Bachelor of Laws
Undergraduate | SCU-LAW-DEG | 2023
Course information for 2023 intake
View information for 2024 course intakeBecome a lawyer in just three years
Develop legal reasoning and research skills that are essential for a career in law. Deep dive into the Australian legal system. Offering diverse electives and professional work placements, this degree prepares graduates for a range of legal careers.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Price from
- $43,800
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Laws
About this degree
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
- Access, manage, research and evaluate sources of information using intellectual and practical skills relevant to legal research and policy issues in professional practice
- Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems
- Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and sustainability in service to the community
- Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts
- Demonstrate an understanding of 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
- Learn and work independently by reflection and assessment of their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements
- Collaborate and communicate using appropriate academic skills in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences
- Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.
Complete the academic prerequisites to become a lawyer in just three years with the Bachelor of Laws, developing the intellectual, critical, and practical skills needed in the professional practice of law.
In addition to the core units, which comply with professional accreditation requirements, the course includes unique core units such as the philosophy of law and environmental law, that reflect our focus on justice and critique.
Elective units cover areas as diverse as human rights, race and the law, animal law, climate law and policy, psychology and the law and ecological jurisprudence. An elective in mediation meets national requirements, setting you on the way to becoming a nationally accredited mediator.
You may also complete electives via rewarding and academically rigorous Summer or Winter School intensives and undertake work placements and law mooting as part of your studies.
Recommended study pattern
TBA
Award requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws - Undergraduate Entry, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
• 17 core units (204 credit points), and
• 7 Law electives (84 credit points).
Students wishing to complete the Bachelor of Law (Honours) should refer to the rules for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.
Learn more about SCU.
Explore SCU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 32
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 34
How to apply
Southern Cross University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Southern Cross University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
ATAR: 80 or equivalent
If your ATAR is not high enough for the course you desire, you can complete one of our fee-free pathway programs – Preparing for Success Program (three-month course) or Transition to Uni (six-week intensive course over summer). These provide excellent preparation for university, equipping you with the academic and study skills you need to succeed.
If you successfully complete a pathway course – delivered through SCU College – you may then apply for entry to a range of Bachelor degrees.
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
A candidate who has completed the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to a total of eight (8) Law units into the undergraduate Bachelor of Laws degree.
Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing.
Study method requirements
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.
Career opportunities
This course will equip graduates with the skills to start a legal career and practise as a lawyer, and for a wide range of careers in corporate management, legal aid and in the community sector or the private sector.
During their careers, graduates may choose to specialise in fields such as family law, wills and estate planning, criminal law, corporate law, property and conveyancing law, town planning and environmental law, employment and industrial relations, commercial law, compensation law, entertainment law and sporting law.
Career outlook
- Barristers:
- Unknown average
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $111K
- Solicitors:
- $86K to $111K