Advanced standing (Melbourne Law Masters)

Advanced standing, also known as credit, is granted to a degree based on prior study that is deemed to be substantially equivalent to studies within the new course. Advanced standing is awarded is accordance with the Credit, Advanced Standing, and Accelerated Entry Policy.

Applications for advanced standing are usually assessed on entry to the University. Unless the studies were undertaken at Melbourne Law School, you will need to provide detailed subject descriptions of the subjects that you seek to claim credit for, so an assessment for advanced standing can be undertaken. In assessing your application, factors considered include:

  • Level of study
  • Subject content
  • Assessment details
  • Contact hours
  • Credit point value

Note: Advanced standing is not granted for work experience.

Time limits apply for eligibility for advanced standing, as set out in the Credit, Advanced Standing, and Accelerated Entry Policy. You will be advised of advanced standing outcomes in writing and advanced standing will be loaded to your enrolment record.

Eligibility

Advanced standing for students who have completed prior studies at Melbourne Law School

Credit is available for up to five years after completion of prior studies at Melbourne Law School. This means that you must be admitted to a course within the Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) program within five years of finishing your previous Melbourne Law School course.

  • Students who have completed the Melbourne JD (Juris Doctor) degree with eight Melbourne Law School electives will receive
    • Credit of 50% of the credit points for the Master of Laws (LLM) or Graduate Diploma in Laws
    • Credit of up to 50% of the credit points for a specialised Masters, Graduate Diploma, or Specialist Certificate course for elective subjects undertaken in the student’s JD program that are assessed as sufficiently relevant to the requirements of the specialised program to which the student has applied
  • Students who have completed prior JD or MLM studies at Melbourne Law School
    • Students who have completed a Masters, Graduate Diploma or Specialist Certificate may receive credit of up to 50% of the credit points for a further Masters, Graduate Diploma or Specialist Certificate, providing the subjects completed in the first qualification are assessed as sufficiently relevant to the requirements of the program to which the student has applied
    • Students who have completed JD or MLM subjects at Melbourne Law School via single subject (Community Access Program) study may receive credit of up to 50% of the credit points available for a specialised Masters, Graduate Diploma or Specialist Certificate course for prior MLM subjects that are assessed as sufficiently relevant to the specialist MLM program to which the student has applied
    • Students who have undertaken JD or MLM subjects on a cross-faculty basis at the University of Melbourne are not entitled to advanced standing for those Melbourne Law School subjects unless the degree in that other faculty has been discontinued before completion. Where the previous degree has been discontinued, the student may receive credit of up to 50% of the credit points for prior JD or MLM subjects that are assessed as sufficiently relevant to the specialist MLM program to which the student has applied

Advanced standing for students who have completed prior studies at other institutions

Students who have completed tertiary study at masters level at other institutions may be eligible for advanced standing of up to 25% of the credit points available for a Master of Laws (LLM), Graduate Diploma in Laws or a specialist Masters, specialist Graduate Diploma or Specialist Certificate.

The set time limit applicable to credit awarded based on study at another institution is four years for a masters course and two years for a graduate diploma under the Credit, Advanced Standing, and Accelerated Entry Policy.

Apply for Advanced Standing