Bachelor of Legal Studies

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

1. demonstrate knowledge and have an understanding of law's purpose and its application;
2. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and appreciate law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform;
3. demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the fundamental areas of law, law's values and principles, an awareness of international law and an understanding of indigenous legal issues;
4. critically analyse and suggest ethically appropriate solutions in an effective and persuasive manner; and
5. be accountable for their own learning by being independent and self-directed learners, and personally practising ethical conduct.

The Bachelor of Legal Studies is a broad and comprehensive course which will provide graduates with a wide legal knowledge and skills in legal reasoning. In particular, this course provides students with the opportunity to design their own program of study after completing the core units. Students may study units of interest from a particular category which will enhance career opportunities in an ever-changing legal services market. The course will also provide career opportunities for those with an interest in a career in policy development and the justice sector.

Please note: students will only be admitted to the full Bachelor of Legal Studies upon successful completion of the four Open Access subjects [LSU100, LAW100, LAW101, LAW102] with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.0.

Bachelor of Legal Studies aims to graduate students who can demonstrate:

1. knowledge of the fundamentals of the Australian legal system;
2. knowledge of areas that could include judicial administration, criminology, criminal law, business studies, management, communications, environmental and rural studies;
3. the knowledge and skills to work in many different roles in research, operations, policy or advocacy in the justice sector;
4. autonomy, well-developed judgment and ethical responsibility; and
5. cognitive, technical and communication skills to undertake professional roles in research, operations, policy or advocacy in the justice sector.

Recommended study pattern

Students must complete four Open Access subjects as outlined below and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.00 to gain admission to the degree:

• LAW100 Foundations of Law
• LAW101 Law in Context
• LAW102 Legal Professional Skills
• LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies

LSU100 is a prerequisite of LAW100. LSU100 is a prerequisite of LAW101. LAW100 is a corequisite of LAW101 and LAW102.

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.

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. 

Exit points

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who discontinue their studies in the Bachelor of Legal Studies may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Paralegal Studies on completion of 48 credit points of Core Units. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Diploma in Paralegal Studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements for the Bachelor of Legal Studies. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who discontinue their studies in the Bachelor of Legal Studies may be eligible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies on completion of 72 credit points (8 Core Units and any 4 Listed Units). Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements for the Bachelor of Legal Studies. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

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.

• Core Subjects 1

• Core Subjects 2

• Core Subjects 3

• Listed Subjects

Students must contact UNE with their intent to graduate. 

Guide to graduation at UNE.

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

Indicative total fee $56,424

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.

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To be admitted to the Bachelor of Legal Studies you need to complete four of the following subjects and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.00:

• LAW100 Foundations of Law
• LAW101 Law in Context
• LAW102 Legal Professional Skills
• LSU100 Introduction to Legal Studies

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements

• The 4.00 GPA requirement equates to four Passes.
• 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, COM10, COM15 and SSK10.
• If you are successful in gaining admission to the Bachelor of Legal Studies any 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 4.0 and are of good standing with the institution, may apply to enter directly into the UNE Bachelor of Legal Studies degree.

At least one of the following criteria must be met:

1. English is the applicant's first language; or
2. Satisfactory completion, within five years of 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 National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
3. A pass grade or better in an English language subject at Australian Year 12 level or overseas equivalent; or
4. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band less than 5.5; or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the computer-based test; or at least 79 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component; or a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 57 with no skill less than 50; or
5. Satisfactory completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program:
   1. at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
   2. an equivalent EAP program at an Australian university NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the university concerned that satisfactory completion of that university's EAP program would entitle the applicant to be accepted into a comparable award-bearing program at that university); or
   3. at a non-university NEAS-accredited English Language Provider that has a formal agreement with UNE under which it provides an equivalent EAP Program; or
   4. a NEAS-accredited TAFE NSW EAP Program.

More detailed information regarding these requirements can be viewed at: 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