Juris Doctor (JD)
A postgraduate degree that takes your career further
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We offer a flexible program structure which allows you to study the Juris Doctor either full time over three years or part time over six years.
The Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate entry professional law degree which includes study of all the required areas of knowledge for admission to practice law in Australia.
The JD provides a pathway into the law profession for graduates from non-law degrees or for those with law degrees from overseas.
The Sydney JD will develop your analysis, research, writing and advocacy skills and its focus on international, comparative and transnational aspects of law will ensure you are well prepared for legal practice.
Both the JD and the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) lead to professional accreditation to practise law. The LLB is for those commencing law studies from high school and the JD is for those who already have a bachelor's degree.
Legal studies opens up a broad range of career options. You may wish to practise as a solicitor or barrister or outside the legal profession as corporate counsel, business strategist, government policy advisor or entrepreneur.
Our graduates work in a wide variety of organisations from large international organisations such as the United Nations or the World Bank to small community legal services. Find out more about professional accreditation.
At the Sydney Law School you’ll acquire a strong legal education and be well prepared for practice in the profession. You will develop critical thinking skills, the capacity for deep, evidence based analysis and problem solving, and a thorough grounding in professional ethics.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners. We also attract the involvement of prominent international scholars and leaders in the judiciary and government.
In addition to core units of study, you’ll have access to a broad range of electives from areas such as contracts, constitutional law, criminal law, corporate law, health law, environmental law, media law and international law. And you’ll also have the option of studying units of study at the master's level, which may then be credited toward a Master of Laws (LLM) degree at Sydney Law School in the future.
We attract the brightest students so you’ll be studying with a cohort that will both challenge and inspire you. During your studies you’ll forge strong networks with your peers, which will enhance your future career.
The student community is engaged and actively involved with the university and broader community. As a student at Sydney Law School, you'll automatically be part of the Sydney University Law Society (SULS), one of the most active student-led organisations at the University.
SULS arranges a variety of events, activities and programs including social events, mooting and skills competitions, educational support and career-focussed events.
At Sydney Law School, you will become part of a highly regarded group of international law schools that includes Oxford and Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and Tsinghua in Beijing, China where we have exclusive arrangements in place.
Along with student exchange program opportunities, and access to a range of offshore units of study, our JD and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) are the only Australian law degrees that require you to complete two units of study in international law.
Our wide range of international, comparative and transnational law electives and focus on international law and opportunities to gain skills and knowledge studying overseas mean that you will be well-equipped for an international career.
Through our social justice activities, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a valuable clinical placement at one of our partner community legal centres or organisations.
Our alumni can be found in legal and non-legal professions around the world. You will experience our reputation for excellence - a reputation that opens doors, Sydney Law School is an innovator in the legal world.
You will become a member of the only Australian law school to produce six prime ministers of Australia; the first Australian law school to admit women; and the legal educator of 23 High Court judges including five of seven women.
