The University of Sydney

Juris Doctor

Graduate

Details

University Location Sydney, New South Wales
City Population 6 million
Student Population 73,000
Int'l Student Population 10,600
Main Campus Camperdown / Darlington
Program Campus Camperdown / Darlington
Program Duration 3 years
Estimated Annual Tuition $56,500 AUD (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2025
Application Deadline No set deadline*
International Places up to 55 (155 total)

Overview

Ranked #16 in the world for law (2023 QS World Rankings by Subject), Sydney Law School is Australia’s first. As one of the world’s leading law schools, University of Sydney law students learn from globally recognized legal educators and highly respected professional practitioners.

Purpose-built facilities
Sydney’s instantly recognizably building on the Camperdown Campus is just 10 minutes from the centre of the city. It offers superior teaching facilities and a dedicated moot court, along with mediation and library facilities that are among the best in the world.

Sydney also has teaching spaces in Castlereagh Street in the city for postgraduate studies in law. These facilities include four teaching rooms, meeting rooms, a lounge for networking and other events, and flexible learning spaces for students.

Sydney University Law Society
The Sydney University Law Society aims to enrich the law student experience. It is the primary association for students studying law at The University of Sydney and is officially associated with the Faculty of Law.

SULS provides the law school community with a variety events, activities and programs, including social events, educational support, mooting and skills competitions, careers events, sporting functions, and initiatives that inspire students to use the law as an instrument for social change.

As a Sydney Law School student, you’ll automatically be part of SULS, giving you the opportunity to make lifelong friends and develop a strong professional network.

Program

The Sydney Juris Doctor (JD) is the University of Sydney’s graduate-entry law degree. It provides a world-class legal education that prepares you for the global and international environment in which you will provide legal advice.

The JD comprises the core legal subjects required throughout the world for professional accreditation coupled with the study of a wide range of elective subjects which allows advanced learning in both specialized fields and law in general. Teaching and learning methodology includes a wide range of formats to allow individual choice, a deep understanding of the law, independent research and the development of the skills and ethics inherent in modern professional practice.

A comprehensive, three-year qualification, the Sydney JD has an unrivalled international focus, drawing on Sydney’s faculty of leading academics and international adjunct faculty members, and its long tradition of engagement with international law and perspectives. As a Sydney law student, you will receive an education that equips you for the practice of law in a global, transnational and international marketplace for legal services.

Skill Development
Within Sydney Law School and across the university there are lots of opportunities for developing social and emotional skills as well as academic competencies. Taking some time to understand yourself, what’s important to you, and how to go about living a life you value, can have a powerful effect on well-being and motivation.

  • Internships are available at various centres and institutes within the law school. They are advertised periodically in the law student newsletter.
  • The Learning Centre provides resources for students to build and extend the skills they need for study and research at university. This includes workshops and online resources.
  • Take a proactive approach to developing personal skills for success with a CAPS workshop. As well as a series of individual (face-to-face) workshops covering key well-being and study issues, CAPS offer a range of self-help tools, self-help books, and online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programs.
  • Take an active role in planning your career and obtain advice on developing key employability skills. The university’s Career Centre provide career advice and development.
  • Check out the volunteering and leadership opportunities available through SULS and the student union.

Student Support
Sydney Law School is committed to creating a learning environment that provides students with a world-class legal education while supporting broader development and well-being.

As a law student, you will have access to resources and information to help you with your law studies. You can take part in Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) where you work in groups of 10 to 16 students to answer specially prepared activities and problem questions, based around a unit of study you’re enrolled in.

The university also offers a peer-mentoring program to help new students transition into study and life at the Sydney Law School.

As a JD student, you’ll receive access to Sydney Law School’s Legal Writing Resources, which brings together an array of knowledge, advice, tips, and resources about legal writing and skills. It particularly covers the three writing skill genres that all law students will be expected to develop: legal essays, problem responses, and case notes. It also provides details on legal research and referencing.

Admission Requirements

Completed bachelor’s degree
​You must have a completed undergraduate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0/4.0 (approximately 65%) or above to apply. Please note that this is a minimum average to be eligible to apply and that your application outcome will be determined by the Sydney Law School.

It is recommended that candidates submit a résumé with their application.

 

Admission Timeline

*While there is no set application deadline, you are encouraged to apply a minimum of 3 months prior to the program start date.

1/3

“Like the supervisors”

Love the campus and quality of education and dislike the work demands. Like the supervisors and dislike the difficulty and expectations.

university of sydney black and white logo Luke B
Juris Doctor
The University of Sydney, 2022

“…the program is incredible”

So far, the program is incredible. I’ve always had a passion for law and understanding the world around me, and the University of Sydney Law School provides ample opportunity for students to gain vast amounts of knowledge, starting from day one. At the start of the program, the university languidly introduces students to the topics they will be studying in an effort to allow students to figure out how they study best and how they should set up their schedules. But it seems that... Read More

university of sydney black and white logo Andrew N
Juris Doctor
The University of Sydney, 2021

“The professors often draw from Canadian, American and New Zealand case law”

I love the diverse array of students in my classes and the amazing profs who come from all different backgrounds as well. The professors often draw from Canadian, American and New Zealand case law which makes the lectures relevant and very interesting. Also, the feedback opportunities are very helpful for first-year students. The curriculum is tough and demanding; however, the law school gives you ample tools in order to succeed. The professors are really approachable as well.

university of sydney black and white logo Kate R
Juris Doctor
The University of Sydney, 2015