Juris Doctor

About

The UNSW Juris Doctor (JD) is a flexible postgraduate degree for graduates of disciplines other than law and provides the basis for admission to legal practice in Australia. The JD can lead to a wide range of careers in government, business, legal and social policy and international relations.

UNSW JD students benefit from JD-only classes throughout the compulsory core component of their degree, hybrid face to face/online delivery models for some evening core courses, access to an exclusive Careers Service, and are taught by UNSW’s world-class researchers and teachers. Students are prepared for the future of law by learning about new and emerging topics while establishing a foundation in key areas of law.

Note: Due to UNSW's quota system for Commonwealth-supported and fee-paying courses, students should apply as soon as possible. The quota system ensures enrolment is maintained at a level which maximises the quality of the UNSW teaching and learning experience.

Applications received after UAC's main closing date will be considered, however the university cannot guarantee that they'll be processed in time for the start of your preferred term. Offers to courses may close if a faculty's offer quota is reached. Applicants will be considered for preferences in future offer rounds in the 2023–24 UAC admissions period or can reapply in the following admissions period.

Allocation of JD places

UNSW offers domestic applicants both Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and full-fee places in the JD. CSP are offered to the most competitively ranked applicants and the remaining eligible applicants will be offered a full-fee place in the JD program. Places are limited in the UNSW JD and generally, applicants need to have a completed qualification equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher with a distinction average for a CSP and a credit average for a full-fee place to be competitive. You should list both CSP and full-fee codes in your UAC preferences if you wish to be considered for both places. Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a CSP place. Therefore, applicants may consider adding a Fee-paying preference.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people considering the Juris Doctor may be assessed under the Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme pathway. In addition to your UAC application please submit an Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme application form. 

If you’re in your final year and about to complete your bachelor's degree, please refer to the UAC guide for Admission Requirement Deadlines. 

Important: Offers are made on a rolling basis via UAC from October when domestic applications open.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a CSP place. Therefore, applicants may consider adding a Fee-paying preference.

UNSW JD Awards – Transferring from UNSW JD FEE to JD CSP

UNSW offers up to eight JD Awards each year. Applications will be considered from students enrolled in a FEE place in UNSW’s JD to transfer to a CSP. Assessment will be based on results in a minimum of one year full-time equivalent (48 units of credit) of UNSW JD studies. It is expected that to be competitive for consideration, students will require a minimum distinction average. Applications are made through UAC Postgraduate. For further information please contact Law & Justice Student Services.

Early commencement of JD classes

Classes for Introducing Law and Justice will start in the week commencing 5 February 2024 (Orientation Week) for admission in UNSW Term 1, and 2 September 2024 (Orientation Week) for admission in UNSW Term 3. These introductory classes are compulsory and are taught in intensive mode. All students must attend these classes as preparation for the study of law.

Admission criteria

• All applicants must hold or expect to hold a bachelor degree from a recognised institution. In exceptional cases, an applicant may be considered for admission if they hold a masters degree from a recognised institution without holding a bachelor degree. In such cases, the applicant must contact UNSW Admissions (quoting their UAC application number) no later than:
  
  – 10 January 2025 for admission in Term 1
  – 25 July 2025 for admission in Term 3.
  
  Applicants may be required to provide evidence of academic and professional experience.
• Applicants who have already completed an Australian undergraduate law degree will not be considered for admission to the Juris Doctor (JD).
• Applicants who are currently completing an undergraduate degree must have met the requirements for the award of the degree and have this confirmed by the institution by:
  
  – 10 January 2025 for admission in Term 1
  – 25 July 2025 for admission in Term 3.
• Applicants who have completed the course requirements for the non-law degree of a Law double degree program are eligible to apply for the JD. Such applicants must have completed all requirements for the award of the single degree and provide a written statement from their university confirming this by:
  
  – 10 January 2025 for admission in Term 1
  – 25 July 2025 for admission in Term 3.
• If all or most of the subjects in an applicant's bachelor degree are ungraded, the applicant must provide statements/references from lecturers indicating the level of achievement in each course. Applicants must send this information to UNSW Admissions (quoting their UAC application number) no later than:
  
  – 10 January 2025 for admission in Term 1
  – 25 July 2025 for admission in Term 3.
• Note that applicants are considered for admission to UNSW’s JD on the basis of academic qualifications only; employment/life experience will not be taken into account.

To reach the UNSW Admissions team regarding any of the scenarios above, please submit your request in writing via UNSW Admissions Enquiry Webform and contact +61 (2) 9385 3656 to confirm this by the specified deadlines. The approval of requests beyond these deadlines cannot be guaranteed.

Full details of Juris Doctor entry requirements

Fees and charges

^ Indicative annual course fees for 2023. Visit UNSW's website for further information.

Australian Government financial assistance

UNSW Sydney scholarships and financial assistance

Equity Scholarships through UAC

Further information

Read the full course details on the UNSW Sydney website.

Visit the UNSW Law & Justice website.
Call Future Students +61 2 9385 1844.