updated 3:18 PM on Wed, 26 May
View course information for 2021
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Are you passionate about improving people’s lives and the societies we inhabit? This double degree boosts your grasp of processes and ideas that can make all the difference.
Graduates of this course can anticipate a wide range of careers specific to the law or social science, or as a combination of both. Spanning the public and private sectors, options include legal practice as a barrister or solicitor, social welfare, community development, social policy, social justice, research and analysis.
This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. 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.
Applicants who do not have the required entry mark are encouraged to apply for the Bachelor of Social Science. If those students achieve the required grade point average during that course, they may then apply for transfer into the double degree.
Are you passionate about improving people’s lives and the societies we inhabit? This double degree boosts your grasp of processes and ideas that can make all the difference.
Graduates of this course can anticipate a wide range of careers specific to the law or social science, or as a combination of both. Spanning the public and private sectors, options include legal practice as a barrister or solicitor, social welfare, community development, social policy, social justice, research and analysis.
This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. 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.
Applicants who do not have the required entry mark are encouraged to apply for the Bachelor of Social Science. If those students achieve the required grade point average during that course, they may then apply for transfer into the double degree.
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 |
There are no majors in the Bachelor of Laws degree, however, a diverse range of law-based elective units is available.
Go to Bachelor of Social Science for details about majors and streams offered in this course.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1, Session 2 |
| Online | Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 |
Students attend compulsory on-campus workshops.
International students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1, Session 2 |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
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 |
|---|
Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. |
Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems. |
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 ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability. |
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. Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise. |
Learn and work independently. Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements. Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice. |
Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences. Collaborate effectively and constructively with others. |
Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice. |
The assessment methods 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.
Go to Bachelor of Social Science for assessment methods in that course.
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.
Attendance at on-campus workshops is a requirement of the Bachelor of Laws for on-campus and online students. The workshops provide students with an opportunity to network, engage in a range of learning experiences and skills required at an LLB level that cannot be taught effectively solely online, and meet key representatives of the legal profession who address issues of contemporary legal practice and professional conduct. For more information, go to law workshops.
Graduates can pursue career opportunities that combine knowledge of social science and law; and those specific to each discipline.
For social science: professional roles in social welfare, community development, or in policy-related areas of government departments and the private sector.
For law: as barristers or solicitors; or in law-related areas in private, corporate, or government organisations.
You may undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices, to complement your practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working lawyers; or within environments suited to the exploration of social science careers such as government departments or non-government community organisations.
The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. 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.
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.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws with Honours, students must:
Class of Honours
This degree may be awarded in the following classes:
Exit Award
Students may be eligible to exit with the Bachelor of Laws or the Bachelor of Social Science upon completion of the requirements of the single degree.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 1. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 1. | |||
| LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing | |||
| LEGL1005 - Legal Process | |||
| SOCI1001 - Introduction to Sociology | |||
| POLT1001 - Australian Politics | |||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2015 - Torts | |||
| SOCI1002 - Understanding Community | |||
| SOCI1005 - Social Policy | |||
| SOCI1003 -
Deviance in Society | |||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2002 - Contract Law I | |||
| LAWS2008 - Criminal Procedure | |||
| LEGL1006 - Jurisprudence | |||
| CRTV1002 - Create: Innovate: Change | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2003 - Contract Law II | |||
| LAWS2009 - Criminal Law | |||
| LAWS2005 - Constitutional Law | |||
| SOCI2003 - Non-Standard Lives: Work and Family in Australia | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2010 - Environmental Law | |||
| LAWS2007 - Corporations Law | |||
| SOCI2006 - Doing Social Research | |||
| POLT2002 - Local Government | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2012 - Property Principles | |||
| LAWS2017 - Principles of Equity | |||
| POLT2001 - Ideas and Ideals in Politics | |||
| SOCI2004 - Religions and the State | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2016 - Evidence | |||
