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Program Overview
Master of Mining and Energy Law
About the course
This course is designed to give legal and non-legal professionals the expertise to pursue careers in the mining and energy industries.
Subject areas include exploration and production of minerals and petroleum in Australia, native title, concepts of sustainability and social license to operate as well as other broad policy objectives.
Quick details
- Status: Available
- Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
- Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
- Delivery: On-campus
- Starting dates: Units commence throughout the year. For further information and unit availability visit the Law School web page.
- Weekly contact time: The estimated time commitment for a standard full-time enrolment is approximately 46 hours per week (over 13 weeks) which includes contact hours, personal study and examinations.
- Level of study: Postgraduate
- Course Code: 20550
- CRICOS code: G
- Full time/part time duration: 1 year
- Degrees course is available in: Master of Mining and Energy Law
Course structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
Core
- Students without a recognised Law degree, take all units from this group (12 points):
- LAWS5517 Mining Law (6)
- LAWS5589 Energy Regulation: sustainable oil and gas and alternative energy production (6)
- Students with a recognised Law degree, take all units from this group (12 points):
- LAWS5517 Mining Law (6)
- LAWS5589 Energy Regulation: sustainable oil and gas and alternative energy production (6)
- Students who completed a law degree based on the common law cannot take LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions. LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions is a core unit in this program for all students who have not completed a law degree or have not completed a law degree based on the common law (6 points):
- LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions (6)
Option - Group A
- All students, take unit(s) to a minimum value of 12 points and a maximum of 18 points from Group A. (The Faculty recommends that all units in this group are taken.):
- LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Governance (6)
- LAWS5398 Construction Law (6)
- LAWS5507 International Oil and Gas Law (6)
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law (6)
- LAWS5532 Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability (6)
- LAWS5540 Environmental Protection Law (6)
Option - Group B
- Students with a recognised Law degree, take unit(s) from Group B to complete the remainder of points (18-24):
- LAWS5100 Sustainability Law and Policy in Resource Development (6)
- LAWS5111 Corporate Environmental and Social Governance (6)
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6)
- LAWS5132 Income Taxation Law (6)
- LAWS5215 Risk Regulation (6)
- LAWS5239 Resource Taxation (6)
- LAWS5360 Employment Law (6)
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law (6)
- LAWS5576 International Commercial Arbitration (6)
- LAWS5590 Water Resources Law (6)
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6)
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12)
- LAWS5696 Research Paper III Part 1 (6)
- LAWS5697 Research Paper III Part 2 (6)
Option - Group C
- Students without a recognised Law degree, take unit(s) from Group C to complete the remainder of points (12-18):
- LAWS5111 Corporate Environmental and Social Governance (6)
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6)
- LAWS5132 Income Taxation Law (6)
- LAWS5167 Comparative Legal Method (6)
- LAWS5215 Risk Regulation (6)
- LAWS5239 Resource Taxation (6)
- LAWS5261 Planning Law (6)
- LAWS5360 Employment Law (6)
- LAWS5398 Construction Law (6)
- LAWS5576 International Commercial Arbitration (6)
- LAWS5590 Water Resources Law (6)
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6)
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12)
- LAWS5696 Research Paper III Part 1 (6)
- LAWS5697 Research Paper III Part 2 (6)
- SVLG5001 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship (6)
Why study this course?
- The units in this course make extensive use of outside industry experts who give meaningful and current insights.
- Units explore practical case studies that aid your understanding of the commercial context and allow you to evaluate different legal solutions to practical problems. Professionals in industry participate in these case studies which adds to their relevance and practicality.
- Assignments are designed to improve your skills in identifying and analysing commercial and legal issues and writing in a clear and well-reasoned manner.
Careers and further study
This course will appeal to lawyers wanting to move into the mining and energy area and for non-lawyers such as engineers, geologists, marketing professionals, and commercial and finance professionals who wish to develop their skills to advance their careers. While it has a legal focus, this course will assist those wanting to pursue a career related to mining and energy.
Career opportunities exist in resource companies, law firms and local and state government.
Further Study
Students who seek to continue study with the Law School can advance their knowledge with higher degree by research opportunities. Options include Doctor of Juridical Science, Master of Philosophy by research, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Laws.
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
- Annual course fee: $34,800.00 (2025)
- Full-Fee Paying Place: $34,800.00 (2025)
International Student Fees
- Annual course fee: $47,600.00 (2025)
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
- (a) a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; or
- (a) (i) a bachelor's degree in a cognate area, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or
- (a) (i) a bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and (ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; and (iii) at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Ranking and Selection Process
Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
This course has higher ELC requirements. Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 6.5.
Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law
The Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law has a successful research record going back to its establishment within the Law School at The University of Western Australia in 1990.
It was initially established in recognition of the importance of both the resources and the commercial sectors to the Western Australia economy. In recent years the focus and emphasis of the Centre broadened to include a wide range of mining, energy and natural resources law matters.
The research areas of the Centre all have practical elements and this engagement enhances the research of the Centre by ensuring it is relevant and current.
