Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
A successful career in a demanding profession requires comprehensive training. The Juris Doctor gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to become the lawyer you want to be and a lawyer the world needs. You’ll enter the competitive graduate market with an edge, with a prestigious qualification offered by institutions…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
A successful career in a demanding profession requires comprehensive training. The Juris Doctor gives you the knowledge and skills necessary to become the lawyer you want to be and a lawyer the world needs. You’ll enter the competitive graduate market with an edge, with a prestigious qualification offered by institutions such as Harvard, Yale and Columbia universities.
UWA JD graduates are:
Problem solvers who have a deep practical and theoretical mastery of subject matter; are critical and creative thinkers; and understand the ways in which local, national and global contexts influence and shape the law.
Culturally competent legal professionals who have engaged throughout their degree with Indigenous knowledges, cultures and perspectives and are well equipped to work respectfully across cultural contexts.
Relationship builders who listen with empathy; communicate effectively; and create constructive and collaborative connections with colleagues, clients and communities.
Resilient and reflective learners who are adaptable thinkers; have developed skills for critical self-reflection and lifelong learning; and understand the importance of, and have developed practical tools for, managing their well-being and supporting the well-being of others.
Global citizens who understand the importance of the ethical and professional practice of law; are outward-looking in the search for solutions; and able to engage on national, transnational and international levels.
Course structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units.
Why study this course?
Learn from the very best of the legal profession and award-winning academics recognised nationally for excellence in teaching and research.
Emphasis on practical and professional skill building and an inquiry approach to learning.
Study with high-achieving students in an inclusive environment and build lifelong friendships with a diverse and vibrant cohort of future leaders.
Very high graduate employment rates.
Comprehensive and integrated wellbeing and professionalism programs.
Be at the forefront of innovation in legal education with initiatives such as:
Indigenisation of the Juris Doctor curriculum: An Australia-first initiative that seeks to embed Indigenous knowledge, experiences and laws across the Juris Doctor.
You’ll be introduced to cutting-edge technological developments in the law and in the provision of legal services.
Progressive and interesting elective offerings.
Career Pathways
Although the practice of law (lawyer, solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel or judge) is the most common career progression for law graduates, the JD also equips you to head into other areas such as politics, international relations, leadership positions and legal publishing.
Further Study
Following the JD, you can choose to study a more specialised and advanced law degree. At UWA you can undertake further study in Law, Commercial and Resources Law, International Law, Taxation Law, International Commercial Law, Mining and Energy Law and Chinese Business Law. Or, if you would like to pursue a research dissertation, you could enrol in the Doctor of Juridical Science, Doctor of Laws or another of UWA’s research degrees.
REQUIREMENTS
(1)Applicant must have— (a) a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and; (b) the equivalent of a UWA grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.5. (2) Indigenous applicant must have— (a) met the general admission requirements under 4.(1); or (b) (i) a bachelor’s degree via the UWA Indigenous Direct Pathway; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0; or (c) (i) a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) a School of Indigenous Studies’ Law Admission Test and interview (3)Admission to this course via the Equity and Diversity Pathway an applicant must have—(a) (i) held a protection, refugee or humanitarian visa within seven years prior to applying for admission to this course; or (ii) experienced significant personal, medical, social, educational, cultural or financial disadvantage or hardship, including any disadvantage or hardship resulting from an applicant’s sexual orientation or gender identity that has had an effect on their prior academic studies; and (b) a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (c) the equivalent of a UWA grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.0.
English language requirements:
TOEFL (paper-based): 570 with a Test of Written English (TWE) of no less than 4.5
IBT TOEFL (Internet-based test score): 82 with 22 for writing, 20 for speaking, 20 for listening, and 18 for reading
IELTS (Academic): overall score of at least 7.5 and no band less than 7.0
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a proud member of the Group of Eight and is the only university in Western Australia to be ranked in the world top 100 universities (QS World University Rankings 2023).UWA’s main campus is located in Perth, Western Australia and is home to more than 23,000 students. Perth is Australia’s fourth-largest city with over two million people from a variety of cultures worldwide, a strong economy and vibrant lifestyle. Perth is one of the country’s most affordable cities, the closest major Australian city to Asia, and in the same time zone as most of Asia.
