How to apply

PhD – the minimum academic entry requirement is: 

• An undergraduate degree in law, criminology or a cognate discipline to an acceptable level to the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (generally Hons 2(1) or equivalent) .

• A postgraduate degree in law, criminology or a cognate discipline to an acceptable level to the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (generally, a distinction average is required, plus proof of a research component) . 

 LLM by Research – the minimum entry requirement is: 

• An undergraduate law degree to an acceptable level to the Faculty Higher Degree Committee (generally LLB Hons 2(1)) .

• A Master of Laws by coursework with a minimum of a distinction average. 

MPhil – the minimum entry requirement is:

• An undergraduate degree in law, criminology or a cognate discipline with honours 2 (2) or a pass degree with a credit average result. 

PhD applicants 

At UNSW, it is standard practice to ask applicants to submit a research proposal. This determines whether the faculty can provide adequate supervision and resources to support your research. The proposal should be five to six pages long and include:  

• proposed title of research thesis 

• sims of the research thesis 

• background of the research, including literature review, a statement of the expected significance of your research and an outline of your research methodology. 

The UNSW Learning Centre provides information on preparing a research proposal, opens in a new window and a literature review. 

This information assists us in considering your eligibility for the research program of your choice, as well as identifying whether appropriate supervision is available. 

If you're accepted into the program, your topic may be reviewed or refined during your enrolment. The proposal will assess your capacity to undertake research and should demonstrate: 

• the capability of your research to:
  • drive a research project to the required standard
  • produce research that will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge 

• the methodology or methodologies that will be used to explore your research question

• whether the research question is clear, sufficiently narrow in scope and capable of being answered within the confines of a PhD research project

• whether the proposed research engages, in a thoughtful way, with the existing literature on the subject or practices in the field 

• a good command of the English language.

Master of Laws by Research and Master of Philosophy applicants  

Master of Laws by Research applicants are required to submit a brief research proposal so we can ascertain whether appropriate supervision is available for your research topic. The research proposal should cover: 

• proposed title of research thesis  

• aims of the research thesis 

• background of the research, including literature review, a statement of the significance of your research and an outline of your research methodology.  

The UNSW Learning Centre provides information on preparing a research proposal, opens in a new window and a literature review, opens in a new window. 

The above information will assist us in considering your eligibility for the research program of your choice.  

Include information on your education and work experience and, if applicable, information on previous research experience or details of publications. 

For admission to any UNSW program, all applicants must provide evidence before enrolment that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission. 

Applicants will be deemed to have satisfied the English language requirements if they can provide evidence of one of the following criteria: 

1. Prior study in the medium of English. 

2. Residency. 

3. English language tests: 

• IELTS: 7.0 overall (min. 7.0 in writing, 6.5 in other subtests) 

• TOEFL – Internet-based: 96 overall (min. 27 in writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) 

• TOEFL – Paper-based: 589 overall (min. 5.5 in TWE). 

Find out more at UNSW’s English Language requirements, opens in a new window. 

EOIs can be lodged any time throughout the year. Once the EOI assessment is completed, we'll advise you whether to submit a formal application with the GRS. If we advise you to submit a formal application, you can apply online via the Graduate Research School, opens in a new window.