Entry requirements for the PhD – Law

• Admission criteria
• English language requirements
• About selection
• Additional information

Applications for 2026 have closed. Applications are currently being considered for commencement in 2027.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a four-year bachelor honours degree (AQF8) in a cognate (relevant) discipline, which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 75% or equivalent

Or

• Have completed a masters degree (AQF9) in a cognate (relevant) discipline, which includes a substantial research component equivalent to at least 25% of one year of full-time study with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 75% or equivalent

Or

• Have a qualification, and have professional or other relevant experience or a combination of both, that are considered to be equivalent by the Selection Committee.

Or

• Be an Indigenous Australian who can establish Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander eligibilityand is assessed by the Selection Committee as likely to succeed in their proposed course of study.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include:

• An area that is relevant to the intended graduate research program, including sufficient specialisation such that you will have already developed an understanding and appreciation of a body of knowledge relevant to your intended Graduate research course.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria include a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you’ve studied elsewhere, we’ll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution’s accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. You can meet this requirement in several ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic English: Minimum score of 7.0 overall (writing 7.0; speaking 6.5; reading 6.5; listening 6.5)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 91 (writing 26; speaking 22; reading 19; listening 19)
• Pearson: Minimum score of 72 (writing 75; speaking 66; reading 64; listening 64)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 178 (writing 193; speaking 187; reading 168; listening 168)
• LanguageCert: Minimum score of 73 (writing 78; speaking 76; reading 65; listening 62)
• MET: Minimum score of 62 (writing 74; speaking 53; reading 59; listening 59)

^{*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.}

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

• Provide a research proposal (up to 2500 words) in accordance with course-specific requirements. Information should include, but not be limited to: outlining problems to be explored, research objectives or hypotheses, significance of the research and proposed research method
• Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) outlining relevant education, work experience, skills, and achievements, including any research experience, publications, academic projects, and contributions to scholarly work
• Provide referee contact details
• Attend an interview.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Relevance of previous study
• Prior academic performance
• Motivation to complete the course
• Capacity to complete the course
• Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience
• Performance at an interview
• Quality of research proposal
• Availability of appropriate supervision, subject to academic staff capacity.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Core participation requirements

All candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least 12 months full-time (24 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an approved outside institution. The Pro Vice-Chancellor for graduate research may provide a partial waiver of this requirement in certain circumstances. Entirely remote or online supervision will not usually be approved.

Other information

• Graduate research degree places at Melbourne Law School are very competitive, and generally only approximately 15 applicants are accepted each year.
• Applications are assessed in three rounds per year, with entry for the following year. Refer to the How to Apply section for round deadlines.