La Trobe University - International Program

The University

La Trobe University was established in 1964 and is one of Australia’s largest and fastest growing universities with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The University has seven campuses – Bundoora and City in metropolitan Melbourne, and regional campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Beechworth, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton – and is also involved in delivering programs internationally.

The University has around 26,500 students, including 3,000 from overseas. The student population represents people from many different age and ethnic groups, and a variety of social and professional backgrounds. This diversity provides an exciting environment for students and researchers to participate in the exchange of knowledge.

Each campus is distinctive and attractive, featuring heritage buildings, modern architecture, landscaped gardens, a lake system, or native garden settings which host a vast range of native flora and fauna. Accommodation, sporting and recreational facilities are available on campus or located nearby. Each campus is well serviced by extensive library and electronic resources.

The Law School

La Trobe Law attracts an increasing number of international students. Most of these students are enrolled in the LLM for International Students program. They come from countries such as Germany, China, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, Kuwait, India and Thailand.

Many of our academic staff of some 40 persons have an overseas background and hold adjunct appointments at overseas universities and institutions. Our Professor of Chinese Law and Legal Globalization - Professor Jianfu Chen – is the first Professor of Law in Australia born in China. We also host many Visiting Scholars from China. We have LLM articulation arrangements withThe China University of Politics and Law in Beijing and Shanghai University, School of Law.

We are involved in international scholarly activities at the highest level. For example, La Trobe University, the Faculty of Law & Management at La Trobe University and La Trobe Law hosted and Chaired the 14th Global Finance Conference in Melbourne in 2007: see http://www.gfc2007.org

The Program

The LLM for International Students:
This program is unique in Australia. It was specifically designed by La Trobe University School of Law with non-Australian lawyers in mind. The degree is an LLM by coursework that can be completed in two semesters or less. The degree is only available to overseas lawyers who have a law degree from their home jurisdiction. Students may select a range of units totalling 120 credit points from the:

* undergraduate LLB curriculum
* LLM in Global Business Law curriculum
* Master of Conflict Resolution program
* Master of International Business & Law program
* Public Interest Law program

The LLM in Global Business Law:
Most students take some units from the LLM in Global Business Law in their degree program. Students are attracted to these units because they are taught by visiting USA law professors in intensive mode and assessed by “take home” assignment. As of December 2008, international students may enroll in the LLM in Global Business Law program: see http://www.latrobe.edu.au/law/gbl

Units in the LLM in Global Business Law (GBL) and Public Interest Law Program (LLM) are delivered using intensive teaching mode during summer and winter each year. These units are taught by visiting leading international and Australian academics and practitioners.

Fachspezifische Fremdsprachenausbildung Englisch

Die School of Law der La Trobe University Melbourne bietet für Studenten, die eine Fachspezifische Fremdsprachenausbildung in Rechtsenglisch erfolgreich abgeschlossen haben, die Möglichkeit einer teilweisen Anerkennung dieser Kurse für die Master of Laws-Programme.

Bei erfolgreichem Abschluss der Zusatzausbildung werden 30 credit points auf die notwendigen 120 credit points für den Masters-degree gutgeschrieben. Dies entspricht gleichzeitig einem Studiengebührenerlass von 25%.

Die Anerkennung der Fachspezifischen Fremdsprachenausbildung in Rechtsenglisch orientiert sich dabei an dem von der Westfälischen-Wilhelmsuniversität Münster angebotenen Programm
(www.jura.uni-muenster.de/go/studieren/studiengaeng…).

Jedoch werden in der Regel auch gleichwertige Programme, wie z.B. die FFA der Universitäten Bayreuth, Passau, Trier, etc., anerkannt. Dies ist jedoch immer eine Einzelfallanerkennung und eine konkrete Zusage erfolgt erst nach Rücksprache mit Herrn Prof. Dr. Gordon Walker, Head of School of Law, La Trobe University Melbourne (www.latrobe.edu.au/lawman/staff/profiles/walker.ht…).

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be a graduate of a law degree of a jurisdiction other than Australia and show evidence of English language ability as follows:

* IELTS - A minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0
* TOEFL - Paper Based Test: A minimum score of 575 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English
* TOEFL - Computer Based Test: A minimum score of 233 with a score of 5 in essay writing
* O Level English - A score of C or better in the Singapore, Hong Kong or British O level English exam
* English as the language of instruction in secondary and/or tertiary studies may be accepted
* Satisfactory mark or score in another examination or test acceptable to the University
* Completion of the English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at postgraduate level available for the La Trobe University Language Centre

Note: English test results must be no more than two years old.

Application Procedure

Prospective international students should direct inquiries in the first instance to the La Trobe University International Programs Office (international@latrobe.edu.au) and then to the International Student Officer, Ms Jennifer Mahon (postgradlaw@latrobe.edu.au).

The International Programs Office application advice is available at www.latrobe.edu.au/international/apply/courses.html

Tuition and Fees

The course fee for 2008 is AUD $18,750.

Financial Aid

The Melbourne Australia International Scholarships were introduced by the Victorian Minister for Education and Training in August 2005. The scholarships are awarded to high achieving international students who will be undertaking coursework at an undergraduate or postgraduate level and are willing to help promote Victoria as a study destination to international students.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have been accepted for study by La Trobe University and be commencing a coursework program, either undergraduate or postgraduate, in one of the designated areas. Successful applicants will have their tuition fees paid for their second semester of study, up to the value of A$14,000, conditional on achievement of a Credit average in Semester 1.

For further information on this scholarship, please visit: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/international/scholarships/

Location

La Trobe’s main campus at Bundoora is set in attractive landscaped native gardens and bush, 14 kilometres north of the city centre of Melbourne. It is easily accessible by public transport, with trams and buses coming directly to the campus, and train services linked by a short bus ride. For private vehicles there is ample parking for which a modest annual fee is charged.

In addition to the extensive teaching facilities, computer laboratories and a well-equipped library which support the teaching and research activities of the University, there are numerous facilities and services on hand which students can take advantage of. In the main meeting area, the Agora, there are shops, banks, a post office, the campus bookstore and several food outlets. During semester, a weekly market is held in an adjacent area. Also in the Agora is the Student Guild Services Centre which assists students by providing a wide range of general information and services, including coordination of social activities and ticketing and the Student Employment Service. The nearby sports and recreation centre has a swimming pool, gymnasium, and indoor and outdoor courts which can be used for recreation or by university sports clubs.

Accommodation

A variety of accommodation options - both on and off campus - are readily available. See the International Programs Office website for specific details: www.latrobe.edu.au/international/accommodation/

Student Life

During your time in Australia you may wish to consult support staff on a wide range of personal, cultural or financial issues. The International Programs Office (IPO) is your first point of contact if you have a query but don't know who can help you.

The IPO's International Student Support team aims to provide accessible and effective support to international students and their families at all stages of the student lifecycle - before you depart your home country, when you arrive, during your studies in Australia , and your return home.

The team also facilitates the International Student Advisory Network (ISAN), an information -sharing forum, about issues affecting international students, for staff across the University.