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What’s on offer for postgraduates?

Law postgraduate student profile

Legal education has undergone several transformations. In recent times it has drawn comment from professionals and teachers alike who say it is time to tighten up its relationship with the profession.

However, before you start to consider the merits of the postgraduate programs that are available in law, it helps to know that they usually fall into two categories. The first includes programs designed for those looking to qualify as legal professionals. There are an increasing number of these at postgraduate level but they are still in the minority.

The other type of postgraduate study in law (accounting for the majority of coursework programs) is aimed at members of the profession and law graduates wanting to add specialist strings to their professional bows — in environmental law (especially popular), corporate law, Asian law, media law and many more. These coursework programs have proliferated and are the major drawcard for postgraduates. Unfortunately the transformation of educational methods lags and postgraduates generally report a fairly average experience overall.

Apart from the many postgraduates in coursework programs (at graduate diploma and masters levels), some are in the new professional doctorates, which combine coursework with research, and a few are doing pure research degrees.

If you are contemplating a postgraduate research degree in law you are likely to be better off looking at departments and schools which have an established research program in your area of interest; do not always assume that the academics will be better at the older law schools either. There are many areas of research in law and one institution cannot be the best at them all. Do make sure that your potential supervisors are the best in their area and that you have access to resources you will need.

The experience and rewards

Visit the University Ratings section for law course ratings or to see how law rates in the Fields of Study Compared table.

According to the national Course Experience Questionnaire survey law postgraduates rate their teaching quality and generic skills poorly. These graduates had above average employment prospects and salaries.

For more information

Depending on your particular bent, you may find specialisations of interest in fields ranging from accounting , and business and management to humanities and social sciences .

David Jackson — Master of Laws (LLM)

Why did you decide to pursue postgraduate studies?
Partly to enhance my medium to long-term career prospects. Partly because, after a few years of full-time work as a lawyer, I was ready to reacquaint myself with the academic side of the law.

How do you balance your study with other commitments?
My employer gave me leave to attend the classes, which were full-time 'intensive' courses lasting a week. The more challenging aspect was preparing for exams and writing essays, which I had to do on weekends. I survived by virtue or reasonably good planning, a few late nights, and a very understanding girlfriend.

Are postgraduate qualifications a requirement in your chosen field?
No, but they are generally looked upon as a useful addition to one's CV.

Would you recommend postgraduate studies to someone in a similar position to you, i.e. someone working in your field, or wishing to enter your field?
Yes. I would particularly recommend postgraduate studies as a means of refreshing one's interest in the law and of exploring new areas of law as potential future directions for your career.

How did you pay off your postgraduate studies?
My employer subsidised the cost of my studies.

Are you still working in your chosen field?
Yes, I am still working as a lawyer in the area that was the primary focus of my LLM.

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