LLB students who have completed 5 terms in SMU (i.e. Year 3 Term 1) can apply for the dual-degree programme to obtain a conditional offer by MLS. By the end of 6 terms (Year 3 Term 2), they must have completed:

1. the law core curriculum (16 cu),
2. law-related electives (2 cu),
3. law elective (1 cu),
4. law capstone (1 cu) and
5. SMU core curriculum (all 6 modules)

i.e. 26 cu in total by the end of their 3rd  year.

Applicants have to be within the top 25% of their cohort to be eligible for consideration. 

The University of Melbourne's academic year for the Law School is structured around two main semesters, with specific dates for each.  Semester 1 runs from late February to early June, while Semester 2 takes place from late July to late October.

Students are to submit their application to SMU by 1 Oct so that unsuccessful students are able to bid for Term 2. 
SMU students will start attending the MLS July intake (Semester 2) in the following year. 

You will pay the same amount in tuition fees to Melbourne as any other international MLS LLM student. The latest MLS LLM tuition fee can be found here.

Students will pay SMU fees up to the 3rd year and pay Melbourne University for their LLM studies directly for their 4th year. They do not pay SMU fees in the 4th year.  

As the MLS-LLM is an overseas postgraduate degree, MOE will NOT be granting tuition fee grant in the successful applicant’s 4th year (ie, successful applicants will only have 6 terms of MOE tuition fee grant).

There is no dedicated financial assistance specifically for SMU candidates. Successful applicants will undertake the LLM on a fee paying basis as international students at MLS. They will be offered a scholarship in the form of a 10% fee discount on the advertised fee for the MLS LLM. 

A total of 8 coursework subjects is required for successful completion of the Melbourne LLM.​ 8 of the MLS LLM modules will count towards the SMU LLB degree and can be mapped back to SMU as Pass/Fail law electives. 

Students who successfully completed 8 coursework subjects of Melbourne's LLM and have it successfully mapped back to SMU will be awarded SMU LLB in the usual graduation timeline stated on OASIS.  

They will be entitled to receive a Melbourne LLM degree from MLS upon successful completion of the coursework component of the Melbourne LLM, The SMU LLB degree must be awarded by SMU before the Melbourne LLM is awarded, even if the Melbourne LLM degree has otherwise been earned.  

With a July start, the LLM is expected to be completed around June/July. As such, you should expect that you would not graduate in time with your LLB cohort in July/Aug. Rather, depending on when your results from Melbourne are released, the earliest you can expect to be conferred your LLB degree would be the end of SMU Term 1 and you will only be eligible to attend the Commencement ceremony in the following year.

You however may opt to overload in MLS Semester 2 (July – Dec) and do some modules in MLS summer term.

Students should consult and work closely with Melbourne in the selection of courses and corresponding assessment deadlines so that SMU can confirm the completion of your LLM credits in time for graduation. 

You may apply to do an overseas internship or overseas community service while in Melbourne. Do check with DKHMCC and C4SR on the procedures to apply for overseas internship and community service.

If you are unable to complete your non coursework graduating requirements, you are still able to complete it when you return from your Melbourne LLM in August when SMU term starts in Year 5 Term 1.