Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts

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 (GA):

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Access, manage, research and evaluate sources of information using intellectual and practical skills relevant to legal research and policy issues in professional practice.
• Apply critical analysis, reasoning and reflexivity to social and cultural situations and problems.
• Construct persuasive independent arguments incorporating a range of perspectives and evidence.

GA2: Creativity

• Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems.
• Develop innovative and creative responses to contemporary and historical social, environmental and cultural issues.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Identify, discuss and explain approaches to ethical decision-making and reflect upon and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts.
• Identify and appraise the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and sustainability in service to the community.
• Investigate and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and equity and according to ethical conventions.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Identify, discuss and explain, a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.
• Demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of society and culture in chosen disciplines of study.
• Apply disciplinary knowledge to diverse contexts.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Exercise independent judgment, assess self-capabilities and performance, and apply feedback to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements.
• Access, evaluate and present information using academic conventions to inform decision-making and action

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Collaborate and communicate using appropriate academic skills in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.
• Communicate effectively in academic and professional settings in a variety of forms, including working autonomously or collaboratively.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Identify and discuss Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.
• Demonstrate commitment to multicultural perspectives, including practising cultural competence with Indigenous peoples.

Gain the qualifications for a Law degree, and major in Creative Writing, Social Science or the Humanities, in a double degree that will expand your skills, knowledge and career prospects.

The Law component of the degree fulfils the academic requirements to practise law in Australia, and will provide you with the intellectual, critical, and practical skills needed in the professional practice of law. You may undertake work-integrated learning (voluntary legal experience and professional placement) with legal firms, or undertake community arts learning opportunities, helping you build practical skills and develop professional networks.

The Arts component of the degree focuses on human cultures, values and beliefs, which will broaden your mind with challenging ideas. You will develop cultural awareness and a deep understanding of how to build your creative and communicative abilities, and gain transferable skills that are highly valued across all sectors.

Graduates of this double degree can pursue career opportunities that combine proficiency in the arts and law; and those specific to each discipline. This may include working in private practice as a solicitor or barrister, in government departments, non-government agencies, legal organisations or careers in the media, public relations and creative industries.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:

• 22 Core Units (264 credit points); and
• 8 Major (96 Credit points), and
• 2 Option Units (24 credit points)

Choose your subjects

Majors

Students can choose from one of the following Arts majors:

• Creative Writing
• Humanities
• Social Science.

Exit points

Students may be eligible to exit with a single award after completing the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points). Students considering early exit should apply to the Course Coordinator for advice.

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

Indicative total fee $72,096

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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We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

ATAR 80 or equivalent.

Southern Cross Uni's Early Offer program also allows Year 12 students to secure a place in most Southern Cross University undergraduate degrees before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

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. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.

• 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 as ‘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 or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Law students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.