Juris Doctor
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 3 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- CSP UAC code 910600
- Full Fee Paying UAC Code 910601
- Program code 9150
- CRICOS code 068850G
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Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2024 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $16,500*
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2024 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $50,500*
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2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $55,000*
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2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $176,500*
Fees
Fees
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Dynamic learning
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Flexible program
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Small classes
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Juris Doctor (JD) is a distinctive postgraduate degree that provides the basis for admission to legal practice in Australia, as well as a wide range of careers in government, business, legal and social policy and international relations. You might be asking yourself what is a Juris Doctor? What does a JD mean? Can I become a lawyer? Yes! We have written all about what is a Juris Doctor and how it will help you launch your career in law.
The UNSW Juris Doctor is the most flexible postgraduate legal training of all Go8 universities, offering a customisable combination of face-to-face and online learning for students with the option to complete up to half of weekly lectures online. You’ll have the ability to study part-time and quickly turn up or down your study load term to term, allowing you to shape your timetable to suit your priorities outside of university.
The Juris Doctor offers a pathway to become a legal practitioner for graduates of disciplines other than law, or those with an undergraduate degree in law from an overseas institution.
Our world-class researchers and teachers are leading critical debate in some of today’s greatest challenges, bringing the Faculty’s founding ethos and commitment to justice to their teaching. You’ll be part of a cohort of students who are engaged with social justice initiatives and driven to be the next leaders in legal practice.
To learn more about potential pathways to a career in Law, read our blog: How to Become a Lawyer.
Key features
- Student-centred learning in seminar classes
When you study law at UNSW, you won’t sit in a lecture theatre among hundreds of students. We are proud to have pioneered a small classroom, seminar-style of teaching that allows a strong focus on each student. That’s because we believe our students learn best when they’re actively engaged. You’ll be challenged through discussion and debate to develop practical skills such as reasoning, legal research, analysis, argument and negotiation – the skills required to succeed in your future career.
- Academic support for all students
The Peer Tutor Program is a free program open to all first-year Juris Doctor students. Senior students work with a small group for about one hour per week to develop and practice legal skills such as case reading and statutory interpretation.
- Electives, competitions and experiential learning
Tailor your learning to suit your goals and interests in law. The UNSW Juris Doctor offers an extensive list of electives, unique opportunities to engage directly with legal practice through internships and specialist clinics, as well as a variety of local and international mooting and other competitions.
You'll have the opportunity to experience clinical legal practice by working at our Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC), a community legal centre housed on campus providing free legal advice, casework and legal education for our local community.
- Global student opportunities
Gain global perspectives by studying other countries’ legal systems through overseas electives in China, USA, Switzerland, India, Vanuatu and Chile. Or you may wish to immerse yourself abroad through student exchange at one of UNSW’s more than 300 exchange hosts across 38 countries.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
You’ll set yourself apart with a degree from UNSW Law & Justice, ranked 1st in Sydney and 12th globally*. Benefit from Juris Doctor-only classes throughout the compulsory component of the degree to enable you to establish a strong collegial network with classmates from various backgrounds and experiences. You’ll be encouraged to explore global perspectives and legal systems through international exchange at leading law schools around the world.
- Graduate career-ready with our in-house careers service, dedicated to our students and alumni. The service includes a jobs board and a range of resources, presentations and workshops to maximise your employability.
- Access partial remote, online learning, assisting those who have family and work commitments.
- Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and full-fee places are available for Domestic students.
- Our curriculum sets the benchmark for a progressive, student-focused legal education. Informed by the changing legal landscape, our program incorporates a global outlook and prioritises experiential learning to create highly skilled, sought-after graduates.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
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UNSW Law & Justice and Oxford University Faculty of Law have signed a memorandum of understanding to allow UNSW Juris Doctor students to graduate with two internationally recognised qualifications in just three and a half years – the UNSW Juris Doctor and the Oxford Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) or Master in Laws and Finance (MLF). Students can apply directly to Oxford upon completion of 96 Units of Credit (UOC) at UNSW.
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UNSW Law & Justice and Hong Kong University Law Faculty have signed a memorandum of understanding that provides UNSW Law & Justice students studying for a Juris Doctor degree an opportunity to gain an LLM degree from HKU.
UNSW Law & Oxford students will need to follow the standard student exchange application procedure and must indicate their interest in the Pathway Program on the application for the First Semester of study at HKU.
9150
068850G
Kensington
910600 (CSP), 910601
144
767
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Entry requirements
Entry into the UNSW JD is based on academic merit. Students must have completed a tertiary qualification at Bachelor, Masters or PhD level in a discipline other than law, or a degree in law from an overseas institution.
