What it’s really like to study law in Australia
By Jil HoganPublished on
Law has a reputation for being challenging – but what's it actually like to study? Here's what you can expect from the workload, assessments and learning experience.
What does studying law actually involve?
Studying law is about much more than memorising legislation or learning courtroom procedures. It's about understanding how laws shape society, then learning how to apply legal principles to solve real-world problems.
Whether you're completing a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor, you'll spend your time building skills in legal reasoning, research, critical thinking and communication. You'll learn how to analyse complex situations, weigh up arguments and support your conclusions with evidence.
If you've never studied law before, don't worry. Prior legal knowledge isn't expected.
Associate Professor Andrew Hemming from the University of Southern Queensland says one of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to arrive with specialist knowledge or a particular type of brain. Instead, he describes it more as learning a new language.
“If you did high school legal studies, that might give you an advantage, but only a slight one,” he says.
Associate Professor Shannon Bosch from Edith Cowan University agrees students start from the same place, regardless of their background.
Many students worry about not knowing legal terminology or not being ‘good enough’ at the start. No one is expected to arrive already thinking like a lawyer.
While many students study law because they want to become solicitors or barristers, others are looking to build legal knowledge they can apply in business, government, policy or leadership roles. A law degree can open doors to far more careers than legal practice alone.
What does a typical week look like?
A typical week studying law involves a mix of lectures and tutorials, independent study, reading and practical skill-building.
How busy you are depends whether you're studying full-time or part-time. Full-time students generally progress through four subjects each study period, while part-time students spread these out over a longer period.
Some universities recommend allowing up to 10 hours of study each week for each subject you take. But Andrew says the reality of modern life is that many law students are also balancing work, family and other commitments, and universities are increasingly designing study options around that.
“The notion that students are all sitting in a library studying long hours isn't the reality. With HECS and the cost of living, most students are working,” he says.
“Students are time poor, so lecturers have had to adjust their teaching and their assignments to accommodate.”
Online study options also offer additional flexibility. You can generally work through lectures, readings and other learning materials when it suits your schedule, making it easier to fit study around your existing commitments.
What kinds of assessments can you expect?
Law assessments are designed to test how well you can apply legal principles, not just how much information you can remember. You might be asked to:
- analyse a fictional legal problem
- research a point of law
- write a legal opinion
- complete an oral presentation
- take part in a moot, which is a simulated court hearing.
A common approach to legal problem-solving is IRAC, which stands for issue, rule, application and conclusion. Andrew describes these assessments as a kind of puzzle.
“The examiner rolls a legal ball into play and the student has to figure out what’s been fairly raised,” he says.
That skill matters because real legal problems rarely arrive neatly packaged. As Andrew puts it, a client doesn’t walk in wearing a tag that says, ‘I am a torts problem’ or ‘I am a contract problem’. Instead you need to listen, work out what the key issues are and communicate your advice clearly.
What do students find most rewarding?
For many students, one of the biggest benefits of studying law is seeing how it applies to everyday life. As your understanding grows, you'll start to notice the legal principles behind news stories, business decisions, government policies and everyday interactions.
Shannon adds:
Many also find it rewarding to develop skills that can lead to careers not just in legal practice, but also in policy, business and human rights."
Some students really enjoy developing a completely new way of thinking. Learning to analyse complex situations, weigh up different perspectives and build evidence-based arguments are valuable skills that extend well beyond legal practice.
Explore these broader benefits in our guide to whether a law degree is worth it.
What do students find most challenging?
Studying law can take some adjustment, particularly when you’re first learning to read lengthy cases, interpret legislation and manage a substantial amount of material.
“The biggest challenge is often the volume and complexity of material,” says Shannon.
Another common hurdle is learning how to ‘think like a lawyer’ – identifying the important issues, applying legal principles and building logical arguments. Balancing that work with a job, family or other commitments can also take careful planning.
The good news is that these skills become easier with practice. You’re not expected to master them from the beginning.
Who tends to enjoy studying law?
There's no single personality type that's suited to law. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and choose to study law for many different reasons.
If you're curious, enjoy solving problems and like understanding how systems work, there's a good chance you'll enjoy studying law.
One of the biggest misconceptions, according to Shannon, is that successful law students are naturally argumentative or exceptionally confident.
"In reality, success in law often comes from discipline, curiosity, resilience and strong communication skills – all of which can be developed over time," she says.
Andrew agrees you don't need to fit the stereotype of the outspoken courtroom lawyer:
This notion that lawyers are loud and argumentative isn't really the reality. Lawyers tend to be more into negotiation and mounting the argument in a sensible manner."
“And I can't emphasise enough how important life experience is.”
If you're wondering whether you'll fit in, Shannon has a reassuring message.
"Law attracts students from all kinds of backgrounds. If you're willing to learn, ask questions and put in the effort, you can succeed – you don't need to fit a stereotype," she says.
Explore your study options through us
If studying law sounds like the right fit, you can compare online law courses from leading Australian universities through us at Open Universities Australia.
Still weighing up your options? Try Help Me Choose for personalised course recommendations or speak with a student advisor for guidance on study pathways, entry requirements and finding the course that suits your goals.
About the author
Jil Hogan
Contributor
Jil Hogan is a Brisbane-based journalist and content writer with more than 15 years experience working across newspapers, magazines and digital media. She has written about everything from property and business to food, wine, health and education, with bylines including The Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, Domain, The Canberra Times and Good Food.
FAQs about studying law
How much reading is involved in a law degree?
Quite a lot. Reading legislation, court decisions and academic materials is a core part of studying law. The amount varies between subjects, but most students find they become faster as they progress through their degree.
Do you need to be good at debating to study law?
No. While clear communication is important, studying law isn't about winning arguments. It's about analysing information, applying legal principles and presenting logical, evidence-based reasoning.
Is studying law hard in Australia?
Studying law can be challenging because you'll read complex material, analyse legal problems and learn new ways of thinking. But you don't need prior legal knowledge to succeed. Students develop these skills over time through practice and feedback.
Do law students have to attend court or complete work experience?
It depends on your course. Some subjects include practical activities such as mooting, which involves simulated court proceedings, or opportunities to observe the legal system in action.
If you want to become a practising lawyer, you’ll also need to meet the practical training requirements that apply in your jurisdiction. Read more about how work experience works for law degrees.
Can I study law while working full-time?
You can. In fact, many students do. An increasing number of law students are already balancing careers, families and other responsibilities while they study. If you need flexibility, studying part-time or online can make it easier to fit your degree around your existing commitments.
