PhDLaw
Doctor of Philosophy - Law
Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
About this program
The Doctor of Philosophy - Law at Curtin University is a research doctorate in which candidates develop a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance knowledge, completing an original supervised research thesis. Graduates pursue academic, research, policy and senior legal careers. Courses at Curtin are primarily based at the Bentley Perth campus. Indicative international tuition is around 40,400 Australian dollars per year.
Cost & duration
English test scores
Verified curtin.edu.au ↗
Course structure
1 term of coursework
- This is a genuine research degree with no coursework curriculum. Candidates complete an original supervised thesis in a law discipline
- with progress formally reviewed at set milestones by the Graduate Research School. The degree is completed through submission and external examination of the thesis rather than through enrolment in taught units
Career & PR pathway
Occupations this degree typically leads to, and their skilled-migration list status
SolicitorANZSCO 271311
On both MLTSSL and CSOL, but a positive skills assessment is not the same as being able to practise. You must first be admitted to an Australian state legal profession, which for an overseas or JD graduate means passing the assessed academic subjects, completing Practical Legal Training, and being admitted by the state Supreme Court, before the occupation is realistically usable for a visa.
Assessed by VETASSESS
BarristerANZSCO 271111
On both MLTSSL and CSOL, supporting the points-tested 189, 190, and 491 as well as the employer-sponsored 482 and 186. As with Solicitor, a positive skills assessment is not the same as being able to practise: you must be admitted to the bar in an Australian state or territory before the occupation is realistically usable for a visa. Assessed by the state or territory Legal Admissions Authority, not VETASSESS.
Assessed by State or Territory Legal Admissions Authority
List membership changes over time and does not guarantee an invitation. See the skilled occupation lists guide and the points calculator before relying on this for a visa decision.
Admissions
Applicants must demonstrate a capacity to carry out independent research and adequate training to pursue the proposed research topic. This is normally satisfied by a Master's degree, or a Bachelor's degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours, or a Bachelor's degree plus a Graduate Diploma (or a Master's by coursework) with a course-weighted average of at least 70%. In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a Bachelor's degree and substantial relevant peer-reviewed publications or research experience may also be considered. A supervisor and an approved research proposal must be secured before admission; full detail is in Section 3.2.1 of Curtin's HDR admission policy.
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