Program Overview - Juris Doctor

University and Faculty:	The University of Melbourne Faculty of Law
Program:	Juris Doctor
University Location:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
City Population:	3.7 million
Student Population:	40,000
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 2012
Est. Annual Tuition:	$31,690 AUD (2011)
Est. Total Tuition:	$99,872 AUD (based on 2011 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 J.D. 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 J.D. entails three full years of study. The course may be accelerated by undertaking subjects in the summer and winter breaks, with the approval of the Faculty. The accelerated course structure would entail two full calendar years and two months of study.

Unique Features of the Program

The Law School at The University of Melbourne has offered the Melbourne J.D. 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 amongst students themselves.

Professional Certification/Accreditation Information

If you complete the Melbourne J.D., 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

Each and every OzTREKK student who applies directly and accepts their university offer via OzTREKK, and commences their studies on campus at the University of Melbourne 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 J.D. has three selection criteria:
1. Academic results achieved in previous tertiary studies
2. The LSAT test score
3. The applicant's personal statement

A Melbourne J.D. 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 J.D. program.

When your application is complete, OzTREKK will immediately submit it electronically to the University of Melbourne's International Admissions Office. OzTREKK will also notify you that your application has been submitted.

Please note that there is $100 AUD application fee for the University of Melbourne application, but this fee is waived for J.D. applicants. Please leave this section blank on your application form.

Total Number of Places in the Program: no set quota

International Student Application Deadlines:
"Early Bird Round" application deadline for Semester 1, 2012 (Feb., 2012): January 17, 2011
"Early Bird Round" applicants will be notified of their application outcomes by March 23, 2011.

"Round One" application deadline for Semester 1, 2012 (Feb., 2012): July 12, 2011
"Round One" applicants will be notified of their application outcomes by August 26, 2011.

"Round Two" application deadline for Semester 1, 2012 (Feb., 2012): Sept. 12, 2011
"Round Two" applicants will be notified of their application outcomes by Nov. 23, 2011.

"Round Three" application deadline for Semester 1, 2012 (Feb., 2012): Nov. 7, 2011
"Round Three" applicants will be notified of their application outcomes by Jan. 20, 2012.

Please note that the Melbourne JD program orientation normally commences the first week of February.

OzTREKK Admissions Officer: Nicole Buchanan