Study plan

Candidates for the Juris Doctor complete 144 credit points or 25 units of study comprising a fixed curriculum for the first two years. In the third year, there is one compulsory unit of study, Private International Law A, and then students are able to select units of study from a broad range of electives (including one jurisprudence elective). 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 can also study the Sydney JD on a part-time basis.

Progression rules

Candidates are required to complete the Juris Doctor units of study in the order listed in the Faculty of Law Juris Doctor Table. Candidates must pass all Year One units of study before proceeding to Year Two. Candidates must pass all Year One and Year Two units of study before proceeding to enrol in any elective units of study, except with the permission of the Dean.

Capstone experience

You will be required to complete a capstone experience in their final year to draw together and synthesise prior learning and experience, and form the basis for further intellectual and professional growth. You will meet this requirement by completing a Jurisprudence elective. Other electives taken in final year which include external placements, mooting activities or research projects, may also provide a capstone experience.

Graduate opportunities

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.

Course accreditation

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 sydney.edu.au/law/fstudent/jd/professional_recognition.shtml

Further study

Sydney Law School is a market leader in postgraduate legal education in Australia. In addition to our ever-popular Master of Laws (LLM) by coursework, we offer 22 specialist qualifications in law. We believe the quality of our face-to-face teaching gives us an edge into the future.

Whether full-time or part-time, Sydney offers you a flexible program that includes units offered by intensive or evening seminar format, all taught with web support by national and international experts in their fields. Sydney Law School is a major international centre for legal research. The faculty has internationally renowned academic staff members whose expertise range across a wide variety of fields. The faculty also has the largest postgraduate research program in Australia with more than 100 research students, many from interstate or overseas, currently enrolled in doctoral or masters programs. Sydney Law School offers four higher degrees by research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Juridical Studies (SJD), Master of Laws by research (LLM) and Master of Criminology by research (MCrim).

Other study options

Transfer from another Juris Doctor

If you have completed at least one year or equivalent of a juris doctor you will be assessed on the grade point average for your first year. You will not be considered for entry if you have completed more than one year of study in a juris doctor at another institution. You will require a distinction grade point average for a Commonwealth Supported Place. You will require a credit grade point average for a domestic full fee place.

Transfer from Full Fee to CSP

If you accept a full fee place in the Juris Doctor you can reapply the following and subsequent years for a CSP place. You will have to complete at least one year or equivalent. You will be assessed on their grade point average for your first and subsequent years. You will require a distinction grade point average.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The Sydney Juris Doctor is regarded as an AQF level 9 Masters Degree (extended) under the Australian Qualifications Framework)

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Juris Doctor requires a bachelor’s degree from any discipline other than Law. Students are assessed on a combination of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents) and completed tertiary study. 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.

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications for the JD are through the postgraduate portal of the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Domestic students

Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.

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 an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

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 for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.