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.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
Develop your understanding of the relationship between the law and analysis and implementation of public policy by examining the values inherent in administrative law and those of public administration, together with the practical aspects of applying the law.
This program offers the opportunity for public administrators specialising as lawyers or policy analysts to learn together within the disciplines of law, government and social policy. It also provides an understanding of public policy objectives and of appropriate methodological approaches to analysing the social and economic effects of reforms.
This degree is unique in terms of its content and delivery. Administered by Sydney Law School, it offers you an opportunity to complement your law studies with study through the University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and our School of Education and Social Work.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
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.
As many units of study are taught intensively, admission and enrolment in individual units may be possible year round.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
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.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June 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 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
Study plan
Master of Administrative Law and Policy complete 48 credit points, which is equivalent to 8 units of study.
Students must complete two compulsory units of study: Administrative Law and Public Policy. Students without a law degree must also complete the unit of study, Legal Reasoning & the Common Law System. You are then able to select the remaining units of study from a wide range of relevant electives.
Refer to the University of Sydney Law School Handbook for further details regarding the award requirements.
Visit the Sydney Law School website for the most up-to-date postgraduate unit of study timetable.
View unit of study descriptions using the link below.
Under normal progression, a student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. Admission to the degree requires: a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit average from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; or b) a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; and the applicant provides evidence of two years of relevant professional experience.
Students who do not hold a law degree or equivalent from a common law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6825 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System prior to undertaking other law units of study.
As part of Professional Plus+, Sydney Law School offers Professional Development seminars, courses and units of study in a range of subjects and modes, including intensive programs, seminar series and individual evening presentations. Seminars, courses and postgraduate units of study are available to anyone with an interest in the area of study.
Continuing Legal Education is a requirement of the Law Society of New South Wales. Practising solicitors are required to obtain 10 units of MCLE annually in order to maintain registration as a legal practitioner. Continuing Professional Development is also a requirement of the New South Wales Bar Association. Barristers are required to accrue 10 points each practising certificate year. Seminars, courses and units of study offered under Sydney Law School's LPD Program meet the necessary requirements of both the Law Society of New South Wales and the New South Wales Bar Association in relation to their individual members.
The Master of Administrative Law & Policy (MALP) is designed for those who work in the fields of law, economics, government, social work or another relevant discipline, who wish to upgrade their undergraduate qualification(s) for the purposes of career advancement or professional and academic interest.
Participants in our Professional Plus+ program are able to audit postgraduate units of study, attending lectures and receiving copies of lecture notes. You do not undertake assignments or examinations. Courses are offered by one of two methods, either attendance one night per week for 13 weeks, or by intensive mode. Courses offered as intensive units are normally conducted over four or five days. Courses are worth 24 MCLE/CPD points unless advertised otherwise. Individual units of study within the program may be undertaken by suitably qualified candidates who do not wish to commit to the study of an award course. Non-award candidates are students of the University; on satisfactory completion of unit of study requirements, candidates receive an academic transcript showing the details of the unit or units of study undertaken, with results and grades. Subject to approval, completed non-award study may be credited to an award course. You may undertake units in postgraduate programs in other faculties at the University of Sydney or at other universities subject to approval by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Coursework) on a cross-institutional basis. A formal application, detailing the academic content, attendance and assessment requirements of the unit(s) proposed to be completed should be made to the Law School first before applying to the other faculty or institution. If you are from another institution, you can also apply to study units at Sydney Law School upon approval from your home institution and the Law School.
