Bachelor of Laws
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Type of institution: University/Higher Education Institution
Level: Undergraduate
CRICOS: 00099F
This course teaches students foundational knowledge and skills in law and its practice. UTS: Law graduates are increasingly in demand in the legal profession and the business sector in a wide range of roles and responsibilities. Today's law graduates are called upon to advise and counsel parties, act as negotiators, manage project teams and resolve disputes. This course provides full-time or part-time study for students wishing to obtain a professional legal qualification that satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer. Students have the opportunity to engage in deeper study of the law by undertaking a number of law options and incorporate a broad variety of other disciplines by enrolling in options from other faculties. Career options include lawyer or legal policy adviser within a government or corporate department, private law firm or community law centre, or negotiating treaties or work in legislation drafting with the Attorney-General's Department.
Structure
- The course comprises a total of 192 credit points. The study components for course completion are: 108 credit points of compulsory core law subjects
- 30 credit points of law options
- a 6-credit-point legal theory option, AND either: 48 credit points of electives that include subjects offered by other faculties of the University (for students who have not received exemption on the basis of a recognised prior degree)
- or 18 credit points of practical legal training (PLT) subjects plus 30 credit points of electives. The course duration is four years of full-time or six-and-a-half years of part-time study. Full-time students have approximately 10-14.5 contact hours per week and part-time students have approximately 7-9.5 contact hours per week. Timetable constraints may require attendance at both day and evening classes.
Subjects
- 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. Proficiency in English is assumed knowledge.
Recognition
This course satisfies the requirements for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer provided students undertake the optional practical legal training program as part of the course or at the completion of the course. Check with the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) for time constraints.
Study pathways
Students who have already completed a degree in another discipline may apply for exemption from 48 credit points of general law electives. Details about applying for credit recognition can be found in undergraduate course information. Students can graduate with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) if they complete Research Methodology and Research Thesis within the course. The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 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 the criteria for honours are eligible for transfer into the appropriate undergraduate Honours exit course upon completion of all coursework. This transfer into an Honours exit course is managed by the 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 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 the Bachelor of Laws have the option of completing the PLT program within their undergraduate law degree. Alternatively, students who wish to practise as lawyers in NSW can complete their Bachelor of Laws by including further law electives and then undertake 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.
