Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
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.
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.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
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
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
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 the discipline's focus on justice and critique.
There are no majors in this degree but students can choose from a wide range of electives to suit their interests.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | 102591A |
| Online | Term 1 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | N/A |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
The Bachelor of Laws must be completed in no less than 3 years full-time study of law, unless exceptional circumstances apply and are approved by the Course Coordinator.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Core Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGL1001 | Legal Research and Writing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGL1005 | Legal Process | Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2011 | Statutory Interpretation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGL1006 | Jurisprudence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2002 | Contract Law I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2003 | Contract Law II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2015 | Torts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2007 | Corporations Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2012 | Property Principles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2017 | Principles of Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2010 | Environmental Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2009 | Criminal Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2006 | Administrative Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2005 | Constitutional Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2016 | Evidence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2008 | Criminal Procedure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS2013 | Civil Litigation and Procedure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS3003 | Professional Conduct | Note 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS3006 | Public Law Remedies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LAWS3007 | Private Law Remedies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Double Degree Early Exit Pathways | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be eligible to exit with a Bachelor of Laws from the double degrees listed below, students will need to complete the exit pathways detailed: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Note 1: | Attendance and participation in the practicums/residentials for this unit is mandatory. A student who cannot attend at the scheduled time must contact the Unit Assessor promptly to determine if an acceptable alternative arrangement can be put in place, with documented reasons that warrant Special Consideration, or else the student may fail the unit. |
| Note 2: | Participation in the practicums/residentials for this unit is normally expected and strongly encouraged. However, any students who cannot participate at the scheduled time may be able to view or download a recording from MySCU Blackboard. |
| Note 3: | In order to meet the training and assessment requirements prescribed by the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS), students are required to attend a compulsory three-day practicum/residential. |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select four (4) Option Units | |||||
| LAWS2056 | Family Law Practice | ||||
| LEGL2008 | Conveyancing Law | Note 2 | |||
| LAWS2057 | Welfare Law | ||||
| LAWS2060 | Drugs, Crime and the Law | ||||
| LAWS2018 | Wills and Estates | ||||
| LAWS2019 | Employment and Industrial Relations Law | ||||
| JUST2005 | EEO and OH&S Law and Practice | ||||
| LAWS2014 | Local Government and Planning Law | ||||
| LAWS2020 | Intellectual Property | ||||
| LAWS3001 | Clinical Legal Experience | ||||
| LAWS3002 | Law Placement | ||||
| LAWS2021 | International Business Law | ||||
| LAWS2022 | Competition and Consumer Law | ||||
| LEGL2011 | Mediation and Dispute Resolution | Note 1 | |||
| LEGL2012 | Mediation Practice and Procedure | Note 3 | |||
| LAWS2038 | Advanced Advocacy | ||||
| LAWS2023 | International Law | ||||
| JUST2004 | Human Rights | ||||
| LAWS2024 | Commercial Law | ||||
| LEGL2017 | Public Interest Advocacy | ||||
| LAWS2063 | Race and the Law | ||||
| LEGL2009 | Mooting | ||||
| LAWS2028 | Animal Law | ||||
| LAWS2032 | Comparative Law | ||||
| LAWS2065 | Ecological Jurisprudence | ||||
| LAWS2066 | Climate Law and Policy | ||||
| LAWS2035 | International Business Negotiations | ||||
| INDG2012 | Indigenous Rights | ||||
| LAWS3004 | Jessup Moot | ||||
| LAWS2052 | Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law | ||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
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 Outcome |
|---|
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. |
The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. They may include research proposals, research essays, reports, oral and written presentations, case studies, online and class participation, and examinations. The weighting of assessment marks between assignments and examinations also varies.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
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.
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.
The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession, and is accredited with the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB). Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to be eligible to practise as a lawyer.
Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should check with the relevant country’s admission body to confirm their practising requirements.
The subject ‘LEGL2012 - Mediation Practice and Procedure’, meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the National Mediator Accreditation System. As such, Southern Cross University is recognised as an Education and Training Provider Member of the Mediation Standards Board. Upon successful completion of the unit, students may apply to a Registered Mediation Accreditation Body (RMAB) to finalise their accreditation.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.