(JD) Guide - The University of Sydney

THE SYDNEY JD – FREQUENTLYASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) &FURTHER INFORMATIONWhat’s a Juris Doctor?The JD is increasingly recognisedinternationally as the professionalentry law degree for graduates.It is a professional master’s degreeby coursework for professionalaccreditation.Can I use the title ‘doctor’ whenI finish?No, it does not confer this title.What’s the difference between anLLB and a JD?Both degrees are intended to lead toprofessional accreditation to practiselaw. You would undertake an LLB if youare commencing you law studies fromhigh school or have not completeda bachelor’s degree. You wouldundertake a JD if you have alreadyobtained your first degree and werecommencing law as a graduate.What do I study?For professional accreditation, youmust complete compulsory units ofstudy known as the ‘Priestley 11’. AtSydney, we add 2 additional units ofstudy - Public International Lawand Private International Law A toemphasise the importance of law asan international, transnational andglobal profession. You will also haveto complete 7 electives.What Electives do I study?You will have a wide range of electivesfrom which to choose. There will bea strong emphasis on internationallaw and you may choose some unitsfrom the Law School’s extensivepostgraduate coursework units ofstudy. You will complete 7 electivesa will be able to choose from 3 tablesof electives as follows:A minimum of one unit of studyfrom the Juris Doctor Table A(comprising international, comparative,transnational units);A maximum of five unit of study fromthe Juris Doctor Table B;A minimum of one unit of study fromthe Juris Doctor Table C (jurisprudenceunits).How do I apply? (Domestic students)You apply through UAC - www.uac.edu.au - Applications open in Septemberfor entry in February 2013.2013 UAC CODES ARE:Juris DoctorCommonwealthSupport Place (CSP)Juris Doctor DomesticFull Fee (DFEE)982200982205How do I apply? (Internationalstudents)You apply direct to the University ofSydney. Applications close at the endof October for entry in February 2013although late applications may beaccepted.DEGREE AND CRICOS CODES ARE:Juris Doctor DegreeCodeJuris Doctor CRICOSCodeJC034071754CWhat Grades do I need?As a guide, you will most likely needan ATAR in the 90s and a grade pointaverage in the high credit range fora CSP place but slightly lower for aDFEE place. The final cut off may varydepending on the quality of applicantsin the year that you apply.If you are an international applicant,you will need the equivalent of aminimum gpa of 3 on the 4 point scale.You may improve your chances ofentry by providing an LSAT result withyour academic grades. If you presentan LSAT result and have a minimumgpa of 2.8 on the 4 point scale withan LSAT of 150 or higher, you will getan offer. You will also receive an offerif you graduated with honours or cumlaude.Can I transfer from a full fee placeto CSP?Yes you can. But you will becompetitively assessed against otherapplicants for the year in which youapply. You can apply at the end of youfirst full-time year or equivalent, and atthe end of subsequent years if you areunsuccessful. Applications are throughUAC. You must have a distinction gradepoint average in your JD studies.Can I transfer from another JurisDoctor from another University?If you have completed at least oneyear or equivalent of a juris doctor youwill be assessed on the grade pointaverage for your first year. You will notbe considered for entry if you havecompleted more than one year of studyin a juris doctor at another institution.You will require a distinction gradepoint average for a CommonwealthSupported Place. You will requirea credit grade point average for adomestic full fee place.What credit do I get?You would normally be given credit ofup to one year or 48 credit points. Thiswill be determined after you receive anoffer, at enrolment and will depend onwhat you have studied compared withthe Sydney JD.Can I get credit for completedmasters law units of study?You may be awarded credit for up to2 advanced masters level units ofstudy that have been undertaken atSydney Law School or at another lawschool as long as they have not beencounted towards an already completeddegree and are taught by a lawschool, in a law degree. Credit will bedetermined on a case by case basis atenrolment.Can I transfer from an LLB into a JDYes you can but you will be assessedon your best completed degree inanother discipline and will not be givencredit for any law units counted towardan undergraduate degree. If you area domestice student, applications arethrough UAC.