Doctor of Philosophy - Law

Please note: Applications for 2022 have closed! Applications are currently being considered for commencement in 2023.

Why study a Doctor of Philosophy in Law at Melbourne?

Melbourne Law School aims to admit outstanding graduates from a wide variety of countries and to provide them with a world-class experience in undertaking a graduate research degree.

We are committed to providing outstanding research training for our PhD and MPhil students. We provide a three-year Research Support Program, which assists students to develop the high-level skills needed to complete an outstanding thesis. We also run a Milestone Presentation Day and two colloquia a year, providing students with a chance to present their research to a group of academics and fellow students and to receive detailed questioning on their work. We provide up to $7500 in research funds over the life of a PhD (and up to $4000 for an MPhil) to enable students to present their work at conferences in Australia and internationally, translate critical texts, receive language training, and conduct empirical work.

All full-time students are entitled to a desk and computer facilities in our impressive, modern building, usually in close proximity to their supervisors. These different forms of research support, combined with some of the most outstanding supervisors in Australia, assist Melbourne Law School in achieving one of the highest completion rates for law PhDs in Australia.

We aim to create a global experience for our graduate research students. The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Law School also have a series of other formal links with other universities (eg Universitas 21) and we actively support our students in finding opportunities to present their work internationally.

What is a Doctor of Philosophy in Law?

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree requires you to undertake a substantial piece of independent and original research under academic supervision. The research thesis is examined externally by scholars with international standing in the research field of the thesis topic.

The PhD thesis demonstrates authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields. It shows that the candidate has a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations.

The thesis also makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. Its contribution to knowledge rests on originality of approach and/or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts. The thesis demonstrates an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context. It is a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research 'apprenticeship' is complete and that the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.

(Course code: DR-PHILLAW)

English is the language of instruction and assessment across the University of Melbourne.

You must meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place. As an undergraduate or graduate student, you can satisfy the English language requirements in a number of ways depending on your circumstances.

Applicants are required to meet the minimum standards described for each of the six criteria, including meeting the University's English language requirements.