CRICOS Code: 0101997

This program applies to students who commenced in 2021 or later.

The Juris Doctor is a professional entry Masters degree that satisfies the academic degree requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer.  Students will engage in collaborative face to face problem and case-based learning experiences, will be supported by online learning materials, and will participate in authentic assessment to develop knowledge and skills. The Juris Doctor provides advanced and integrated knowledge of the principal areas of legal practice, legal concepts, and broader perspectives about the law. It develops advanced professional skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration and self-management, and ethical and professional awareness and judgement. The Juris Doctor gives students the flexibility to choose from a wide range of additional specialist subjects which includes the opportunity to study overseas. The program will provide dedicated additional academic support and opportunities to interact in academic and non-academic pursuits. The Juris Doctor is available to both domestic and international graduate students who are looking for a highly regarded law qualification with a strong focus on student employability across diverse careers in law and beyond. Students will have opportunities to enhance their employability profile and knowledge of the legal industry, including with the professional units which have a strong focus on clinical legal engagements with a diverse range of industry partners. Students will also engage in legal research projects which includes the option for tailored support for students considering future enrolment into a PhD program. 

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time

Program Advice

Course Advice Law

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location 

Accreditation

Graduates of this degree who wish to practice in NSW may apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for admission as a legal practitioner after undertaking prescribed professional legal training (PLT).

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.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

The Juris Doctor is available to graduates or graduands with

• a completed Bachelor degree or higher, or equivalent, in a discipline other than law

OR

• a completed law Diploma, Bachelor or higher qualification, or equivalent, from an overseas jurisdiction

OR

• submitted evidence of equivalent general or professional qualifications and/or experience that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies.
• The equivalence and eligibility for admission is determined by the Course Convenor or the Deputy Dean. Applicants with a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction may receive credit for some of their previous studies toward the Juris Doctor. Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

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.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

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.

International Office

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.

English language entry requirements

If your first language is English or if you can provide satisfactory evidence that English was the medium of instruction in your secondary or tertiary studies completed within 2 years at the time of your commencement at Western Sydney University, you may be considered as meeting the requirement of proficiency in English.

If English is not your first language or was not the medium of instruction in your secondary or tertiary studies, you are required to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language by achieving a prescribed level in an approved English examination or test before you can receive a full offer of a place. Your English language proficiency test must be no more than 2 years old at the time of your commencement at Western Sydney University.

The English language proficiency requirements will be satisfied by any one of a number of tests or assessments, including: an IELTS Academic overall score of at least 6.5 and minimum scores of 6.0 in each subtest; OR a TOEFL internet-based Total score of 82 with Writing (21), Speaking (18), Reading (13), and Listening (13); OR a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic of 58 overall with all communications skills achieving a minimum of 50. For a full list of the English Language proficiency tests and standards requirements, please refer to

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/apply/admissions/entry_requirements

Additional Information - School of Law guidelines for pathways to PhD

1. Currently the WSU Doctorate Policy eligibility requirement is found under Clause 11:

Applicants for admission to candidature for any doctorate degree covered by this policy with the exception of a Doctor of Medicine (see Part R) shall hold:
• a research masters degree; or
• a bachelor degree with honours class 1 or bachelor degree with honours class 2 division 1; or
• qualifications from a university or other tertiary institution deemed by the Dean or Director, Research Institute to be equivalent to the requirements set out above.

This guideline is to provide clarity over what the school of law determines as a research masters degree or equivalent qualifications from a University. 

2. Please note this guideline does not impact Clause 12 which states: 
In exceptional circumstances a Dean or Director, Research Institute may approve the admission of an applicant who does not have the qualifications specified in clause 11. In such cases the Dean or Director, Research Institute will consider evidence to be supplied by the candidate and verified by the relevant HDR Director or equivalent, that shows that the applicant has equivalent qualifications based on academic and professional attainment and demonstration in an appropriate discipline of a capacity for the research. Evidence should demonstrate the applicant's understanding of and skill in the use of a suitable research methodology and ability to undertake academic writing. The Dean or Director, Research Institute may approve admission on the basis of equivalent capacity.” 
That clause allows the Dean or Director discretion where appropriate. 
 
3. For the purposes of the school of law Doctorate program eligibility a ‘research masters’ or ‘equivalent degree’ requires the candidate to have their qualifications assessed by the research committee. Considerations relevant to admission will include whether the candidate:

• Has completed a 10,000-word minimum research project 
• Has had the research project examined by external markers 
• If given a grade be at least a Distinction/High Distinction.
• GPA in undergraduate law of the equivalent of an Honours 2:1 OR other study deemed suitable for equivalence

If these are not met the candidate should enrol in the Research Masters. 
4. For JD and LLM students they should be advised to complete the dissertation subjects (LAWS7027 Legal Philosophy and Methodology and LAWS7062 Legal Research Dissertation) and have them externally marked along with meeting the other criteria. 
 

Recommended Sequence Current

This sequence applies to students who commenced in 2024 or later. If you commenced prior to 2024 please refer to the relevant Sequence tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points. This includes 170 credit points of specified core subjects and subjects equivalent to 70 credit points chosen from the pool of JD alternate subjects listed below.

Full-time start-year intake

Full-time mid-year intake

Part-time start-year intake

 Part-time mid-year intake

JD Alternate Subjects

Students must complete a total of 70 credit points from the JD Alternate subjects, Professional Subject Pool and Research Subject Pool as follows.

Program Structure 2021 - 2023

If you commenced from 2024 please refer to the Sequence 2024 tab for details.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below. This includes all specified core subjects and subjects equivalent to 60 credit points chosen from the pool of JD Alternate subjects listed below.

Recommended Sequence 2021 - 2023

Full-time start-year intake

Full-time mid-year intake

Part-time start-year intake

 Part-time mid-year intake

JD Alternate Subjects

Students must complete a total of 60 credit points from the JD Alternate subjects, Professional Subject Pool and Research Subject Pool as follows

Equivalent Subjects

Discontinued Subjects

The subjects listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed the subjects in 2024 or earlier.  

LAWS 7006 Australian Legal System and Common Law
LAWS 7013 Global Governance & Sustainability
LAWS 7017 International Climate Change Law
LAWS 7052 Elder Law Industry Placement
LAWS 7054 Foundations of Chinese Law
LAWS 7055 Foundations of Indian Law
LAWS 7070 Revenue Law Industry Placement