Contact us

  • Macquarie Law School, Michael Kirby Building
  • 17 Wally's Walk, Wallumattagal Campus
  • Macquarie University NSW 2109
  • T: +61 (2) 9850 8585

A vibrant and collaborative research environment

Develop your research expertise in a vibrant research environment that encourages collaborative excellence.

Macquarie Law School is a recognised leader in interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary legal education and research. Our ethos focuses us on purpose and justice to create innovative and action-orientated research in a vibrant and collaborative environment.

We encourage deep research engagement, and our international and diverse cohort of postgraduate research students from Australia and around the world, are supported by our strong global links with the legal profession and the wider legal and policy communities.

Our programs

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Laws (Research) program (MRes) at Macquarie Law School stimulate careers in a broad range of sectors including academia, research, policy, the legal professions, government, and NGOs, by equipping our students with cutting-edge research skills and expertise.

Macquarie Law School’s research environment helps our students thrive, and in completing their research theses, make a substantial research contribution to their area of study.

Our graduate researchers

Our inspiring cohort of graduate researchers play an active role in Macquarie Law School’s research culture.

The graduate research community hail from diverse research backgrounds and jurisdictions to undertake their research studies at Macquarie Law School. They receive support through:

We welcome students with a passion for research, a commitment to collaborative excellence, and with research interests aligned with our research clusters at Macquarie Law School.

Learn about our current graduate researchers, and their theses.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Macquarie Law School requires applicants to meet these minimum requirements.

You must also demonstrate your suitability for entry to the program by providing evidence of the required level of English language proficiency. Macquarie Law School requires an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, and a minimum of 6.5 in any category.

Program structure

The PhD requires a minimum of three and a maximum of four years full-time study and submission of a research thesis, usually not exceeding 100,000 words. You'll be supervised by experts in your chosen area, who will help you develop insights and critical legal research skills in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Compulsory coursework includes research ethics, research methods and data management.

Learn more about the PhD program structure.

Thesis by publication

Thesis by publication is another important avenue, particularly for legal practitioners to obtain a PhD award. Find out more about thesis by publication.

Confirmation of candidature

Ongoing enrolment in the doctoral program requires confirmation of candidature six months full time equivalent into your PhD.

The purpose of confirmation of candidature is to provide PhD and MPhil Candidates with an early peer review and substantial feedback on their progress, in a supportive environment. Learn more about the the Faculty of Arts confirmation of candidature.

More information:

The Master of Research (MRes) is Macquarie University's two-year (equivalent full-time) research training pathway program to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil).

Learn more about the MRes Year 1 (BPhil) and MRes Year 2 program.

MRes Year 2

If you hold an Australian Bachelor (Honours) degree, or a Masters degree with research training, you may be eligible to apply for direct entry to the MRes Year 2 Program. Visit the How to Apply page to learn more.

There are three major assessments in Year 2 of the MRes:

  1. literature review (confirmation of candidature) – 5%
  2. RF2 conference presentation (10 minutes + 5 min Q&A) – 5%
  3. thesis – 90%.

MRes applications should be accompanied by a brief research proposal (1 - 5 pages) identifying:

  • the research topic
  • research questions
  • methodology
  • literature review.

All applicants must apply online for entry into the Macquarie Law School MRes program. Additional information for Law students interested in undertaking an MRes can be found at the Faculty of Arts MRes page.

We offer a number of local and international postgraduate research scholarships , including partnerships with other organisations.

If you intend to apply for a scholarship, we recommend visiting Graduate Research Scholarships.

Please check this list of important dates for information on scholarship and application deadlines.

Indigenous graduate research scholarships

Macquarie Law School also offered PhD bundle scholarships will provide the opportunity for Indigenous candidates to complete both a Master of Research degree (MRes Year 2) and a PhD in Macquarie Law School. Find out more about Indigenous graduate research scholarships.

Cotutelle and joint PhD

Entry requirements for cotutelle and joint PhD are the same as for the Doctor of Philosophy.

Macquarie Law School has an excellent track record of Cotutelle and Joint PhDs and is committed to providing the highest quality research, training, supervision and support.

Learn more about our core strategic partners for cotutelle and joint PhDs.

Internship opportunities

The Graduate Research Academy also supports graduate researchers to undertake internships with external stakeholders. Learn more about graduate research industry engagement.

Industry collaboration and engagement

We facilitate collaboration between our graduate researchers, expert supervisors and leading strategic partners. Learn more about industry collaborations with Macquarie University.

Graduate researchers have access to grants and funding at Macquarie University to cover expenses relating to the conduct of their HDR research or fieldwork.

There are two levels of funding available to graduate researchers:

  • Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Fund (offered for activities that add value to a research project).
  • Faculty administered funding (offered for other research-based expenses).

See more information about HDR grants and funding and the Graduate Research Academy.

Our graduate researchers

See some of the Law School’s current graduate researchers, and learn about their thesis.

View our current cohort

Our research community

You’ll have access to a dynamic and inclusive community while undertaking your research degree.

About the Law School community