Why Study / Key Benefits

• Undertake original, supervised doctoral research in Law.
• Develop advanced independent research, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Research can be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental and/or creative, depending on the approved project.
• Develop skills in independent thinking, decision-making, judgement, logical reasoning, communication and project management.
• Current research areas include:
  • Copyright and trademarks law
  • Artificial intelligence and law
  • Innovation
  • Technology and intellectual property
• Higher Degree by Research students may have access to internship opportunities.
• Swinburne currently lists Law among its globally ranked subject areas, including Top 200 in Law in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023 and Top 150 in Law in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022. These rankings are university-level subject indicators rather than a ranking of this particular PhD

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PhD does not follow a conventional semester-by-semester subject structure.

The core activity is:

1. Approved research project
2. Supervised doctoral research
3. Research training and candidature progress reviews
4. Preparation of the doctoral thesis/research output
5. Thesis submission and examination

The examinable outcome can take the form of:

• A written research thesis;
• A written research thesis including associated papers; or
• An artefact with an accompanying exegesis.

The examinable outcome will normally be up to a maximum of 100,000 words where the format is thesis-based. Swinburne states that the thesis component may be approximately 70,000–100,000 words, with actual length depending on the nature of the research and discipline.

Progress reviews currently include:

• Pre-confirmation review: around 3 months after enrolment.
• Confirmation of candidature review: around 9–12 months.
• Mid-candidature review: around 21–24 months.
• Draft thesis review: around 33–36 months, with follow-up approximately three months before thesis submission.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is specifically in Law.

The current Swinburne course page identifies research areas including:

• Copyright and trademarks law
• Artificial intelligence and law
• Innovation
• Technology and intellectual property

Programme Highlights

• Doctoral-level qualification in Law.
• Research-intensive rather than coursework-based.
• CRICOS code: 064191C.
• Hawthorn campus.
• 3–4 years full-time.
• 6–8 years part-time.
• Requires an approved research topic and suitable supervisor.
• Research can be pure, exploratory, applied, experimental or creative.
• Final research output can be a thesis, thesis with associated papers, or approved artefact with exegesis.
• Thesis/research output can normally be up to 100,000 words.
• Research areas include AI and law, intellectual property, innovation, copyright and trademarks.
• Internship opportunities are available to Higher Degree by Research students.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career directions for PhD in Law graduates including:

• Researcher
• Academic
• Consultant in government
• Consultant in industry
• Consultant in the not-for-profit sector
• Policy adviser

A PhD may also support careers involving:

• Legal research
• University teaching and research
• Public policy
• Government and regulatory organisations
• Intellectual property and technology policy
• AI governance and legal policy
• Research consulting
• Legal and regulatory analysis

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current CRICOS code: 064191C.
• 2027 Research Period 1 starts on 1 January 2027.
• 2027 Research Period 2 starts on 1 July 2027.
• Current application deadlines are 27 December 2026 and 26 June 2027 respectively.
• A suitable research supervisor must be identified before applying.
• The proposed research topic should align with Swinburne's research areas.
• International Student-visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Progress reviews are required throughout candidature.
• The final thesis/research outcome is subject to examination.
• Applicants need to demonstrate the required high level of previous academic achievement.
• The programme's current English requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
• Applicants seeking research scholarships should prepare a research proposal, academic transcripts, evidence of completion, a CV and referee reports as specified by the relevant scholarship round.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa is the Student visa (subclass 500). The PhD is CRICOS registered under 064191C.

For an international student intending to study the PhD in Australia, key requirements include:

• Enrolment in a CRICOS-registered full-time course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), unless a specific Department of Home Affairs exemption applies.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless exempt.
• Meeting the applicable Student visa eligibility requirements.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Meeting Genuine Student requirements.
• Providing financial evidence where required.
• Providing English-language evidence where required, subject to applicable exemptions.

A special rule is relevant to this programme:

• Doctoral students and their family members have no 48-hour-per-fortnight work limit under the Student visa rules while the student is studying a doctoral degree.
• The Department of Home Affairs nevertheless requires students and family members to comply with their individual visa conditions.