Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

*Students interested in studying this degree part-time should consult with the Law Head of Students by contacting lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au.

**Students commencing in Spring will undertake their first session in the Bachelor of Arts, before completing their first year of Law in their second year of enrolment.

Overview

A Bachelor of Arts- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) equips you with a comprehensive legal education: a world-class degree that provides a thorough grounding in the law, as well as a real-world focus on the essential practical skills and the social and ethical context in which the law operates.

The Honours year has two functions at UOW; as an in-depth project at the end of undergraduate study, and as a bridge between undergraduate study and advanced research.

Studying Honours gives you:

• Training in research skills and information systems (archives, the Library, databases, electronic research networks)
• The ability to present complex ideas verbally and in writing
• The opportunity to work closely with a supervisor and prepare a major project to meet critical deadlines
• Experience in devising, researching and writing up an individual topic of study in an extended format

We believe that practical experience is a vital part of your legal training. We are the only law school in New South Wales that requires you to complete a legal internship, providing highly valued industry experience.

We are committed to social justice and providing a legal education that engages with the complexities of law's intersection with society.

This double degree delivers a practical and contextual legal education that prepares graduates not only for traditional careers in the legal profession but also for a wide range of careers in government, business and community organisations – as leaders, innovators and problem solvers.

Course Learning Outcomes 

Please refer to the Undergraduate Course Handbook page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws (Honours), a candidate must successfully complete at least 240 credit points, comprised of the following:

1. All compulsory Law subjects as set out in the schedule below (114 credit points);
2. One 6 credit point elective subject from the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) elective list (6 credit points);
3. LLB4400 Legal Research Methodology (12 credit points);
4. LLB4401 Legal Research Thesis (12 credit points);
5. One major chosen from the Bachelor of Arts (minimum 48, maximum 60 credit points);
6. One minor chosen from the Bachelor of Arts (24 credit points);
7. If required, elective subjects to bring the total number of subjects completed to 240.

Notes:

• No more than 48 credit points shall be of 100-level subjects.
• Students in this degree are not required to take LHA 101.
• Where any subjects have the prefix LAW, the equivalent Bachelor of Laws (LLB) subjects must be substituted.

Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Majors and Minors

Students in this degree will complete at least one major and one minor chosen from the Bachelor of Arts. Major and minor options are available on the course handbook page.

If students have sufficient electives, they may wish to turn their minor into a second major.

Compulsory Work Placement / Online Components

Undertaking a work integrated learning experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

Law students will complete a Legal Internship subject (LLB3397). This subject is the vehicle for a practical placement designed to expose students to the application of the law in practice; enable students to understand the importance of developing the skills of legal research; communication, drafting, practice management and problem solving; and enable students to observe and reflect upon the values, ethical standards and conduct of the legal profession in practice. This course contains a total of 140 hours over 4 weeks of compulsory work-based placements. This course may also contain compulsory components to be completed online.

Law Professional Recognition / Accreditation

The UOW Bachelor of Laws (single LLB or in combination with another degree) is accredited by the Legal Procession Admission Board (LPAB) as satisfying the academic requirements necessary for admission to practice as a lawyer. On completion of the Bachelor of Laws, a student who wishes to practise as a barrister or solicitor must also undertake some form of professional practical training, the requirements for which vary between each state and territory of Australia.

In New South Wales, a student who intends to qualify for admission to practise as a legal practitioner is required to undertake a practical legal training (PLT) course accredited by the LPAB, followed by or incorporating a period of practical experience in a law-related setting. Practical experience gained by students in LLB3397 Legal Internship may be counted towards this practical experience requirement (eg ANU and College of Law will recognise days completed as part of LLB3397). Graduates should check with their PLT provider. A list of LPAB accredited PLT courses can be found on the LPAB website.

Students who intend to practise as lawyers after admission should obtain further information about restricted practice and the mandatory continuing legal education requirements from the Law Society of New South Wales. Students who intend to practise as barristers after admission will be required to read with a senior barrister for a period of time and to undertake the Bar Readers' Course before being qualified to take briefs on their own account. Further information is available from the New South Wales Bar Association.

Honours Guide and Code of Practice

The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts Honours Guide provides detailed information on all Honours courses and can be accessed from the LHA Honours Programs page.

Students are advised to refer to the University's Code of Practice - Honours.

Grade of Honours

Honours Grades are calculated in accordance with the University's General Course Rules.

Other Information

For further information please email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au