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Overview

The Master of Philosophy in Law (MPhil) is a research degree designed to provide research training for candidates aiming to develop competence in research in law, or who aim to progress to a PhD. Research training is supplemented with coursework to provide in-depth discipline skills and/or skills in relevant research … For more content click the Read More button below. The MPhil comprises of 18 units of credit (uoc) of coursework and a thesis of no more than 40 000 words on an approved topic. Candidates develop competence in undertaking research through a combination of coursework and research. For the coursework component candidates will be required to complete in their first Term of enrolment LAWS0007 Introduction to Higher Degree Research in Law which is currently compulsory for all PhD candidates. Candidates from non-common law or non-law backgrounds will be required to complete LAWS8214 Global Common Law Systems. The remaining coursework course(s) can be selected by candidates from those offered in the Master of Laws program in consultation with supervisors and the PGC/DPGR to ensure the acquisition of requisite specialist substantive knowledge relevant to the proposed thesis area. The normal full-time equivalent minimum duration is 6 terms and maximum duration is 8 terms. Candidates must submit the thesis within 8 terms. The coursework will be successfully completed within the first two terms of enrolment of the MPhil unless approval is given by the Committee. MPhil candidates can upgrade to a PhD, subject to School and Faculty approval. All candidates will have appointed either a supervisor and a co-supervisor, or two joint supervisors, or a supervisory panel, in accordance with the procedures and definitions specified in the University Policy on Higher Degree Research Supervision.  

Program Structure

Students must complete 72 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

  • 18 UOC of coursework
  • 54 UOC thesis.

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):
Domestic Students
International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Candidates undertaking the LLM Coursework will be required to complete that degree before they can be admitted to the MPhil and vice versa. Coursework requirements for the MPhil must be met; there is no scope for Recognition of Prior Learning to provide an exemption for MPhil coursework requirements. Any changes to the proposed coursework structure should be negotiated directly with the Director of Postgraduate Research.

Any request for Recognition of Prior Learning submitted after discontinuation from a MPhil where coursework was completed, is to be assessed by the Faculty using the Recognition of Prior Learning Procedure.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions