Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 3 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- QTAC code
- 116622
- ATAR
- 78.00 for Brisbane
- Fees (first year)*
$15136 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview
If you already have an undergraduate degree and you want to become a lawyer, this course is for you. Our focus is on making a strong and positive contribution to our communities, and you will put it all into practice with pro bono work whilst you study.
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 will complete 80 hours pro bono experience (after your first year).
Work placement
Pro bono placements are undertaken from the second year of law studies. You’ll engage in practical, law related activities, especially on behalf of those who are the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our community. These placements will provide valuable experience in the practical operation of the law. Through community engagement you’ll have the opportunity to reflect upon the capacity of the law to respond to social justice issues involving those who are marginalised and disadvantaged as well as in law reform. You’ll benefit from, develop and reflect upon the values of collaboration, equality, mutual respect and commitment to justice in an ethically-based profession.
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
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- the legal profession
- government administration
- industry regulation
- media
- politics
- NGOs, both domestic and international
- academia
- diplomacy
- the evolving digital environment will open unforeseen opportunities for thinkers trained in the law
Industry partnerships
ACU works with a variety of industry partners:
- Toongabbie Legal Centre
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry), a student must complete 240 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 | LAWS106 Criminal Law and Procedure | LAWS206 Torts | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | LAWS107 Introduction to Australian Public Law | LAWS108 Commercial Law | LAWS200 Business Organisations | LAWS213 Community Legal Engagement Pro Bono | |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | LAWS314 Statutory Interpretation | LAWS205 Property | LAWS304 Evidence | Law elective 1 | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | LAWS201 Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution | LAWS204 Land Law | LAWS419 Constitutional Law | LAWS403 Legal Theory | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | LAWS418 Administrative Law | LAWS404 International Law | LAWS421 Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility | Law elective 2 | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | Law elective 3 | LAWS420 Equity and Trusts | Law elective 4 | Law elective 5 |
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
Overseas study available
You’ll have the opportunity to study the university Core Curriculum at our Rome campus. A number of elective units in this degree are also available to study overseas.
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 successfully completed a recognised three-year Bachelor degree in any field of study.
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
English language requirements
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Overall score of 7.0, 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.
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
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
$15136 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
Domestic applicants
Direct application
Apply nowNSW Only: You can apply Direct to ACU if you are not a recent school leaver and have not already applied through VTAC, UAC or QTAC.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Associate Professor Michael Longo
Senior Law Lecturer, Thomas More Law School
Before his academic career Michael was a Senior Solicitor with the Australian Government Solicitor, Attorney-General's Department. He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Michael has held academic positions in Victoria since 1990.
Michael's teaching and research interests include Legal Writing and Research, Comparative Constitutional Systems, Human Rights Law, International Law and European Union Law. His current teaching covers Legal Reading, Writing and Research, Law of the European Union and Comparative Legal Systems.
Dr May Fong Cheong
Senior Lecturer and Deputy of Thomas More Law School
Dr May Fong Cheong is a Senior Lecturer and the Acting Deputy Head of School of the Thomas More Law School, Australian Catholic University. She is also Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales. May has been in academia for more than twenty years and was formerly Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya, and Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law, Multimedia University Malaysia. May also previously practised as a commercial litigation lawyer at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. May has taught a wide range of subjects in private law including Contract Law, Australian Consumer Law, and False or Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts. May has also supervised students at doctoral, masters and undergraduate levels. Her main research areas are contract law, commercial law, competition law, consumer law, unfair contracts, remedies, and Asian comparative laws. Her articles in these areas have been published in journals including Journal of Contract Law and World Competition. May’s latest book, Australian Contract Law: Principles and Cases, was published in February 2020 by Thomson Reuters.
Testimonial
“One of the things I enjoy the most about studying at ACU is that I‘m not just a number here – my lecturers and tutors know my name. I feel there is a real support network of students and lecturers to help me through my degree. I think this is because ACU offers smaller classes, resulting in a more personal experience.”