Why study with us?
With more than 150 years of experience, the University of Sydney Law School is one of the world’s leading law schools, ranked 14th in the world in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
Embark on your next journey and learn from some of the world's leading experts in law. The Juris Doctor is one of Australia's most reputable graduate entry degrees and develops your skills of analysis, research, writing and advocacy. Join us and prepare for legal practice in the modern global age.
The JD program includes study of all the required areas of knowledge for admission to practice in Australia. The curriculum focuses on international, comparative and transnational aspects of law. You can also choose from a wide range of electives offering advanced learning and international perspectives, participate in our social justice program, go on exchange to similar law schools in Asia, Europe and North America, or experience other legal systems by completing one of our offshore units in China, UK, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal and Japan.
Sydney also offers pathway options to Oxford and Cambridge. Whether you are planning to undertake further postgraduate study or research, or pursue a career as a solicitor, at the bar or in government service, industry or the not-for-profit sector, your JD will equip you with the analytical, ethical and problem-solving skills you will need to excel.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Applications for the JD are through the postgraduate portal of the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.
UAC codes:
Juris Doctor Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) - 980200
Juris Doctor Domestic Full Fee (DFEE) - 980205
Domestic students can apply for either a CSP or DFEE or both.
Closing dates
Applications open - 2 September 2020
Applications close - 22 January 2021
Please consult the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for details.
Semester 1 classes commence on 15 February 2021
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 11 January of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 classes commence on 15 February 2021
The Sydney JD consists of 144 credit points or 24 units of study.
The part-time and full-time timetables for the JD are available here.
A full-time study load entails 48 credit points per year. Most units of study consist of three contact hours per week for thirteen weeks. A normal full-time class load is 12 contact hours per week.
You will undertake 4 units of study for the academic year. Classes will be held in the evenings, although some limited daytime attendance will be necessary for assessments. A typical part-time study pattern is:
Domestic students can apply for a Domestic Full Fee place (UAC code: 980205) and/or a Commonwealth Supported Place (UAC code: 980200). Offers are made on a rolling basis via UAC and will commence in September when domestic applications open. Accepting an earlier offer from another Law School will not affect your Sydney JD application. You will still receive an offer if you are eligible. Accepting a fee offer from Sydney does not affect your CSP preference. You will be assessed if places are still available in later rounds.
International students apply directly to the University at any time.
Transferring from another Juris Doctor
If you have completed one year or equivalent of a Juris Doctor program at another institution, you will be assessed on the grade point average of your first-year JD studies. You may gain credit for the year you have studied; however, we will determine this at enrolment. We cannot consider you for admission if you have completed more than one year of a Juris Doctor at another institution. To apply for a Commonwealth supported places, you need a distinction average (domestic applicants only). To apply for a full-fee place, you need a credit average.
Transfer from full-fee place to Commonwealth-supported place (domestic applicants only)
If you accept a full-fee place in the Juris Doctor, you can reapply in subsequent years for a Commonwealth-supported places after you have completed at least one year (48 credit points) or equivalent. Assessment is based on your grade point average for your first and any subsequent years. You need a distinction average.
Special Consideration (domestic applicants only)
If you believe your tertiary studies have been significantly affected by significant misadventure, illness or other compelling circumstances, you may be eligible for admission under special consideration. Applicants for special consideration should use this form. Applicants impacted by the late release of results for the final semester of trimester may use the special consideration form, once you have applied through UAC, attaching evidence of completion of your degree. Applications close on 10 January 2021.
Gadigal Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
The Gadigal Program assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with admission to the JD by allowing them to tell more about their interests, motivation and goals, rather than just considering academic results. More information may be found under Admissions Pathways including the postgraduate Gadigal application form.
Admission to candidature for the Juris Doctor requires a bachelor's degree from any discipline other than Law. Domestic students are assessed on the better of a combination of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate and completed tertiary study or completed tertiary study by itself. Where students have completed more than one degree, the best degree will be used. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. International students are assessed on completed tertiary study. International applicants are assessed using a minimum rank and offers are made according to this minimum standard.
We also welcome applications from law graduates with a degree from a non-common law jurisdiction. Applicants with a law degree from a non-common law jurisdiction may receive credit for some of their previous studies toward the JD.
The Sydney Juris Doctor (JD) is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) and meets the academic requirements to practise law in the State of New South Wales. In relation to professional recognition and course accreditation for interstate and overseas, please see our detailed information here.
The Sydney JD enables you to become a legal practitioner both in Australia and overseas. However, it is important that you recognise that your capacity to practise in a particular state, territory, country and jurisdiction may depend upon you meeting a number of other criteria. The Sydney Law School recommends you check all information with the relevant authority or agency as the information is subject to change. If you intend to practise in another State or overseas, you must consult the relevant professional body or equivalent to determine whether the Sydney JD is acceptable as a legal qualification. It is not the responsibility of the Sydney Law School to do so.
