Bachelor of Engineering Science / Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Undergraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
The Bachelor of Engineering Science Bachelor of Laws is offered jointly by UTS: Law and UTS: Engineering and is awarded with two testamurs. The course was developed in response to growing demand for legal services in areas in which an in-depth appreciation of complex technical matters is essential. It provides an overview of the legal system as a whole and an in-depth knowledge of an engineering specialisation. The program provides full-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the academic requirements only for admission as a lawyer together with a specialisation in engineering science. The course addresses the increasing need for technical expertise and legal knowledge, which are highly sought after in both private law firms and the engineering industry. Graduates develop critical and analytical skills, combined with a strong industry focus, essential for an understanding of the complex links between engineering and the law. Career options include professions as a lawyer in areas of environmental law, technology legislation and technology-specific criminal law; consultant, legal adviser or manager to engineering corporations in Australia and overseas.
Structure
- The course comprises 264 credit points and allows students to graduate with the separate degrees of Bachelor of Engineering Science and Bachelor of Laws. The study components for course completion are as follows. The law component is made up of 108 credit points of compulsory core law subjects
- 30 credit points of law options
- and 6 credit points of legal theory options. The engineering component comprises 120 credit points of study, consisting of the core subjects in the Bachelor of Engineering Science and the field of practice subjects associated with the chosen engineering major. The course is normally completed in five-and-a-half years of full-time study. The hours of full-time attendance are approximately 17 hours a week and timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes in the law component.
Subjects
- Engineering science
- 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. Assumed knowledge includes: Mathematics Extension 1
- Physics
- And English Standard. English Advanced is recommended.
Recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer, provided students complete a practical legal training (PLT) program, such as the Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice. Students wishing to obtain full recognition as graduate engineers have the option of articulating to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice depending on entry requirements.
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.
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.
