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 13th in the world in the 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners.
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.
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. Applications for 2021 will open in early September 2020.
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.
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
