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 in Australia. 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 meet the entry requirements are encouraged to apply for the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies. Students who achieve the required grade point average may then apply to transfer to 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
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 in Australia. 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.
Entry requirements
No non-standard admission requirements recorded.
Credit for prior learning
Candidates will not be granted advanced standing for more than the equivalent of twenty (20) units in total, or eleven (11) law units, or nine (9) non-law units, except for candidates enrolled in the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies,Bachelor of Laws course, who may be granted advanced standing for up to twenty (20) law units. A law unit is one offered by the School of Law and Justice.
Advanced standing will be determined by the School Board responsible for the unit for which advanced standing is being sought, or in the case of unspecified advanced standing, by the School Board responsible for the award in which it is sought.
In exceptional cases advanced standing greater than the above limits may be granted by the relevant School Board, which shall notify the Academic Board of all instances.
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 requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:
22 core units (264 credit points),
1 Shared 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 LAWS4002 - Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method and LAW S4001 - Independent Legal Research; and
achieve a satisfactory standard of academic performance in law units as determined by the Faculty Board, Faculty of Business, Law and Arts.
Class of Honours
This degree may be awarded in the following classes:
1. First Class;
2. Second Class (Division 1);
3. Second Class (Division 2); or
4. Third Class
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.
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
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.
Must have completed or be currently enrolled in
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed or be currently enrolled in
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00507 Criminal Law and Procedure AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
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.
LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW10180 - Law of Torts AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
It is preferable to have completed the following units: LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System.
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00116 - Property Law AND not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00115 - Equity AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Enrolment information
It is preferable to have completed LAWS2003 - Contract Law II
Must have completed
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
AND
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites
LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Must have completed
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
AND
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites
LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
It is recommended that this unit be undertaken in the final year of study. This unit consists of a compulsory three day workshop for internal students and four day workshop for online students offered on Gold Coast campus. Students must attend this workshop when they are enrolled in LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct, is normally undertaken in the final year of study.
Must have completed or be currently enrolled in
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed or be currently enrolled in
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00507 Criminal Law and Procedure AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
LAW00503 Contract Law AND not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW10180 - Law of Torts AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
It is preferable to have completed the following units: LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System.
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
Students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies are not permitted to enrol in this unit. For further information contact: law.enquiry@scu.edu.au
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00116 - Property Law AND not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
LAW00115 - Equity AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Enrolment information
It is preferable to have completed LAWS2003 - Contract Law II
Must have completed
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
AND
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites
LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
Must have completed
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
AND
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
Anti-requisites
LAW00114 - Evidence and Civil Procedure AND this unit is not available for students admitted to 2206351 - Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) OR 3006110 - Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies
3rd Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Unit Code
Unit Title
Notes
Students should ensure at least two (2) of the following units are advanced
Must have completed
LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
AND
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
Anti-requisites
Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Enrolment information
It is recommended that this unit be undertaken in the final year of study. This unit consists of a compulsory three day workshop for internal students and four day workshop for online students offered on Gold Coast campus. Students must attend this workshop when they are enrolled in LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct, is normally undertaken in the final year of study.
5th Unit from Law Electives Law Electives OR University-wide Major Unit
Unit Code
Unit Title
Notes
Students should ensure at least two (2) of the following units are advanced
Not available for students admitted to the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
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: LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System, LEGL2007 - Principles of Contract Law, LEGL2001 - Introduction to Land Law, LEGL2002 - Foundations of Torts, LAWS2055 - Criminal Process, LEGL1002 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics, LEGL1003 - Introduction to Business Law, LAWS2001 - Company Law, LEGL2003 - Litigation Practice, LEGL2004 - Conveyancers Professional Practice, LEGL2005 - Legal and Conveyancing Practice, LEGL2013 - Law and Government Decision Making, and LEGL2006 - 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 “Law Electives”.
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/images/Coffs-harbour_student-group_20220616_33-147kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/current-students/services/counselling/images/RS21533_English-College-Student_20191210_DSC_6961-117kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/scholarships/images/STEPHANIE-PORTO-108-2-169kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/study/arts-and-humanities/images/RS20958_Chin-Yung-Pang-Andy_20190309__79I5562-960X540.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/experience/images/SCU-INTNL-STUDY-GUIDE-280422-256-72kb.jpg)
/prod01/channel_8/media/dep-site-assets/component-library/screenshots/online-1X1.jpg)