The attendance pattern for this course is generally full time. The Faculty of Law will make a limited number of places available to part time candidates.

Admission to candidature for the Juris Doctor requires a bachelor's degree from any discipline other than Law. Students are assessed on a combination of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents) and completed tertiary study. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking.

The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Faculty of Law Juris Doctor Table.

To qualify for the award of the Juris Doctor a candidate must complete 144 credit points taken from the Faculty of Law Juris Doctor Table, including:

102 credit points of compulsory units of study; and

42 credit points of elective units of study comprising:

(i)  a minimum of one unit of study taken from Part 1, and

(ii)  a maximum of four units of study taken from Electives Part 2, and

(iii)  a minimum of one unit of study taken from Part 3.

Of the elective units of study, a maximum of two advanced learning Master's units may be taken. Enrolment in Master's units will be subject to availability and any unit pre-requisites or assumed knowledge, which may include relevant industry experience or prior specialist study.

All candidates will be required to complete a capstone experience in their final year which is a unit of study designed to draw together and synthesize prior learning and experience, and form the basis for further intellectual and professional growth. This requirement will be met by completion of a Jurisprudence elective. Other electives taken in final year which may meet this requirement include external placements, mooting activities or research projects.

In addition to the provisions for cross-institutional study described in the resolutions of the Faculty of Law, cross-institutional study is only available under the following terms:

Candidates are not permitted to undertake any compulsory unit or Part 3 elective (Jurisprudence) on a cross-institutional basis;

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 96 credit points towards the Juris Doctor before undertaking any cross-institutional study;

Candidates can receive a maximum of 24 credit point for cross-institutional study;

Candidates must be in their final year and have satisfied the usual progression rules and maximum enrolment requirements;

The proposed cross institutional unit must be offered within another Juris Doctor or Master of Laws program. Credit will not be granted towards units undertaken as part of a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Credit will only be granted for a maximum of two advanced learning Master's units. .

Cross-institutional study is regarded as another form of credit and will be counted as such when considering eligibility.

Candidates are entitled to suspend their candidature for two years. Further suspension will only be approved in cases of serious illness or misadventure.

Candidates will not be permitted to suspend in order to complete another award course unless they can provide evidence that the award course can be completed within two years and they have not previously suspended.

Candidates are required to complete the Juris Doctor units of study in the order listed in the Faculty of Law Juris Doctor Table. Candidates must pass all Year One units of study before proceeding to Year Two. Candidates must pass all Year One and Year Two units of study before proceeding to enrol in any elective units of study, except with the permission of the Dean.

A candidate may be granted a maximum of 48 credit points towards the requirements of the Juris Doctor. Specific credit will only be granted for equivalent compulsory units of study undertaken as part of a Juris Doctor degree at an approved Australian law school. A maximum of 24 credit points of non-specific credit may be granted for elective units undertaken as part of a Juris Doctor or Masters degree at an approved law school. Of these 24 credit points, a maximum of two advanced learning Masters units can be credited to the Juris Doctor.

A candidate may be granted credit for law units which have the equivalent face-to-face teaching hours and similar assessment requirements as units offered by the Faculty.

Candidates who have completed a law degree or equivalent professional legal qualification from a recognised law school outside Australia may be granted up to 42 credit points of non-specific credit, but will be required to complete all compulsory units listed in the Faculty of Law Juris Doctor Table.

A candidate may not be granted credit for units of study:

for which the result is Terminating Pass, Conceded Pass or equivalent; or

which were conducted on a distance or online basis; or

which have been relied upon to qualify for the award of another degree or qualification, except for units of study which were taken as part of a completed overseas legal qualification .

which were undertaken as part of Bachelor of Laws degree.