Where Will Postgraduate Study in Law Lead You?
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.
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 researchers perform original research in an area of law or regulation involving legal or interdisciplinary methodologies under the supervision of a member of the University of Sydney Law School who is an expert in the subject matter.
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 a maximum 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 - To guide you in making a formal application, we ask that you provide us information about your intended research area and motivation, academic qualifications, professional or other qualifications, research activities and publications, and any other information relevant to the application by completing an Expression of Interest form
- Expressions of Interest should be sent as early as possible and no later than:
- Domestic students: 3 months prior to the application closing date
- International students: 6 months prior to the application closing date
- Expressions of Interest should be sent as early as possible and no later than:
- Formal application for admission - If your Expression of Interest is accepted, you must submit a formal application through the University's Online Application portal. Please ensure that all required supporting documents which include a full research proposal and motivation statement for doing a research degree, curriculum vitae and course completion timetable are submitted with your online application. You will also need to provide us with two referees who will support your application. Apply now
If you have already commenced a research degree, there are additional requirements, please contact law.postgraduate.sydney.edu.au
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 a maximum 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.
Domestic students
International students
