subjects as specified below.
Core Subjects (20 credit points)
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7027 | Legal Philosophy and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 7021 | International Governance Dissertation | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 20 | |
Major (40 credit points) optional
Completion of the major is optional.
International Governance, Testamur Major
Alternate Subjects
Students who choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 40 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below. (Note: two of the subjects in the major are also core subjects in 2824 Master of Laws)
Students who do not choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 60 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 5006 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 7018 | International Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7013 | Global Governance and Sustainability | 10 |
| LAWS 7020 | International Environmental Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7016 | International Banking and Finance Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7017 | International Climate Change Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7025 | International Law of Ocean Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7014 | Human Rights in Practice and Theory | 10 |
| LAWS 7008 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 7015 | Information and Data Governance Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7022 | International Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7019 | International Criminal Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 7026 | International Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 7030 | Principles of International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7033 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 7063 | Legal Research Project 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7064 | Legal Research Project 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7006 | Australian Legal System and Common Law (this subject is available only for students from non-common law jurisdictions) | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7040 | Financial Advice (Regulatory and Legal Obligations) | 10 |
| No more than 20 credit points from | ||
| LAWS 7007 | Australian Migration Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7003 | Australia's Visa System 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7004 | Australia's Visa System 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7038 | Visa Cancellation and Review | 20 |
Master of Laws (Law Graduate) - 120cp pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points comprising 20 credit points of core subjects plus 100 credit points of major and/or alternate subjects as specified below. Students may choose LAWS 7001 Advanced Clinical Legal Placement (40 credit points) which may be undertaken simultaneously with the academic subjects and may reduce the course duration.
Core Subjects (20 credit points)
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7027 | Legal Philosophy and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 7021 | International Governance Dissertation | 10 |
Major (40 credit points) optional
Completion of the major is optional.
International Governance, Testamur Major
Alternate Subjects
Students who choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 80 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below. (Note: Two of the subjects in the major are also core subjects in 2824 Master of Laws)
Students who do not choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 100 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 5006 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 7018 | International Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7013 | Global Governance and Sustainability | 10 |
| LAWS 7001 | Advanced Clinical Legal Placement | 40 |
| LAWS 7020 | International Environmental Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7016 | International Banking and Finance Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7017 | International Climate Change Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7025 | International Law of Ocean Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7014 | Human Rights in Practice and Theory | 10 |
| LAWS 7008 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 7015 | Information and Data Governance Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7022 | International Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7019 | International Criminal Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 7026 | International Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 7030 | Principles of International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7033 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 7063 | Legal Research Project 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7064 | Legal Research Project 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7006 | Australian Legal System and Common Law (this subject is available only for students from non-common law jurisdictions) | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7040 | Financial Advice (Regulatory and Legal Obligations) | 10 |
| No more than 20 credit points from | ||
| LAWS 7007 | Australian Migration Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7003 | Australia's Visa System 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7004 | Australia's Visa System 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7038 | Visa Cancellation and Review | 20 |
Master of Laws (Non Law Graduate) - 80cp pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points comprising 50 credit points of core subjects plus 30 credit points of major and/or alternate subjects as specified below.
Core Subjects (50 credit points)
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7027 | Legal Philosophy and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 7021 | International Governance Dissertation | 10 |
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7010 | Company Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7006 | Australian Legal System and Common Law | 10 |
Major (40 credit points) optional
Completion of the major is optional.
International Governance, Testamur Major
Alternate Subjects
Students who choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 10 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below. (Note: two of the subjects in the major are also core subjects in 2824 Master of Laws)
Students who do not choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 30 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 5006 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 7018 | International Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7013 | Global Governance and Sustainability | 10 |
| LAWS 7020 | International Environmental Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7016 | International Banking and Finance Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7017 | International Climate Change Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7025 | International Law of Ocean Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7014 | Human Rights in Practice and Theory | 10 |
| LAWS 7008 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 7015 | Information and Data Governance Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7022 | International Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7019 | International Criminal Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 7026 | International Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 7030 | Principles of International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7033 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 7063 | Legal Research Project 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7064 | Legal Research Project 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7040 | Financial Advice (Regulatory and Legal Obligations) | 10 |
| No more than 20 credit points from | ||
| LAWS 7007 | Australian Migration Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7003 | Australia's Visa System 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7004 | Australia's Visa System 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7038 | Visa Cancellation and Review | 20 |
Master of Laws (Non Law Graduate) - 120cp pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points comprising 50 credit points of core subjects plus 70 credit points of major and/or alternate subjects as specified below.
