SYDNEY LAW SCHOOL
Prospective Research Student
Expression of Interest
Eligibility Checklist
Entry into a postgraduate research program is highly competitive. Scholarship applicants must hold a First Class
Honours or equivalent degree with a strong track record of relevant research/publication and professional experience.
Before completing an Expression of Interest Form, please ensure that you satisfy the following minimum entry
requirements.
Academic qualifications
I hold or expect to hold at least one of the degrees listed below from the University of Sydney (*or equivalent
Australian or overseas institution).
Yes (please tick the relevant boxes below)
No (not eligible to apply)
Honours (or equivalent) degrees (NB: LLM and SJD applicants must hold an LLB, JD or equivalent)
Bachelor’s degree with first class honours from the University of Sydney*
Master’s coursework degree with first class honours from the University of Sydney*
Bachelor’s degree with a Distinction course grade average (75% or above) from the University of Sydney*
Master’s coursework degree with a Distinction course grade average (75% or above) from the University of Sydney*
Master’s research degree from the University of Sydney*
Bachelor’s degree completed within the top 10% of the graduating year
Master’s coursework degree completed within the top 10% of the graduating year
None of the above (not eligible to apply)
Research experience and proposal
I have completed a well defined research proposal (approximately 10 pages) in accordance with the proposal outline
provided in Question 6 and have outlined my relevant research/professional experience:
Yes
No (not eligible to apply)
English language proficiency
I have satisfied the Faculty’s minimum English language requirement:
Yes
No (not eligible to apply)
The following are the current minimum English language requirements for Sydney Law School. Scores more than two years old cannot be accepted.
Overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any component
IELTS
Overall score of 68 with a minimum of 54 in all sections
PTE
Internet-based: Overall score of 96 with a minimum score of 19 in the writing section and 17 in all other sections
TOEFL
Paper-based: Overall score of 592 and Test of Written English score of 4.5
Record of satisfactory achievement of at least one year relevant full-time university study in which the language
English as language of
of the institution was English, and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English.
instruction
Expressions of Interest are considered on a competitive basis. In addition to academic merit, the Associate Dean (Research) will assess an
applicant’s ability to undertake the proposed research, suitability and scope of the proposed research and availability of adequate
supervision within the relevant research area.
I have fulfilled the minimum eligibility criteria and hereby submit an Expression of Interest.
Surname:
Given names:
Electronic signature:
Date:
Research Student Expression of Interest Page 1 of 5
Revised: 03/16
SYDNEY LAW SCHOOL
Prospective Research Student
Expression of Interest
Undertaking postgraduate research is both a rewarding and challenging experience.
Before you apply, please carefully consider The Postgraduate Research Experience in Law
http://sydney.edu.au/law/fstudent/research/research_experience.shtml
Entry into a postgraduate research program is highly competitive. Prior to making a formal application for admission,
prospective students must provide the information requested on this form. The Associate Dean (Research) will consider
the Expression of Interest on the basis of the prospective student’s eligibility to enter a postgraduate research program
and research supervision capacity within the relevant research area. Full application information is available at
http://sydney.edu.au/law/fstudent/research
Prospective students who are not academically qualified to undertake a research degree may consider pursuing their
research interests through coursework study before progressing to a research degree. The coursework program provides
students an opportunity to enhance their expertise in the proposed area of research by allowing them to complete
research projects in related units of study.
Submission: This form together with the research proposal and all supporting documents should be scanned into a
SINGLE document file and forwarded by email to sue.ng@sydney.edu.au at least 3 months (domestic applicants), or
at least 6 months (international applicants) prior to the formal application closing date. Late submissions may not be
considered in time for admission or scholarship applications, in which case the application will automatically be
considered for the following semester.
Enquiries:
Sue Ng, Postgraduate Team
Sydney Law School F10
The University of Sydney NSW 2006
T +61 2 9351 0265 | E sue.ng@sydney.edu.au
1. Personal details
No
Surname:
Title:
Student number:
Yes ►
Have you enrolled previously at
The University of Sydney?
Given names:
Date of birth:
/
(DD/MM/YYYY)
/ 1 9
Gender:
F
M
Postal address:
State:
Postcode:
Country:
(if not Australia)
Telephone:
Home:
Work:
Mobile:
Email:
Residency status:
Fax:
Australian Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident ►
Other citizen ►
New Zealand Citizen
Date granted:
(DD/MM/YYYY)
Country:
Research Student Expression of Interest Page 2 of 5
Revised: 03/16
Did you initially enquire about Sydney Law School research programs through Research Supervisor Connect on the
University’s Future Students website?
Yes
No
2. Course details
Research degree applying for:
PhD
SJD*
LLM*
MCrim
* Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Laws or equivalent degree
Proposed commencement date:
Semester 1 (Feb)
Semester 2 (Jul)
Year:
2 0 1
Are you intending to transfer an existing research degree candidature to Sydney Law School?
