Programme

Programme

The Master of Laws (LLM) may be completed by coursework, dissertation and coursework, thesis or research portfolio, but in each case original student research is an essential element. Each LLM is considered individually to ensure it makes up a coherent programme of study.

Duration

The LLM is a one-year full-time, or up to three-year part-time, programme totalling 120 points. You may study in the first or second trimester but you have a wider choice of courses if you begin in trimester one.

Masters by coursework

The LLM by coursework comprises:

• LAWS 581 Advanced Legal Study (10 points) and
• 110 further points from LAWS 501-582. You may substitute up to 40 points from approved courses or equivalent points value prescribed for Honours or Master's courses offered in non-law Victoria programmes, or for an LLM or equivalent programme at another approved university.

The 500-level LAWS courses offered vary from year to year. Courses may be taught in blocks, intensively or as seminars. Please look at the timetable to see when the intensive and block courses are offered.

The seminar courses are chiefly led by students who prepare papers in advance. These courses usually entail a research paper of either 7,500 words (for 20-point courses) or 15,000 words (for 40-point courses). From 2014, 40 point courses are optional.

Most 20-point one-trimester seminars are identified in the timetable by a 500/400 coding, since they are also open to LLB (Hons) students. LLM students must meet the assessment criteria set down for 500-level students in that course.

The Director of Postgraduate Studies may exempt students from LAWS 581 and allow the substitution of 10 other points from approved LAWS courses.

Internship

A 20-point one-trimester internship, primarily aimed at international students, is also offered. This involves working with a community, government or private sector organisation under the joint supervision of a Faculty member and an outside professional. Assessment is based on work product, a journal and performance at fortnightly seminars.

Alternative courses

LLM coursework students applying for 400 and 500-level LAWS courses must specify alternative courses as part of the online enrolment application process.

Find out more about the 400- and 500-level alternative course preference process.

Masters by dissertation and coursework

The LLM by dissertation and coursework comprises:

• LAWS 581 Advanced Legal Study (10 points)
• LAWS 592 Dissertation of 35,000 words (90 points) and
• 20 further points from the LLM schedule.

The Director of Postgraduate Studies may exempt students from LAWS 581 and allow the substitution of 10 other points from approved LAWS courses.

Alternative courses

LLM coursework students applying for 400 and 500-level LAWS courses must specify alternative courses as part of the online enrolment application process.

Find out more about the 400- and 500-level alternative course preference process.

Masters by thesis

The LLM by thesis comprises:

• LAWS 591 Thesis (120 points)
• LAWS 581 Advanced Legal Study (10 points) as a supplementary course for which fees are not paid.

Areas of thesis supervision

The thesis has a maximum of 50,000 words. Supervision is available over a wide range of topics. Find out more about which faculty members cover different subject areas of LLM thesis supervision.

Masters by research

This more flexible combination of integrated research and coursework on an approved topic includes:

• LAWS 581 Advanced Legal Study (10 points)
• LAWS 593 Research Portfolio  (90 points)
• 20 further points from the LLM Schedule

In LAWS 593 students will participate in two courses and complete two separate but related pieces of integrated research (each of 12,000 words). They will establish and justify the research in a 2,500-word linking paper.

Styles for research papers

The style guide for research papers is a template used for writing and structuring your research papers to meet submission standards.