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Student Opportunities

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The AgLaw Centre has opportunities for high quality students interested in PhD or LLM degrees by research. However our standards are high. To maximise the likelihood of a succesful completion of the demanding course of research we look for candidates who possess:

  • a very strong academic record, preferably in law combined with another discipline;
  • excellent English language skills;
  • a willingness to undertake the degree full-time, preferably working within the Centre;
  • sufficient financial support to be able to complete the degree without having to work for financial support.

For excellent candidates, the University of New England does have some scholarships available on a competitive basis. The Centre is also able to organise some funding support for particular projects. However, our experience suggests that it is unwise for candidates to undertake a PhD when they also have to worry about paying fees or earning income.

Postgraduate Research Degrees

Doctoral Research Opportunities

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

    The PhD program is research degree administered by Research Services at UNE.  You are encouraged, as a first step, to determine your preferred field of study and you should discuss your proposed research with a prospective supervisor. These staff can provide you with assistance concerning your choice of topic and advise you on the preparation of your research proposal.

Masters by Research

  • Master of Laws (Research)

    The Master of Laws by Research is designed for people desiring to extend their research skills on a legal topic of their choice. Candidates will be required to complete the core unit LLM 600 Research Methodology and Theory, before completing a thesis of up to 40,000 words.

Honours Awards in Law

  • Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons)

    Students who have achieved a grade point average of 5.5 or better in the preceding eight law units may be admitted to the Honours program in the final year of study. This program is based on a thesis of up to 10,000 words. The Honours result is based on the grade awarded for the honours unit plus grades for the best 15 units taken towards the degree.

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Postgraduate Coursework Degrees

  • Master of Laws (Coursework) - The Master of Laws is designed for people with practical legal experience or those seeking to extend their knowledge. This course will enable candidates to broaden their legal and business knowledge and skills, and achieve a high standard of writing and research relevant to current issues in law and practice.

  • Professional Doctorate for Industry/Professions - This is an innovative Professional Doctoral course. It is designed to enable students from different professions and industries to work together on the course work. The course work itself is generic wherein the student (1) situates him/herself in a particular profession/industry using the conceptual frameworks provided and (2) refines research processes that provide evidence of profession/industry impact.

  • Graduate Certificate in Environmental Systems, Markets and Climate Change - The Graduate Certificate is the first level in a program that provides the opportunity for students to progress through a Graduate Diploma to a Master program. The possibility to qualify for enrolment in a Research Master or PhD exists if a thesis is undertaken in the Master program.

    The program focuses on future leaders and managers of eco-service markets such as carbon and water trading, and environmental sustainability issues such as climate change. This course will enable natural resource managers to meet their legal and policy obligations, and to minimize the risks of litigation through interdisciplinary training. The coursework program will enable staff from consultancy groups, regional organisations (e.g. Catchment Management Authorities (CMA)), and state and federal agencies to upgrade skills in this emerging and cross-disciplinary field, or facilitate a career change for those with discipline-based qualifications (e.g. teachers, lawyers, accountants).

AgLaw Supervisory Approach and Support

Supervision

A cohort of postgraduate students work under the supervision of the AgLaw team to develop new theories and methods to deal with intractible issues of sustainable production and communities. Key characteristics of our supervisory approach are:

  • a team approach to supervision, consisting of staff of the Centre, collaborators within UNE, and our network of adjuncts and associates;
  • the potential to access (on a competitive basis) scholarships and supportive research fellowships;
  • an emphasis on ensuring that the student has access to empirical research collaborators, through our approach to engaged scholarship.

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Recent Graduates

Dr Mark Shepheard (PhD)

Thesis Title: "Legal and Social Expectations for a Farmer's Duty of Care"

Adam Johnston (Master of Laws by Research)

Thesis Title: "How does the Common Law look at (a) the body and (b) property as it might relate to the body or body parts, cells or cellular information?"