Master's Degree Law (JD) Full Time

Juris Doctor

at La Trobe University · Melbourne, Victoria

CRICOS course code

084540K

CRICOS provider code

00115M

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

3 years

Tuition (whole course)

A$144,000 total

Per year

A$48,000/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Juris Doctor at La Trobe University is a graduate-entry law degree designed for those seeking qualification as a legal practitioner in Australia. Across three years of full-time study, students engage with core areas such as constitutional law, contracts, civil procedure, criminal law, property law, and legal theory, as well as electives that enable them to specialise in topics aligned with their interests and career aspirations.

The course is structured around trimesters, with a set number of units of study comprising a total credit point requirement. Students participate in compulsory units and choose electives from a wide range of legal subjects. The degree culminates in a capstone experience, which may include a research project, advanced legal research tasks, or practical legal training modules designed to synthesise and extend the knowledge gained throughout the programme. Opportunities for work-integrated learning, such as legal clinics and professional placements, allow students to apply their theoretical understanding within real-world legal settings and develop practical skills valued in the sector.

This programme cultivates critical thinking, advanced legal research, analytical reasoning, effective communication, and ethical judgment. Students gain a robust knowledge of the Australian legal system and are prepared to meet the requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer, subject to local accrediting authority processes. The course is well suited to graduates from non-law disciplines who wish to transition into law, as well as international students seeking to practise law in Australia.

Studying in Melbourne, students benefit from strong links to the legal community, including law firms, courts, and advocacy organisations. Eligible graduates may apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream to gain professional experience in Australia. Students may work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. For exact credit requirements and electives, and to confirm details or English proficiency requirements, consult La Trobe University’s official course page and relevant authorities.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

Solicitor or Barrister in private practice
In-house counsel for corporations and government
Legal policy advisor in government departments
Community legal centre advocate
Legal researcher or academic
Contract manager in public and private sectors
Roles in courts, tribunals, or regulatory bodies

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Juris Doctor at La Trobe University?

It typically takes 3 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$144,000 total. Fees change yearly — confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Solicitor or Barrister in private practiceIn-house counsel for corporations and governmentLegal policy advisor in government departmentsCommunity legal centre advocateLegal researcher or academicContract manager in public and private sectorsRoles in courts, tribunals, or regulato...

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