| LAWS2013 - Civil Litigation and Procedure | |||
| POLT2004 - Analysing Policy Problems | |||
| SOCI2005 - Society, Health and Illness | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2006 - Administrative Law | |||
| LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct | Note 1 | ||
| POLT2003 - Global Social Movements | |||
| 1st unit fromLaw Electives | |||
| Year 5, Session 1 | |||
| 2nd unit from Law Electives | |||
| 3rd Unit from Law Electives | |||
| 4th Unit from Law Electives | |||
| 5th Unit from Law Electives | |||
| Year 5, Session 2 | |||
| POLT3001 - Peace, War and International Politics | |||
| PLUS either | |||
| COMM3004 - Independent Project | |||
| OR | |||
| COMM3002 - Professional Placement | |||
| 6th unit from Law Electives | |||
| 7th unit from Law Electives | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 2. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 2. | |||
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing | |||
| LEGL1005 - Legal Process | |||
| LAWS2009 - Criminal Law | |||
| SOCI1005 - Social Policy | |||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2002 - Contract Law I | |||
| LAWS2008 - Criminal Procedure | |||
| SOCI1001 - Introduction to Sociology | |||
| POLT1001 - Australian Politics | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2003 - Contract Law II | |||
| LAWS2015 - Torts | |||
| SOCI1003 - Deviance in Society | |||
| SOCI1002 - Understanding Community | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2010 - Environmental Law | |||
| LEGL1006 - Jurisprudence | |||
| CRTV1002 - Create: Innovate: Change | |||
| SOCI2006 - Doing Social Research | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2012 - Property Principles | |||
| LAWS2017 - Principles of Equity | |||
| LAWS2005 - Constitutional Law | |||
| SOCI2003 - Non-Standard Lives: Work and Family in Australia | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| LAWS2007 - Corporations Law | |||
| LAWS2016 - Evidence | |||
| LAWS2013 - Civil Litigation and Procedure | |||
| POLT2004 - Analysing Policy Problems | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| LAWS2006 - Administrative Law | |||
| LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct | Note 1 | ||
| POLT2001 - Ideas and Ideals in Politics | |||
| SOCI2004 -
Religions and the State | |||
| Year 5, Session 1 | |||
| SOCI2005 - Society, Health and Illness | |||
| POLT2002 - Local Government | |||
| 1st Unit from Law Electives | |||
| 2nd Unit from Law Electives | |||
| Year 5, Session 2 | |||
| POLT3001 - Peace, War and International Politics | |||
| POLT2003 - Global Social Movements | |||
| PLUS either | |||
| COMM3004 - Independent Project | |||
| OR | |||
| COMM3002 - Professional Placement | |||
| 3rd Unit from Law Electives | |||
| Year 6, Session 1 | |||
| 4th Unit from Law Electives | |||
| 5th unit from Law Electives | |||
| 6th unit from Law Electives | |||
| 7th unit from Law Electives | |||
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 3 | |||
| LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing | |||
| LEGL1005 - Legal Process | Note 1 | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 follow the course progression for Session 1 commencement excluding the completed units. | |||
| Note 1: | Attendance at a compulsory workshop is required. |
| Title | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT2001 - Taxation | |||
| ACCT3001 - Advanced Taxation | |||
| LAWS2056 - Family Law Practice | |||
| LEGL2008 - Conveyancing Law | Note 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| JUST2001 - Victimology | |||
| LAWS2020 - Intellectual Property | |||
| LAWS3001 - Clinical Legal Experience | |||
| LAWS3002 - Law Placement | |||
| LAWS2021 - International Business Law | |||
| LEGL2010 - Information Technology and the Law | |||
| LAWS2022 - Competition and Consumer Law | |||
| LEGL2011 - Mediation and Dispute Resolution | Note 1 | ||
| LEGL2012 - Mediation Practice and Procedure | Note 1 | ||
| LAWS2054 - Criminology | |||
| LAWS2038 - Advanced Advocacy | |||
| LAWS2023 - International Law | |||
| JUST2004 - Human Rights | |||
| LAWS2024 - Commercial Law | |||
| LAWS4001 - Independent Legal Research | |||
| JUST2002 - International Criminal Justice | |||
| JUST2003 - Restorative Justice | |||
| LAWS2025 - Stock Exchange and Finance Law | |||
| LEGL2017 - Public Interest Advocacy | |||
| LAWS2026 - Entertainment Law | |||
| LAWS2063 - Race and the Law | |||
| LEGL2018 - Mediating Across Cultures | |||
| LAWS4002 - Legal Research: Context, Perspective and Method | |||
| LAWS2052 - Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law | |||
| LEGL2009 - Mooting | |||
| LAWS2059 - International Human Rights Law | |||
| LAWS2028 - Animal Law | |||
| LAWS2031 - Sexual Orientation and the Law | |||
| LAWS2032 - Comparative Law | |||
| LAWS2050 - International Trade and Development Law | |||
| LAWS2065 - Ecological Jurisprudence | |||
| LAWS2046 - Advanced Sports Law | |||
| LAWS2048 - International Humanitarian Law | |||
| LAWS2011 - Statutory Interpretation | |||
| LAW73003 - Remedies | |||
| LAWS2066 - Climate Law and Policy | |||
| POLT2005 - Struggles, Movements, and the Idea of Communism | |||
| LAWS2037 - Indigenous Jurisprudence | |||
| LAWS2034 - The Rhetoric of Law | |||
| LAWS2041 - Legal Fictions: Writing the Law | |||
| LAWS2035 - International Business Negotiations | |||
| INDG2012 - Indigenous Rights | |||
| LAWS3004 - Jessup Moot | Note 1 | ||
| LAWS2042 - Information Environmentalism | Note 1 | ||
| LAWS2044 - Crimen Exceptum: The English Witch Prosecution in Context | Note 1 | ||
| LAWS2049 - Wisdom, Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property | Note 1 | ||
| JUST2010 - Myths for the Future: Law and Climate Fiction in the 21st Century | |||
| LAWS2027 - Introduction to Chinese Business Law | |||
| JUST2007 - Performances and Power in Literature and the Law | |||
| JUST2008 - Justice Framed: Law in Films and in Graphic Novels/Comics | |||
| JUST2006 - Shifting Cultural Paradigms: Law & Literature After Postmodernism | |||
| JUST2012 - The Art of Advocacy: Mooting and Performance Rhetoric | |||
| LAWS2067 - Crossing the Line: Law and Morality in Fiction | |||
| LAWS2068 - Borders and Boundaries: Writing About Family in the 21st century | |||
| LAWS3005 - European Union: Internal Market | |||
| LAWS2069 - Troubling Transactions in Private Law |