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 2024Applications open August 2023Midyear (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).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 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
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:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
$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.
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.
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.