Master of Laws (Research) (LLMR) - LLR

CRICOS code (International applicants): 078845K

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Program focus

The Master of Laws by Research is a research degree that aims to educate and train students in legal research either for academic or professional purposes. The task of the Master of Laws by Research student is to undertake a significant piece of research and report it in a scholarly dissertation. The Master of Laws by Research aims to provide students with opportunities to explore the resolution of particular legal problems using specialist and theoretical knowledge and advanced techniques through conducting research in a specialised area of law, legal theory, comparative law or legal history or by conducting interdisciplinary studies in law.

Program aims

The Master of Laws by Research aims to produce graduates trained in legal research either for academic or professional purposes. The task of the Master of Laws by Research student is to undertake a significant piece of research and report it in a scholarly dissertation. The Master of Laws by Research aims to provide students with opportunities to explore the resolution of particular legal problems using specialist and theoretical knowledge and advanced techniques through conducting research in a specialised area of law, legal theory, comparative law or legal history or by conducting interdisciplinary studies in law

Program objectives

On successful completion of this program students will be able to:

• comprehend and evaluate developments in a chosen area of law and critically examine the relationship between those developments and contemporary theory

• identify, critically assess and apply selected research methodologies in law in terms of their theoretical status and their applicability for resolving contemporary legal and social problems

• undertake, interpret and evaluate legal research using acceptable principles and techniques

• create a scholarly document.

Admission requirements

Candidates for the Master of Laws by Research are required to have a minimum of a three or four year, Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 Bachelor degree in Law or equivalent from a recognised university.

On application, candidates must be able to provide an outline of the dissertation topic they intend to pursue.

International candidates for admission into this program must meet the University's English language proficiency requirements for postgraduate students. Please refer to Section 2.2.3 of the Admissions Policy.

Note: Admission to the Master of Laws by Research is dependent upon the Faculty's capacity to supervise the proposed projects. Prospective candidates should consult with the Associate Dean Research before preparing their project proposals. Research concentrations within the Faculty of Business and Law are updated periodically. The current list is available at the Faculty of Business and Law.

How to apply

Applications for Research Master and Doctorate programs should be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Research training scheme (RTS)

The Research Training Scheme (RTS) provides Commonwealth-funded higher degree by research (HDR) students with an ‘entitlement’ to an exemption from course fees for the equivalent of four years full-time study in an accredited HDR program. If a student's RTS entitlement expires before they have completed their program they will be required to pay full tuition fees. As there may be limited RTS places available, some students may be required to pay fees for all or part of their program. The USQ Office of Research and Higher Degrees will advise students of their eligibility for an RTS place.

Program structure

The Master of Laws by Research is a 12-unit research program comprising one unit of coursework and three Masters Dissertation courses (comprising eleven units of dissertation altogether). Students must successfully complete the following courses:

The Associate Dean Research may direct students to undertake other research courses or modules as required by their supervisory team as part of the 12 units.

The dissertation allows students to undertake in-depth, independent investigation in a chosen area of law, legal theory, comparative law or legal history or that involves interdisciplinary studies in law. To successfully complete six Masters Dissertation courses, students will be required to select a topic, develop a proposal, carry out supervised research, and submit a dissertation.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the minimum computing standards.

Other program requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to Section 2 of the Academic Standing, Progression and Exclusion Policy.

The Associate Dean Research may direct students to undertake another research course in place of LAW8002 Law Masters Dissertation A or modules as part of LAW8002 Law Masters Dissertation A. Students must have candidature for the Master of Laws by Research confirmed after the end of the equivalent of six months fulltime enrolment (4 units) and therefore after successful completion of:

• The courses (1) LAW8001 Legal Research Methodology ; (2) LAW8002 Law Masters Dissertation A (or another research course if required by the supervisory team) and (3) LAW8003 Law Masters Dissertation B .

• A dissertation proposal presented in accordance with Higher Degree by Research procedures with a minimum of a nominal grade of C from the Confirmation of Candidature panel.

Exit points

A student enrolled in the Master of Laws by Research who wishes to exit without completing the program, may on the basis of outstanding performance seek to transfer to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. To be considered for acceptance into the PhD program, students will have:

• completed at least 8 units within the Master of Laws by Research

• a nominal GPA of 6 achieved from:

  • a minimum grade of A for the course LAW8001 Legal Research Methodology and where applicable a minimum grade of A for another research course if required by the supervisory team

  • a minimum grade of A for their research proposal from the Confirmation of Candidature panel

  
  

• achieved subsequent confirmation of Master's candidature by the Office of Research and Higher Degrees.

Note: Candidates will be required to meet the admission requirements of the PhD program and, if they are accepted, will be enrolled as provisional candidates with their status reviewed within 12 months for full-time enrolment or 24 months for part-time enrolment. Students may apply for exemptions in the PhD program based on the Master of Laws by Research units completed. Students who are eligible to transfer to the PhD after 8 units and take that option will be eligible for the Postgraduate Diploma of Legal Research.

Students who are unable to complete the Master of Laws by Research but have completed 4 units including LAW8001 Legal Research Methodology (or another research course if required by the supervisory team), LAW8002 Law Masters Dissertation A , LAW8003 Law Masters Dissertation B and a research proposal with a minimum grade of C from the Confirmation of Candidature panel will be eligible to exit with a Postgraduate Certificate of Legal Research.

Exemptions

Exemptions will not normally be granted for the Law Masters Dissertation courses. Claims for exemptions for previous study should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment in a program. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with the Faculty's exemption policies. Exemptions approved in this program will not automatically apply to other programs offered by USQ.

Recommended enrolment pattern

Examples of recommended full-time and part-time enrolment patterns are set out in the table below. Students requiring assistance with their enrolment pattern should contact the Faculty of Business and Law Student Administration team.