Courses and degrees

A-Z study options

Public interest law

Why study Public interest law?

The Public Interest Law specialisation within the Master of Laws program offers the opportunity to study at an advanced academic level the intersection of law and the public interest. It continues the School's commitment to innovation and responsiveness to developments in the justice system and was developed by La Trobe School of Law in collaboration with Public Interest Law Clearinghouse House (Vic) and Consumer Law Centre Victoria.

This specialisation of the Masters of Law program responds to the challenges of pro bono work or public interest practice, the impact of policy on the public interest, the challenges of regulatory work and the need for skills development and the development of theoretical frameworks for public service work in the community legal centre or legal aid sectors.

Career opportunities

This specialisation will appeal to lawyers interested in pro bono or public interest practice, policy makers, and those seeking careers in regulatory agencies and community legal centre's and legal aid agencies.

Courses

Local students

Public interest law courses (Mid year entry)
Offer year	Course title	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts
2013	Master of Commercial Law	Melbourne	1 year full-time or 2 years part-time	Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Master of Commercial Law continued… Course description The Master of Commercial Law is open to graduates from any non-law discipline. Corporations increasingly require an understanding of commercial law issues, in preparation for a career in an international business or a legal environment. Students may study in subject areas of global interest, including international business and arbitration law, and US business and corporations law. Prerequisite Applicants must have completed a four year non-law undergraduate degree or international equivalent and satisfy the minimum English language proficiency requirements. Fee type Fees (Fee-Help available) Fee amount Indicative (2012): $22,290 per 120 credit points. How to apply Apply directly to the University. Applications for Semester 1 close 31 January. Applications for Semester 2 close 5 July. Applicants can download an application form from our postgraduate website. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Commercial Law (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Global Business Law	Melbourne	1 year full-time or 2 years part-time	Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)
Master of Global Business Law continued… Course description Globalisation increasingly requires people with business and other backgrounds to have an understanding of commercial law issues. This program presents an opportunity for non-lawyers to be equipped with an understanding of domestic and international commercial law in preparation for a career in an international business and legal environment. Students study in subject areas of global interest, including international business and arbitration law, and US business and corporations law. Prerequisite Australian Bachelor's degree or approved equivalent, and two years' professional experience, as might be demonstrated by full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia or CPA Australia. Fee type Fees (Fee-Help available) Fee amount Indicative (2012): $22,290 per 120 credit points. How to apply Apply directly to the University. Applications for Semester 1 close 31 January. Applications for Semester 2 close 5 July. Applicants can download an application form from our postgraduate website. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Global Business Law (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Laws	Melbourne	1 year full-time or 2 years part-time	Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Master of Laws continued… Course description A general Master of Laws program is available to applicants with an undergraduate qualification in law. Students can specialise in public interest law and/or global business law. The global business law streams utilise existing global business law subjects currently available at Master and Graduate Diploma level. Prerequisite Bachelor of Laws or international equivalent. Fee type Fees (Fee-Help available) Fee amount Indicative (2012): $22,290 per 120 credit points. Additional information Subjects are normally assessed by a month-long take-home exam to meet the needs of busy professionals. How to apply Apply directly to the University. Applicants can download an application form from our postgraduate website. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required. Applications for Semester 1 close 31 January. Applications for Semester 2 close 5 July. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Laws (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Laws in Global Business Law	Melbourne	1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.	Semester 1 (March)
Master of Laws in Global Business Law continued… Course description This course presents an opportunity for law graduates and certified practising accountants to study commercial law in areas of global interest, taught by some of the worlds leading academics and commercial practitioners. An extensive range of subjects in US, European and Asian Law prepares graduates for a career in an international business and legal environment. Students may also take public interest law subjects (with approval). Prerequisite Australian Bachelor of Laws or international equivalent, or full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and CPA Australia, or progression from the Graduate Certificate in Global Business Law with appropriate grade average. Fee type Fees (Fee-Help available) Fee amount Indicative (2012): $22,290 per 120 credit points. How to apply Apply directly to the University. Applications for Semester 1 close 31 January. Applicants can download an application form from our postgraduate website. Please ensure you also provide all supplementary information required. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Laws in Global Business Law (Master)Melbourne

How to apply?

Methods of application vary from course to course. Please see the course entry above for details of how to apply for the course you are interested in.

Fees and scholarships

Postgraduate coursework programs are either:

Fee-paying (where you pay the full cost of the course). FEE-HELP is available.
CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place), subsidised by the Commonwealth Government where you pay a contribution towards course costs. HECS-HELP is available.

Students enrolled for certain postgraduate coursework programs may be eligible for student income support.

