Your postgraduate journey towards a career in law starts here
The upcoming semester for this program will be delivered in a multi-modal format, with classes designed to support and engage all learners. Whether they’re on campus or abroad, all students will be able to access Bond’s exceptional and personalised learning experience through dynamic and interactive lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and lab sessions.
The Juris Doctor is a postgraduate degree offered as an alternative to the Bachelor of Laws for students who have completed an undergraduate program in any discipline.
At Bond University, it can be completed in just two years of full-time study, thanks to our accelerated three semesters per year timetable.
Bond’s Faculty of Law is recognized as one of Australia’s leading law schools. With a focus on teaching both the substance and skills of the law, it offers a premier law education experience through small, personalized classes where academics know their students by name and access to outstanding facilities in the multi-million dollar Legal Skills Centre.
What sets Bond’s Juris Doctor program apart is that the practical ‘lawyering’ skills – legal writing and reasoning, oral communication, advocacy, dispute resolution, negotiation, research, legal ethics and professionalism – are embedded throughout the program.
While studying at Bond University, you’ll have the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships.
And, of course, Bond Law is renowned for its mooting program and our teams have earned accolades in national and international competitions.
Bond’s Juris Doctor qualification is recognized globally, and our graduates are recruited by the world’s leading multinational law firms and corporations.
Campus and Bond Univeristy Experience
Bond University has been ranked #1 in Australia for Student Experience by the Good Universities Guide for well over a decade. We have some of the best law teachers and scholars in the country, delivering innovative, globally focused law programs in the world-class facilities within our state-of-the-art Legal Skills Centre.
You will work in small class groups where students benefit from personalised support, exceptional opportunities and full use of Faculty resources.
Our law students have access to career guidance and introductions through the University's Career Development Centre (CDC) where the team is dedicated to supporting all students throughout their career journey by assisting them to source internships and future employment opportunities.
You may also elect to complete a semester abroad at one of Bond’s exchange partner universities or choose elective subjects that include an international placement or overseas study tour.
Take your degree for a test drive
Try further study on for size at a Postgraduate Test Drive. Meet with a personal Regional Manager on campus or virtually to learn more about studying at Bond, and to explore how a postgraduate degree can support your professional goals. This curated experience considers your unique circumstances, giving you an unmatched opportunity to have all of your questions about postgraduate study answered.
Championing change through law practice
Melbournian and Bond law graduate, Luke, shares why he chose to pursue a Juris Doctor and complete his postgraduate study at Bond University.
Key features
- Practical Skills and Professionalism Program embedded throughout your degree
- Complete an internationally recognised legal qualification in just two years
- Small classes create a personalised learning environment, meaning more support and more opportunities
- Gain immediate access to state-of-the-art facilities
- Experience our outstanding mooting program, including international competitions
About the program
The Juris Doctor prepares students for a career as a legal professional, both within Australia and overseas. It is an alternative to the Bachelor of Laws for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline. The Juris Doctor provides students with a thorough grounding in essential areas of substantive law and access to a wide choice of law elective subjects, including the option of completing a specialisation. Show more
The Juris Doctor prepares students for a career as a legal professional, both within Australia and overseas. It is an alternative to the Bachelor of Laws for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline. The Juris Doctor provides students with a thorough grounding in essential areas of substantive law and access to a wide choice of law elective subjects, including the option of completing a specialisation. An integrated skills and professionalism program is embedded in the degree and focuses on core legal skills essential to the practice of law. The Juris Doctor provides an engaging learning experience that challenges students academically and prepares them practically for a legal career. Show less
| Mode | On Campus and Remote Due to current travel restrictions, this program will temporarily be delivered using a mixture of on-campus, remote and multi-modal classes to support and engage all students, from all parts of the world. |
| Duration | 6 semesters (2 years) |
| Starting semesters |
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| Program type | Masters Coursework |
| Study area | Law |
| Program code | LA-43055 |
| CRICOS code | 093923J |
| Credit for prior study | For more details on applying for credit, please contact the Student Business Centre: [email protected] |
View the Juris Doctor - Program Structure and Sequencing for all semesters of commencement.
The Juris Doctor program comprises 24 subjects:
Law compulsory subjects (17)
- LAWS75-105 Legal Foundations A
- LAWS75-106 Legal Foundations B
- LAWS75-107 Foundations of Private Law
- LAWS75-108 Foundations of Public and Criminal Law
- LAWS75-201 Contract Law A
- LAWS75-202 Tort Law
- LAWS75-203 Criminal Law
- LAWS75-204 Property Law A
- LAWS75-216 Constitutional Law
- LAWS75-217 Contract Law B
- LAWS75-218 Property Law B
- LAWS75-310 Corporate Law
- LAWS75-313 Equity
- LAWS75-317 Administrative Law
- LAWS75-318 Evidence
- LAWS75-325 Civil Dispute Resolution
- LAWS75-326 Legal Profession
Law electives (7)
Students must complete postgraduate law electives from the Faculty of Law’s offerings.