Domestic Applicants
UNSW offers domestic applicants both Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and full-fee places in the JD. CSP are offered to the most competitively ranked applicants and the remaining eligible applicants will be offered a full-fee place in the JD program. You should list both CSP and full-fee codes in your UAC preferences if you wish to be considered for both places. For further information on eligibility and academic merit required, please refer to the admission criteria.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people considering the Juris Doctor may be assessed under the Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme pathway. In addition to your UAC application please submit an Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme application form.
If you’re in your final year and about to complete your bachelor's degree, please refer to the UAC guide for Admission Requirement Deadlines.
Admission pathways
Indigenous entry into UNSW Law & Justice Juris Doctor program
The Postgraduate Indigenous Entry Scheme for the Juris Doctor at UNSW is one of many support schemes to grow the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people entering the legal profession.
You’ll be part of a cohort of students that are engaged with social justice initiatives and driven to be the next leaders in legal practice.
The scheme is competitive and students who best meet the selection criteria, outlined below, will be considered under the alternate entry scheme and have access to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). The scheme is open to those who meet specific requirements.
Transfer from a full-fee place to CSP (UNSW JD Awards)
UNSW JD students enrolled in a full-fee place can apply to transfer to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) after completing a minimum of 48 units of credit (UOC). Applications will be assessed on the results of your UNSW JD study only. Awards will be offered to those students with the highest overall JD WAM and a minimum WAM of 75.00 is required.
The awards offer a fee reduction up to a maximum of the difference in fees between a full-fee place and a Commonwealth Supported Place for the remaining duration of the awardee’s JD program. Up to eight awards are available per year. Applications can be made through UAC Postgraduate. For further information please contact Future Students.
Transfer from another university
We welcome applications from law students wishing to transfer to the UNSW JD from other universities. You may be eligible for advance standing, however a maximum of 48 UOC (1 year full-time) may be awarded for completed law studies. Only completed Bachelors, Masters or PhD qualifications will be considered for admission purposes.
Students who have completed more than 48 UOC may receive an exemption for the additional completed law subjects but no credit. This means they will have to choose elective law courses at UNSW to make up these additional UOC. Students should apply via UAC Postgraduate (also refer to the apply section below).
Credit Transfer Policy
If you've completed prior learning at another tertiary institution or in another UNSW degree, you may be eligible for a credit transfer. Find out more in the Credit Transfer Rules and Regulations.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Entry into the UNSW JD is based on academic merit. Students must have completed a tertiary qualification at Bachelor level in a discipline other than law, or a degree in law from an overseas institution.
International Students
The UNSW JD is open to international applicants who have completed or are about to complete a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Those who have a degree in law from a different legal system may also apply for the UNSW JD. To be eligible, you generally need to have achieved an overall average of 70% or higher as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Calculator. You may also be eligible for advanced standing.
International applicants who have completed a tertiary qualification at Masters or PhD level in a discipline other than law or law from a different legal system, and have achieved an overall average of 70% may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Please note: Applicants from non-211 Chinese Universities interested in studying this program must achieve a minimum overall average of 84 in their current university’s grading system. This is equivalent to an 80% scaled average using the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.”
Admission pathways
Transfer from another university
We welcome applications from law students wishing to transfer to the UNSW JD from other universities. You may be eligible for advance standing, however a maximum of 48 UOC (1 year full-time) may be awarded for completed law studies. Only completed Bachelors, Masters or PhD qualifications will be considered for admission purposes.
Credit Transfer Policy
Credit Transfer Rules and Regulations information.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The UNSW Juris Doctor (JD) is a flexible degree that can be studied over three years full-time or on a part-time basis. We offer three terms per year with the option to study one, two or three courses per term, which means you can shape your studies to fit around work and family commitments.
We offer our students a choice between full face-to-face on-campus learning or a customisable combination of face-to-face and online learning with the option to complete up to half of weekly lectures online, making the UNSW Juris Doctor the most flexible postgraduate legal training among the Go8 universities.
The degree covers the study areas prescribed by the Legal Professional Admission Board and prepares you for admission to practice law, as well as a wide range of electives. Upon completing this degree, you’ll have a sound knowledge base in the discipline of law, enabling you to proceed to the practice of law or professional work in many areas.
Full program structure
In this degree, you’ll study 16 compulsory law courses, seven elective law courses and one prescribed elective that together will give you the depth and breadth of knowledge to set you apart in today’s competitive professional market.
We offer a mixture of daytime and evening classes for you to work around your commitments. If you’re studying part-time, you can choose one or two courses per term.
