Bachelor of Laws (4 Years)

Upon completion of this degree, LLB students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and have an awareness of international law and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues;
2. communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and nonlegal audiences, both orally and in writing;
3. demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political, and social perspectives;
4. demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated;
5. demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge;
6. demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses;
7. demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts;
8. demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved; and
9. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse the law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform.

The University of New England offers a flexible approach to the study of law. UNE boasts one of Australia's largest law schools outside a capital city, as well as being an early adopter of innovative technology in the delivery of its law programs. The Bachelor of Laws (4 year) is designed for people who are new to university study or to the study of law, including school leavers or people who want to change careers or get a qualification.

The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and mutual recognition legislation extends admission to other Australian jurisdictions. After completion of academic qualifications in law, there is a range of employment options from which to choose. Graduates who wish to be admitted to practice as a solicitor, barrister or legal practitioner anywhere in Australia will also have to undertake a course of professional legal training (PLT). This can consist of approximately half a year's full‐time training undertaken internally or externally, or of equivalent part‐time training. In some jurisdictions, it may be possible to do articles of clerkship instead. Because the system adopted varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, enquiries should be made to the admission authority in the state or territory in which you intend to practice; this is usually a committee of the Supreme Court of that State or Territory or a special body set up to administer admissions to the legal profession. Additional information can be found on the School of Law page.

Please note: students will only be admitted to the full LLB degree upon successful completion of the first four open subjects with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.2.

The Bachelor of Laws aims to graduate students who can demonstrate:

1. understanding and knowledge of Australian law and awareness of indigenous, international and theoretical perspectives;
2. competence in using legal research and analytical skills that equip them to work in the legal profession or in a broad range of law related occupations;
3. the ability to take a strategic approach to problem-solving by applying critical and innovative thinking to complex legal issues and situations;
4. competence in oral and written communication;
5. the ability to work independently and in groups; and
6. professional judgment and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with having completed a law degree.

Recommended study pattern

From Trimester 2 2022 students must complete four Open Access subjects as outlined below and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.2 to gain admission to the degree. Students are required to begin with LSU100 - Introduction to Legal Studies.

Complete the following 3 subjects:

• LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies
• LAW100 Foundations of Law
• LAW102 Legal Professional Skills

Complete 1 of the following subjects:

• LAW131 Torts Law
• LAW162 Criminal Law
• LAW172 Contract Law

LSU100 is a prerequisite of LAW100. LAW100 is a corequisite of LAW102 and LAW131. LAW100 and LSU100 are prerequisites of LAW162 and LAW172.

Once students complete the Open Enrolment Subjects, apply and are accepted into the degree, they can then enrol in the remaining Core and Listed subjects provided they meet the prerequisite requirements.

The Program of Study and Course Plans can be accessed from the below link:

UNE Bachelor of Laws (4 Years)

Study Load

• Most law subjects will require students to spend at least 15 hours of study per subject per week. That includes time spent online in the Learning Management System (LMS), doing private study and working on assignments. The amount of time needed will vary depending on your existing study skills.
• Law subjects are particularly time-heavy because of the amount of reading that’s required and the type of reading. Reading cases and other types of legal texts will be unfamiliar at first.
• Learning law involves learning new skills, and UNE’s law teachers will help with that, but it does take a commitment of time on your part.
• You need to consider carefully your existing time commitments before enrolling in multiple subjects. 

Award requirements

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass subjects to the value of 192 credit points (32 subjects) with not more than 66 credit points (11 subjects) at 100-level as prescribed below:

• 16 Core subjects
• 8 Listed subjects; and 
• 8 electives not from the school of law*

The Bachelor of Laws follows a strict study plan from the commencing trimester. The first four Open Access subjects must be completed and a minimum GPA of 4.2 achieved to gain admission to the degree.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students must complete 8 electives in the Bachelor of Laws. (48 credit points)

Elective subjects can be selected from any offered by the OUA, other than by the School of Law, subject to candidates meeting overall degree requirements and prerequisite and timetabling requirements for individual subjects.

Exit points

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the Bachelor of Laws may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Legal Studies on completion of 8 LAW or LS subjects (48 credit points) or the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies on completion of 12 LAW or LS subjects (72 credit points).

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Open Enrolment Subjects

• Core Subjects

• Listed Subjects

Students must contact UNE with their intent to graduate. 
Guide to graduation at UNE.

Changes in 2024:

New students (commencing from Trimester 1, 2024)

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points with not more than 11 Subjects (66 credit points) at 100-level.

Changes in 2023:

• From 2023, LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies will be counted as a Listed Subject.

Changes in 2022:

Students are now required to complete the following subjects and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.2 to gain entry to the degree:

Complete the following 3 subjects:

• LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies
• LAW100 Foundations of Law
• LAW102 Legal Professional Skills

Complete 1 of the following subjects:

• LAW131 Torts Law
• LAW162 Criminal Law
• LAW172 Contract Law

Please Note: Students who are enrolled in or have successfully completed LAW101 Law in Context up to and including Trimester 1 2022 are not required to complete LAW102 Legal Professional Skills to be admitted into the degree.

