University of Technology Sydney

C03024v7 Master of Laws (Research)

Award(s): Master of Laws (Research) (LLM(Res))
CRICOS code: 006407F
Course EFTSL: 2
Location: City campus

Overview
Career options
Admission requirements
Inherent (essential) requirements
Applications
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Transfer between UTS courses
Other information

Overview

The Master of Laws (Research) provides an opportunity for graduates to develop their research skills, deepen their knowledge in some area of the law and undertake original research. The degree is awarded to candidates who demonstrate competence in research, an understanding of research methods and an ability to make an original contribution to knowledge.

This course is suitable for students who have completed a coursework degree and wish to deepen their knowledge in a particular legal area by means of research. Students develop critical and analytical skills and advanced research skills to enable in-depth exploration of their chosen area. This degree is valuable for those wishing to pursue a career in research.

Career options

Career options include positions in universities, undertaking research, contributions to public policy, or other academic work, including teaching, interest groups and legal publishing.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate research studies.

Previous qualifications must be in a relevant discipline, usually with honours or a distinction average.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with a writing score of 7.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 584-609 overall with TWE of 5.0, internet based: 94-101 overall with a writing score of 27; or PTE: 65-72 overall with a writing score of 65; or C1A/C2P: 185-190 overall with a writing score of 185.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Inherent (essential) requirements

Inherent (essential) requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course. This Statement should be read in conjunction with the UTS Student Rules.

Prospective or current student concerned about their ability to meet these requirements should discuss their concerns with the Academic Liaison Officer in their faculty or school and/or UTS Accessibility Service on 9514 1177 or at accessibility@uts.edu.au.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

Applications

The faculty operates a pre-assessment process prior to the formal application process. This enables the faculty to give advice about whether:

  • a student is likely to meet the academic eligibility requirements
  • the faculty is able to offer supervision in a chosen research area
  • a student appears to have a viable research topic.

The informal pre-assessment process provides students with an indication about whether they are likely to be recommended for admission if a formal application is submitted. Successful completion of the informal assessment does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The faculty may request one or more drafts of a research proposal during pre-assessment. Prospective candidates are advised that research proposals may be reviewed by anti-plagiarism software. Contact the research officer for further information about the pre-assessment process.

Formal applicants must submit a research proposal at the point of application. Once final approval is obtained for a research proposal, the topic cannot be changed except with the approval of the University.

International students

International students must apply through UTS: International.

Course duration and attendance

The maximum course duration is two years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Students can complete the course in less than the maximum time.

The work may be carried out either on university premises or at a site external to the university, or some combination of both. Candidates are required to make contact with their supervisor(s) at least once a month to discuss the progress of the research being undertaken.

Course structure

Students are required to submit a thesis of approximately 40,000–60,000 words. As part of this course, students must also complete the subject 77697 Higher Degree Research Seminar.

The candidate is required to undertake all assessments as part of the faculty's Doctoral Framework three-stage program. In the first stage candidates must complete a formal candidature assessment, and in the second candidates must complete a progress confirmation, to ensure their progress is consistent with completion of the research program in the prescribed time and that they demonstrate potential to complete the work to standard.

Information regarding UTS: Law's key research areas and strengths, and the research interests of staff members, is available at postgraduate research degrees.

Course completion requirements

77698 Thesis (Law) 
77697 Higher Degree Research Seminar 

Transfer between UTS courses

Candidates in the Master of Laws (Research) who wish to transfer to the PhD but do not meet the PhD admission requirements can apply to transfer. Transfer applicants must have completed a minimum of one year's study and have reached a standard equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree with first or second class honours (division 1). Candidates applying to transfer must also demonstrate, with the support of their supervisor(s), that their topic has doctoral scope.

Other information

Further information is available from the faculty research officer on:

telephone +61 2 9514 3753
fax +61 2 9514 3400
email law.research@uts.edu.au
UTS: Law

Applicants are encouraged to contact the UTS: Graduate Research School.