Master of Laws (Coursework) (LLM)
Master of Laws (Coursework) (LLM)
Program Code
MLAWC
Program Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Academic Year
2025
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
The Master of Laws provides access to a range of areas to suit both domestic and international students proceeding directly from undergraduate study, as well as experienced legal practitioners wishing to specialise in areas of law. This program includes a range of elective courses suited to those with a particular interest in international and comparative law. In addition, the program will appeal to those wishing to further develop their scholarly skills in legal research and writing. Some courses are taught during the evening or on weekends, while other courses may be taught intensively over one or more weeks.
The Master of Laws (Coursework) is an AQF Level 9 Masters qualification with a standard full-time duration of 1 year.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Understand and apply knowledge in the field of law and undertake advanced legal research in law which engages with primary and secondary legal materials.
- Apply principles of law to complex legal problems, and critique law from theoretical and practical perspectives.
- Structure and sustain concise and cohesive legal argument.
- Demonstrate autonomy, judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a legal professional.
- Incorporate social, policy, comparative and/or interdisciplinary approaches into analysis of the law.
- Reflect on their abilities to perform the role of a legal practitioner and interact with others to do so effectively.
Conditions
Condition of Enrolment
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Faculty before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Master of Laws (Coursework)
There shall be a Master of Laws (Coursework).
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the degree of Master of Laws, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 24 units, comprising:
- Core courses to the value of either 12, 15 or 18 units
- Research equivalent courses to the value of either 6, 9 or 12 units
Core Courses
-
Core Courses
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law 3 Students who already hold an LLB, JD or LLB (Hons) from a common law jurisdiction will not complete LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law, and instead should complete an additional 3-unit Core Course from the list below.
Plus
Students must complete courses from below* to the value of either 9, 12 or 15 units depending on the Research. If completing Research to the value of:
- 6 units, students must complete courses to the value of 15 units
- 9 units, students must complete courses to the value of 12 units
- 12 units, students must complete courses to the value of 9 units
* Students may also complete any other postgraduate coursework courses in any other program approved in advance in writing by the Program Director.
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value LAW 7034 Anti-discrimination Law: Practice and Theory PG 3 LAW 7040 International Environmental Law (PG) 3 LAW 7042 AI and Technology: Legal and Security Issues 3 LAW 7061 Regulation of Work: Current Issues 3 LAW 7067 International Criminal Law (PG) 3 LAW 7070 International Commercial and Trade Law 3 LAW 7073 Counter Terrorism and National Security Law 3 LAW 7074 Transitional Justice (PG) 3 LAW 7099 Law of Export Controls and Trade Sanctions 3 LAW 7120 Human Rights: International Perspectives (PG) 3 LAW 7129 International Humanitarian Law 3 LAW 7155 Introduction to Arbitration 3 LAW 7156 Advanced Arbitration 3 LAW 7165 Cyber Security and Cyber Conflict Law 3 LAW 7168 Law in Defence of Australia 3 LAW 7170 Public International Law 3 LAW 7171 Arms Control 3 LAW 7172 Strategic Space Law 3 LAW 7173 Maritime Law and Geopolitics in the Asian Region 3 LAW 7174 Advanced Comparative Law 3 LAW 7179 Contemporary Issues in Law 3 LAW 7183 Law of Naval Warfare 3 LAW 7184 Defence Contracting Law 3 LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing 3 LAW 7190 Commercial Space Law 3 LAW 7192 Government, Law and Policy 3 LAW 7194 Law Research Project 3 LAW 7195 Federal Criminal and Defence Discipline Law 3 LAW 7196 Law of Air Warfare 3 LAW 7197 International Humanitarian Law and Disruptive Technology 3 LAW 7198 Nuclear Regulatory Law 3 LAW 7301 Advanced Military Administrative Law 4.5 LAW 7302 Advanced Military Discipline Law 4.5 LAW 7303 Advanced Military Operations Law 3 -
Research
To satisfy the requirements for Research students must complete courses to the value of either 6, 9 or 12 units.
All of the following courses must be completed:
12 unit PhD research pathway
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) 6 LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing 3 LAW 7194 Law Research Project 3 Entry into LAW 7025 is by application only, and requires confirmation of supervisor and topic. Students must complete at least 9 units of the coursework before commencing the Dissertation, including pre-requisite LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing.
Entry into LAW 7194 is by application only, and requires successful completion of courses relevant to the proposed project and confirmation of supervisor and topic.
LAW 7187 cannot be counted as a core course if presented toward Research.or
All of the following courses must be completed:
9 unit research component - research project option
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value LAW 7025 Dissertation (PG) 6 LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing 3 Entry into LAW 7025 is by application only, and requires confirmation of supervisor and topic. Students must complete at least 9 units of the coursework before commencing the Dissertation, including pre-requisite LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing.
LAW 7187 cannot be counted as a core course if presented toward Research.or
All of the following courses must be completed:
6 unit research component – research project option
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value LAW 7187 Advanced Legal Research and Writing 3 LAW 7194 Law Research Project 3 Entry into LAW 7194 is by application only, and requires successful completion of courses relevant to the proposed project and confirmation of supervisor and topic.
LAW 7187 cannot be counted as a core course if presented toward Research.or
6 unit research component – research essays option
Students must complete two 4,000 word (or more) research essays chosen from any course in this program. The research essays will be in addition to any other course assessment requirements if students seek to undertake the essay in a course which does not otherwise have a research essay assessment. Where a research essay with shorter length is part of the course assessment, the word limit will be extended to 4,000 words to satisfy this requirement. Students may apply to undertake the extended research essay option for any course during the program (other than LAW 7177 Introduction to Australian Law (3 units) or COMMLAW 7012 Business and Corporations Law (3 units)), and they will be accommodated if it is possible to do so.