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.
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.
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.
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.
