Australian National University, College of Law

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Welcome to The Australian National University (ANU) College of Law

For more than 60 years, the ANU College of Law has inspired generations of legal professionals, policymakers and advocates for justice. For many graduates, postgraduate study has provided the stepping stone to advancing or pivoting in their career.

Today, the ANU College of Law is distinct as one of the world’s leading law schools both in terms of its research impact and educational programs. As Australia’s national law school, it ranks 21st in the world for law
(Times Higher Education World University
Rankings by Subject 2024). It has also achieved the maximum five-star rating for student demand, teaching quality, student-teacher ratio and staff qualifications (Good Universities Guide 2023).

Study law where
the laws are made

“Studying in Canberra was a strategic decision,” says Anu Adeyemi, a Master of International Law and Diplomacy student. “When you look at opportunities like internships, this is the capital, so it’s easy to gain experience here. The environment and multiculturalism of Canberra are inclusive in the educational experience. Beyond academics, I’m also getting a qualitative education through the environment.”

Advancing careers through world-class postgraduate programs

At the ANU College of Law, postgraduate programs are enriching, flexible and grounded in experiential learning. Students broaden their knowledge and skillsets, and apply their learning in practical settings from internships and clinical placements to negotiation and mooting competitions. All of these experiences can be integrated seamlessly with students’ professional and personal commitments. Intensive classes — delivered on campus or through a robust online learning platform — make this possible.

The ANU College of Law offers two short courses, both of which are pathways into the Master of Laws. The Graduate Certificate of Law caters to those aiming to understand Australian and international legal systems while exploring how laws are created, interpreted and applied.

Meanwhile, the future-focused Graduate Certificate of New Technologies Law includes various electives such as information technology, legal app development, blockchain and legal innovation, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence and media law. Best of all, this short course is delivered 100% online making it a fast, flexible option for those aspiring to make their mark at the intersection of law and technology.

Short courses,
long-term benefits

Master of Laws (LLM)

This postgraduate program welcomes both law and non-law graduates, making it an ideal choice for anyone striving to bolster their career with cutting-edge legal knowledge. Students can choose courses from a diverse range of innovative, ever-evolving fields — such as information technology, aviation and space law, environmental and climate law, cyber warfare, international security and human rights — and tailor their program based on five specialisations: Human Security Law, International Law, New Technologies Law, Private and Commercial Law, or Public Law.

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Juris Doctor (JD)

The internationally-recognised ANU Juris Doctor program is designed for graduates from non-law backgrounds. It starts with compulsory courses in foundational areas — such as international law, administrative law, corporations law, criminal law, contracts, evidence and litigation — followed by practical clinical studies, internships and research projects. This is the ideal degree for anyone aspiring to pursue a career as a practising legal professional. JD candidates can also choose one of five specialisations: Human Security Law, International Law, New Technologies Law, Private and Commercial Law, or Public Law.

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Master of Financial Management and Law

Delivered jointly by the ANU College of Law and the ANU College of Business and Economics, this multidisciplinary program is a great option for those already employed, or seeking employment, in financial and advisory firms, policy and regulatory bodies, as well as the legal profession. It prepares them to enter or climb the ladder in these industries by nurturing their knowledge of legal and regulatory contexts and the frameworks that shape financial sector activity and decision-making.

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Master of International Law and Diplomacy

The Master of International Law and Diplomacy at ANU is a joint degree that responds to a growing demand for graduates with expertise in the complex intersection of public policy, law and dispute resolution. From international refugee law to the politics of the United Nations, this program will deepen your academic knowledge while developing your diplomatic and legal advocacy skills, including the ability to solve or avoid problems with the use of negotiation, persuasion and conflict resolution.

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

ANU is in Canberra — the nation’s administrative, judicial and political heart — and its students come from across the country and the world. One of the benefits for students is the International Students Orientation Program. Delivered each semester, it is a tailored weekly program of activities such as academic skills workshops and excursions to institutions including the ACT Supreme Court, High Court of Australia, and Parliament House where students can contextualise their law studies — all of which are located a short stroll from campus.

Moreover, ANU is distinct for its emphasis on work-integrated learning. This puts law students on the path to professional success even before graduation. For students, this means internships from a vast network of law firms and community law clinics, government departments, civil service and many other sectors. ANU law students also benefit from a dynamic mentoring program that harnesses our extraordinary alumni in Australia and overseas.

Advancing careers through world-class postgraduate programs

At the ANU College of Law, postgraduate programs are enriching, flexible and grounded in experiential learning. Students broaden their knowledge and skillsets, and apply their learning in practical settings from internships and clinical placements to negotiation and mooting competitions. All of these experiences can be integrated seamlessly with students’ professional and personal commitments. Intensive classes — delivered on campus or through a robust online learning platform — make this possible.

Situated in the heart of Canberra, Australia's capital city, the ANU College of Law maximises its prime location by establishing vital connections with the nation's foremost law-making and regulatory bodies. These collaborations unlock unparalleled access to the epicentre of legal decision-making and policy shaping.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian National University acknowledges, celebrates and pays our respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region and to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

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