Advanced standing (Juris Doctor)

The following sets out the circumstances in which Melbourne Law School may grant advanced standing for credit for successful completion of a subject or subjects (deemed substantially equivalent) towards the JD. Advanced standing is awarded is accordance with the Credit, Advanced Standing, and Accelerated Entry Policy.

Eligibility

The Law School may, in the exercise of its discretion, grant advanced standing for credit for compulsory subjects in the JD, if:

  • Such subjects were completed at a masters level (for example in a JD program) in a degree leading to admission to legal practice in Australia
  • Such subjects were completed within the five years prior to admission to the JD
  • Such subjects are, in the opinion of the School substantially equivalent in that they offer equivalent content and are of an equal standard to compulsory subjects offered in the JD.*

The Law School does not give advanced standing for subjects studied outside of Australia towards compulsory JD subjects leading to admission to practice.

The Law School may, in the exercise of its discretion, grant credit for a maximum of seven subjects (87.5 points) towards the elective component of the JD, if:

  • Such law subjects were completed at a masters level or its equivalent
  • Such subjects were completed within the five years prior to admission to the JD
  • Such subjects are, in the opinion of the School, of an equal standard to elective subjects offered in the JD.

The maximum advanced standing awarded in the JD is eight subjects (or 100 points).

*While all Australian admission to practice JD courses must teach the academic study requirements for admission to legal practice (the ‘Priestley 11’), the Melbourne JD offers an integrated and comparative curriculum which provides students with cumulative learning by integrating both subject matter and skills across and between semesters. This means that a prescribed area of law (a ‘Priestley 11 subject’) is often not limited to one subject, but is taught across two or more. For this reason, applications for credit for compulsory subjects are carefully considered on a case by case basis. Applicants applying to the JD with prior learning in another JD may find it useful to consider how the Melbourne JD satisfies the requirements of the ‘Priestley 11 subjects’.

Apply for Advanced Standing