Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) / 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. The course aims to assist students to develop practical experience of and theoretical engagement in the discipline of contemporary creative writing and the intersection of law and creativity. Students are prepared for a broad range of careers, including professional and legal practice, through an emphasis on critical skills to develop independent writing and foundational law studies. The program provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a lawyer together with the study of creative writing as a professional practice. Students learn a range of key genres and forms, including narrative writing, creative non-fiction, poetry and poetics, and screenwriting. Students also study the 'written word' - one of the most important tools of the legal profession - and the combination of law and creative writing equips students to become effective advocates who can provide innovative and thoughtful solutions to complex problems. Career options include media lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, solicitor, barrister, editor, publisher, scriptwriter, literary agent, communication coordinator, copywriter, novelist, feature writer, publications officer, freelance writer.
Structure
The course comprises 240 credit points and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Communication (Creative Writing) and Bachelor of Laws. 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
- Writing and Publishing
- 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
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. This course replaces the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Creative Writing) Bachelor of Laws.
