Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Laws

Course information for - 2023 entry

Offered at 3 locations

Study mode
Attendance
Duration
5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
QTAC code
115942
ATAR
75.00 for Brisbane
Fees (first year)*

$12571 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Biomedical Science is designed to produce well-rounded graduates ready for legal practice and a range of professional careers in an increasingly global environment.

As a graduate of this double degree you will be well placed to develop specialist legal practice in a wide range of fields. This includes roles in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries and in roles related to the development, marketing and governance of health and disease.

The pro bono work you'll complete as part of this degree will provide you with firsthand experience of the legal system while allowing you to contribute to the common good.

Students who have completed 120 credit points of law units with a grade point average of 5.75 and above may apply to complete an honours degree.

Professional experience

You must complete 80 hours of pro bono work (after your first year), providing you with firsthand experience of the legal system while allowing you to contribute to the common good.

Work placement

The pro bono program provides practical work–place based experience in a community context.

Professional recognition

This degree has been approved by accreditation authorities as a prerequisite for admission to legal practice in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and is recognised for the purposes of admission in other Australian states and territories.

Careers

Graduates in Law can pursue a range of legal careers including:

  • private legal practice as a solicitor or barrister
  • legal officer in the public sector (for example in federal or state government departments and publicly-funded organisations as diverse as national regulatory bodies, universities or public broadcasters)
  • in-house counsel to a wide range of organisations from corporations to trade unions
  • public interest legal work in community legal centres
  • legal research.

Completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Laws is excellent preparation for pursuing a career in areas such as:

  • regulation and governance in health
  • commercial health ventures
  • the not-for-profit sector.

Course details

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Laws, a student must complete 400 credit points (cp).

View course rules

Sample program map

Year - Study periodUnit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4Unit 5
Year 1 - Semester 1

LAWS104 Foundations of Law and Legal Research

LAWS105 Contract Law

BMSC102 Numerical Reasoning

BIOL123 Cells and Tissues - the Fabric of Life

Year 1 - Semester 2

LAWS107 Introduction to Australian Public Law

LAWS108 Commercial Law


UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society

or

PHIL102 Theories of Human Nature

or

PHIL104 Introduction to Ethics

BMSC100 Introductory Biostatistics

Year 2 - Semester 1

LAWS106 Criminal Law and Procedure

LAWS206 Torts


CHEM105 Foundations of Chemistry

BIOL125 Human Biology 1

Year 2 - Semester 2

LAWS200 Business Organisations

LAWS403 Legal Theory


BIOL126 Human Biology 2

CHEM106 Physical and Organic Chemistry

Year 3 - Semester 1

LAWS314 Statutory Interpretation

LAWS205 Property


BMSC209 Pathophysiology

CHEM204 Biochemistry

LAWP100 Pro Bono / Legal Professional Experience 1

Year 3 - Semester 2

LAWS201 Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution

LAWS204 Land Law


BMSC110 Communicating Ideas in Science

BIOL205 Pharmacology 1


Year 4 - Semester 1

LAWS304 Evidence


LAWS421 Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility

UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World

or

PHCC320 The Just Society

BIOL206 Human Genetics

Year 4 - Semester 2

LAWS419 Constitutional Law

LAWS420 Equity and Trusts

LAWS213 Community Legal Engagement Pro Bono

BMSC208 Research Design and Ethics

Year 5 - Semester 1

LAWS418 Administrative Law

LAWS404 International Law

Law elective


Law elective


Year 5 - Semester 2

Law elective

Law elective

Law elective


Law elective
or
Biomedical science elective

This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.

AQF framework

Double Bachelor - Bachelor/Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

English (Standard) (Band 3) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) (Band 4), any two units of Mathematics (any) (Band 2).

Queensland

English (Units 3 & 4, C); General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C); a General science subject (Units 3 & 4, C)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 - study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English, and a study score of at least 25 in Mathematics (any).

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

Applicants with recent secondary education

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.  

If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.  

Learn more about access schemes 

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.  

For current year 12 students  

If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.  

For non-school leavers 

If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements. 

ACU has partnerships with ACU College, TAFE, and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.  

Applicants with higher education study

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process. 

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. 

Learn more about recognition of prior learning 

Applicants with work and life experience

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.

  • If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
  • If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
  • You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
  • If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.

Find your path into study

English language requirements

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): with an overall score of 7.0, including an individual score of 6.5 for all tests.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Academic): From an internet-based total of 94, achieve a minimum of 24 in writing, 20 in speaking and listening, 19 in reading.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students

If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.

Understand your pathway options

Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience

Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver? 

By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals. 

If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) , or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course. 

  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
  • Work experience - A Selection Rank can be calculated based on your work experience - you need to document all of your experience and provide supporting documentation

Explore the pathways to your future 

Further study

A student who has completed at least 120 cp of LAWS units of the degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 5.75 may be eligible for Admission to the Bachelor (Honours degree).

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

A student who achieves an Honours at a minimum level of Second Class Division A (Distinction average) may be eligible for Admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Meeting the eligibility requirements for admission is not in itself a guarantee of admission. The candidate’s potential to undertake research, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, the availability of appropriate supervision and the referee’s reports will all be taken into consideration. Please refer to Regulation 5.2

A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must comply with the Higher Degree Research Regulations.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2022 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$12571 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships

How to apply

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Pre de Silva

Associate Professor, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Associate Professor Pre De Silva lecturers in chemistry at our North Sydney Campus. She obtained her PhD from the University of Aberdeen (UK). Before joining ACU, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka), as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Lancaster (UK), and then as a research scientist in the Manufacturing and Materials Division at CSIRO. Dr De Silva has extensive research experience in wider areas of chemistry, including novel biomaterials for bio-medical applications, utilisation of industrial wastes in the development of eco-friendly, low-carbon binders and carbon dioxide mineral sequestration.

Mr David Spencer

Senior Law Lecturer, Thomas More Law School

David Spencer was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia in 1992. He currently holds a Principal’s practising certificate in Victoria. David is also an academic and in 2008 was appointed Professor moving from Macquarie University in Sydney to La Trobe University in Melbourne. He moved to the Australian Catholic University in 2012 as Professor and Deputy Provost. He now teaches law in the Thomas More Law School at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. He has won numerous University and a national teaching award and competitive research grants. As a result of a recent Australian Research Council grant to investigate whether deaf people can serve as members of a jury, he was the lead author of an article that won the inaugural “Andrea Durbach Award for Human Rights Scholarship” awarded by the Australian Human Rights Institute and the Australian Journal of Human Rights.

He began researching and writing about dispute resolution in the mid 1990’s and is currently one of Australia’s leading authorities on the theory, philosophy and practice of alternative dispute resolution. He has had published: 7 books and research monographs; 5 book chapters; 22 articles and 90 case notes in refereed law journals; and, over 100 articles in other journals and conference presentations. He is the Chief Editorial Consultant for the Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal published by Thomson Reuters.

 

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