Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Sydney Law School equips you for careers in advanced research, policy development, public service, tertiary teaching or professional leadership. You will benefit from a vibrant and dynamic research culture and engage with internationally renowned School members who are experts across a range of fields.
From 2021, Higher Degree by Research students will be required to complete some coursework as part of their candidature. Students will have access to a range of specialist units of study relevant for research students.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
Please apply by 31 October for commencement on 1 March and 30 March for commencement on 1 July. If your application cannot be assessed in time for commencement, it will be considered for the next possible start date. You may not apply until an Expression of Interest has been accepted by the School.
Starting date
Research Period 2: 1 March and Research Period 3: 1 July
Please apply by 31 October for commencement on 1 March and 30 March for commencement on 1 July. If your application cannot be assessed in time for commencement, it will be considered for the next possible start date. You may not apply until an Expression of Interest has been accepted by the School.
Starting date
Research Period 2: 1 March and Research Period 3: 1 July
Research areas
Doctor of Philosophy students may undertake research in one of the following research themes: Asian and Islamic law; Children, youth and families; Citizenship, migration and refugees; Commercial and international commercial law; Constitutional and administrative law; Corporate, securities and finance law; Criminal law, justice and criminology; Environmental law and climate change; Health law, governance and ethics; Human rights and development; Intellectual property, media and privacy law; International law; Justice, legal process and the profession; Jurisprudence and legal theory; Labour, employment and anti-discrimination law; Legal history; Private law: tort, contracts, equity and property; and Taxation.
Learn more about Sydney Law School research.
What you'll study
The Doctor of Philosophy (Law) is awarded on the basis of a supervised thesis of approximately 80,000 words. The thesis must make a substantially original contribution to the knowledge of the subject concerned. Students are also required to complete the compulsory research-support coursework units, LAWS6077 Legal Research 1 within the first 12 months of their candidature and LAWS7001 Legal Research 2 within the first 24 months.
Changes to higher degree research in 2021
From 2021, the University is introducing a new coursework curriculum to support research success. PhD students will complete 12 credit points of coursework and be able to choose from a pool of 270+ units from any faculty. The pool comprises a range of development opportunities that include specialist analytical methods, professional development units and discipline-specific subjects relevant for research students. Refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies handbook.
There is no separate tuition fee cost for the coursework units of study you will undertake, it is part of the tuition fee for the course.
See the ‘Your Fee’ section for fee information. Additional non-tuition course costs vary depending on the units of study.
You will be able to see and enrol in any of the units available, subject to capacity constraints and your own background. Note that your faculty may elect to make certain units compulsory for a given PhD degree pathway.
Applying for admission
There are two steps involved in making an application to a Law research program:
- Expression of Interest (EOI) - Prior to making a formal application, you are required to provide information about your area of intended research, academic qualifications, professional or other qualifications, details about your original research activities and publications, and any other information relevant to the application by completing an Expression of Interest form.
- EOIs are due:
- Domestic students: 3 months prior to the application closing date
- International students: 6 months prior to the application closing date
- EOIs are due:
- Formal application for admission - If your Expression of Interest is accepted, you must submit a formal application through the University's Online Application portal. Ensure that all the Supporting documentation is submitted with your online application. Apply now
If you have already commenced a research degree, there are additional requirements, please contact Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC).
Also visit Research Scholarships.
Completion requirement
To satisfy requirements of the degree students must:
- complete any specified probationary requirements;
- complete LAWS6077 Legal Research 1 and LAWS7001 Legal Research 2;
- conduct research on an approved topic; and
- write a thesis of approximately 80,000 words embodying the results of the research.
Admission requirement
There are three main conditions of admission, namely:
(i) Academic qualifications
(ii) Research and publication experience and
(iii) Suitability of the proposed course of study and research. If you are not academically qualified to undertake a research degree, you may consider pursuing your research interests through coursework study before progressing to a research degree.
The coursework program provides you with an opportunity to enhance your expertise in the proposed area of research by allowing you to complete research projects in related units of study. Applicants require a Master's degree and/or Bachelor's degree with first or second class honours.
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