Master of International Law, Governance and Public Policy
ILGP19MTV1
• Australian Level 7 Bachelor’s degree in a related field and GPA of 4.5 (out of 7.0) or overseas equivalent, or
• Australian Level 7 Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 18 month's work experience and GPA of 4.0 (out of 7.0) or overseas equivalent
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above | 32 |
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below |
In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.
Specific minimum requirements:
Credit points
800 level
TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM
AQF Level | Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
CRICOS Code | 083796E |
Overview and Aims of the Program | The Master of International Law, Governance and Policy is a unique interdisciplinary program in Australia bringing together expertise in disciplines of Law and Politics. It is an academic programs for Australian and International law and non-law graduates seeking to extend their knowledge of international law, human rights, and governance and policy in both, public and private domains. This program promotes comprehensive knowledge of relevant legal, governance and policy issues in context, fostering a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of this dynamic area. Units available for study within the program enable students to achieve a global and holistic understanding of this area. They are delivered in a flexible way by means of internal or distance modes. |
Graduate Capabilities | The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows: Interpersonal or social capabilities |
Program Learning Outcomes | By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to: 1. demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a broad and complex body of theoretical and applied knowledge in law, governance and public policy (K) 2. appreciate the broader context within which law reform and policy are developed, at domestic and international levels, implemented and evaluated (K, E) 3. recognize and reflect upon contemporary challenges to promoting objectives in social justice, corporate responsibility, effective governance, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development in a global setting (E, J) 4. engage in high level critical thinking and exercise judgment in the recognition and resolution of current legal and policy challenges (T, P) 5. apply sophisticated legal and policy research skills to the resolution of problems and to formulate reform proposals (P, E) 6. communicate and advocate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms to specialist and generalist audiences, including as effective member of a team (C) 7. carry out independent research and engage in self-directed learning to develop new and creative solutions to legal, governance and policy challenges (P, J). |
Learning and Teaching Methods | The Master of International Law, Governance and Policy (MILGP) is a Masters program taught by staff in the disciplines of Law and Politics, who use a range of learning and teaching methods to impart critical knowledge and develop postgraduate students’ applied skills relevant to a range of professional roles in law and policy development. Learning and teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, web based forums, and intensive on-campus sessions for external students. Lectures include a mix of live delivery by expert lecturers using visual aids such as Powerpoint, audio-visual material and web based materials. To allow students to study in their own time, occasional pre-recorded lectures are also made available, typically using material relevant to the current issues and policies being studied. Lecturers will introduce and outline the topics under examination including competing theoretical points of view for analysis, and guide students to make use of pre-recorded and audio-visual content with a critical perspective. Lectures are primarily structured for the acquisition of knowledge and to raise the central questions around the topic being considered. Lecture attendance, including note taking, is an important part of the learning process which develops students’ capacity to identify and digest essential information. Lectures are recorded for external students and for those unable to attend in person. Most of the active learning in the Program takes place in tutorials and seminars in which knowledge gained in lectures, and through readings and audio-visual content, will be extended and applied in smaller groups. Seminars and Tutorials will frequently deploy small group work to enable students to apply and test their knowledge in practice. As individuals, students will present their understandings of the relevant readings and topics to their peers for constructive feedback. In small groups, students will engage in problem-based learning through activities such as role plays and stakeholder analyses. In whole-of-tutorial settings, some classes will conduct debates and extended hypothetical scenarios. In the third year of the program emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge and skills in the production of independent research to produce compelling solutions to contemporary policy challenges. Collaborative learning is central to tutorials and seminars. It is expected that students will come to classes prepared to discuss the readings and the lecture content. In particular, units using seminars expect high levels of student initiated discussion. External students will participate in online forums which may involve discussion of the weekly readings, as well as other activities including peer assessment of work. As with on-campus tutorials, collaboration is central to online participation. |
Assessment | A range of assessment tasks are designed to meet the learning and teaching outcomes of individual units and the MILGP program, to equip students with the critical knowledge and skills appropriate to a range of professional roles in law and policy development, including written and oral communication, and presentation skills. Assessment tasks are scaffolded according to the level of learning and aim to promote learning throughout the semester to test the disciplinary knowledge and relevant skills of the Program, as well as general academic skills such as research techniques and academic writing protocols. Clear standards (including marking rubrics) are provided for students in each Unit Guide and iLearn unit site. Major research essays, assignments which involve complex problem solving, case law analyses and the development of law reform initiatives are the some of the types of assessments used to develop student knowledge and skills in the program. Assessments build on knowledge and skills acquired in the earlier stages. As the program progresses, greater emphasis is placed on high-order independent research and writing skills. This progression culminates in the capstone unit (LAWS896 Independent Research Project in Law, Governance and Policy, 8cp) where, under supervision, students will undertake their own research project addressing a contemporary topic relating to law, governance and policy. By researching and writing about their own individual research question, students will become actively engaged in critically analysing, reflecting and synthesising the existing literature in the field. Through this interpretive process students are able to establish their own research findings and make their own contribution to their chosen field of research. Assessment tasks in the Program include the following activities: • general class and online participation • debates • short research essays • long research essays • hypothetical legal advice • law reform submissions • stakeholder analyses • opinion pieces • annotated bibliographies • literature reviews • policy briefs and memos • class tests • formal exams • online quizzes • small group work. |
Recognition of Prior Learning | Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit. Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl |
Support for Learning | Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus. |
Program Standards and Quality | The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
Graduate Destinations and Employability | By completing this program, government officials, policy makers, and lawyers and non-lawyers working in domestic or international, private or public institutions will obtain in-depth expertise international law, governance, and policy broadly understood. They can pursue further postgraduate legal education (by means of a doctoral program). They can also apply their knowledge and qualifications in this specialised area of interdisciplinary expertise. |
Assessment Regulations | This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
Accreditation | This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification. |
Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.
Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:
Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.
Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.
For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements