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Doctor of Philosophy - Law (DR-PHILLAW) // Entry and participation requirements
About this course
Contact
Melbourne Law School
Office for Research
185 Pelham Street
The University of Melbourne VIC 3010
Australia
Telephone: + 61 3 8344 8946
Email: law-graduateresearch@unimelb.edu.au
Melbourne Law School - Graduate Research Degrees
Coordinator
Director of Graduate Research
Entry requirements
The criteria for assessing applicants' eligibility for PhD candidature are:
- Minimum qualifications
Applicants are normally required to have completed at least a four-year honours degree at H2A standard from an Australian university, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the Higher Degree Research Committee to be equivalent. - Minimum level of academic achievement
Applicants should have achieved an overall H1 (80-100%) or H2A (75-79%) grade in the relevant honours or Masters degree. - Relevance of the degree
The completed degree must be in an area that is relevant to the intended PhD, including sufficient specialisation such that the applicant will have already developed an understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to the intended PhD. - Evidence of research ability
Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project/component that accounts for at least 25% of their year's work at fourth year or at Masters level. - Currency of applicant's knowledge of the discipline
The applicant's degree(s) and/or professional experience must demonstrate that their knowledge of the discipline in which they plan to undertake their graduate research degree is current. - Assessment of level of suitability
Based on interview or other verbal communication, an assessment should be made of the level of understanding, motivation and time commitment of the applicant for the proposed program of study. For example, a full-time PhD candidate would be expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to study and a part-time candidate about half of this. - English language requirements
Applicants must meet the University's English Language requirements.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
All PhD candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months of full-time advanced study and research (24 months part-time) in the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Higher Degree Research Committee (HDRC). The HDRC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely online supervision for graduate researchers.
Throughout their candidature, PhD candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.
The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the period of probationary candidature. During probationary candidature the candidate is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisors, the Law School (including staff and other graduate researchers) and the University, so as:
- to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program;
- to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a PhD awarded by the University; and
- to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the University throughout candidature.
It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a candidate’s participation in the University’s programs. Graduate researchers who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Graduate Research Officer and Student Equity and Disability Services.
Last updated: 8 November 2024