The University of Melbourne

Juris Doctor

Graduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 53,000
Int'l Student Population 23,850
Main Campus Parkville (Melbourne)
Program Campus Parkville
Program Duration 3 years or 2.5 years*
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$52,992 (2025 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake January
Next Available Intake 2026
Application Deadline TBA**
International Places Variable / no set limit

Overview

Melbourne Law School is housed in a stand-alone building in University Square, the university’s burgeoning knowledge precinct. It contains state-of-the-art technology for staff and students, outstanding research facilities, a moot court, superb conference facilities, and purpose-built teaching spaces.

Melbourne Law School rankings:

  • No 1 law school in Australia and No 10 in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024)
  • No 1 law school in Australia and No 8 in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2024)

The law school is host to a number of research centres and institutes, specializing in a wide variety of legal fields. The centres also hold a range of international and national conferences, seminars, interest group discussions, and in-house programs on leading-edge topics.

The Melbourne Juris Doctor (JD) is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law. Melbourne Law School believes that a diverse student body enriches both the learning and practice of law, and for this reason, encourages applications from graduates with a range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as from a variety of academic disciplines, geographical locations, careers and life experiences.

Program

Your JD experience will be as much about your fellow students as your teachers. 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 study in seminar-style, discussion-based classes with students from a range of undergraduate backgrounds, adding new perspectives and approaches to your learning. The maximum class size is 60, and in many subjects, smaller, to enhance the opportunities for interaction between you and your teachers and among your fellow students.

The JD course comprises 24 subjects, including 16 compulsory subjects. In the first semester of the JD, students are grouped into cohorts for compulsory subjects.

In its standard form, the degree is taken over three years. This format enables you to take advantage of other educational, professional, and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting, and Law Review editorial work.

Through Melbourne Law School’s Clinic program, you’ll work with real clients to solve real legal problems. These clinical subjects allow you to hone your legal skills while providing the community with much-needed resources for public-interest law causes.

The MLS Mentor Program
The Melbourne Law School Mentor Program connects Juris Doctor students with law professionals from within the community. The program is designed to motivate and encourage, and to provide you with a sense of direction. By connecting you with a law mentor during your studies, the program will allow you to explore career pathways and help you build confidence in your  career decision-making.

*The Melbourne JD can also be accelerated (2.5 years) by utilizing the summer and winter break periods to complete additional JD subjects. The accelerated format must be approved by the university. Please contact OzTREKK for more information.

Admission Requirements

Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed undergraduate degree. If the average mark across your university studies is

  • 3.7/4.0 or above, you will have a very strong chance of being admitted;
  • between 2.7/4.0 and 3.7/4.0, you’re likely to be waitlisted until the application deadline;
  • 2.7/4.0 or below, you will not be competitive in the JD selection process.

Keep in mind that GPAs can be calculated differently by each institution. If you’re unsure of how your GPA should be interpreted, please see our GPA Conversions page or contact OzTREKK at law@oztrekk.com for more information.

Meeting these marks does not guarantee a place in the JD. If your previous qualifications are not from the University of Melbourne, the law school may adjust your final weighted average marks (WAM) depending on the accreditation of your university/institution, subject grading/scales, and pass marks.

Admission Timeline

**International applications are assessed on a rolling-admissions basis. The earlier you apply the better.

1/3

“The campus location is really great”

The campus location is really great. International comparative lens to the course content, a campus-like environment (though the vibe is very different from a North American school), long breaks between semesters. Dislike: The administration of the university is centralised away from our professors so it feels unpersonal.  There are not many North American international students in the law school, and the class grew 20% or so this year so classroom sizes are bigger. Most stu... Read More

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Annika L
Juris Doctor
The University of Melbourne, 2023

“…good teaching staff”

Great location, good teaching staff. Wasn't quite prepared for the amount of reading/difficulty. Don't be scared to make the jump!

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Sarah M
Juris Doctor
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“Class size is good.”

I like the location a lot, it's very lively and close the city. There's a lot of student accommodation for students which is nice. People are very friendly. Class size is good. Just do it!! When I applied I applied just for fun not thinking anything would come of it and now here I am a year later, in Melbourne Australia.

University of Melbourne horizontal logo Mariana M
Juris Doctor
The University of Melbourne, 2022