Enrolment in a Research Thesis shall be approved by the School of Law if: 1. A clearly defined project is proposed: the thesis topic must be approved at the outset but may be modified at a later stage. 2. The student has a sufficient academic background in legal study to enable the thesis to be completed in a satisfactory manner. (An average mark of 65% in previous law courses is normally required). 3. Adequate supervision is available: supervision may be conjoint but at least one supervisor should be a full-time member of the School of Law's academic staff. A group research project may be undertaken (but by no more than three students) if a statement of the proposed division of work among members of the group is approved in advance by the supervisor or supervisors.

The School of Law will initially limit its approval for a Research Thesis to the 8UOC enrolment (LAWS2423). A student who has received approval for the 8UOC enrolment may be given subsequent approval to transfer to a 16UOC enrolment (LAWS2422). Similarly a student who has received approval for a 16UOC enrolment may be given retrospective approval for transfer to the 8UOC enrolment.
Thesis: The thesis must be typed on A4 bond paper and two copies must be prepared in a cover (spring back folder or bound). References may appear at the foot of each page or at the end of each chapter. As a general rule the thesis shall be a maximum of 12,500 words for an 8UOC enrolment or 25,000 words for a 16UOC enrolment.
Examination: Each thesis shall have two examiners, one of whom may be the supervisor or one of the supervisors. Unless the supervisor or supervisors otherwise agree, the final date for submission shall be the last day of the session in which the student is enrolled in the Research Thesis. Examiners may require a candidate or group of candidates to attend an oral examination on the subject matter of the thesis; examiners may require a thesis to be resubmitted under such conditions as the examiners may determine.
* These electives permit selected students to obtain credit for approved research projects undertaken individually or in groups. No student shall be permitted to obtain more than 16 UOC in any combination of the subjects LAWS2422 and LAWS2423.