Why Master of Laws?
Champion legal rights and fight for your passions. Find your place in the expanding legal landscape.
Adelaide University’s Master of Laws opens doors to a variety of rewarding careers. You might protect our planet by working on climate change and conservation cases. Or become a pioneer in global business, navigating international trade. Perhaps you’ll defend those who are suffering from human rights crimes.
Explore the challenging and rewarding world of law and gain a competitive edge in your career. Advance your knowledge and become a specialist, ready to advise and lead in legal settings within Australia and internationally.
Overview
Develop deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth in our Master of Laws. You will have the knowledge to succeed, connect with others and build an international portfolio. Stand out in the competitive world of law.
Enhance your skills and gain expert in-depth knowledge in a range of specialisations. Tailor this program to your individual needs, building a desirable skillset for a range of careers.
Build a broad professional network including legal professionals, judges and international academics. Gain valuable insights through collaboration with top universities.
Lay the foundation for an international career by creating a global legal network. Become an expert with specialised legal skills and knowledge needed for policy development, compliance and legal practice. Graduate ready to follow your passions and excel in your chosen field.
Key features
Develop advanced skills in legal writing, reasoning and analysis. - Engage with legal professionals, former judges and international academics.
- Suited to students proceeding directly from undergraduate study and experienced legal practitioners.
- Choose from a range of elective options including nuclear, human rights and space law.
- Connect with leading universities overseas.
- Complete a substantial research project.
What you'll learn
Our Master of Laws curriculum has been designed to ensure flexibility to suit your interests.
While this program offers no formal specialisation, you can choose to study courses from several different study areas.
These include:
- Human Rights Law
- International Law
- Military Law
- AI and the Law
- Workplace Law
- Space Law
- Nuclear Law
- Cyber Conflict Law
- Law of Air and Naval Warfare
- Counter-terrorism and National Security Law.
Your chosen electives will strengthen your communication skills and hone your leadership readiness. You’ll focus on areas of specialisation that will support your career progression.
You’ll also work alongside legal professionals in Australia including former judges. Connect with international academics and take advantage of our partnerships with leading overseas universities.
To graduate from this degree, you must complete a substantial research project, essay or dissertation. If you wish to undertake further study in a PhD, you may choose to complete the PhD pathway option.
What courses you'll study
Complete 48 units comprising:
- 6 units for all Core courses, and
- 0 to 18 units from Discipline courses, and
- 24 to 42 units for Electives
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
Notes
Students who already hold an LLB, JD or LLB (Hons) from a common law jurisdiction will not complete LAWS5058 Introduction to Australian Law, and instead should complete an additional 6-unit Elective.
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 0 to 18 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 to 42 units comprising:
- 24 to 42 units from Program electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Commercial and Business Law
|
Course code
BUSI5097
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Taxation Law and Policy
|
Course code
BUSI6055
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Employment Law
|
Course code
HRES5013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Anti-discrimination Law: Practice and Theory PG
|
Course code
LAWS5004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Environmental Law (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
AI and Technology: Legal and Security Issues
|
Course code
LAWS5007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Criminal Law (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Military Discipline Law
|
Course code
LAWS5019
|
Units
9
|
|
|
Course name
International Commercial and Trade Law
|
Course code
LAWS5020
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Military Operations Law
|
Course code
LAWS5021
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Counter Terrorism and National Security Law
|
Course code
LAWS5022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Transitional Justice (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Rights: International Perspectives (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Humanitarian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5035
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Arbitration
|
Course code
LAWS5040
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Arbitration
|
Course code
LAWS5041
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cyber Security and Cyber Conflict Law
|
Course code
LAWS5048
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law in Defence of Australia
|
Course code
LAWS5051
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Arms Control
|
Course code
LAWS5052
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Strategic Space Law (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5053
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Maritime Law and Geopolitics in the Asian Region
|
Course code
LAWS5054
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Comparative Law
|
Course code
LAWS5055
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Law
|
Course code
LAWS5059
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law of Naval Warfare
|
Course code
LAWS5061
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Defence Contracting Law
|
Course code
LAWS5062
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Commercial Space Law
|
Course code
LAWS5064
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Government, Law and Policy
|
Course code
LAWS5065
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Federal Criminal and Defence Discipline Law
|
Course code
LAWS5067
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Humanitarian Law and Disruptive Technology
|
Course code
LAWS5069
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Nuclear Regulatory Law
|
Course code
LAWS5070
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Military Administrative Law
|
Course code
LAWS5077
|
Units
9
|
|
|
Course name
Public International Law (UoA) (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS6007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law of Export Controls and Trade Sanctions
|
Course code
LAWS5027
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
International Commercial Arbitration (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5044
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Law of Air Warfare
|
Course code
LAWS5068
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Law
|
Course code
LAWS5058
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Legal Research and Writing (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5063
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Dissertation (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5003
|
Units
12
|
|
Course name
Law Research Project (PG)
|
Course code
LAWS5066
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
Graduates will be equipped to pursue advanced careers in law, with international and/or non-governmental organisations, in global enterprises, or for governments and policy-makers.
A Master of Laws can give you a deeper understanding of the law and open opportunities in both traditional legal roles and more specialised or global positions.
You might stand up for people’s rights around the world, working with organisations like Amnesty International or the United Nations. Perhaps you’ll join the world of global business, helping companies navigate the complex rules of international trade.
Other potential careers you may consider include:
- Jury consultant
- Lawyer
- Solicitor
- Barrister.
Please note to practise law the academic requirement is a Bachelor of Laws. In addition, there are practical legal training requirements which may be met through completion of a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Industry trends
Over the past eleven years, there has been a 57% increase in the number of solicitors practising in Australia (Urbis, National Profile of Solicitors, 2022). Gain specialised legal knowledge to give yourself an edge in the market and diversify your career opportunities.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
