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Frequently Asked Questions

Main menu – Future Students

The questions…

The answers…

General Information

Can I visit the Graduate School of Business and Law (GSBL)?

Yes you can but we suggest that you ring the Graduate School of Business and Law on (03) 9925 0100. We can arrange a suitable time for you to be shown around the School and meet our academic staff. MBA Information Evenings are also conducted throughout the year and are listed on the GSBL Events page.

View the GSBL Events list

Who can I contact if I have a question about my application for GSBL?

Contact the Graduate School of Business and Law on (03) 9925 0100.

How long does it take for an application to be processed?

This may vary and depends on when your application was lodged and whether you included all the required information and documents. The GSBL will endeavour to advise you within 3 weeks about whether your application meets our admission criteria. However, official notification by RMIT University will take a little longer.

Where do I pay my fees?

Payment options are listed on the reverse of your invoice. You can also pay your fees at the RMIT Business Helpdesk on Level 4, Building 108, and 239 Bourke St, Melbourne. The helpdesk is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Information about our Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs

How long will it take to complete an MBA or MBA (Executive) program?

The MBA full time program can be completed over 12 months (or three trimesters). This program can also be taken part time over 6 trimesters (or 2 years). The MBA (Executive) is undertaken either full time or part-time and it can be completed in a maximum of 2 years as a full-time student or up to 5 years as a part-time student. Full time students can utilise trimester offerings to complete the program in three trimesters, or over 12 months.

Does GSBL offer any study tours for its MBA students?

Within the MBA (Executive) program, you will have the opportunity to participate in Study Tours to Europe or Asia. These tours are credited towards the MBA (Executive) program but you will need to obtain the approval of the Head of the GSBL to participate in Study Tours offered by other Schools within RMIT. Study Tours are not currently available within the MBA program.

Learn more about our study tours

Is an MBA a sound investment for my future?

Industry feedback on the ROI value of an MBA program is very positive. In 2005, BOSS Magazine indicated that 97% of respondents felt that an MBA was worthwhile qualification. Measured by subsequent income, obtaining an MBA seems to be well worth the effort. The BOSS survey asked Alumni to specify their original salaries in $15,000 increments from less than $50,000 to more than $140,000 and repeat the exercise after one and two three years of having qualified with an MBA. It found the average salary range for students starting their MBA programs was between $65,000 and $80,000. Three years later it was between $95,000 and $110,000.

What are the deadlines for applying for the MBA program?

The closing dates for applications in 2010 are the end of May (July intake) and mid November (February intake). However, for postgraduate programs, we will accept applications past these dates whilst places remain.

When are the fees for the MBA and MBA (Executive) programs due?

These are payable at the commencement of each trimester and are calculated on a trimester enrolment.

Information about the Juris Doctor program

How long does it take to complete the JD?

The JD consists of 24 courses (subjects) which takes 3 years of full time study or the equivalent part time. Full time students generally study 4 courses per semester and part time students generally study 2 courses per semester. JD students also have the opportunity to accelerate their studies.

I do not have a degree, but I have completed a Graduate Diploma, am I eligible to apply?

No. Students must have successfully completed a non-law undergraduate degree to be eligible.

I do not have a degree, but I have completed a Masters Degree, am I eligible to apply?

If you have completed a Masters Degree only, you can apply for the JD but there are no guarantees that you will be given an offer. Your application will be reviewed by the Program Co-ordinator and your academic records assessed for eligibility. If you are given an offer in this situation, you are not eligible for exemptions.

I have completed previous postgraduate study, do I get any credits?

Credits from some or all electives (up to 6) may be granted for subjects studied as part of a Masters degree. However, exemptions for core subjects will only be considered for previous study that was part of another postgraduate law program that leads to accreditation to practice law.

Applicants who intend to claim credit for previous postgraduate study, should tick the appropriate box on the Direct Application Form.

No credits will be granted for law subjects studied at undergraduate level.

Seeing the Juris Doctor is offered through OUA, can I study both on-campus and online?

You can study the JD in a combination of online and on campus but not within the same semester i.e. you cannot be both an OUA and on campus student at the same time. Face to face students must take Leave of Absence from on campus studies and apply to enrol with OUA. Please note that students are limited to a maximum of two years Leave of Absence (combined leave total) from on campus studies.

When are JD classes held?

Classes will be held during the evenings (including Friday evenings) and weekends.

The compulsory introductory course 'Introduction to Australian Legal Systems and Legal Methods' is conducted in intensive format (over 3 full weekends over 3 different months) face to face in Melbourne. This unit is a pre-requisite for all subsequent JD units and as such needs to be completed first or concurrently with the first JD units.

Other units that will require some face to face weekend attendance (moot courts etc.) in Melbourne are:

  • Administration Law
  • Evidence
  • Civil Procedure
  • Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

Can I study a law subject at another university and get credit towards my JD?

If a postgraduate ELECTIVE you are interested in is not offered by RMIT and you wish to study it through another university, you must FIRST seek permission from the Program Co-ordinator to do this. You must provide detailed information on the content and assessment of the subject and provide this along with your request. Permission is not automatically granted and is decided on a case by case basis.

Permission to study CORE courses at another university will not be granted.

How is the JD assessed? Do I have to do exams?

Assessments for most JD courses include a compulsory end of semester examination. Assessment may also include moot courts, assignments, class presentations and practical training. This varies according to the course.

Students studying online, who cannot attend examinations in Melbourne, can sit them at approved examination centres or can arrange their own invigilator (this needs approval from RMIT).

I am interested in studying online and live overseas, can I still study the Juris Doctor?

Many units can be studied from outside Australia, however, the compulsory introductory unit 'Introduction to Australian Legal Systems and Legal Methods' is conducted in intensive format (over 3 full weekends in 3 different months) face to face in Melbourne. This unit is a pre-requisite for all subsequent JD units and as such needs to be completed first or concurrently with the first JD units.

Other units that will require some face to face weekend attendance (moot courts etc.) in Melbourne are:

  • Administration Law
  • Evidence
  • Civil Procedure
  • Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

Weekend workshops may also include assessment activities.

A large proportion of the JD can be studied from overseas. If after commencing the JD you need to travel overseas for some months, it may be possible to structure your program to allow you to study entirely online for this period.

Can I apply for Austudy if I am studying the Juris Doctor ?

Yes, the Federal Government has approved the RMIT University Juris Doctor for student income support payments from 1 January.

To check your eligibility for student income support contact Centrelink directly on 13 24 90.

After completing the JD, am I a qualified solicitor?

RMIT’s Juris Doctor is accredited by the Council of Legal Education and covers the required eleven areas of legal knowledge, known as the Priestley 11. Graduates are eligible to practise in Victoria as solicitors after the completion of Traineeship with a law firm or a Practical Training Course.

What happens after I complete the Juris Doctor?

If you intend to you practice, you will need to complete Supervised Workplace Training (SWT) or a Practical Legal Training course.

Students who intend to practice as a solicitor must take the elective ‘Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct’ as part of their program.

Visit the Law Institute of Victoria website.

Research programs

Does the GSBLL offer any research programs?

Yes, we offer the Master of Business and PhD programs.