Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.
2. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context.
3. Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.
4. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context.
5. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
6. Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.
7. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context.
8. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
9. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate a broad body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts.
10. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context.
11. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
12. Develop self-management skills to learn and work independently and reflect on one's own capabilities and performance.
13. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.
14. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.
15. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
16. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.
17. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment.

In the fight for justice, you need knowledge, integrity and perseverance. This degree embraces all these qualities as you learn how the law works, why specific laws exist, and how our laws impact on others.

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the justice sector. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. If you have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will extend your knowledge, skills and expertise. The conveyancing major, which is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enables you to become a licenced conveyancer in NSW.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Australian Legal System

• Criminal Process

• Legal Research and Writing

• Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics 

Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from ***. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

• 12 core units (144 credit points),
• the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) and 4 Law electives (48 credit points), or
• 10 Law electives (120 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points), or
• 4 Law electives (48 credit points) and a Shared Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major.

Exit points

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

• 8 core Law units (96 credit points) and
• Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) or
• 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).

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

Indicative total fee $49,000

The amount shown here is 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.

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QS Ranking 2024:

32

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

34

ATAR: 60 or equivalent

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:

Overall: 6.0

• Listening: minimum 5.5
• Reading: minimum 5.5
• Speaking: minimum 5.5
• Writing: minimum 5.5

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit for knowledge and skills you have already acquired. Credit gained through prior learning, experiences and qualification can reduce the duration and cost of your course.

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Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.