International Refugee Law (LAWS70366)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
May
Teaching staff:
Hélène Lambert (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | May |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores and examines the international legal regime for the protection of refugees. The essential premise of the subject is that refugee law should be understood as a mode of human rights protection, the viability of which requires striking a balance between the needs of the victims of human rights abuse and the legitimate aspirations of the countries to which they flee. The primary objective of the subject is to enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the international legal regime for international protection – the basis for being granted protection in 147 countries, including Australia. The subject will situate Australian refugee law and policy within the context of Australia’s international obligations.
Indicative list of principal topics:
- History of the international system of refugee protection
- Legal and institutional framework of international legal protection
- The implementation of the Refugee Convention in Australian law
- Refugee status determination: domestic and international dimensions
- Responsibility sharing and shifting
- Principles of treaty interpretation applied to refugee law
- The definition of ‘refugee’ in international law
- Exclusion from refugee protection.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the international development of refugee law and knowledge of the different international instruments governing refugee law at the international level
- Have an advanced understanding of the key questions involved in the definition of a refugee, and the different approaches taken to these issues in the comparative jurisprudence
- Be able to critically examine, analyse, interpret and assess the effectiveness of the international legal regime for refugee protection
- Be an engaged participant in debate regarding the way in which international refugee law interacts with the Australian domestic legal system
- Have a sophisticated appreciation of how comparative material may be used in refugee cases in Australia
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to generate critical and creative ideas relating to the future of the international refugee regime
- Have the cognitive and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to international refugee law
- Have the communication skills to clearly articulate and convey complex information regarding international refugee law to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Be able demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of international refugee law.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50101 | Refugee Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Option 1: Take-home examination
| 11 - 14 July 2025 | 100% |
Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 6 August 2025 | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- May
Principal coordinator Helene Lambert Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 30 April 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 28 May 2025 to 3 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 5 May 2025 Census date 30 May 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 11 July 2025 Assessment period ends 15 August 2025 May contact information
Teaching staff:
Hélène Lambert (Subject Coordinator)
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Human Rights Law Course Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law Course Graduate Diploma in Government Law Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in International Law Course Graduate Diploma in Laws Course Master of Law and Development - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025