Jurisprudence, international law, comparative law, comparative trade law, copyright patents and trade marks, are examples of subjects which are available but not compulsory. The law degree does not have a high component of simply memorising principles. Most students studying law in Australia do a 5 year course and gain 2 degrees. In the practice of the law, some knowledge of other disciplines is considered essential. This means that even with a 5 year degree they graduate at around the same age as their English and American counterparts but are still younger than their European counterparts.
Many universities offer graduate diploma or degree courses.
The graduate diplomas aim to supplement and to extend the participant's knowledge of law in a speciality. Graduate diplomas are available in topics ranging from alternative dispute resolution, Asian law, intellectual property law, labour relations law, media communications and technology, natural resources law to family law. Some law schools also offer graduate certificates of less than one academic year focusing on one particular discipline. Most law schools have an active postgraduate program. Masters degrees by coursework usually permit the candidate to select a range of subjects over a number of topics.