From automation and artificial intelligence to cryptocurrency and climate change, it’s a bold new era for our courts and legislatures.

Successfully tackling these complex challenges requires adaptive legal minds equipped with specialist skills to drive change, lead innovation and shape reform. 

The ANU Master of Laws (LLM) equips practising lawyers, aspiring policy professionals and recent graduates with specialist legal knowledge and skills. It combines academic rigour with real-world learning and will give you hands-on experience undertaking independent research, evaluating different legal and policy approaches and developing practical solutions to address complex legal challenges.

Through case-based teaching, you will explore the legal, social and policy implications of real-world issues, including cyber warfare, climate change, corruption, artificial intelligence, human rights breaches and the #MeToo movement.  



 

Quick facts

  • #17 in the world and #4 in Australia for the study of law*
  • Maximum five-star Excellence in Research Australia ranking in Law and Legal Studies
  • 96% ANU research rated above world standard**
  • 1 years’ full-time study or part-time equivalent
  • A combination of in-person and online delivery and flexible study options, including evening or intensive classes and courses
  • July 2022 intake for Semester 2
  • Prior learning recognised
  • Choose from five specialisations
* QS 2021 ranking; **Worldpopulationreview.com

Why study MASTER OF LAWS at ANU?

The interactive and small group classes at ANU will enable you to connect and collaborate with internationally renowned legal scholars, industry experts, visiting judges and your peers.

ANU is located in Canberra, the seat of Australia’s Parliament and home to The High Court of Australia and other national institutions that will provide you with a range of opportunities to experience law in action.

  • Learn from the best – Our leading scholars provide national research leadership on the most important legal, regulatory and governance challenges facing our world.
  • Be at the forefront – Studying law at Australia’s only national law school in the national capital will give you access to unique learning opportunities, including access to the High Court and Parliament House, where laws are created, debated and challenged.
  • Enhance your employability  – At ANU, you will expand your professional networks and develop job-ready skills through a range of legal research projects, internships and mentoring opportunities.

What you’ll learn

As a graduate of the Master of Laws, you will learn how to:

  • identify and evaluate different legal and policy approaches to tackling some of the world's pressing problems
  • undertake independent research and contribute to debate on legal, policy and theoretical issues within specified areas of law
  • incorporate social, comparative or interdisciplinary approaches into the legal analysis of complex problems
  • critically analyse and interpret recent developments in case law, legislation, policy and research within specialist areas of law
  • structure, sustain and evaluate legal arguments in both general and specialist areas.

Equipped with knowledge in recent developments in case law, legislation, policy and legal research, you’ll graduate with the advanced legal knowledge and critical thinking skills essential to meeting the demands of a rapidly changing world and profession.

Specialisations

Tailor your studies to suit your interests and career goals by selecting courses from a range of contemporary law topics. 

You can choose to study from one of the following specialisations:

  • Human security law
  • International law
  • New technologies law
  • Private and commercial law
  • Public law

Careers

The Master of Laws program is open to both law and non-law graduates.
As a graduate, you’ll make meaningful contributions in Australia and around the world working in roles such as:

  • Associate
  • Barrister
  • Solicitor in private practices
  • Government lawyer
  • In-house counsel
  • Public policy professional
  • Management consultant
  • Judge.
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Testimonials

I chose to study the Master of Laws at ANU because I was looking for a career change. I am particularly interested in regulatory and policy solutions to climate change. Public and private sectors working closely to embrace emerging technologies are part of the energy transition and policy and law are part of the implementation. 

Studying public and international law at ANU was essential for me to pursue a successful career path.

Trinity King
Master of Laws

Because the Master of Laws degree at ANU is very well recognised internationally, the opportunity to work in dispute resolution in private international law at global institutions will always be an option for me. I want to jump all the way into legal practice and immerse myself in it.

Salman Tahir
Master of Laws

UPSKILL OR RETRAIN IN JUST SIX MONTHS WITH A SHORT COURSE

Our two short courses in law offer a postgraduate pathway into the Master of Laws and can be completed within six months:

Learn more

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