Changes in 2020:

Existing students (commencing from Trimester 1 2020) are required to complete the following subjects in order to gain entry into the degree.

• LSU100 – Introduction to Legal Studies (Elective)
• LAW100 – Foundations of Law (Previously: Introduction to Legal Systems and Methods)
• LAW101 – Law in Context OR
• LAW162 - Criminal Law OR
• LAW172 Contract Law

Existing students (commenced prior to 2020) are advised that if they have completed LAW161 they should complete LAW312 in 2020. Successful completion of both of these subjects means these students will not complete LAW162. One of these subjects (LAW161 or LAW312) will then count as a Listed Subject. If students do not complete LAW312 in 2020 they will need to complete LAW162. In this case, LAW161 will count as a Listed Subject.

Existing students who have completed LAW171 should complete LAW272 in 2020. Successful completion of both of these subjects means these students will not complete LAW172. One of these subjects (LAW171 or LAW272) will then count as a Listed Subject. If students do not complete LAW272 in 2020 they will need to complete LAW172. In this case, LAW171 will count as a Listed Subject.

Changes in 2019:

New students (commencing from Trimester 3 2019) are now required to complete the following subjects in order to gain entry into the degree.

• LSU100 - Introduction to Legal Studies (Elective)
• LAW100 - Introduction to Legal Systems and Methods
• LAW101 - Law in Context
• LAW161 - Criminal Law

Existing students(commenced prior to Trimester 3 2019) can continue with the old structure as outlined below (provided they meet any prerequisite requirements).

• LAW100 - Introduction to Legal Systems and Methods
• LAW101 - Law in Context
• LAW161 - Criminal Law
• LAW171 – Law of Contract I

Existing students have the option to complete LSU100 instead of LAW171 in Trimester 3 2019 and are not required to complete both subjects to meet the eligibility requirements to gain entry into the degree. However, LAW171 is still a part of the degree award requirements and will need to be completed at a later stage.

Additional changes to the Bachelor of Laws:

The entry requirements have been amended to allow the direct admission of students with previous successful undergraduate study. Please refer to the Entry Requirements section above for more information. 

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $75,232

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of New England is the only Australian public university to be awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience by the Good Universities Guide, 13 years in a row. UNE has delivered distance education since 1955—that’s longer than any other Australian university. Perhaps that’s why students continue to rate UNE so highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. With over 170 degrees offered online, and more than 22,000 students, UNE is an expert in online education.

Learn more about UNE.

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To be admitted to the Bachelor of Laws (4 Years) you need to complete four of the following subjects and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.2:

Complete the following 3 subjects:

• LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies
• LAW100 Foundations of Law
• LAW102 Legal Professional Skills

Complete 1 of the following subjects:

• LAW131 Torts Law
• LAW162 Criminal Law
• LAW172 Contract Law

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements

• The 4.2 GPA requirement equates to three Passes and one Credit.
• Be aware that if you fail a subject it is included in your GPA calculation and means you will need to achieve higher grades to obtain admission to the degree.
• For this reason, we recommend students consider their study load and academic skills before attempting a subject.
• For more information on GPA requirements, please refer to the UNE website.

For students who have not studied before

If you’ve not studied previously, or have been out of study for a while, in your first year we recommend you don’t attempt more than one UNE Law subject per trimester, and consider completing an introductory study subject like APC100, COM101, COM151 and SSK10.

• If you are successful in gaining admission to the Bachelor of Laws (4 years) either of these subjects could count towards the Elective component of the degree.

Students who have already successfully completed at least four units of study within an AQF Level 7 qualification of a recognised Australian University or tertiary institution; and who have achieved a minimum grade point average 4.2 and are of good standing with the institution, may apply to enter directly into the UNE Bachelor of Laws (4 years) degree.

At least one of the following criteria must be met:

1. English is the applicant's first language as defined in Section 4 of the Admissions, Credit and Enrolment Policy; or
2. Satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an AQF award or an award recognised by the Australian Department of Education; or
3. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5, with a minimum sub-band of 6.5 for writing and no other sub-band less than 6.0, or TOEFL IBT score of 91 with no less than 22 in writing and no less than 20 in listening, speaking and reading.
4. Satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes program (EAP Level 4) at the University of New England English Language Centre.

For more information, please refer to English Language Requirements.

Students admitted to the degree with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be eligible for advanced standing. For more information about Advanced Standing or Recognition of Prior Learning, please visit: Advanced Standing

Inherent Requirements

Academic Integrity and Referencing Learning Instrument (AIRLI)

Please note that all students are required to complete the Academic Integrity and Referencing Learning Instrument (AIRLI) prior to the submission of their first assessment. AIRLI is an online tool specifically designed to help law students meet the academic integrity standards required for their course, including how to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. It is a self-paced suite of 10 learning modules with quizzes taking appropriately two to three hours to complete. On completion students will be awarded an e-AIRLI Badge.

Students studying UNE Law units must obtain two badges before they can submit their first assessment: the AIRLI Badge and the “standard” UNE Academic Integrity Module (AIM) Badge.