Yes ►
Institution:
Semesters completed to date:
No ▼
Candidates who have completed more than one year of a research candidature at another institution are not eligible to
transfer their candidature to Sydney Law School.
Are you applying for a scholarship?
Yes
No
Note: Scholarships are extremely competitive. Only applicants with an Honours 1 or equivalent degree and who have satisfied the School’s English
language requirements at the time of receiving an offer of admission are eligible to apply for a scholarship.
3. Academic qualifications
Please list all academic qualifications you have attempted and provide academic transcripts including explanation of
grades and the level of passing grade at the awarding institution. It is not possible to assess this Expression of Interest
if the following section is incomplete.
Name of qualification
(eg. BA, LLB)
Year
completed
/ Expected
completion
date
Awarding institution (indicate
country)
Class of
honours
Normal
full-time
course
duration
(in
years)
Indicate:
1. Overall course grade average
(%); or
2. Grade point average (GPA)
attained. Indicate the maximum
GPA available e.g. 3.7/4.00
Qualification
type*
(see below)
* Qualification types – please use the letter which corresponds to your qualification type
Postgraduate
Undergraduate
A Master’s by research (66%-100% research component)
F Bachelor’s degree – Honours 1
Master’s by research (51%-65% research component)
B
G Bachelor’s degree – Honours 2A or equivalent
C Master’s by coursework (50%-100% coursework component) H Bachelor’s degree – Honours 2B or equivalent
Undergraduate diploma
D Master’s preliminary or other qualifying program
J
Postgraduate diploma
E
4. English language proficiency
Were your studies at university conducted in English only?
Yes ►
Please present evidence of satisfactory achievement of at least one year of relevant full-time university study in which the
language of the institution was English, and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English.
No ▼
It is essential that you demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency. Official test scores and relevant supporting
documents must be attached. Sydney Law School may request further evidence of English proficiency.
Have you taken an English language proficiency test in the last two years?
Yes ►
Name of test:
Date of test:
Score (attach details):
In the case of TOEFL, the original student copy may be submitted as proof of English proficiency.
No ►
Intended test:
Date of test:
The following are the current minimum English language requirements for Sydney Law School. Scores more than two years old cannot be accepted.
Overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any component
IELTS
Overall score of 68 with a minimum of 54 in all sections
PTE
Internet-based: Overall score of 96 with a minimum score of 19 in the writing section and 17 in all other sections
TOEFL
Paper-based: Overall score of 592 and Test of Written English score of 4.5
Research Student Expression of Interest Page 3 of 5
Revised: 03/16
English as language of
instruction
Record of satisfactory achievement of at least one year relevant full-time university study in which the language
of the institution was English, and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English.
5. Professional experience
Present position:
Employer:
Status (f/t or p/t):
Commencement date:
Employment duration:
Summary of career since graduation:
6. Research & publication details
Original research and publication details (undertaken in English only). Attach additional statement as required.
Publication/research project submission date:
Publication (e.g. book, journal, conference paper)/research project type:
Publication/research project title:
Word length:
Sole author
Main author (main contributor of publication)
Co-author
Please provide a detailed research proposal (approximately 10 pages). Please refer to
http://sydney.edu.au/law/fstudent/research/supporting-documentation.shtml.The research proposal must include:
Proposed research title:
Aims of the research:
Background to the research, including a brief reference to the relevant literature and law (including case law, where appropriate):
A clear statement of the area to be researched:
Rationale for the research and a statement of why it is significant:
Working hypotheses or research questions:
Research methodology including theoretical and empirical considerations for the research:
Statement indicating how you will be able to sufficiently fund your proposed field work or overseas study/research (if applicable). Explain
why this work is essential for completion of your degree.
International applicants must complete the following:
Why undertake the proposed research in Australia?
Explain how your proposed research is relevant to Australian law.
List the type of library, data and human resources and/or specialist facilities, services or books available in Australia which would adequately
support your proposed research. Note: It is not possible to consider applications in cases where applicants are unable to provide
evidence of sufficient resources.
Into which of the following legal areas does your research proposal predominantly fall (please indicate one):
Asian & Pacific Law
Equity, Property & Family Law
Constitutional & Public Law
Health Governance Law & Ethics
Contract, Commercial & Obligation Law
International Law
Corporate Law
Intellectual Property & Media
Criminal Law & Criminology
Jurisprudence
Employment Law
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Environmental Law
Taxation Law
Other areas? (please specify):
Research Student Expression of Interest Page 4 of 5
Revised: 03/16
Do you have a preferred supervisor(s) for your thesis? If so, please provide the name(s).
1.
2.
7. To be completed by the Associate Dean (Research)
Is this applicant eligible to proceed to the second stage of making a formal application for admission?
approved
not approved
or
Please refer to the following Research Cluster Representative/Member for further assessments
(please return original EoI to the Postgraduate Team for further referral)
Reasons:
Proposed supervision
Supervisor:
Associate Supervisor:
Signature of Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research):
Date:
Research Student Expression of Interest Page 5 of 5
Revised: 03/16