Postgraduate

Master of Resources and International Commercial Law

Gain specialised legal knowledge to further your career in the highly regulated mining, energy and natural resources sector.
1
Year 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

Explore the career opportunities available to you.

Career Pathways

This course prepares you for a career in the mining, energy and resources sector. For students with a prior non-law undergraduate degree, the Master of Resources and International Commercial Law provides useful knowledge of the law and valuable understanding of important legal considerations relating to large-scale resources-related projects. Students who have a prior law degree (as well as the necessary Practical Legal Training) may use the complementary knowledge gained in this course to act as Special Counsel/Executive Counsel in resources companies.
This course prepares you for a career in the mining, energy and resources sector. For students with a prior non-law undergraduate degree, the Master of Resources and International Commercial Law provides useful knowledge of the law and valuable understanding of important legal considerations relating to large-scale resources-related projects. Students who have a prior law degree (as well as the necessary Practical Legal Training) may use the complementary knowledge gained in this course to act as Special Counsel/Executive Counsel in resources companies.

Further Study

Students who seek to continue study with the Law School can advance their knowledge with higher degree by research opportunities. Options include Doctor of Juridical Science, Master of Philosophy by research, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Laws.
Students who seek to continue study with the Law School can advance their knowledge with higher degree by research opportunities. Options include Doctor of Juridical Science, Master of Philosophy by research, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Laws.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Annual course fee
2025
Full-Fee Paying Place $34,800.00

For Full-Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL).

Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course type to find out more. Fees are subject to annual indexation.

More information on how fees are calculated.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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

Annual course fee
2024
$45,100.00
2025
$47,600.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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 course, find out the admission details below

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—1(a) a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; or 
2(a) (i) a bachelor's degree in a cognate area, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or 
3(a) (i) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; and (iii) at least two years of relevant professional experience.

Ranking and Selection Process

Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
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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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

Course details

This course prepares both legal and non-legal professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for a future in the rapidly expanding resources sector.

About the course

You will learn about a wide range of legal considerations across the mining, energy and resources sector, as well as gaining the necessary technical knowledge, such as how petroleum is produced or how iron ore is mined. You will benefit from a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the industry.
Master of Resources and International Commercial Law

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Throughout the year
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 20560
CRICOS code
  • 047155D
Master of Resources and International Commercial Law
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Throughout the year
Weekly contact time
  • The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
Level of study
  • Postgraduate
Course Code
  • 20560
CRICOS code
  • 047155D
Full time/part time duration
  • 1 year
Degrees course is available in
  • Master of Resources and International Commercial Law

Course structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Core
Students who completed a law degree based on the common law cannot take LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions. LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions is a core unit in this program for all students who have not completed a law degree or have not completed a law degree based on the common law. (6 points):
Core - Group A
Take 24 points:
Option - Group B
Take unit(s) to a minimum value of 12 points and a maximum value of 30 points from this group. (The Faculty recommends that 30 points are taken from this group.):
Option - Group C
Take unit(s) from this group to complete the remainder of points (0-18).

Why study this course?

  1. Study a broad range of units focused on commerce and international sales as well as those related to resources such as mining and oil and gas. 
  2. You'll be taught in a highly practical way, making use of real-life examples, contracts and case studies.  
  3. Leading industry experts contribute to some units as lecturers and tutors. 
Meet the staff

Course coordinator Professor John Chandler

Professor John Chandler

Professor John Chandler is Co-Director of The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law. He has been a practising lawyer for over 30 years specialising in mining and petroleum development.

He delivers courses in the areas of mining and oil and gas, and his research interests include oil and gas law, corporate governance and resource investment.

Meet the staff

You'll learn to

  • engage in critical legal analysis using your specialised legal knowledge. 
  • study and research independently on research essays and tasks while gaining working knowledge of legal method and legal research principles. 
  • adapt the degree to your own specialisation, given free choice to extend your basic legal knowledge in subjects available to you.
Research entity

Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law

The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law has a successful research record going back to its establishment within the Law School at The University of Western Australia in 1990.

It was initially established in recognition of the importance of both the resources and the commercial sectors to the Western Australia economy. In recent years the focus and emphasis of the Centre broadened to include a wide range of mining, energy and natural resources law matters.

The research areas of the Centre all have practical elements and this engagement enhances the research of the Centre by ensuring it is relevant and current.

Research entity

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.