Why Choose a Graduate Law Degree?
Law is an exciting and challenging discipline. It offers insight into the worlds of politics, business and public affairs as well as the role of law itself, and leads to a wide range of careers. However, it is also conceptually demanding, and requires the acquisition of a range of new skills.
Pursuing a law degree at the graduate level offers the following advantages:
Assists an informed decision to study law
Graduate students make an informed decision to study law, having had time to explore other study options and consider their interests, abilities and possible career directions. When they finally decide to pursue the JD, they have a better understanding of who they are and what they would like to achieve. Melbourne JD students are exactly where they want to be.
Builds on established skills and promotes excellence
The maturity of graduate students and their established proficiency in tertiary study equip them to tackle law at a higher level, building on their undergraduate studies, accumulated knowledge and life experiences. Melbourne JD students are able to engage more deeply with their studies and acquire basic skills more quickly, thus enabling them to gain more from their degree. At the same time, the Law School has higher expectations of our JD students, teaching law at a more sophisticated level to provide a more challenging and satisfying experience.
Brings together a highly able, motivated, diverse, graduate student group
Graduate entry enables the School to adopt more equitable selection processes, ensuring a diverse student body. Melbourne Law School selects students from a broad range of backgrounds who have a record of academic excellence, and are intellectually rigorous, motivated and engaged with the study of law. The School believes that a diverse student body enriches both the learning and practice of law, and encourages applications from graduates of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, academic disciplines, geographical locations and careers.
Enables immersion in legal studies
Graduate law students are able to commit themselves to progressively deepening their knowledge and understanding of law. Many JD students are keen to take part in the many opportunities available outside the formal curriculum such as:
- The activities and events of one of the Law School’s 11 research centres and institutes
- Joining one of the Law School’s student associations
- National and international mooting and legal skills competitions
- Participating on the editorial boards of one of our prestigious law journals
- Attending one of the many public lectures hosted by the Law School on contemporary issues
- Meeting distinguished international and Australian legal figures who visit the Law School in large numbers each year
- Undertaking student internships in Australia and overseas
- Studying abroad under one of the University’s many exchange programs
For information on these and other opportunities, visit Student Experience.