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ANU College of Law: Launch your global career with a Master of Laws (LLM)

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Named one of Australia’s best law schools in the QS World University Rankings 2018/19, The Australian National University (ANU) College of Law is where postgraduate degrees open doors to careers across Australia and the world.

Situated in Canberra, ranked in the top 25 student cities four years in a row, ANU College of Law provides the ideal environment for future law leaders to engage in the discipline.

As Associate Professor Jolyon Ford, Associate Dean (International) of ANU College of Law, explains, “Coming to the ANU, you’re coming to the national capital with all that brings in terms of access to national institutions, the parliament, regulatory bodies and so on. Studying at ANU opens doors to opportunities in government, including internships, and access to resources unavailable anywhere else.”

The ANU College of Law’s flagship program, the Master of Laws (LLM), enables students to deepen their knowledge and understanding in a general or specialised area of law. As a constantly-evolving discipline shaped by new challenges and opportunities, the study of law requires an innovative, forward-looking approach to teaching – a distinguishing characteristic of the ANU LLM, according to program convenor and senior lecturer, Dilan Thampapillai

ANU College of Law has strengths in international law, international security law, environmental law, constitutional law, government and regulation. Source: ANU College of Law

“The ANU LLM offers direct engagement between experts and students. We are very strong in international law, public law and private law. We are offering a course on artificial intelligence next year,” he says, noting that other “cutting-edge courses” for next year may examine Brexit and the #MeToo movement.

In addition to innovation, the ANU LLM puts an emphasis on personalised learning; students can tailor their studies to suit their interests and career goals by selecting from a range of contemporary topics in law, including aviation and space, environment and climate, cyber warfare, international security and human rights.

Students benefit from the university’s teaching approach, which combines academic rigour with theoretical and practical expertise. Small class sizes provide increased opportunities for postgraduate students to interact with academic staff and visiting guest speakers.

“The ANU Law School hosts a large number of world-class scholars. Many of these people are influential thinkers in relation to law and public policy. The LLM reflects the best strengths of the ANU Law School, effectively marrying together doctrine, policy, theory and practice,” says Thampapillai.

Fabian Hoffmann says Singapore’s recognition of his Juris Doctor qualification influenced his choice to study at the ANU College of Law. Source: ANU College of Law

From Canberra to the world

When Fabian Hoffmann was researching his postgraduate law study options in Australia, he felt an “immediate” attraction to Canberra. Having previously worked in the city, he was aware of its unique academic and cultural experience, deeming it the perfect location for research of his passion: international trade law.

“Being familiar with the campus environment and city in general, I knew it would be a good choice for me. You can focus very well here,” he explains.

“But more importantly, the choice of electives ANU College of Law offers was extremely appealing to me. The range of courses with an international focus here is very impressive.”

With the highest level of graduate employability of any Australian university, ANU presents the ideal stepping stone for global careers. For Hoffmann, his interest in international trade law has appropriately been nurtured across the globe; it began in Germany during his undergraduate studies and was fostered at the ANU College of Law.

His next step? Singapore, his wife’s native country, where he hopes to pursue his professional ambitions.

“One of the reasons I chose to study at the ANU College of Law is that its Juris Doctor program is recognised in Singapore, where I intend to work after graduation. Having that pathway to practice law in Singapore is an important aspect,” he says.

Further supporting his global career is the ANU College of Law alumni network, which comprises of more than 20,000 graduates worldwide.

“There is also a strong ANU Law alumni network based in Singapore. I’m in contact with the ANU Singapore Students’ Association and having access to that network was another key consideration for me,” says Hoffmann.

Find your voice through flexible learning

After completing his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at ANU, Thomas Carr opted into the LLM due to its “flexibility and accessibility”.

Thomas Carr balances his LLM studies with full-time work as a criminal and succession lawyer. Source: ANU College of Law

“My decision to enrol was influenced by my desire to improve my knowledge and become a better legal practitioner,” says Carr, a criminal and succession lawyer.

“ANU is a globally renowned university and having that international recognition is valuable if you aspire to pursue an international career.”

Based in Kingaroy, Queensland, more than 1,200 kilometres north of Canberra, Carr’s experience proves distance is no barrier; he is completing his LLM as a part-time, online student.

Carr has found his online learning experience to be particularly inclusive and welcoming, which has enhanced his learning and engagement in the program. Discussions continue after class on forums, where students are encouraged to “think deeply and contribute without intimidation”.

“During my undergraduate studies, tutorials were one hour per week … and there would be 15 law students in a room talking over each other. By comparison, I now get to enjoy the ongoing discussions that we have [at ANU] over the week. It’s not intimidating at all, which was a big factor for me,” he says.

An ANU postgraduate law degree provides an extremely versatile set of skills. Source: ANU College of Law

Unlock your potential at ANU

Persistence and focus are essential for success in any postgraduate law degree, however the ANU College of Law encourages students to go even further. Right from the start, students are expected to go beyond the textbook and – through collaboration and inquiry – develop the critical thinking and communication skills inherent in law, says Hoffmann.

“ANU is home to a law school that demands the very best from you. A lot of assessments are research-based, which require you to find answers to contemporary issues,” he notes.

“I’ve never seen such a close relationship between lecturers and students. Tutorials are designed to place you with students in your program, which encourages participation and discussion in class. Law is communication, so it’s a fantastic model that prepares you for real-world practice.”

Launch your global career with the ANU LLM today.

ANU College of Law postgraduate scholarships

ANU offers a variety of scholarships to support postgraduate law students.

ANU College of Law International Merit Scholarship – $10,000 AUD for international LLM students
ANU College of Law International Pathway Scholarship – $20,000 AUD for graduates from select law schools in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand
Frolich World Bank Scholarship – $25,000 AUD for Juris Doctor students involving a six-month internship at the World Bank in Washington DC

Learn more about scholarships and eligibility requirements here.

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