2021 Law Master's guide

Our Master's degree programs for law and non-law graduates plus answers to frequently asked questions.

Email us at pglaw@law.uq.edu.au with any queries.

Advance your career with world-class postgraduate legal study for lawyers and non-lawyers

Whether you are interested in degree programs, individual courses or pursuing original research, we provide an outstanding environment for postgraduate learning and discovery.

Our courses are delivered by leading scholars and members of the judiciary to small groups of students. This personalised learning environment will encourage you to achieve at the highest level. You will feel a genuine sense of belonging, and can grow your professional network from day one.

Teaching is enriched by cutting-edge research in specialist fields, and your private postgraduate study is supported by Queensland’s best academic library services.

Laws

For qualified practitioners seeking to gain advanced knowledge in their field of interest. Select from the broadest range of courses. The Master of Laws can be taken as a 16 unit (1 year) or 24 unit (1.5 year) program. Significant new course areas have been introduced commencing 2021.

LLM 16 unit program details and apply LLM 24 unit program details and apply LLM courses offered in 2021

International Law

For law and non-law graduates. Study how international law shapes almost all forms of global interaction, from business and trade to diplomacy and acts of war.

MIL program details and apply MIL courses offered in 2021 (for students commencing 2021)MIL courses offered in 2021 (for students that commenced before 2021)

International Commercial Law

Designed for business, commerce, economics or law graduates, or graduates working in the field of international commercial operations.

MICLaw details and apply
MICLaw courses offered in 2021 (for students commencing 2021) MICLaw courses offered in 2021 (for students that started before 2021)

Dual programs

International Relations/International Law

International Law is available as a dual program with the Master of International Relations.

MIR/MIL program details and apply

International Commercial Law/Commerce

International Commercial Law is available as a dual program with the Master of Commerce.

MICLaw/MCom program details and apply

If you are seeking to earn CPD points for individual courses and would prefer not to enrol in a program learn more about CPD courses.

Insurance law

If you have a particular interest in the insurance industry, consider taking a Graduate Certificate in Insurance Law.

International students

What Australian scholarships can I apply for?

If you are outside Australia

world

Australia Awards - for citizens of developing countries
Global Leaders Scholarships for high achieving students from Europe | Hong Kong | India | Indonesia | Japan | Latin America| Macau | Malaysia | Singapore | Taiwan | Vietnam
For citizens of the USA - Thomas A Plein Foundation Scholarship

If you are in Australia and located outside of Brisbane

UQ Business, Economics and Law Relocation Bursary

If you are currently located in Brisbane or anywhere else

UQ Law scholarships for International Postgraduate Coursework

Search for more

You can also search the UQ scholarship database for more scholarships for new international students studying postgraduate programs.

Introduction to common law

scales of justice We offer a course designed for students from non-common law backgrounds. This course is compulsory for students from a non-common law background enrolled in the Master of Laws and an elective option for other international students. Learn more about Fundamentals of the Common Law (LAWS7936).

English language support

Free writing support

Current students provide help with written work. During these individual consultations, you can get help with grammar, spelling, sentence structure and Australian legal referencing.

Free English classes

Group conversation If you need help with English, free classes are available. You can take English classes for postgraduate law or choose academic English classes that focus on speaking, reading, writing or listening skills.

Domestic students

Course fees

Australia citizens can defer payment of fees through the FEE-HELP scheme. This is the postgraduate equivalent of HECS.

Flexibility

We offer an exceptionally long time to complete our masters programs - up to 7 years - so you can take time off if you need. Typically, our masters students who are working full-time will take 1 or 2 courses per semester. Courses are currently being delivered over a semester-long period. When face-to-face teaching resumes, we expect to offer a selection of intensives - courses which can be completed in 4 days.

COVID-19 impacts

laptop We are delivering all courses online as long as the Australian government recommends physical distancing for everyone's safety. Teaching is via weekly small group Zoom seminars. While recordings and teaching materials are made available online via Blackboard, we encourage you to attend seminars live so you can participate and gain the benefit of networking and sharing insights with your peers. Research supervision is also via Zoom meetings.

COVID-19 restrictions are the subject of on ongoing change. For the latest advice on UQ's response please check UQ community advice.

Library services

Research options

book stack You can pursue original research in any of our masters programs through taking a research project course. To undertake a research project, you need to identify a research topic and a supervisor on staff at the school in your first semester or equivalent.

If you have a law degree already, you can take up to 8 research courses in the Master of Laws, our most flexible program. You can seek to use the Master of Laws to address the entry requirements for a Master or Doctor of Philosophy. Find out more about undertaking a Higher Degree by Research with UQ Law.

Course credit and transfer

If you have previously completed legal studies at postgraduate level, you may apply for course credit. If you have completed legal studies at undergraduate level you can apply for an exemption from having to repeat a similar core course.

What does credit and exemption mean at UQ?

At UQ, if credit is granted, this will reduce the number of courses/units you need to complete. If you are granted an exemption from a compulsory core course, an elective course must be completed instead, so that you can extend your knowledge-base.

Request credit or exemption online after you have accepted an offer.

Enrolling in one course for academic credit

To gain academic credit, you may apply to enrol as a ‘non-award’ student. Your enrolment is called ‘non-award’ because you are not seeking to be awarded a qualification at this point. As a non-award student, you will be required to do course assessment and will gain academic credit for successfully completing the course. You may seek credit for the course if you enrol in a program in the future.

You may apply to enrol in any of the courses listed in the masters course lists as a non-award student. To see all courses, including specialist courses offered in alternate years, search all UQ courses. Find out more about enrolling as a non-award student or apply for entry. You will need to meet course entry requirements and pay course fees upfront.

Students enrolled in a Master of Laws program at another Australian university may be eligible to enrol at UQ as a cross-institutional student for credit towards their study. These students must gain the approval from their home institution before applying to enrol for cross-institutional study.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us directly at pglaw@law.uq.edu.au.