University of Melbourne Law School

Program Overview - Juris Doctor (JD)


University and Faculty:	The University of Melbourne Faculty of Law
Program:	Juris Doctor
University Location:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
City Population:	4 million
Student Population:	47,000
Campus Location:	Parkville, downtown Melbourne
Program Duration:	Three years (standard course structure) Two years and two months (accelerated course structure)
Semester Intake:	February each year
Next Intake:	February 2014
Est. Annual Tuition:	$34,944 AUD (2014)
Est. Total Tuition:	$110,162 AUD (based on 2014 fees)

The University of Melbourne Law School offers the Juris Doctor, J.D., which is a graduate law degree of global standard. It leads to admission to practise throughout Australia and gives graduates the skills to take on the world.

Melbourne Law School is housed in an ultra-modern, stand-alone building in University Square, the university's burgeoning knowledge precinct. It contains state-of-the-art technology for staff and students, outstanding research facilities, an award-winning moot court, superb conference facilities, and purpose-built teaching spaces. Its Legal Research Centre spans three floors of the Law School building, and contains a rich legal collection comprising more than 180,000 volumes of reports, legislation, legal journals and treatises. The LRC also subscribes to major English language databases and has a permanent exhibition of rare books. It provides access to a wide range of the latest electronic resources for teaching and research today.

Melbourne approaches teaching and research in law in a way that is outward looking and internationally focused. The JD curriculum is designed to anticipate developments in law in an age of globalization. Melbourne participates in a range of international networks that is second to none, through formal institutional arrangements and the international connections of its staff. The Melbourne student body is extraordinarily diverse, coming from all regions of the world. Each year, Melbourne is host to a wide range of international visitors, who teach in its programs, engage in collaborative research with its staff, make public presentations of various kinds or simply use its outstanding facilities.

The standard course structure for the Melbourne JD entails three full years of study. This law course may be accelerated by undertaking subjects in the summer and winter breaks, with the approval of the Faculty of Law. The accelerated course structure would entail two full calendar years and two months of study.

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Unique Features of the Program

The Law School at the University of Melbourne has offered the Melbourne JD since 2000, which set a benchmark for legal education in Australia. The curriculum has been developed specifically for graduates and the course is structured and taught in a way that is suitable for graduates.

The maximum class size is 60 and in many subjects it is smaller, to enhance the opportunities for interaction between students and teachers and among students themselves.

Professional Certification/Accreditation Information

If you complete the Melbourne JD, you are eligible to apply to practise law in Canada. It is imperative that you understand the requirements and procedures associated with entering the legal profession in Canada. Contact OzTREKK for information about accreditation.

Scholarships

Every student who applies (and accepts) via OzTREKK and commences his/her studies at an OzTREKK Australian university will receive a $500 scholarship from OzTREKK.
Click here for more information about the OzTREKK Scholarship!

Admissions Criteria/Entry Requirements for Canadians

Applicants must have

completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline; and
completed the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

The Melbourne JD has three selection criteria:
1. Academic results achieved in previous tertiary studies
2. The LSAT score
3. The applicant's personal statement

A Melbourne JD application must include a personal statement of up to 850 words. It should emphasize any aspect of your personal history that may enhance your application, including extracurricular activity, community involvement, work experience, caregiver responsibilities, relevant personal characteristics and any outstanding achievements. Statements should be typewritten; the pages should be numbered; and the applicant's name and date of birth should appear on each page.

Students who have not yet completed an undergraduate degree may apply, as long as they will have graduated prior to commencing the Melbourne JD program.

Application Timeline

International applicants are assessed on an ongoing basis throughout the year, up until November 30, 2013. Applications are assessed periodically throughout the application season on a rolling admissions basis. The earlier your application is submitted the better. If you would like a timeline for reference, please consider the following suggested deadlines to complete your application with the OzTREKK office.

Early applications - July 12, 2013
Late Applications - September 9, 2013

Total Number of Places in the Program: no set quota

International Student Application Deadline: November 30, 2013

OzTREKK Admissions Officer: Shannon Tilston

University of Melbourne Law School