Overview

The Legal Science (Research) from Bond University is a higher degree by research program awarded for a combination of coursework followed by a 50,000 word thesis. Students with an awarded Master of Laws (LLM) may choose to reduce the coursework component in lieu of a longer thesis. The thesis represents a significant contribution to the knowledge or understanding of an aspect of law and demonstrates the capacity of the student to carry out independent research at an appropriate level.

Professional outcomes

The research industry extends from universities, not-for-profit organisations and government departments to industry bodies and major private enterprises.

The university sector offers particularly varied career opportunities in the research field, with campus-based research institutes and smaller specialist units attracting grants and private sector funding to carry out a wide range of needs-driven research commissions.

Ultimately, you will have the satisfaction of seeing the results of your research being applied in the real world to create better ways of doing and being.

Programme Structure

The Doctor of Legal Science (Research) program has two components, as follows:

Coursework (6 subjects)

Students must choose six subjects from the list of postgraduate law electives.

A full-time enrolment load is equivalent to 30cps per semester.

Thesis

Students must complete a major dissertation (of approximately 60,000 words which represents an original contribution to the knowledge and understanding of an aspect of law and which demonstrates a capacity for independent research. The Faculty must approve the topic and appropriate supervision must be available.

Teaching methodology

Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-05-19 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2026-09-12 00:00:00

Apply anytime.
Starting 2027-01-20 00:00:00

Apply anytime.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

94

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PTE Academic

65

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IELTS

7

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Gold Coast, Australia

Disciplines

Legal Studies View 8 other PhDs in Legal Studies in Australia

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

94

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

65

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

7

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

CRICOS code: 093848D

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor with Honours, Master of Laws degree or equivalent.
Candidates for the Doctor of Legal Science (Research) degree must satisfy the Dean that they have the academic, research and writing abilities to produce a written research thesis in English of approximately 50,000 words.
Admission is on the basis of an approved research proposal and availability of appropriate supervision. Applicants are required to complete six subjects listed under the Master of Laws before undertaking the thesis component.
Alternatively, admission may be awarded through transferring from the Master of Laws coursework to the thesis component of the research. Applicants will have achieved an average of at least 75 per cent in the Master of Laws coursework.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

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Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Bond University and/or in Australia, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

42480 AUD / year

≈ 42480 AUD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

42480 AUD / year

≈ 42480 AUD / year

Living costs

Gold Coast

Australia

1313 - 2310 AUD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Legal Science (Research).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Professional outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Gold Coast

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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