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Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, Bachelor of Laws

Bachelors Double Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BLJSt, LLB

  • Course code

    3206107

  • Credit points

    480

Overview

If you want a legal degree with a difference and to make a difference as a legal professional, you need to know how the law operates and why. This double degree expands your career opportunities in law to encompass social justice, policy development, politics and analysis.

Together with core units that prepare you for qualification as a lawyer, you can choose elective units in areas such as human rights, race and the law, animal law, climate law and policy, psychiatry, psychology and the law, and ecological jurisprudence.

There is an option to complete electives at academically rigorous and rewarding summer law schools in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast and undertake work placements and law mooting as part of your studies.

As a graduate, you may consider a career not just in the legal profession, but also in government service, law enforcement and the corporate sector.

The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer. Applicants who do not have the required entry mark are encouraged to apply for the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies. If those students achieve the required grade point average during that course, they may then apply for transfer into the double degree.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues.

Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems.

Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts.

Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community.

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability.

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.

Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.

Learn and work independently.

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements.

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice

Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.

Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.

Law students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices, to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working lawyers.

In addition to the core units, which comply with professional accreditation requirements, the program includes unique core units such as the philosophy of law and environmental law that reflect the School of Law and Justice’s focus on justice and critique. 

There are no majors in the Bachelor of Laws degree; however, a diverse range of law-based elective units is available. Students may choose elective units to suit their interests and professional aspirations including areas as diverse as human rights, race and the law, animal law, climate law and policy, psychiatry, psychology and the law and ecological jurisprudence. 

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies consists of a range of law units and elective units, including areas such as Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 , Session 2 , Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer.

Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should check with the relevant country’s admission body to confirm their practising requirements.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:

  • 22 core units (264 credit points); and
  • 1 University-wide Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major and 10 Law electives (120 credit points); or
  • 12 Law electives (144 credit points) and 6 Law or University-wide electives (72 credit points).

Bachelor of Laws with Honours

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws with Honours, students must:

  • fulfil the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws; and
  • complete the units LAW10181 - Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method and LAW00524 - Independent Legal Research; and
  • achieve a satisfactory standard of academic performance in law units as determined by the School Board, School of Law and Justice.

Class of Honours

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours may be awarded in the following classes:

  • First Class Honours;
  • Second Class Honours (Division I); or
  • Second Class Honours (Division II).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Bachelor of Laws or the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies upon completion of the requirements of the single degree. 

Advanced Standing

Units from the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) and the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies may only be credited if they are units in this course or were completed prior to admission. 

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 1. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 1.
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW00111 -  Legal Process Introductory Note 2
LAW10001 -  Contract Law I Introductory
LAW10002 -  Australian Criminal Law I Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 2. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 2.
LAW10003 -  Contract Law II Intermediate
LAW10004 -  Australian Criminal Law II Intermediate
LAW72002 -  Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
LAW00520 -  Jurisprudence Intermediate
LAW00118 -  Environmental Law Intermediate
LAW00527 -  Corporations Law Intermediate
POL10244 -  Australian Politics Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
LAW00112 -  Constitutional Law Intermediate
LAW71005 -  Property Principles Introductory
LAW72009 -  Principles of Equity Advanced
SOC00112 -  Social Policy Introductory
Year 3, Session 1
LAW72005 -  Evidence Advanced
LAW72001 -  Civil Litigation and Procedure Intermediate
POL20001 -  Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
1st Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 3, Session 2
LAW00117 -  Administrative Law Advanced
LAW00519 -  Professional Conduct Advanced Note 2
POL00005 -  Ideas and Ideals in Politics Intermediate
2nd Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 4, Session 1
3rd Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
4th Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
5th Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
6th Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 4, Session 2
7th Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
8th Unit from Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
9th Unit from Law Electives
10th Unit from Law Electives
Year 5, Session 1
11th Unit from Law Electives
12th Unit from Law Electives
1st University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1
2nd University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1
Year 5, Session 2
3rd University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1
4th University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1
5th University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1
6th University-wide Elective OR Law Electives Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW00111 -  Legal Process Introductory Note 2
LAW10004 -  Australian Criminal Law II Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
LAW10001 -  Contract Law I Introductory
LAW10002 -  Australian Criminal Law I Introductory
LAW00520 -  Jurisprudence Intermediate
POL10244 -  Australian Politics Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
LAW10003 -  Contract Law II Intermediate
LAW72002 -  Torts Intermediate
LAW00112 -  Constitutional Law Intermediate
SOC00112 -  Social Policy Introductory
Year 3, Session 1
LAW00118 -  Environmental Law Intermediate
LAW00527 -  Corporations Law Intermediate
POL20001 -  Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
1st Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 3, Session 2
LAW71005 -  Property Principles Introductory
LAW72009 -  Principles of Equity Advanced
POL00005 -  Ideas and Ideals in Politics Intermediate
2nd Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 4, Session 1
LAW72005 -  Evidence Advanced
LAW72001 -  Civil Litigation and Procedure Intermediate
3rd Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
4th Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Year 4, Session 2
LAW00117 -  Administrative Law Advanced
LAW00519 -  Professional Conduct Advanced Note 2
5th Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
6th Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year1, Session 3
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW00111 -  Legal Process Introductory Note 2
Year 2, Session 1 follow the course progression for Session 1 commencement excluding the completed units.

Note 1:

University-wide Electives include electives from any degree at Southern Cross University but does not include the following units: LAW10157 - Australian Legal System, LAW10159 - Principles of Contract Law, LAW00052 - Introduction to Land Law, LAW00053 - Foundations of Torts, LAW00050 - Criminal Process, LAW00128 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics, LAW00150 - Introduction to Business Law, LAW00004 - Company Law, LAW00058 - Litigation Practice, LAW00107 - Conveyancers Professional Practice, LAW00108 - Legal and Conveyancing Practice, LAW10068 - Law and Government Decision Making, and LAW10158 - Introduction to Evidence and Advocacy. However, candidates who have completed any of these units prior to enrolment in this degree may apply for advanced standing in up to a maximum of six of the above as “University-wide electives” but not as “Part B Law Electives”.

