Juris Doctor

Note

Commonwealth Supported Places

There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available in this course, which are competitive and awarded based on merit. To be considered for a CSP, applicants must:

• Indicate their interest in a CSP on their application.
• Have attained a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5 out of 7 in their previous studies (note that applicants with a GPA between 5.0 and 5.49 may be assessed for a CSP place depending on availability).
• Apply on time in line with CSP deadlines (it is recommended applicants apply early as applications are assessed progressively)

Eligible applicants must accept their offer by the lapse date to retain their place. For application deadlines and information, please refer to Postgraduate courses with Commonwealth Supported Places.

If you’re a non-law graduate aiming to enter the legal profession, the UTS Juris Doctor is your gateway to becoming a lawyer in NSW. This course meets the academic requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW and is a qualification that is recognised around the globe. The course is geared towards real-world application based on industry insights from scholars, practitioners and experts in the field.

Throughout the course, you’ll master legal theory and practice, preparing you to take legal challenges with confidence. You’ll also have the flexibility to tailor your learning experience with options for day or evening classes, intensive blocks and online electives.

Beyond the classroom you’ll benefit from research and writing masterclasses, mentoring and co-curricular program opportunities to enhance your learning and expand your career prospects. Plus, you can complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT) at UTS, fulfilling the practical requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW.

If you are considering a career across a variety of legal roles, the JD opens doors to numerous opportunities where legal expertise is invaluable.

As the foremost provider of JD education in Sydney, UTS delivers industry informed, academically rigorous and highly practical courses, equipping students with extensive knowledge in the theory and practice of the law. Flexible timetabling provides options for day and evening classes (core subjects), block study (selected subjects) and online learning (electives), as well as selected recorded lectures and podcasts.

Mentoring programs and co-curricular programs and services are also available to help keep students on track and to build students' career options. Practical Legal Training (PLT) – the practical requirement for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW – can also be completed at UTS. For students seeking a career path beyond the law, the JD can be an entry point into a range of other roles where legal expertise is of value.

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.

Applicants must have one of the following:

• Completed Australian doctorate, or overseas equivalent

OR

• Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.5/7

OR

• Completed Australian graduate certificate or Australian graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 5/7

OR

• Completed Australian bachelor's degree or Australian master’s degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.1/7 AND Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience

The qualification must be in a field of study other than law or, if the qualification is in a legal field of study, it shall not be an academic qualification for legal practice.

Applicants who have completed the UTS Master of Intellectual Property are not eligible for admission in this course.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria above should consider applying for C04264 Master of Legal Studies or C11264 Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application

For applicants who need to demonstrate capacity to pursue this course:

• Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
  • A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
  • A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
  • A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
  • An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
  • A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
• Personal statement outlining relevant professional experience and reasons to pursue this course
• Relevant work-related references

For Applicants seeking credit recognition for core law subjects in overseas legal qualification

• Written assessment from the NSW Legal Profession Admissions Board (LPAB) indicating which subjects need to be completed to meet the requirements for admission as a Legal Practitioner

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

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.

• Lawyer in a firm
• In-house Lawyer
• Corporate Lawyer
• Government Lawyer
• Community Lawyer
• Barrister
• Public Prosecutor
• Policy Analyst or Advisor
• Parliamentary Representative