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Postgraduate

Juris Doctor

Domestic students International students
Juris Doctor (DJUR)
Entry requirements
View full details
Study mode
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • UniSQ’s Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program for non-law graduates. If you want a career in law and already have an undergraduate degree, you can enter the Juris Doctor rather than the undergraduate Bachelor of Laws.
  • You can fast-track this degree and complete your studies in 2 years of full-time over 6 consecutive semesters. 
  • We know that you come to us with a wealth of previous experience, and the Juris Doctor is therefore pitched at a higher level to challenge you and to build your capabilities in a legal workplace.
  • UniSQ lecturers are very accessible and we pride ourselves on our ability to know our students individually, whether you study on campus or online.
  • Our Law programs have been developed with extensive input from experts in the profession. Our lecturers have strong connections with legal practice and understand the needs of the legal profession. Collectively, they have a wealth of experience in a diverse range of backgrounds, including general legal practice, criminal law, human rights, international and comparative law, family and succession law, environmental and natural resources law, commercial and taxation law, and public law and policy.

Professional accreditation

The Juris Doctor has been accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, Queensland, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland as an approved academic qualification under the Supreme Court (Legal Practitioner Admission) Rules 2004 (Qld).

This degree will partially satisfy the requirements to practise as lawyer in Queensland, or elsewhere in Australia. Intending lawyers (whether barristers or solicitors) must also complete an approved practical legal training course in order to become admitted to practise law. Advice on practical legal training programs can be obtained through Ask UniSQ.

Career outcomes

  • Aside from a career as a legal practitioner, the Juris Doctor also opens up a wide range of career paths within the public service, government, politics, non-government organisations and businesses.
  • The amount of research required in this degree means that, as a graduate, you are also qualified for entry into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Entry requirements

  • Approved 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a discipline other than law.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the combined level and duration of study specified below, or the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

Tertiary study
(Diploma level or higher)
 2+ years full-time tertiary study in a country from the Accepted English-speaking countries list.
IELTS (Academic)  Minimum overall score of 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore (speaking, listening, writing, reading). 
Pearson Test of English Minimum overall score of 58 with a minimum of 50 in each subscore.
TOEFL iBT Minimum overall score of 90 with a minimum of 20 in each subscore.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Pathways

UniSQ offers a number of bachelor degrees for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 17
7 x law electives 7
Total 24

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 33520

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

Talk to us
What is a Juris Doctor in Australia?
A Juris Doctor is a postgraduate degree for those who have an undergraduate qualification unrelated to law, but wish to move into the field of law. According to postgradaustralia.com.au a Juris Doctor can lead to employment in legal practice and function within government and business sectors.
Why study a Juris Doctor?

If you want to diversify your skillset and career into law, and you have completed an undergraduate degree, a Juris Doctor degree at UniSQ could get you there in only 2 years.

By studying a Juris Doctor online in Australia, you will not only qualify as a legal practitioner, but open up a vast range of career opportunities within public service, government, private sectors and business.

Want to continue your studies? You’ll have the opportunity to advance into further research, such as studying a PhD, and continue to develop your legal expertise.

What are the entry requirements for a Juris Doctor?

To study a Juris Doctor at UniSQ you need hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a discipline other than law.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, we offer a number of bachelor degrees for you to study to help get you into the Juris Doctor.

Please view the entry requirements section of this page for further details.

How long does it take?

At UniSQ you can fast-track your Juris Doctor studies and complete your qualification in 2 years full-time over 6 consecutive semesters.

If the fast-track option isn’t for you, it usually takes 3 years to complete a Juris Doctor in Australia. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to finish the required courses.

Are flexible study options available?

At UniSQ, we understand that many of our students are balancing family, social and work commitments in their lives. Our flexible study options allow you to tailor your study to suit your needs. If required, you can reduce your study-load and choose to study part-time. We also deliver our Juris Doctor online, giving you greater flexibility to choose when and where you study.

Over 75% of UniSQ students choose to study online and benefit from our 40+ years of experience delivering online learning.

  • Listen to recorded lectures when it suits you.
  • Access the library’s free online learning services
  • Connect with peers and lecturers through online discussion forums.
  • Benefit from access to various academic support services.

Discover more about online study and all the other ways to study at UniSQ.

How much does a Juris Doctor cost in Australia?

The cost of a Juris Doctor in Australia will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

When you study with us, the first year of your studies will cost approximately AUD 29000 (Domestic full fee paying), not including the student services and amenities fees.

Please view the fees and scholarships section of this page for details.

Why study with UniSQ?

Get a strong start to your career in law:

  • UniSQ is rated five stars for postgraduate overall experience and teaching quality (Good Universities Guide, 2024).
  • Fast-track your degree and complete your studies in 2 years
  • Gain accreditation by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, Queensland.
  • UniSQ law degrees are developed in consultation with senior judges and lawyers who have provided their professional endorsement.