Master of Laws (LLM) by Coursework & Graduate Diploma in Law (GradDipLaw)

The University of Sydney’s Master of Laws (LLM) program is one of the most reputable law coursework programs in Australia. It is a flexible and highly sought after degree that caters specifically for the needs of the legal profession. Candidates may choose from the entire range of units on offer in our postgraduate program, permitting candidates to tailor a program to suit their academic and professional needs.

If you do not wish to commit to a full Master's program, but have a law degree and are interested in studying our coursework units, you may want to consider our Graduate Diploma in Law (GradDipLaw). In line with our flexible study policy, you may upgrade to a Master of Laws (LLM) if you wish to undertake further study. The minimum course duration is six months for full-time candidates, and one year for part-time candidates.

Program Co-ordinator

Dr Arlie Loughnan

Pathways to the LLM @ Sydney

Complete your LLM in Europe…

The Sydney Law School offers a Master of Laws (LLM) program in Europe. Classes take place at the Australian Centre Europe in Berlin. Units are taught intensively, over four successive days. Upon completion, students must then complete the assessment. Several subjects are offered each year and each unit may count towards programs other than the LLM. You can count one, some or all of your units towards a Sydney LLM by attending classes in Europe.


Complete your LLM in Sydney…

You can complete your entire LLM program in Australia’s largest and most famous city. The Sydney Law School’s postgraduate coursework program is one of Australia’s largest with over 130 units of study taught each year. Sydney caters to approximately 15 areas of specialisation in law, with units taught by our very own experts as well as overseas visitors. Units are taught intensively or over an entire semester. If you’re a full-time student it’s possible to complete your LLM in one year by finishing eight units of study.


Complete your LLM in Sydney & Europe…

You may prefer to combine study in Europe with that in Sydney. You can decide to complete half your units in Europe and half in Sydney, for instance. Alternatively you may like to complete most in Europe or some in Sydney. The choice is yours and your unit selection will determine your location. You may even find that you wish to finish your LLM in Sydney in order to attend your graduation ceremony at the University.


Complete a single unit to count towards an LLM…

You do not have to commit to entire program straight away. You may like to sample a unit of study, be it in Europe or Sydney. With a maximum time to completion of six years, you can start off with just the one unit and then you may wish to delay your study until another unit of interest is taught. So long as you complete the assessment, that unit will count towards an award course such as a Graduate Diploma or Masters.


Complete the Graduate Diploma in Law and then upgrade to the LLM…

You may like to start out with a Graduate Diploma, which consists of four units of study. With approval you can then upgrade to a Masters. Many of our students commence with a Graduate Diploma in Law (GradDipLaw) and then decide to enhance their qualifications by transferring to the LLM. With only four units of study remaining to qualify, it’s a decision worth considering.

Admission requirements

An undergraduate degree in law or equivalent at an appropriate level.

Program structure

The Sydney LLM requires 48 credit points, equivalent to eight units of study, for completion. 24 credit points are required for completion of the Graduate Diploma in Law. Credit may be available for units completed towards an equivalent degree at another law school.

Attendance pattern

Each unit of study entails 26 contact hours. Units are offered on a semester length basis or intensive basis. Semester length units are taught once a week over 13 weeks on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening between 6pm and 8pm. Intensive units of study condense the 26 hours over a period of four to five days. The units are then taught between 9am and 5pm over a block period. For example, an intensive unit may be taught two consecutive days one week and then two consecutive days in a fortnight's time. All classes are held in the Law School or another Sydney CBD location.

Duration

Units of study

Candidates can choose from the full range of units offered by the Law School in any given year. For the latest offerings, visit the units of study section.

Staff

One of the strengths of the program is its teaching staff, who bring a rich depth of knowledge and experience from professional law practice, teaching and research. Sydney Law School provides a base to pursue the highest standards of innovative scholarship. For further information, visit the Our People section of the website.