The Auckland Law School – Melbourne Law School Dual Masters Program allows eligible students to study at both institutions and be awarded two Master of Laws degrees, one from the University of Melbourne and one from the University of Auckland. Students must complete 75 credit points at Melbourne Law School and 90 credit points at Auckland Law School. When undertaken full-time, the program may be completed in just three semesters or one and a half years.
The program draws on the shared legal and cultural traditions of Australia and New Zealand and combines the academic strengths of both law schools. Each institution offers a broad range of subjects, taught by domestic and international experts and delivered in an intensive format, providing students with exposure to diverse perspectives and approaches to legal study.
Eligibility and study costs
The Dual Masters Program is open to students who are considered “domestic students” at both institutions.
At the University of Melbourne, a domestic student is defined as an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian permanent resident, or a holder of a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if the student is studying abroad or holds dual Australian citizenship.
New Zealand citizens are classified as “domestic students” at the University of Melbourne and are eligible to pay domestic tuition fees for courses undertaken at the Melbourne Law School.
At the University of Auckland, Australian citizens and permanent residents studying in New Zealand are eligible to pay the same tuition fees as New Zealand citizens. Postgraduate fees for domestic students - The University of Auckland.
Students are required to be physically present in each institution’s country for the duration of course(s)/subject(s) being undertaken there. No online courses/subjects are offered in this program.
A maximum of five (5) students from each Home Institution per academic year will be allowed to participate in this Dual Masters Program.
Application process
To be admitted to the Melbourne Master of Laws, applicants must satisfy the admissions policies, procedures and standards of Melbourne Law School. Similarly, to be admitted to the Auckland Master of Laws, applicants must satisfy the admissions policies, procedures and standards of Auckland Law School. Applicants are required to submit a separate application to each institution. In both applications, they must indicate that they are applying for the Dual Masters Program and specify their chosen Home Institution. In addition, they must notify the program coordinators at both institutions by email:
- Melbourne Law School: June Nillama (law-global@unimelb.edu.au)
- Auckland Law School: Suranjika Tittawella (lawacademicservices@auckland.ac.nz)
Each institution will independently assess applications in accordance with its admission and selection policies and procedures. Acceptance by one institution does not indicate or guarantee admission to the other.
If the applicant is successfully admitted to the Dual Masters Program, the applicant will receive an unconditional offer for the chosen Home Institution, and a deferred/conditional offer for the other institution.
Course requirements
Successful applicants will first commence their studies at their chosen Home Institution. Successful applicants will commence their studies at the other institution upon accepting the deferred/conditional offer of the other institution. For exact dates, consult the University of Melbourne academic calendar and the University of Auckland academic calendar.
Students must complete 90 credit points in the Auckland Master of Laws and 75 credit points in the Melbourne Master of Laws. Upon the award of advanced standing and completion of all other requirements, students will be awarded both Masters degrees.
Awarding credit upon completion
To receive Advanced Standing towards the student's Melbourne Law School program, students must complete 90 credit points in the Auckland Master of Laws and ensure their Auckland Law School transcript is sent to the Melbourne Law School Global Engagement Coordinator law-global@unimelb.edu.au.
The result(s) gained at Auckland Law School will not be recorded on the student's University of Melbourne transcript and will not affect the student's Weighted Average Mark (WAM). Students are advised to retain a copy of their overseas transcripts to demonstrate the obtained result(s).
Graduation and final rankings
Students should not make any plans to attend a graduation ceremony until they have received a formal invitation to graduate.
Admission to practice
Completion of the Program does not automatically guarantee admission into legal practice for either the Australian or New Zealand jurisdictions. Students must make their own enquiries in this regard.