Master of International Law Studies

Graduates of the Master of International Law Studies will have:

1. Advanced knowledge of international law and global law, their issues and impacts on professional, legal and business practices.
2. Knowledge of the principles and methods that underpin research, which responds to the broader historical, cultural (including First Peoples), socio-economic and political contexts within the international law, and comparative global law disciplines.

This program is scheduled for delivery at the Treasury Building at our Brisbane City campus in 2027, as well as Gold Coast and Online. If the scheduled opening of Treasury Building is delayed, courses may be delivered all or in part at our other locations.

Queensland's #1 university for law and criminology. (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026)

The Master of International Law Studies is designed for ambitious professionals and emerging scholars who want to understand how law operates across borders, cultures and international systems. You'll explore how global rules are made, contested, enforced and applied in real legal, political and commercial contexts.

Whether you're advancing your legal career or moving into an international-facing role, this degree will give you the expertise to operate effectively in a global environment.

Highlights of studying the Master of International Law Studies

• Build strong foundations in public international law, global law principles and international negotiations.
• Examine issues like human rights, criminal justice, environmental law, trade, intellectual property and armed conflict.
• Develop practical skills for handling cross-border disputes, international family matters and global commercial litigation.
• Be guided by academics and industry experts with deep experience in international courts, tribunals and policy environments.
• Deepen your expertise through electives in global security, climate policy, international relations and cyber law.
• Strengthen your research capability with advanced research methods and the option to complete an independent research project.

A degree that connects you to the global legal landscape

Engage with real international case studies, contemporary global challenges and the legal frameworks that govern them. You'll explore how international rules influence everything from humanitarian crises to trade disputes, environmental protection, technology and cross-border negotiations.

Flexible learning designed for ambitious professionals

Your study experience is adaptable, allowing you to tailor the degree to your career ambitions. Whether you want to deepen your research capability, step into policy development or advance your legal practice internationally, the flexible module lets you pursue research projects or choose electives that complement your professional goals. From cyber law to global corporate responsibility and climate change policy, you can build a portfolio of expertise that reflects your goals.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Principles of Public International Law 
• International Negotiations 
• Global Law 
• Foundations of Law.

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of International Law Studies (MIntLawSt), you must successfully Complete 160 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Foundation Module, and
• 80 credit points from Core Module, and
• 40 credit points for Flexible Module

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3354 Graduate Certificate in International Law award, you must successfully complete 40 credit points for the Foundation Module as specified in this program.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $61,000

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• five years relevant work experience
• combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal, and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to the above

Relevant work experience includes paralegal, legal assistant, law clerk, legal secretary, compliance officer, court officer, policy officer, conveyancer, mediator

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR an overall score of 79 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19 (applies to tests taken prior to 21 January 2026)
• OR an overall score of 4 in the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with a minimum score of 4 in each of the listening, reading, and writing skills, and a minimum score of 3.5 in speaking skills (applies to tests taken on or after 21 January 2026)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50 (applies to tests taken prior to 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 55 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 47 (applies to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)
• OR an overall score of 70 in the LanguageCert Academic
• OR an overall score of 59 in the Michigan English Test (MET)

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

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:  

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.  
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.  
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.