Students may choose to complete an optional Law Specialisation in one of the following areas:
- Corporate and Commercial Law and Practice
- International Business and Finance Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Canadian Law and Practice
- Legal Innovation and Technology
- Legal Practice
To be eligible for a Law Specialisation, students must complete a minimum of four (4) of their law electives (40 credit points) within one of the above areas. Eligible students will receive a Specialisation Certificate at the completion of their program.
Juris Doctor degree with Distinction
Students may be eligible to receive the Juris Doctor degree with Distinction. Please see the Law Honours / Distinction information page for eligibility requirements.
International students
To fulfil student visa requirements, students will need to enrol in a minimum of 4 subjects per semester.
Domestic students
Most students undertake four (4) subjects per semester (equivalent to 40 credit points). You may however enrol in fewer subjects and extend your degree over a longer period.
Teaching methodology
Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.
The below fees are based on the total estimated program fee divided by the number of standard full-time semesters required to complete the program. Fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester.
Semester program fee:
- Students commencing study in 2021: $20,603* per semester average
- Students commencing study in 2022: $20,843* per semester average
Total program fee:
- Students commencing study in 2021: $123,620
- Students commencing study in 2022: $125,060
When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than most other universities.
This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.
Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.
* The fees listed are average costs displayed to provide an indicative program cost only, they may differ to the indicative fee included in the Bond University offer letter due to differences in individual and exact study schedules.
Tuition fees are subject to change on an annual basis and will be charged at the appropriate fee for the year of enrolment.
* Note: for students commencing January 2021 the University has held the 2020 tuition fee amount in recognition of the current circumstances, with 2021 fees effective only from the University’s May 2021 semester.
Academic entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent.
Please contact the Office of Future Students for further information.
English language proficiency requirements
As tuition is delivered in English, all students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language. Read more detailed information on English language proficiency requirements for university study.
Credit for prior study
Subject credits may be awarded for previous studies. To apply for credits, you will need to submit academic transcripts including detailed subject outlines/course descriptions for each relevant subject and/or certified copies of testamurs to the Office of Future Students.
For students holding a civil law Bachelor of Laws degree:
- Bond University will grant 6 subject credits into the Juris Doctor Degree. These credits will be for law elective subjects.
- Students who receive credit will complete the Juris Doctor degree in five (5) semesters.
- Students will be required to complete 17 compulsory law subjects and 1 postgraduate law elective subject.
- A complimentary subject LAWS70-602 Australian Law and Language will be offered to students at no cost and no academic credit.
Please refer to how to apply for credit for more information.
Key dates
How to apply
In order to apply for study at Bond University, you will need to complete the online application form. To find out more about the application process please refer to how to apply.
Future outcomes
Legal qualifications are an excellent foundation for high level careers in a diverse range of related fields including finance, accounting, management consulting, human resources, politics, investment banking, advocacy, the police force and the criminal justice system.
The Juris Doctor (followed by the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice) is the postgraduate pathway to legal careers in the public or private sectors as solicitors, barristers, government lawyers and in-house counsel. Bond Law graduates are employed in top-tier firms throughout Australia and overseas, including Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the UK and the USA.
Further postgraduate study options in law include:
- Master of Laws
- Master of Laws in Commercial Laws
- Master of Laws in Enterprise Governance
- Master of Laws in International Commercial Law (online)
- Master of Laws (by Research)
- Doctor of Legal Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
Bond Juris Doctor graduates may be eligible for subject credits towards Bond’s Master of Laws program. In some instances, this may allow you to complete a Master of Laws in only one semester.
To be admitted to legal practice in Australia, Juris Doctor graduates will need to complete a professional legal training (PLT) program, such as Bond’s Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP).
The GDLP takes two semesters to complete, either online or in small classes on campus. It combines the practical, legal and professional skills needed to bridge the gap between being a law student and practising as a lawyer. It also includes a legal placement.
Bond’s GDLP program is based on the competency standards for entry level lawyers developed by the admitting authorities and the Australian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC). Upon completion you will be eligible for admission to practice law in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Once you have been admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner, you are entitled to practise in all state jurisdictions, as well as the Federal jurisdiction. Students are always advised to confirm admission requirements in the particular jurisdiction in which they wish to practice.
The accrediting body in Queensland is the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (LPAB). Further information on becoming a legal practitioner in Queensland is available from the Queensland Law Society.
The Juris Doctor degree can also be used to apply for admission internationally. Students wishing to practise law overseas must check the qualification and admission requirements in the particular jurisdiction in which they intend practising.
As a Juris Doctor graduate you will have a competitive edge in your career. Employer satisfaction with graduates from Bond University has been rated highest in Australia for two years in a row, according to the 2019 Employer Satisfaction Survey published by the Department of Education and Training.
What our academics say
Jackson Walkden-Brown
“The clinical placement opportunities at Bond Law are extensive, to say the least. As well as gaining exposure to real clients with real legal problems, our clinic students are afforded the opportunity to network on a one-on-one basis with members of the legal profession.”
Jackson Walkden-Brown
“The clinical placement opportunities at Bond Law are extensive, to say the least. As well as gaining exposure to real clients with real legal problems, our clinic students are afforded the opportunity to network on a one-on-one basis with members of the legal profession.”