About this Course
This four-year degree provides accreditation for those who wish to qualify to practise law as a barrister or solicitor in Australia. Applicants who do not have the required entry mark are encouraged to apply for the Associate Degree in Law or the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies. If those students achieve the required grade point average during either of those courses, they may then apply for transfer into the Bachelor of Laws.
Career Opportunities
Graduates work in Australia and overseas as barristers, solicitors, judges associates, and in corporate or government legal departments. Some also pursue careers in the public and private sector where their Law degree and legal knowledge are acknowledged and highly valued in their work.
Professional Recognition
This course satisfies the academic requirements for admission to the practice of law in Australia.
To be admitted as a barrister or solicitor in NSW, Law graduates must complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) course through a PLT provider. Mutual recognition legislation extends this accreditation to other Australian States and Territories, but there may be additional requirements.
In Queensland, following completion of an approved law degree, and a practical legal training or a traineeship, applicants apply for admission to the Roll of Legal Practitioners and a practising certificate from the Queensland Law Society to practise as a solicitor; or the Bar Association of Queensland to practice as a barrister.
Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should check with the relevant country's admission body to confirm that completion of this degree meets accreditation requirements.
Professional Placement
Law students may choose to undertake legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the many issues that confront legal practitioners.
Major Areas of Study
There are no majors in this degree, however, a diverse range of law-based units is available.
To qualify for the
Bachelor of Laws a total of 384 credit points (usually 32 units) must be completed. There are three study sessions each year. Full-time students normally undertake four units per session in sessions 1 and 2 (leading to completion of the course in four years) and part-time students usually undertake 2 units in sessions 1 and 2 (completing in eight years). Session 3 is available to students who wish to fast track their studies which would reduce the number of years to complete the degree.
Please note that not all units are offered in each study period.
On Campus Study
As a guide:
- students studying in Lismore attend a two-hour lecture and one-hour tutorial each week per unit
- students studying at the Gold Coast (Beachside) campus can expect to receive a comprehensive set of study materials, MP3 recordings of lectures and a one-hour face to face tutorial each week per unit.
Study by Distant Education
As a guide, external students can expect to receive a comprehensive set of study materials, MP3 recordings of lectures, and the opportunity to participate in online discussion forums via the University's online learning portal, MySCU.
Learning Resources
Each unit has a designated learning portal on MySCU. Most units require the purchase of one or two textbooks in addition to the books of readings that are sent to distance education students. The books of readings are also made available for on-campus students to download or print if they wish.
Assessment Methods
As a guide, you could expect one written assignment, an online and/or class participation assessment, and a two or three hour exam for each unit.
Equipment and Facilities
Students are introduced to legal research in the compulsory unit LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing and require regular access to a computer and the Internet. Classes for this unit are taught to internal students in the University Library using laptop computers provided specifically for the purpose of teaching legal research skills. Distance education students may attend a voluntary weekend workshop when enrolled in the unit LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing to obtain experience in legal research skills.
A Moot Court with a two-way viewing room is used for teaching practical skills in a court setting.
