The Master of Private Law (MPrivateLaw) gives you the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the core areas of law that are fundamentally important to commercial practice.

As a student, you’ll have a unique opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of the current issues and developments that are vitally important to lawyers involved in commercial litigation and commercial transactions, including contract law, the law of torts, equity, restitution, trusts and remedies.

It’s available for both law and non-law graduates and the flexible structure makes it ideal for working professionals looking to immerse themselves in the study of private law.

The Master of Private Law is part of the world-renowned Melbourne Law Masters program.

Students must complete 100 credit points in total.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete Fundamentals of the Common Law, as well as 87.5 credit points of study from the prescribed list of subjects.

Students with a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete 87.5 credit points of study from the prescribed list and may choose 12.5 credit points from the subjects available in the Master of Laws (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law and the Minor Thesis).

Subject timing and format

The Melbourne Law Masters program has been designed around the busy schedules of working professionals. Subjects are offered from February to December each year. Most subjects are taught intensively over five days, with some subjects taught for two hours each week during the semester.

Subjects will be delivered either online, on campus, or as a hybrid of both. Subjects delivered online will have a combination of pre-recorded lecture content, live sessions and discussion boards among other resources. On-campus subjects involve interactive, seminar-style classes in the Law Building in Melbourne.

Duration

Full-time students enrol in 50 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of one year. Part-time* students enrol in 25 credit points per semester (or half-year period) and have an expected course duration of two years. Semesters without enrolments require a student to apply for a leave of absence.

*Part-time enrolment is for domestic students only. Part-time students may reduce their study load to 12.5 credit points per half-year period and thus have a maximum course duration of four years.

As a Master of Private Law student, you’ll develop an advanced understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of private law, including:

• The rules and principles governing contractual dealings, equitable doctrines, civil wrongs and private law remedies
• The theories and policies that underpin those common law and equitable principles and relevant statutory interventions
• Challenges that arise in the application of those rules and principles in particular transactions and in litigation
• Current debates on the nature, basis and potential reform of private law doctrines.

You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis and the ability to interpret and transmit your ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clients.

A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, with a University of Melbourne equivalent score of at least 70, or equivalent or A degree in law (LLB, JD or equivale

IELTS (academic English Only): 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL Internet-based test: 79 + ; Writing 21; Speaking 18; Reading 13; Listening 13;
Pearson Test of English Academic: 58 + no communicative skill below 50
Cambridge English: Advanced/ Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): 176 + no skill below 169.