Become an expert in an area of the law that engages your interest or stirs your passion. Our Master of Laws (by Research) allows in-depth study of a legal topic. VU offers support and guidance from leading legal researchers. For your masters degree, you’ll complete a major thesis, worthy of publication, under expert supervision. Our research program maintains strong links with public-sector authorities such as the Department of Justice, as well as private law firms – offering access to real-world scenarios for investigation. Our governance research program focuses on: governance and regulation the scholarship of legal education international law courts and justice. Your thesis will be equal to a combined total of 192 credit points. You may apply to transfer to our Law PhD, building on your strong legal research skills, and aiming for top academic, government or law-firm positions.Careers in law and legislative policyA Master of Laws will help you advance your career in academia, the law and related fields. It also opens the doors to academic or government advisory roles. Course structure The standard duration of a Masters Degree (Research) is two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent, although in certain circumstances the degree may be completed in eighteen months. In some cases the student may be required to complete approved coursework units such as laboratory skills or research design as part of the Masters Degree (Research). Learning outcomes The course objectives are to produce graduates who have the following knowledge and skills: a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more discipline advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research method communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audience technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge This knowledge and these skills will be demonstrated through the planning and execution of a substantial piece of research: with creativity and initiative with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, demonstrating expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a learner