Law Pathways

Program Overview

The University of Western Australia Juris Doctor (JD) Program

Overview

The University of Western Australia's Juris Doctor (JD) is a three-year postgraduate qualification that provides a challenging, intellectually engaging, and focused environment for the study of law. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to succeed in the legal profession.

Admission Requirements

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Fee Categories

1. Australian Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

• What is it? A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) reduces the overall tuition fees payable by the student (student contribution) through a monetary contribution made by the Australian government (Commonwealth Support).
• Who is eligible? For 2026 commencement, Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) will be offered to all Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand citizens with a Juris Doctor Selection Grade Point Average (sGPA) of 5.70 or above.
• What will I be charged? Students with a CSP will be charged a Student Contribution based on the units they enrol in.

2. Australian Fee-paying Places

• What is it? Students who receive an Australian domestic fee-paying place will be charged the full course fee.
• Who is eligible? Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand citizens are eligible for an Australian domestic fee-paying place.
• What will I be charged? The Domestic Fee-paying rates for the Juris Doctor can be found on the Fee Calculator.

3. Australian Fee Places with UWA Juris Doctor Bursary

• What is it? The UWA Juris Doctor Bursary will provide financial support to students who are offered a domestic fee-paying place in the Juris Doctor.
• Who is eligible? Domestic students who meet all entry requirements for the Juris Doctor; and students who have been offered a domestic fee-paying place in the Juris Doctor (students offered a Commonwealth Supported Place are not eligible for the Bursary).
• What will I be charged? The annual fee for an Australian Fee Place will be reduced by $5,000 when the Juris Doctor Bursary is awarded.

Program Structure

The JD curriculum has been purposefully designed to scaffold sequential knowledge and skills progression, and may be completed in three years full-time or on a part-time basis (up to nine years).

Full-time Course Structure

• Year 1
  • Foundations of Law and Lawyering# (Sem 1)
  • Criminal Law (Sem 1)
  • Contract (Sem 1)
  • Property (Sem 1)
  • Foundations of Public Law (Sem 2)
  • Torts (Sem 2)
  • Interpretation (Sem 2)
  • Land Law (Sem 2)
• Year 2
  • Dispute Resolution# (Sem 1)
  • Constitutional Law (Sem 1)
  • Equity and Trusts (Sem 1)
  • Option 1 (Sem 1)
  • Corporations Law (Sem 2)
  • Remedies (Sem 2)
  • Administrative Law (Sem 2)
  • Option 2 (Sem 2)
• Year 3
  • Professional and Ethical Practice# (Sem 1)
  • Evidence (Sem 1)
  • Option 3 (Sem 1)
  • Option 4 (Sem 1)
  • Procedure (Sem 2)
  • Option 5 (Sem 2)
  • Option 6 (Sem 2)
  • Option 7 (Sem 2)

Graduate Attributes

UWA JD graduates are:

• Problem solvers who have a deep practical and theoretical mastery of subject matter; are critical and creative thinkers; and understand the ways in which local, national and global contexts influence and shape the law.
• Culturally competent legal professionals who have engaged throughout their degree with Indigenous knowledges, cultures and perspectives and are well equipped to work respectfully across cultural contexts.
• Relationship builders who listen with empathy; communicate effectively; and create constructive and collaborative connections with colleagues, clients and communities.
• Resilient and reflective learners who are adaptable thinkers; have developed skills for critical self-reflection and lifelong learning; and understand the importance of, and have developed practical tools for, managing their well-being and supporting the well-being of others.
• Global citizens who understand the importance of the ethical and professional practice of law; are outward-looking in the search for solutions; and able to engage on national, transnational and international levels.

International Recognition

The UWA Juris Doctor degree is recognised in China, Malaysia and Singapore.

Assured Pathways for High School Leavers

• Minimum ATAR: 96.001
• TISC Codes and Qualifications:
  • UL001 (Arts) - BA + JD
  • UL002 (Commerce) - BCom + JD
  • UL050 (Criminology and Criminal Justice) - BCCJ + JD
  • UL034 (Human Rights) - BHumR + JD
  • UL004 (Science) - BSc + JD
  • UL005 (Philosophy [Honours]) - BPhil (Hons) + JD1
  • UL012 (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) - BPPE + JD
  • ULU30 (Psychology) - BPsych + JD
  • ULU58 (International Relations) - BIR + JD
• Duration: Three-year bachelor's degree plus a three-year master's degree
• Limited places for JD: 100 (Assured Pathway) / 250 (Standard pathway)
• Selection criteria: ATAR only
• Undergraduate major: None
• Conditions for progress to Postgraduate Study: Completion of a UWA bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 5.5.