Core Subjects (50 credit points)
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7027 | Legal Philosophy and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 7021 | International Governance Dissertation | 10 |
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7010 | Company Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7006 | Australian Legal System and Common Law | 10 |
Major (40 credit points) optional
Completion of the major is optional.
International Governance, Testamur Major
Alternate Subjects
Students who choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 50 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below. (Note: two of the subjects in the major are also core subjects in 2824 Master of Laws)
Students who do not choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 70 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 5006 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 7018 | International Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7013 | Global Governance and Sustainability | 10 |
| LAWS 7020 | International Environmental Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7016 | International Banking and Finance Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7017 | International Climate Change Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7025 | International Law of Ocean Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7014 | Human Rights in Practice and Theory | 10 |
| LAWS 7008 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 7015 | Information and Data Governance Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7022 | International Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7019 | International Criminal Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 7026 | International Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 7030 | Principles of International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7033 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 7063 | Legal Research Project 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7064 | Legal Research Project 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7040 | Financial Advice (Regulatory and Legal Obligations) | 10 |
| No more than 20 credit points from | ||
| LAWS 7007 | Australian Migration Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7003 | Australia's Visa System 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7004 | Australia's Visa System 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7038 | Visa Cancellation and Review | 20 |
Master of Laws (Law & Non Law Graduates) - 160cp pathway
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points comprising 50 credit points of core subjects plus 110 credit points of major and/or alternate subjects as specified below.
Core Subjects (50 credit points)
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 7027 | Legal Philosophy and Methodology | 10 |
| LAWS 7021 | International Governance Dissertation | 10 |
| LAWS 7009 | Commercial Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7010 | Company Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7006 | Australian Legal System and Common Law | 10 |
Major (40 credit points) optional
Completion of the major is optional.
International Governance, Testamur Major
Alternate Subjects
Students who choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 90 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below. (Note: Two of the subjects in the major are also core subjects in 2824 Master of Laws)
Students who do not choose to undertake the International Governance major are required to complete 110 credit points from the pool of alternate subjects below.
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| LAWS 5006 | Law and Literature | 10 |
| LAWS 7018 | International Corporate Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7013 | Global Governance and Sustainability | 10 |
| LAWS 7020 | International Environmental Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7016 | International Banking and Finance Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7017 | International Climate Change Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7025 | International Law of Ocean Governance | 10 |
| LAWS 7014 | Human Rights in Practice and Theory | 10 |
| LAWS 7008 | Bioethics | 10 |
| LAWS 7015 | Information and Data Governance Law and Policy | 10 |
| LAWS 7022 | International Human Rights Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7019 | International Criminal Law and Justice | 10 |
| LAWS 7026 | International Space Law - Commercial Aspects | 10 |
| LAWS 7030 | Principles of International Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7033 | Intellectual Property | 10 |
| LAWS 7063 | Legal Research Project 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7064 | Legal Research Project 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7031 | Principles of Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7011 | Contemporary Issues in Taxation | 10 |
| LAWS 7040 | Financial Advice (Regulatory and Legal Obligations) | 10 |
| No more than 20 credit points from | ||
| LAWS 7007 | Australian Migration Law | 10 |
| LAWS 7003 | Australia's Visa System 1 | 10 |
| LAWS 7004 | Australia's Visa System 2 | 10 |
| LAWS 7038 | Visa Cancellation and Review | 20 |
Optional Major
Students may select an optional testamur major in International Governance (refer to the pathways listed above for details)