Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) / Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Undergraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
This course is offered jointly by UTS: Law and UTS: Communication. It provides students with a range of professional and analytical skills grounded in sociology, social policy, politics, public history and international studies, for either legal or social science practice. It is designed for students who want to use their professional legal qualification together with social research, policy development and political advocacy. The program provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer together with specialisation in social, cultural and communication theory and practice. Studies in social and political sciences increase students' employment options in the diverse fields of social science, media and communication, as well as extending their knowledge of the broader context in which the legal system operates. The course aims to promote understanding of how communities and political systems work, along with positive and effective intervention skills. Career options include lawyer in business or media organisations, community or public sector, as an advocate, policy maker, political activist, political adviser or social or media researcher.
Structure
The course comprises 240 credit points. The study components for course completion are as follows. The law component is made up of 144 credit points. The communication component is made up of 96 credit points. The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures a week, and may be required to attend evening classes for the law component.
Subjects
- Communication
- Social and political sciences
- Law
Standard entry requirements
- Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level. The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0
- Or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21
- Or AE5: Pass
- Or PTE: 58-64
- Or CAE: 176-184. HSC English and computer literacy are assumed knowledge.
Recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice.
Study pathways
Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete subjects Research Methodology and Research Thesis within the course. The degree may be awarded with first or second class honours, which does not require an additional honours year. The rules concerning the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found in undergraduate course information. Students who meet these criteria for honours are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate honours exit course on completion of all coursework. This transfer is managed by the Haymarket Student Centre and occurs just prior to graduation. The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) is offered on a one-year, full-time basis.
Further information
This course replaces the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Social Inquiry) Bachelor of Laws. To practise as a lawyer in NSW, students need to successfully complete an accredited legal academic qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training (PLT), which UTS offers through its PLT program. Students enrolled in this course may complete their practical legal training by undertaking a postgraduate course in PLT, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice. Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
