Juris Doctor

The Melbourne Juris Doctor (JD) is a graduate law degree that has set a benchmark for legal education in Australia. You may apply if you already have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law, will complete an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law in the year you apply, or if you have a law degree from an overseas jurisdiction.

Graduating with an undergraduate degree in another discipline, followed by a graduate degree in law, will give you a higher level of qualification than a traditional double degree.

The Melbourne JD equips you with the skills and knowledge to take a leading role in a range of careers including legal practice, business, government and community organisations.

You will be taught by respected academics who are recognised as national and international experts in their fields. They will draw on legal research and practice to deliver an intellectually challenging and practically focused degree.

Your JD experience will be as much about your fellow students as your teachers. You will study in seminar-style, discussion-based classes on campus with students from a range of undergraduate and cultural backgrounds, adding new perspectives and approaches to your learning.

The degree commences with an orientation program and an intensive summer subject prior to Semester 1, making it easier to get to know your classmates, develop friendships and build your network.

You will be supported to develop your legal skills by the Ian Malkin Centre for Legal Academic Skills. The Centre offers a range of workshops, small group skills classes, one on one consultations, and study guides that are designed to support your learning outside the classroom.

You can also take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities offered at Melbourne Law School, including clinics, internships, mooting, witness and mediation competitions, and international exchanges.

Stay up to date with JD news and events

Careers

The Melbourne JD leads to admission to the legal profession in all Australian jurisdictions and can be used as a basis for seeking admission in many overseas jurisdictions.

To practice as a lawyer in Victoria you will also need to complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) or supervised legal training, be admitted by the Supreme Court of Victoria and obtain a practising certificate. The Melbourne Law School offers JD students the opportunity to get a head start on satisfying the PLT requirements through legal internships and our clinic program. More information about Australian and international admission requirements can be found here.

The Melbourne JD is well-regarded by a wide-range of employers and can be used to pursue a variety of careers in different sectors.

The Melbourne JD graduates have strong employment outcomes with a 97% full-time employment rate*.

_{*Melbourne Law School class of 2019 graduate survey (conducted 18 months after completion of the degree, with a 90 per cent response rate)}

Melbourne Law School graduates work as:

• Judges, judges’ associates and others in the judicial sector
• Barristers and public prosecutors
• Lawyers in law firms
• In-house and corporate lawyers
• Lawyers in the community sector (i.e., community legal centres)
• Lawyers in not-for-profit organisations (i.e., human rights NGOs)
• Government lawyers
• Policy analysts and advisers in government
• Management consultants
• Merchant bankers
• Entrepreneurs
• Parliamentarians

Careers support

As a JD student, you’ll have access to specialised career services, such as a mentoring program, workshops and mock interviews with dedicated advisors, to help you achieve your professional goals.

Find out more

Career pathways

Hear from our JD graduates on how the Melbourne JD program has enabled them to land their dream job and make a difference in society.

There are four ways to enter the Melbourne JD.

1. Standard Entry

   Most applicants apply under Standard Entry.

   Eligibility

   In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

   • A tertiary degree in a discipline other than law or a degree in law from an overseas jurisdiction.

   Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

   In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

   • Prior academic performance in all tertiary studies.

   The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

   Graduate Access Melbourne is also applicable.

   Fee types covered

   • Commonwealth Supported Place
   • Melbourne Law School Supported Place
   • Australian Fee Place
   • International Fee Place

   How to apply

   Apply directly online to University of Melbourne.

   Applicants who are in their final year of their undergraduate degree should only apply once they have at least 2.5 years’ worth of results (or equivalent). Results can include exchange studies.

   Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree can apply at any time prior to the application deadline.

2. Guaranteed Entry - Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship

   Melbourne Chancellor's Scholars are guaranteed a place into the graduate degree of their choice following successful completion of their undergraduate degree.

   Eligibility

   Applicants must have achieved an ATAR of 99.90 (or an ATAR of 90.00 and an Indigenous Australian) or above and been admitted to the University of Melbourne as a Chancellor’s Scholar.

   Fee types covered

   • Commonwealth Supported Place
   • International Fee Place

   How to apply

   Apply directly online to the University of Melbourne in the final year of your undergraduate degree the University of Melbourne.

3. Guaranteed Entry - Graduate Degree Packages

   The University offers guaranteed entry to high–achieving domestic and international students who have completed an Australian Year 12 or the IB in Australia based on your ATAR.

   Eligibility

   Applicants must have an ATAR of 99.80 or above and been admitted to the University of Melbourne with a Graduate Degree Package. Applicants must commence the JD within 18 months of completing an undergraduate degree.

   Graduate Degree Packages (GDPs) comprise an undergraduate degree from the University of Melbourne followed by the Juris Doctor. The following packages are available:

   • Bachelor of Agriculture + Juris Doctor
   • Bachelor of Arts + Juris Doctor
   • Bachelor of Biomedicine + Juris Doctor
   • Bachelor of Commerce + Juris Doctor
   • Bachelor of Design + Juris Doctor
   • Bachelor of Science + Juris Doctor

   Fee types covered

   • Commonwealth Supported Place
   • International Fee Place

   How to apply

   Apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

   Students must commence the JD within 18 months of completing their undergraduate degree.

4. Guaranteed Entry - Fee Place Guarantee

   Eligibility

   Applicants must have an ATAR or equivalent of 99.00 or above and at least a 75 per cent Weighted Average Mark in an undergraduate degree from the University of Melbourne.

   Fee types covered

   • Australian Fee Place
   • International Fee Place

   How to apply

   Apply directly online to the University of Melbourne in the final year of your undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

What marks do I need to get into the JD?

If you are applying for the JD 2024 intake, please also read our Admissions FAQs.

For those applying through our Standard Entry pathway, the selection committee may consider a range of factors in addition to your previous tertiary results; for example, whether your marks are on an upward or downward trajectory and whether you have undertaken honours or graduate studies.

If the average mark across your previous tertiary studies is:

• 80 per cent (or equivalent) or above, you will be competitive for entry
• At least 70 per cent, you will be considered for entry
• Below 70 per cent (or equivalent) and you have an eligible Graduate Access Melbourne application, you will be considered for entry.

Please note that meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

IELTS: Score: 7.5, with speaking no less than 8; listening no less than 8; reading no less than 7; writing no less than 7.

TOEFL: Score: 100+, with writing 27; speaking 24; reading 24; listening 24.

PEARSON: Score: 78+, with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 72.

CAMBRIDGE: Score: 190+, with no skill less than 185.