Are you a leader? The Australian National University is a leader too, especially in the fields of philosophy, politics and economics. This progressive and well-regarded degree will arm you with the moral, economic and political perspectives you need to make a real impact.

You will develop exceptional problem solving skills and critical and conceptual thinking, all while gaining a passport to some of the world’s most promising careers.

The ANU JD is a distinctive program for graduates of non-law disciplines (or non-Australian law degrees). The program consists of compulsory and elective courses. Graduates complete all the academic courses required by Australian Legal Practitioners Admission Boards for admission to legal practice following completion of additional practical training. Students have access to dedicated JD courses and other courses offered as part of the LLM program. A small number of LLB electives can also be included in the program of study. The program can be studied either full or part-time with entry points in Semester 1 and Second semester.

Learning Outcomes

1. major philosophical theories and approaches to the evaluation of social institutions;

2. the methods of economics to the study of political institutions and processes;

3. the methods of economics to questions within political philosophy;

4. the assumptions, ‘tools’ and limitations of political economy;

5. the core arguments and principles of public choice and rational choice theory.

Upon successful completion of the Juris Doctor, graduates will be able to:

1. apply an advanced body of legal knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice in law, and as a pathway for further legal learning
2. apply a body of legal knowledge that includes an extended understanding of recent developments in the discipline and professional legal practice
3. apply knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to law and its professional practice
4. exhibit cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice in law
5. exhibit cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of legal knowledge or practice
6. exhibit cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex legal ideas and concepts at an abstract level
7. exhibit communication and technical legal research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
8. exhibit technical and communication legal skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to legal professional practice
9. demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in legal professional practice and/or further learning
10. demonstrate application of knowledge and skills with high level personal autonomy and accountability
11. demonstrate application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based legal project, capstone experience and/or professionally focussed project.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units can come from the completion of 1000 level courses.

A minimum of 84 units must come from the completion of 2000 and 3000 level courses.

The 144 units must include:

48 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

ECON1101 Microeconomics 1

ECON2101 Microeconomics 2(P)

ECON3056 PPE Integration 3: Classic Literature in PPE

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking

PHIL2116 PPE Integration 2

POLS1002 Introduction to Politics

POLS1008 PPE Integration 1

POLS1009 Research and Writing in Political Science

6 units from completion of the following courses:

PHIL1004 Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction

PHIL1008 Introduction to Ethics

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list, which must also be counted towards completion of any other requirements for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics:

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

Note: these courses are included in the following lists. 

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

EURO2003 European Union: Policies, Institutions and Challenges

POLS2043 Pressure Groups and Political Lobbying

POLS2063 Contemporary Political Theory

POLS2094 Issues in International Political Economy

POLS3039 Political Leadership and Executive Government

POLS2111 Elections, Political Behaviour and Public Opinion in Australia

POLS2114 Australian Political Institutions

POLS2120 Foundations of Political Theory

POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences

POLS2126 Democracy: Its Causes and Consequences

POLS2127 U.S. Politics

POLS2130 Public Choice and Politics

POLS3022 Washington DC Internship

POLS3029 Sharing Power: Federalism in Comparative Perspective

POLS3031 Comparative Judicial Politics

POLS3034 Comparative Political Parties and Party Systems

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

PHIL2016 Philosophy of Language

PHIL2020 Theories of Social Justice

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science

PHIL2080 Logic

PHIL2082 Sex and Death: the Philosophy of Biology

PHIL2101 Democracy, Difference and Desire

PHIL2113 Global Justice

PHIL2121 Philosophical Logic

PHIL2122 Philosophy and Public Policy

PHIL2124 Philosophy of Cognitive Science

PHIL2125 Rationality and Social Cooperation

PHIL2126 Science in Society: Ethics, Public Policy and Scientific Practice

PHIL3073 Advanced Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy

PHIL3075 The Philosophy of Gender: Knowledge, Power, Bodies

PHIL3076 Philosophy of the Life Sciences

12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

CRIM2000 The Illicit Economy

ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present

ECHI3008 History of Economic Thought(P)

ECHI3009 World Economy Since 1800

ECHI3019 The World Economy Since 1800 (H)

ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1

ECON2013 Behavioral Economics

ECON2014 Managerial Economics

ECON2016 Economics II (H)

ECON2026 Money and Banking

ECON2091 The Economy, Politics and the State

ECON2102 Macroeconomics 2 (P)

ECON2120 Law and Economics (P)

ECON2125 Optimisation for Economics and Financial Economics

ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory

ECON3100 Economics 3 (H)

ECON3101 Microeconomics 3

ECON3102 Macroeconomics 3

EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models

INDG3003 The Indigenous Economy

6 units from the completion of 2000- and 3000-level courses from the following subject areas and courses:

ANIP Australian National Internships Program

ECON Economics

PHIL Philosophy

POLS Political Science

ASIA2090 The Political Economy of Myanmar

POLS2127 U.S. Politics

24 units from completion of courses from the following list:

LAWS6101 Foundations of Australian Law

LAWS6102 Lawyers, Justice and Ethics

LAWS6103 Torts

LAWS6105 Australian Public Law

24 units from completion of elective courses from ANU

Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96^th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

Students must complete the Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in order to commence the Master degree.

The Juris Doctor requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

144 units must come from completion of courses from the subject area LAWS Law

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 2000-, 3000- and 4000-level courses

24 units of specified credit from graduate courses completed in the Bachelor degree

24 units of unspecified credit

66 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

LAWS6104 Contracts

LAWS6106 Criminal Law and Procedure

LAWS6201 Administrative Law

LAWS6202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law

LAWS6203 Corporations Law

LAWS6204 Property

LAWS6205 Equity and Trusts

LAWS6207 Evidence

LAWS6244 Litigation and Dispute Management

LAWS6249 Legal Theory

LAWS6250 International Law

AND

A minimum of 6 units from completion of one capstone course from the following list:

LAWS6010 Jessup Moot

LAWS6230 Law Internship

LAWS6240 Special Law Elective 4: International Social Justice Clinic

LAWS6267 Clinical Youth Law Program

LAWS6268 Community Law Clinical Program

LAWS6278 Indigenous Community Legal Clinic

LAWS6281 Environmental Law Clinical Program

LAWS6284 Public Interest Law Clinical Program

LAWS6301 Myanmar Clinical Program

LAWS6302 International Law Clinical Program

LAWS6304 Prison Legal Literacy Clinic 

LAWS6307 Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country

LAWS6700 Law Capstone Project

LAWS6310 Australian National Law Internships Program B (Graduate)

LAWS6311 Australian National Law Internships Program A (Graduate)

LAWS6313 Kimberley Aboriginal Justice Clinic

LAWS8301 Graduate Research Unit

LAWS8458 International Organisations (Geneva)

AND

A minimum of 18 units from completion of 8000-level courses in the following subject areas:

LAWS Law

LEGM Legal Practice MLP

Minors

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics Minors

Specialisations

Juris Doctor Specialisations