A Law alumni is standing in front of a tiled wall looking over her shoulder

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    Online

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    LLB(Hons)

  • Course code

    3508002

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    1 year full-time

  • Location

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours is an additional year of study designed for high-achieving law students interested in research and in bolstering their undergraduate law degree. An Honours year offers an opportunity to work on a piece of specialised scholarship that accords with a student’s particular interest in law reform. Students are encouraged to take an explicit doctrinal or theoretical position on their topic.

It is a thorough preparation for the demands of a career in law, and the basis for a career in academia and research. It may enhance career prospects, be a pathway to a PhD or further study at the postgraduate level. Eligible graduates may be considered for a University Medal.

Southern Cross is home to a dynamic and supportive community of legal scholars with a strong interdisciplinary focus in research. Under the supervision of a qualified legal scholar, students will undertake an extensive project and produce an original thesis which may lie in the exploration and deeper understanding of research methodologies, legal theories and legal scholarship, or in the wide gamut of legal practice from family and civil law to criminal and specialist legal practice. 

To be eligible for Honours, you must:

  • Confirm you have completed an Australian Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree (AQF level 7) with a minimum GPA of 5.50 on 20 of the highest 12-credit point law units (or equivalent) that are credited toward the LLB degree, unless approved by the Law Honours Coordinator.
  • Contact a prospective Academic Supervisor to discuss a potential research project. Once the Supervisor has agreed to supervise you and the research project, contact the Law Honours Coordinator to confirm your enrolment.
Smiling law graduate, Sarah Ashley sitting at the Gold Coast campus

“I chose Southern Cross because I wanted somewhere where the lecturers knew me by name and provided one-on-one assistance. The course was definitely challenging but I learned so much and the staff were always so willing to help.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

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).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Apply advanced scholarship of theoretical and relevant research principles and methods in legal areas.

Demonstrate advanced cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise material and show initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in complex factual, legal and policy issues.

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning in the application of advanced knowledge and skills to complex legal issues and independence in planning and executing a project of research and scholarship.

GA2: Creativity

Apply advanced scholarship of theoretical and relevant research principles and methods in legal areas.

Demonstrate advanced cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise material and show initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in complex factual, legal and policy issues.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply advanced scholarship of theoretical and relevant research principles and methods in legal areas

Demonstrate advanced cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise material and show initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in complex factual, legal and policy issues.

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning in the application of advanced knowledge and skills to complex legal issues and independence in planning and executing a project of research and scholarship.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in one or more legal areas.

Apply advanced scholarship of theoretical and relevant research principles and methods in legal areas

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning in the application of advanced knowledge and skills to complex legal issues and independence in planning and executing a project of research and scholarship.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Communicate clearly the solutions generated by the legal research project in oral and written forms.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate advanced cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise material and show initiative and judgment in planning, problem solving and decision making in complex factual, legal and policy issues.

Communicate clearly the solutions generated by the legal research project in oral and written forms.

Location Teaching period
OnlineTerm  1

Career Outcomes

Studying law prepares graduates as critical thinkers, strong negotiators and complex problem solvers, and therefore for a wide range of careers including practice as barristers or solicitors. Graduates find work in the government sector, community sector and legal aid, academia as well as in courts and tribunals. Law graduates with honours generally have high success rates in finding post-university employment across a range of sectors.

Requirements

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.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor of Laws Degree (AQF level 7) with, unless otherwise approved by the Law Honours Coordinator, a minimum GPA of 5.50 on 20 of the highest 12-credit point law units (or equivalent) that are credited toward the LLB degree and permission from the Law Honours Coordinator. In addition, applicants are required, subject to approval of the Law Honours Coordinator, to have a research project topic and supervisor who has agreed to supervise the student and project before admission is approved.

Language requirements

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

CategoryScore
Overall Score6.5
Reading6.0
Writing6.0
Listening6.0
Speaking6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points).

Class of Honours

This degree may be awarded in the following classes:

  • First Class;
  • Second Class (Division 1); or
  • Second Class (Division 2).

Other things to consider

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.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes
Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award.
LAWS4005Law Honours Research and Methodology
Dual Term2
24 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Dual Term2
N/A
LAWS4003Advanced Legal Research and Writing
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
LAWS4004Advanced Law in Context
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
LAWS4006Law Honours Thesis I
Dual Term3
24 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Dual Term3
N/A
Pre-requisitesLAWS4005 - Law Honours Research and Methodology
LAWS4007Law Honours Thesis II
Dual Term3
24 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Dual Term3
N/A
Pre-requisitesLAWS4005 - Law Honours Research and Methodology


Note 1:

Double-weighted unit.

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
LAWS4003Advanced Legal Research and Writing
LAWS4004Advanced Law in Context
LAWS4005Law Honours Research and Methodology Note 1
LAWS4006Law Honours Thesis I Note 1
LAWS4007Law Honours Thesis II Note 1

Why Law at SCU

5-star rating

We're rated 5-stars for teaching quality and student support

(Good Universities Guide 2023: Law)

Postgraduate experience

We're rated 5-stars for postgraduate overall experience, student support and teaching quality

(GUG 2023)

Entry pathways

Entry pathways available into Bachelor of Laws from the Associate Degree in Law

(Paralegal Studies)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

Preparing to apply

  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway