Program Requirements

The Master of Philosophy requires the submission and successful examination of a thesis of up to 60,000 words.

All Law MPhil candidates must also complete 6 units of coursework consisting of the following course:

• LAWS9800 Advanced Legal Methods and Legal Writing

Students who have taken Master’s level research method courses would not be exempt from these courses unless the student has a proven record of academic publication or extensive research experience.

Each candidate has a chair/supervisor and at least one other adviser.

Study consists of one to two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy is also subject to supervisory capacity, availability of appropriate infrastructure and resources, and approval from the relevant Delegated Authority within the Academic College.

Applicants must:

1.      Present a relevant Bachelor Honours degree or international equivalent

With a First Class or minimum upper Second Class Honours – Upper (H2A), usually in Law, from an Australian university; or

a Masters in Law (LLM) with a distinction average; or

qualification equivalent or superior to these as determined by the Director of Higher Degree Research; or

an equivalent combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study.

2.      Have the written approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

3.      Provide:

 A detailed research proposal outlining your intended research, (applicants should seek guidance from the potential supervisor regarding length and content);

 Original evidence of all relevant academic qualifications and graduation documentation (with English translation as appropriate);

 An up-to-date CV including academic qualifications, work experience and research publications;

 At least two academic referee reports.

4.      All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students

For further details about applying for Higher Degree Research study at the ANU College of Law, check out how to apply.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

Employment Opportunities

HDR study at the ANU College of Law can provide students with career options within academia, private industry, or public service. For those students entitled to work in the legal profession, HDR study can also lead to a range of professional career options.

Learning Outcomes

1. critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate information in a specific area of the discipline relevant to their research 

2. formulate a research plan and undertake independent research to address specific research questions that make a substantial contribution to knowledge 

3. ensure that research is carried out with integrity and actively promote responsible conduct of research 

4. implement research methodologies relevant to their research questions 

5. demonstrate technical and/or specialist skills relevant to their research focus 

6. communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in both written and oral form 

7. demonstrate appropriate collegial and professional behaviour, and safe working practices as required by their specific research focus 

Inherent Requirements

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this program.

Further Information

The completion of a Master of Philosophy normally takes between two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent and is conducted in English. The award is made on the basis of independent research resulting in a detailed thesis comprising original written work, normally of up to 60,000  words, that is independently assessed by no fewer than two external examiners of international standing. 

All candidates are required to complete Research Integrity Training. More information on how to apply can be found at https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/anu-postgraduate-research-domestic-and-international-applications

There are a number of scholarships available to ANU HDR candidates to assist with the cost of their studies; however, in general first class honours might be required for consideration for a scholarship. Scholarships are highly competitive and not all applicants that receive an offer of admission to a HDR program will be successful in receiving a scholarship.