International students

Show mid year entryShow next year’s courses

Public interest law international courses
Offer year	Course title (CRICOS)	Campus(es)	Duration	Semester starts	Annual Tuition Fee (AUD)
2013	Master of Commercial Law (059364G)	Melbourne	1 year	See additional information	$25 810
Master of Commercial Law continued… Year 2013 Course description The Master of Commercial Law is open to graduates from any non-law discipline. Corporations increasingly require an understanding of commercial law issues, in preparation for a career in an international business or a legal environment. Students may study in subject areas of global interest, including international business and arbitration law, and US business and corporations law. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed a four year non-law undergraduate degree or international equivalent and satisfy the minimum English language proficiency requirements. Special requirements Students with no prior legal studies must normally enrol in the subject Common Law and the Australian Legal System (LAW5CLM), which runs in a five-day block-release mode. Additional information All subjects in this program are offered in Semester 1, Semester 2, and September, in five-day block release mode usually between teaching period one and teaching period two (June to July), and over summer (December-February), so students should plan their arrival accordingly. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Commercial Law (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Global Business Law (059365F)	Melbourne	1 year	January, June, December	$25 810
Master of Global Business Law continued… Year 2013 Course description Globalisation increasingly requires people with business and other backgrounds to have an understanding of commercial law issues. This program presents an opportunity for non-lawyers to be equipped with an understanding of domestic and international commercial law in preparation for a career in an international business and legal environment. Students study in subject areas of global interest, including international business and arbitration law, and US business and corporations law. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements An Australian Bachelor's degree, or approved international equivalent. Applicants are also expected to have two years of professional experience, which might be demonstrated by full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia or CPA Australia. Additional information This course has intakes in January, June and December (the start date depends on the subjects chosen). All subjects in this program are offered in five-day block-release mode: normally between teaching period one and Australian winter teaching period one and Australian winter teaching period (June to July) and over summer (December to February) so students should time their arrival date accordingly. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Global Business Law (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Laws (077186D)	Melbourne	1 year	Semester 1 and 2 (March and July)	$25 810
Master of Laws continued… Year 2013 Course description A general Master of Laws program is available to applicants with an undergraduate qualification in law. Students can specialise in public interest law and/or global business law. The global business law streams utilise existing global business law subjects currently available at Master and Graduate Diploma level. English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Law degree or approved international equivalent. Professional recognition The program may be used by overseas lawyers as a vehicle for admission to practice in Victoria (up to 120 credit points and subject to Council of Legal Education ruling, for which the student must apply prior to application for admission). All subjects from the LLM (Global Business Law) program and the Public Interest Law Program are taught in block mode. All subjects in the LLM (Global Business Law) are examined by a take home examination. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Laws (Master)Melbourne
2013	Master of Laws in Global Business Law (059366E)	Melbourne	1 year	January, June, December	$25 810
Master of Laws in Global Business Law continued… Year 2013 Course description This course presents an opportunity for law graduates and certified practising accountants to study commercial law in areas of global interest, taught by some of the worlds leading academics and commercial practitioners. An extensive range of subjects in US, European and Asian Law prepares graduates for a career in an international business and legal environment. Students may also take public interest law subjects (with approval). English Language Requirements IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0. TOEFL Paper-based Test: minimum score of 575 (minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English). TOEFL Internet-based Test: minimum score of 80 with minimum overall for SLR 18; W 22. La Trobe Melbourne (ELICOS): completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B Certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70 per cent) PG1) level. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0. Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 64 with no communicative skill score less than 59. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B or higher. Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C or higher. Or approved international equivalent. Academic entry requirements An Australian Bachelor of Laws degree or approved international equivalent, full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and CPA Australia (the professional body for Certified Practising Accountants in Australia), or progression from the Graduate Certificate in Global Business Law with an appropriate grade average. Additional information All subjects in this program are offered in five-day block release mode: normally between teaching period one and Australian winter teaching period (June to July) and over summer (December to February) so students should time their arrival accordingly.. Full course details Course structures and subject information for the following cours(es): Laws in Global Business Law (Master)Melbourne

How to apply?

Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.

Related study options

Didn't find a suitable course? You could also try these study options:

Your study experience

Overseas study opportunities

Gain valuable overseas experience by taking part in the student exchange program for 6-12 months. We have over 22 exchange partners in Canada, the US, South America, Europe and the UK. See student exchange.

We also offer a winter school program in Shanghai, Introduction to Chinese Law, led by Professor Jianfu Chen. Study in Hong Kong or Geneva as part of the Duke University Summer School program.

Further Information

Postgraduate Public Interest Law subjects offered in 2011 [PDF 189KB]
Human Rights and Comparative Disability Law [PDF 149KB]
Public Interest Law Professional Development application form [PDF 185KB]

About the academic staff

You'll get to meet a large number of academics during your course, from tutors through to lecturers. You can view all the staff from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or focus on staff in Public interest law.

Student and graduate profiles

Find out about the experiences of one of our Public interest law postgraduate students.

After finishing my German Law Degree in 2004 I was keen to try something new.

Mr Florian Schwarz, Business, Economics and Law