Interactive classes are the centrepiece of our teaching. The classes are supplemented by technology-enabled learning such as interactive online activities. Classes will vary as you progress through the program, giving you the opportunity to experience a range of classes and teaching styles. You’ll be taught in a variety of formats which may include:
- Twice-weekly daytime delivered fully in-person
- Twice-weekly evening classes delivered flexibly (no more than half of which can be studied online)
- Weekly daytime or afternoon/evening classes
- Intensive classes (taught over a condensed time frame) offered during term, on weekends or over the Summer
- A combination of weekly and intensive classes
Below is an example of what you could study in a standard three-year full-time plan or a four-year part-time plan:
Full-time (eight subjects per year)
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Eight core courses, for example:
Introducing Law & Justice*
Crime & Criminal Process
Principles of Private Law
Torts
Principles of Public Law
Criminal Laws
Contracts
Lawyers, Ethics & Justice
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Seven core courses, for example:
Equity & Trusts
Administrative Law
Law in Global Context
Resolving Civil Disputes
Court Process, Evidence, Proof
Land Law
Federal Constitutional Law
+ One prescribed elective
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One core course, for example:
Business Associations+ Seven law electives
Part-time (two courses per term)**:
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Six core courses, for example:
Introducing Law & Justice*
Principles of Private Law
Torts
Principles of Public Law
Administrative Law
Contracts
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Six core courses, for example:
Crime & Criminal Process
Equity & Trusts
Criminal Laws
Resolving Civil Disputes
Lawyers, Ethics & Justice
Federal Constitutional Law
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Four core courses, for example:
- Court Process, Evidence, Proof
- Law in Global Context
- Business Associations
- Land Law
+ One prescribed elective
+ One law elective
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Six law electives
*Introducing Law and Justice commences in Orientation Week (one week before the start of term). It’s taught in an intensive format during that week, helping you with the basic conceptual tools needed to study substantive law subjects. You’ll learn the principles of statutory interpretation and how to read and interpret case law, as well as essential legal writing and research skills.
** Part-time students can increase and decrease their study load. They are not required to take two courses each term. Students who take two courses each term can complete the degree in four years.
Future careers
A Juris Doctor degree can take you just about anywhere in the legal sector. When you study at Sydney's #1 Law faculty*, where excellence is achieved through hands-on experience, you’ll be equipped to tackle tomorrow’s big challenges. Ranked 25 globally for employment outcomes**, your future employers will immediately recognise UNSW as a top place to study law.
Graduates of the UNSW Juris Doctor have a broad range of career options after university. You'll be equipped to enter the legal profession or pursue a career in a range of industries that benefit from the skills you’ll learn in the Juris Doctor, including law firms, business, media, the arts, science, education, engineering, government and the not-for-profit sector, and many more.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024
**QS World University Rankings, 2024
End-to-end Legal Education at UNSW
Our interactive educational approach immerses you in the real-world practice of law and justice, we shape sharp minds through the exploration of complex ideas, and our faculty is underpinned by an ethos of justice for all.
Upon completing a Juris Doctor, you’ll take a step towards becoming a lawyer, followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT). All law graduates in Australia must complete PLT to practise as a lawyer. UNSW’s PLT is the Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP), so you can graduate from one place with all the qualifications you need to launch your legal career. You will also have the option to complete your PLT whilst finishing your degree with the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) early start rule.
Becoming a Legal Practitioner
Study
Step 1 – Complete Tertiary Qualification UNSW Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor (JD).
Step 2 – Practical Legal Training – UNSW PLT (20 weeks of coursework and workplace experience)
Practice
Step 3 – Admission to Legal Practice – Apply to the Supreme Court for Admission
Step 4 – Practising Certificate (2 years) – Supervised legal practice
Step 5 – You’re a Solicitor
For more information on the pathways to becoming a legal professional, visit UNSW Practical Legal Training.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board and satisfies academic requirements for admission to legal practice.
How to apply
Applications for domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Postgraduate.
To be considered for both a CSP and full-fee place, ensure you list both codes in your UAC preferences. UAC program codes for the UNSW JD are:
- Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP): UAC code 910600
- Full-Fee Places: UAC code 910601
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
UNSW has a quota system, that ensures the faculty's enrolment is maintained at a level that maximises the quality of the teaching and learning experience at UNSW. Please be aware this is a high volume program and UNSW reserves the right to amend the application and acceptance deadline in order the keep within those limits.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Places
$16,500*
$50,500*
There are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available for this degree. Domestic students who receive a CSP will have a substantial proportion of their fees subsidised by the Australian government. CSP places are assessed on the basis of merit. CSP are offered to the most competitive applicants and the remaining eligible applicants will be offered a full-fee place. You should list both CSP and full-fee codes in your UAC preferences if you wish to be considered for both places. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Ausstudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some Masters degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. Your eligibility to receive a CSP will be automatically assessed when you apply. To find out more about Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year)
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Featured scholarships
UNSW established two equity scholarships to support students undertaking the UNSW Juris Doctor:
- AMP Capital Law Equity Scholarship
- Juris Doctor (JD) Equity Scholarship
Featured scholarship
UNSW Law & Justice International Award (PUCA1028)
This award was established to empower the brightest and most passionate international students to achieve their goals through their studies at UNSW Law & Justice.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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