Postgraduate

Doctor of Juridical Science

Take your qualifications to the next level.
3
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

Take your studies to a new level with a postgraduate degree and discover what career opportunities lie ahead.

Career Pathways

This course provides you with the opportunity to pursue advanced or further study in law.
This course provides you with the opportunity to pursue advanced or further study in law.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

Scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Research Training Program

Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are exempt from paying a contribution toward the cost of their research courses if UWA provides them with a Research Training Program place. This exemption applies for up to four years full-time equivalent study for a doctorate by research and two years full-time equivalent study for a master's by research. The RTP is a performance-based funding scheme administered by the Federal Department of Education and Training.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$54,600.00
2025
$57,600.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Research Training Program

Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents are exempt from paying a contribution toward the cost of their research courses if UWA provides them with a Research Training Program place. This exemption applies for up to four years full-time equivalent study for a doctorate by research and two years full-time equivalent study for a master's by research. The RTP is a performance-based funding scheme administered by the Federal Department of Education and Training.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

If you’re interested in furthering your career by studying this postgraduate degree, find out the admission details below.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) the Bachelor of Laws with first or upper second class honours; or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
or
(b)(i) a Juris Doctor or Master of Laws, including a 12 point research project, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and
(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent;
or
(c)(i) a bachelor's degree in law, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and
(ii) evidence of adequate research preparation as recognised by UWA; and
(iii) at least two years of relevant professional experience, or
(d)(i) completed 24 points of a Master of Laws (LLM) at UWA or elsewhere, including a 12 points research paper;
(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 percent on completed LLM units; and
(iii) a mark of at least 70 percent in the 12 points research paper.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENT

Research and coursework supplementary form

Applicants to this course are required to submit a completed Research and Coursework Supplementary Form [PDF, 385KB] when applying.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

This course has higher ELC requirements. Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 6.5. For more information visit ELC requirements.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our online application portal.

We’ll guide you through the application process including important steps, entry pathways and documents you’ll need.

Apply now

Course details

This is a professional doctorate consisting of a combination of coursework units and a thesis.

About the course

The Doctor of Juridical Science is a special opportunity to gain distinguished professional recognition for high-quality research. With both a coursework and thesis component, this professional doctorate recognises a distinguished original contribution to professional knowledge. It is a platform for achieving publication of research outputs and can re-launch your professional career or fulfil a personal yearning for scholarly satisfaction.
Doctor of Juridical Science

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • The majority of SJD law units are offered intensively throughout the year during the vacation periods and study breaks. View important dates for study break and vacation periods.
    Units listed in the course rules are not necessarily available every year. It is advisable to check the availability of units before accepting or applying to defer an offer from the University. The list of available option units is updated in November each year.
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 30 hours per week (or 15 hours part-time), which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 20810
CRICOS code
  • 024815G
Doctor of Juridical Science
Status
  • Available
Locations
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • The majority of SJD law units are offered intensively throughout the year during the vacation periods and study breaks. View important dates for study break and vacation periods.
    Units listed in the course rules are not necessarily available every year. It is advisable to check the availability of units before accepting or applying to defer an offer from the University. The list of available option units is updated in November each year.
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 30 hours per week (or 15 hours part-time), which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 20810
CRICOS code
  • 024815G
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years
Degrees course is available in
  • Doctor of Juridical Science

Why study this course?

 

  1. Gain distinguished professional recognition for high quality research.
  2. The coursework component provides for networking opportunities, and enhancing subject expertise and higher skills in legal theory and research methodology.
  3. The thesis equips you to apply these skills with the guidance of expert supervisors and funding for research activities.

Course structure

Postgraduate research degrees are identified by an intensive research component. Refer to the Handbooks for information on course rules.

Option - Group A
Take unit(s) to the value of 42 points:
Option - Group B
Take unit(s) to the value of 102 points:

Western Australia's premier Law School

The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2024). You will join and contribute to 90 years of excellence: we are the first law school established in WA and the fifth oldest in Australia.

Our graduates include a Prime Minister, a Governor of Western Australia, State Ministers, Justices of the Supreme Court of WA, a Young Australian of the Year, Rhodes Scholars, and more.

While we have a long and proud history, we're also a closely-knit, creative and progressive Law School, fostering critical thought, ethical scholarship and practice, a deep connection to our Indigenous past and present, and supportive student culture based upon wellbeing and inclusion.

Contact

For further course specific information, please contact the UWA Law School’s Graduate Research Coordinator:
[email protected]