Note 2:

Attendance at a compulsory workshop is required.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Core Units
LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW00111 Legal Process Introductory
LAW10001 Contract Law I Introductory
LAW10002 Criminal Procedure Introductory
LAW00112 Constitutional Law Intermediate
LAW10003 Contract Law II Intermediate
LAW10004 Criminal Law Intermediate
LAW00118 Environmental Law Intermediate
LAW00520 Jurisprudence Intermediate
LAW00527 Corporations Law Intermediate
LAW00117 Administrative Law Advanced
LAW00054 Family Law Practice Intermediate
LAW72009 Principles of Equity Advanced
LAW00519 Professional Conduct Advanced Note 2
POL10244 Australian Politics Introductory
POL20001 Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
POL00005 Ideas and Ideals in Politics Intermediate
SOC00112 Social Policy Introductory
LAW72002 Torts Intermediate
LAW72001 Civil Litigation and Procedure Intermediate
LAW72005 Evidence Advanced
LAW71005 Property Principles Introductory

Electives
Choose one University-wide major and 10 Law electives OR Choose 18 elective units, a minimum of 12 must be Law elective units. Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Students should ensure at least two (2) of the following units are advanced
ACC00132 Taxation Advanced
ACC00134 Advanced Taxation Advanced
LAW00057 Conveyancing Law Intermediate Note 2
LAW00059 Welfare Law Intermediate
LAW00061 Drugs, Crime and the Law Intermediate
LAW00062 Wills and Estates Intermediate
LAW00104 Employment and Industrial Relations Law Advanced
LAW00106 EEO and OH&S Law and Practice Advanced
LAW00119 Local Government and Planning Law Intermediate
LAW00120 Victimology Intermediate
LAW00121 Intellectual Property Advanced
LAW00122 Clinical Legal Experience Intermediate
LAW00123 Law Placement Advanced
LAW00124 International Business Law Intermediate
LAW00125 Information Technology and the Law Advanced
LAW00126 Competition and Consumer Law Intermediate
LAW00214 Mediation and Dispute Resolution Introductory Note 2
LAW00216 Mediation Practice and Procedure Intermediate Note 2
LAW00514 Criminology Intermediate
LAW00516 Advanced Advocacy Intermediate
LAW00521 International Law Intermediate
LAW00522 Human Rights Advanced
LAW00523 Commercial Law Intermediate
LAW00524 Independent Legal Research Advanced
LAW00525 Cyberlaw Intermediate
LAW00526 International Criminal Justice Advanced
LAW00529 Restorative Justice Intermediate
LAW01125 Stock Exchange and Finance Law Intermediate
LAW10160 Public Interest Advocacy Advanced
LAW10166 Entertainment Law Advanced
LAW10167 International Intellectual Property Law and Public Policy Intermediate
LAW10168 Privacy Law and the Private Sector Intermediate
LAW10169 Human Rights and the Global Economy Advanced
LAW10170 Race and the Law Intermediate
LAW10171 Mediating Across Cultures Introductory
LAW10181 Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method Advanced
LAW10206 The Holocaust, Genocide and the Law Intermediate
LAW10207 Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law Advanced
LAW10288 Mooting Advanced
LAW10292 Education and the Law Intermediate
LAW10472 International Human Rights Law Intermediate
LAW10487 Animal Law Intermediate
LAW10488 Crime, Globalisation and Governance Intermediate
LAW10489 Australian Military and National Security Law Intermediate
LAW10490 Trials and Witnesses Intermediate
LAW10491 Sexual Orientation and the Law Intermediate
LAW10527 Comparative Law Advanced
LAW10698 International Trade and Development Law Advanced
LAW10727 Marine Animal Protection Law Intermediate
LAW30001 Ecological Jurisprudence Intermediate
LAW30002 Advanced Sports Law Advanced
LAW30003 International Humanitarian Law Intermediate
LAW30004 Comparative Criminal Law Advanced
LAW30005 Statutory Interpretation Advanced
LAW73003 Remedies Advanced
LAW72011 Why the State Needs to Kill: law, violence and the production of political authority Intermediate
LAW72006 Climate Law and Policy Intermediate
LAW72010 Property in Land Intermediate
LAW72014 Struggles, Movements, and the Idea of Communism Intermediate
LAW72015 Law, Film and Ideology Intermediate
LAW72008 Indigenous Jurisprudence Intermediate
LAW71006 The Rhetoric of Law Introductory
LAW73004 Legal Fictions: Writing the Law Advanced
LAW72007 International Business Negotiations Intermediate
HUM72020 Indigenous Rights Intermediate
LAW73051 Global Legal Pluralism Advanced Note 1
LAW73050 Jessup Moot Advanced Note 1
LAW73049 Information Environmentalism Advanced Note 1
LAW72016 Crimen Exceptum: The English Witch Prosecution in Context Intermediate Note 1
LAW72013 Wisdom, Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Intermediate Note 1
LAW72021 Myths for the Future: Law and Climate Fiction in the 21st Century Intermediate Note 2
LAWS2027 Introduction to Chinese Business Law Intermediate
LAW72018 Performances and Power in Literature and the Law Intermediate
LAW72019 Justice Framed: Law in Films and in Graphic Novels/Comics Intermediate
JUST2006 Shifting Cultural Paradigms: Law & Literature After Postmodernism Intermediate
JUST2012 The Art of Advocacy: Mooting and Performance Rhetoric Intermediate