Course details

Summary

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law is an advanced research qualification.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is normally the highest academic qualification available within a university. It involves original and sustained research under academic supervision and demands considerable intellectual ability, academic rigour, self-discipline and dedication.

Thesis

The PhD thesis is a major piece of work that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent research. It must make a significant new contribution to the knowledge or understanding of your field of study.

Your thesis must meet international standards of excellence it is assessed by three examiners, one from Victoria, one from another New Zealand university, and one from an overseas university. This is followed by an oral examination (or viva).

Entry criteria

Admission to our higher-level research degrees is competitive. The selection panel will need to be confident that candidates can justify pursuing their doctoral at this Law School.

PhD applicants are expected to have a First or Second Class Honours or Master's degree in Law.

Other English Language requirements:

TOEFL score of 575 with (preferably) a TWE of 5; or 237 on the computer-based test; or a minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test or CAE grade B; Pearson Test of English a score of 65 (with a communicative score of not less than 58).