C02027v4 Doctor of Juridical Science

Applicants must submit a research proposal at the point of application. Once final approval is obtained for a research proposal, the topic cannot be changed except with the approval of the University. Topics principally involving non-legal techniques (such as sample surveys) or the application of non-legal categories (such as principles of explanation of other disciplines such as psychology or sociology) do not qualify. In such cases, students are counselled to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (C02028).

Detailed information about the application process can be found at:

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; TOEFL: paper based: 575 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 90 overall with a writing score of 21; DEEP: C

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

From Spring 2008, this course requires completion of six 8-credit-point postgraduate coursework subjects and a dissertation of approximately 50,000–70,000 words (Refer to the course entry in the UTS: Handbook 2007 for the previous course structure. For a current listing of subjects in each course refer to the study package directory. In particular, refer to the correct structure of the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) major options in CBK90248).

While the SJD thesis may be shorter than a PhD thesis, taking account of the coursework component, it is expected to exhibit the same level of originality, criticism and intellectual rigour normally associated with a PhD thesis.

Both the candidate and the candidate's principal supervisor are required to submit progress reports at the end of each semester. Within the first year of commencement for full-time students, or one-and-a-half years for part-time students, candidates must complete a formal doctoral assessment to ensure they are gaining the prerequisite knowledge and skills to allow successful and timely completion of the proposed research program; that their progress is consistent with completion of the research program in the prescribed time; and that they demonstrate the potential to complete the work to standard. Doctoral candidates are also required to make an oral presentation of their dissertation six months prior to submission of their dissertation for examination.

As part of this course, students must complete the subject 78100 Postgraduate Legal Research. This subject is included in the majors and choice blocks.

Candidates may choose to complete one or two majors, undertaking three postgraduate subjects (24 credit points) within each major area. Alternatively, students can choose not to major in a particular area and instead choose six subjects (48 credit points) from across the major areas of study.

The coursework subjects must be completed before the dissertation is commenced as the subjects provide the basis of the research for the dissertation.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the University Graduate School website at: