Time Commitment and Timetabling

The JD is regarded as a full-time or part-time degree requiring class attendance and pre-reading.

JD course plan

Many students need to balance study with other commitments. A student who has external work commitments is expected to plan such commitments around their study and to consider the total time commitment required for their study.

For those students who are studying full time, work, travel or sporting commitments are not regarded as a valid reason for timetable changes or for priority registration in a particular class. Requests for priority registration will be considered where students have reasons based on disability, medical, religious or carer responsibilities. In such cases, documented evidence must be provided. Students with the status of elite athletes or performers will be accommodated where possible within the University's Special Consideration Policy.

For students who are studying part time, the timetable for subjects (compulsories and electives) will vary depending on each subject but where possible there will be classes timetabled later in the day to suit students who need that additional flexibility.

Class registration and attendance

First year commences with the intensive subject, Legal Method and Reasoning (LMR), which is taught in small groups over a two-week period beginning in mid-February, in morning or afternoon classes. Required reading for classes is undertaken outside class time.

JD students will need to enter their preferences and be allocated to classes for each of their enrolled subjects before the start of each semester. The timetable for full-time first year JD students allows for at least one day free of classes per week. Students will know their Semester 1 timetable from early February.

Students are required to prepare for and attend all classes, sit for examinations and class tests, and complete other assessment on the dates prescribed. Students cannot register in classes that result in timetable clashes.

Time management

Please note that contact hours may vary to those listed in the handbook due to COVID-19. Please refer to the LMS Canvas subject pages for updated information.

Time management plays a key role in ensuring successful study. The time commitment required for each subject is set out in the Handbook. Most subjects are taught during either Semester 1 or Semester 2 of the academic year. Some classes are taught on a more intensive basis during the summer or winter non-teaching period. The total commitment listed in the Handbook includes classes, pre-reading and assessment tasks. Students should ensure they are available for the whole teaching period for intensive subjects.

For compulsory subjects the total time commitment is 144 hours per subject. Classes for the compulsory subjects taught across the semester are typically timetabled throughout the day, including later in the day, so all students (full time and part time) can nominate the times that best suit their situation. Intensives are usually taught over two weeks in either summer or winter.

In elective subjects the standard time commitment is 144 hours per subject. There are options for students to take electives as intensives in summer and winter as well.