Designed to expand knowledge and develop expertise across a range of key areas of law, the Master of Laws offers a globally recognised advanced law degree.
Program description
Advance your career with a Master of Laws (LLM) from one of the world’s leading law schools.
This postgraduate program is open to both law and non-law graduates. It’s ideal for those looking to deepen their knowledge in a specific area of law and for those who are planning to enter a new area of practice. The program can also be taken by anyone who feels that having legal knowledge would be beneficial to their career, including public policy professionals, regulators and managers.
ANU LLM students can select courses from a range of contemporary topics in law, including information technology, aviation and space, environment and climate, cyber warfare, international security, and human rights.
Specialisation
One of the many reasons that students choose to study a Master of Laws at ANU is the flexibility of the program. You’ll have the opportunity to specialise in one of the following areas of law:
Alternatively, the flexible curriculum allows you to build your own degree by selecting courses that fit your particular interests and career goals.
To see the full range of courses available, please visit our Programs and courses webpage.
Key facts
One of the world's top 20 law schools Times Higher Education Rankings (2024)
Five-star maximum rating for student demand, teaching quality, student–teacher ratio and staff qualifications Good Universities Guide 2022
ANU is ranked as one of the top 25 universities in the world for studying law QS World Rankings by Subject, 2022.
Duration
One year full-time. Up to five years part-time.
Make an enquiry
Call and chat to a member of our Future Student Experience team.
Future student enquiryEntry requirements
To study a Master of Laws at ANU, you’ll need one of the following qualifications: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Juris Doctor, Graduate Certificate of Law, or a Bachelor Degree in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 5.0. Alternatively, you can apply with any of the qualifications listed above, and a minimum GPA of 4.0, plus three years’ relevant professional experience.
Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate law degree or Juris Doctor or common law countries/regions listed below are exempted from Law and Legal Institutions (LAWS8586) and are required to complete an additional 6 units from the course list.
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- Ireland
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- India
- Canada
HOW TO APPLY
Visit the following web pages for more information:
Domestic applications
Domestic Applicants will be directed to apply through the relevant application process via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Direct Application portal.
You are a domestic applicant if you are:
- An Australian Citizen
- A New Zealand Citizen
- An Australian permanent resident
- An Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
International applications
International students should visit the International applications - ANU Undergraduate webpage to check the admission dates.
International applicants will be directed to apply through the relevant application process via the Direct Application Portals or Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
You are an international applicant if you are:
- Not an Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Not holding an Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa
- You apply via Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) International if you are an International student who is undertaking:
- Australian Year 12 inside or outside of Australia
- An International Baccalaureate Diploma OR
- A New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Mode of delivery
Courses are delivered in a range of modes, including full-time, part-time, on-campus, online, evening or intensive. At ANU, you’ll be able to fit your studies around your professional and personal commitments.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to take advantage of a teaching approach that combines academic rigour with practical expertise.
Student Experience
As an ANU Master of Law student, you'll learn from leading academics, world-renowned guest lecturers and industry experts from Australia and around the world. You'll also benefit from real-world learning opportunities that are unique to studying law in the nation’s capital—the city where federal laws and policies are made.
As well as being known for its academic expertise, ANU offers a unique cultural experience that you won’t find in other Australian universities. Canberra itself has been ranked in the top 25 student cities four years in a row.
Our proximity to the High Court of Australia, Commonwealth courts and federal agencies means you’ll have unparalleled access to legal practitioners, members of the judiciary and government policymakers, many of whom are ANU Law alumni.
Careers
ANU has the highest level of graduate employability of any Australian university. Our LLM alumni have achieved excellence not just in the area of law, but in international business, diplomacy, politics, public policy, humanitarian aid, banking and finance.
When you graduate with a Master of Laws from ANU, you’ll join a prestigious alumni network of over 21,000 professionals in Australia and around the globe.
Graduates of this program make meaningful contributions in Australia and around the world working as:
- Associates
- Barristers
- Solicitor in private practices
- Government lawyers
- In-house counsels
- Public policy professionals
- Management consultants
- Judges
Academic experts
ANU is ranked in the top 25 universities in the world for studying law (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2022).
Our academics have particular expertise in constitutional and administrative law, international law, environmental law, governance and national security. Some provide national research leadership on the most important legal, regulatory and governance challenges facing Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
Through our Master of Laws program, you’ll benefit from small group teaching and have many opportunities to interact and engage with academic experts, visiting guest speakers and other students.
Fees
Tuition fees are calculated based on residency and the program of study. Check the Master of Laws Programs and courses webpage to find out more about fees for this degree.
Advanced standing (credit)
Students who have completed the ANU Juris Doctor within the last seven years are eligible to receive credit for four elective subjects within the ANU Master of Laws. You can read more about our credit guidelines here and submit your application for advanced standing on this webpage.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to assist with the cost of your studies, including:
- ANU College of Law International Excellence Scholarship
- ANU College of Law International Merit Scholarship
Visit the ANU Scholarships webpage to search the full range of opportunities.
Apply
Visit the following pages to apply for the ANU Master of Laws:
Programs and courses
For information on admission requirements, fees, courses, electives, suggested study patterns and more see Programs and Courses.
Programs and courses