Master of Philosophy (Maritime Laws)

Course summary

The Master of Philosophy (Maritime Laws) comprises 24 credit points of coursework and a 72-credit point thesis in the field of maritime law. Credit may be awarded for the coursework component, depending on your academic and professional background, which will determine your appropriate entry point.

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) is Australia’s only multidisciplinary university-based centre dedicated to research, education and training on ocean law, maritime security and natural marine resource management.

To complete this course you are required to complete CMP 902 Law of the Sea, CMP 911 Research Project in Maritime Studies and one other subject from the ANCORS postgraduate coursework program schedule as the coursework component. You may be required to attend additional lectures in relevant topics from time to time throughout the program.

The thesis involves original research which should make a significant contribution to the field of maritime law.

Prior to applying for admission, please contact a potential ANCORS supervisor whose research interest and expertise aligns with your desired area of study.

For information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services, visit UOW's Research and Innovation website. For specific information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, visit the Faculty's research pages.

Course information

Study area

Law, Research

Campus

Wollongong, Innovation Campus

Course Code

1351

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Delivery

Distance, On Campus

Cricos

078343K

UAC Code

-

Admission, Key dates, and Fees

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures, and the UOW College Admissions Policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.
Candidates with a Coursework Masters degree or a 4-year Bachelor Honours degree in the same discipline may be granted up to 24 credit points of advanced standing for the coursework component of the Master of Philosophy.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:

  • commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
  • contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
  • conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.

Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.

FEES

Most postgraduate research degrees are covered by the Federal Government's Research Training Program (RTP).
If you receive an offer with an RTP place, you do not need to pay the cost of tuition while you are studying as long as you are within your time limits for course completion.

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at UOW, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Honours degree with 2nd class Division 2 or higher, coursework Masters with WAM 60+ or GPA of 2.8 out of 4.
Candidates with a Coursework Masters degree or a 4-year Bachelor Honours degree in the same discipline may be granted up to 24 credit points of advanced standing for the coursework component of the Master of Philosophy.
Special Admission Requirements
All applicants for research degrees must submit a written (preferably typed) proposal as part of their application. This proposal should:

  • commence with a statement detailing any previous research or project experience you have undertaken, including if possible a copy of the abstract of such work;
  • contain, in no more than one additional page, a clearly focussed research proposal for the study you would wish to undertake throughout your registration in the course; and
  • conclude with a statement of your motivation for wanting to undertake the research course.

Students are advised to make contact with a potential supervisor to discuss their project prior to applying for admission.


ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

English Test

Overall Score

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

IELTS Academic

7.0

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

TOEFL (Internet-based)

98

22

22

19

19

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Distinction (weighted average mark of 75 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.


FEES

* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. The fees outlined in your Letter of Offer of Admission to the University are correct at the point of offer, but are indicative and subject to change without notice. The indicative total course tuition fee is an estimate, based on normal course length and progression and current course fees.

Admission Profile


INDICATIVE ENROLMENT



STUDENT PROFILE

This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at UOW for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at UOW in 2023.

Applicant background

2023 intake

2023 intake (%)

Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.

-

-

Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.

-

-

Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.

-

-

Recent secondary education

ATAR Only Students admitted only on the basis of ATAR including any applied adjustment factors.

-

-

ATAR plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both ATAR and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).

-

-

Other criteria only (non-ATAR) These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where ATAR was not a factor (e.g. UOW Early Admission).

-

-

International students All other students.

-

-

All students

-

-

< 5: Number of students is less than 5
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)


ATAR PROFILE

This table relates to all students selected on the basis of ATAR alone or ATAR in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘ATAR-based admission’.

ATAR profile of ATAR-based offers in 2023

ATAR The unadjusted, raw ATARs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR. Selection Rank The ATARs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors.
Highest rank to receive an offer

-

-

Median rank to receive an offer

-

-

Lowest rank to receive an offer

-

-

< 5: Less than 5 ATAR-based offers made
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 ATAR-based offers made)

More Information

For more information about UOW admission pathways, see UOW Admission Information.

Key Dates

SESSION

CAMPUS

SESSION DETAILS

2025 Spring

Wollongong

Orientation: 14 July 2025
Session: 28 July - 20 November 2025

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

2025 Spring

Innovation Campus

Orientation: 14 July 2025
Session: 28 July - 20 November 2025

Applications Close
Higher Degree Research (HDR) applications can be submitted online at any time. However, applicants applying for an HDR course that includes coursework are not permitted to enrol after the commencement of second week of session.

Course Structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Handbook

Why choose this course

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) is Australia’s only multidisciplinary university-based centre dedicated to research, education and training in ocean law, maritime security and natural marine resource management.

ANCORS maintains a strong and vibrant higher degree research (HDR) program. It currently accommodates more than 30 HDR students from 16 countries, researching a broad range of topics across both disciplinary divides and the core strengths of ANCORS expertise.

ANCORS is one of UOW’s 11 research strengths, and is the lead unit for the Sustaining Coastal and Marine Zones challenge in the University’s Global Challenges program for multi-faculty interdisciplinary research.

The Centre has a core capacity-building role, assisting governments, regional and international organisations, NGOs and community groups, and industry to develop improved knowledge and understanding of ocean-related activities. The Centre has forged close links with a range of government and non-government agencies, not only within Australia, including a long-term relationship with the Royal Australian Navy, but also across the Indo-Pacific region and globally.

The Centre conducts multidisciplinary, policy-oriented research; runs both postgraduate coursework and research degree programs; and conducts professional short courses and other teaching programs on campus and around the world.

The research interests of ANCORS fall into the following main categories:

  • ocean law
  • oceans policy and management
  • maritime strategy and security
  • fisheries governance and management
  • marine environmental law
  • maritime boundary delimitation
  • public international law of shipping