Why study laws (graduate entry) at UoN?

The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) gives you the knowledge and skills to become a lawyer and to pursue a range of exciting careers. As you will already have a bachelor degree or equivalent, you can graduate with the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) in just three years of full-time study.

You also have the opportunity to complete the Professional Program (Diploma of Legal Practice) within your final two years of study. Completing the Professional Program means you can practice as soon as you graduate.

Laws (graduate entry) will furnish you with a wide range of professional skills and attributes which are readily sought after by the legal sector and a range of industries. Analytical problem solving, negotiation, advocacy and advanced research capabilities are just some of the skills you will develop and strengthen.

As a laws (graduate entry) graduate you will be highly competitive in the marketplace. Recent data reveals 88.1% of graduates found full-time employment within four months of completing the combined degree - 95% if the Professional Program had been completed.*

Laws (graduate entry) has a strong focus on practical experience, allowing you to apply the extensive knowledge and skills you acquire to real clients and cases.

To be considered for admission to this degree, you need to have completed a bachelor degree or equivalent tertiary qualification. If you do not hold a bachelor degree or equivalent, consider applying for the Bachelor of Laws (Combined).

*2009 Australian Graduate Survey.

Practice as soon as you graduate

In order to admitted as a lawyer you must graduate with an Australian law degree and successfully complete a practical legal training course. At Newcastle, you can fulfil both of these requirements by also choosing to study our Professional Program.

The Newcastle Law School is the only Law School in New South Wales where upon completion of your studies you can be a certified practicing Lawyer, saving you time and money by not having to sit the bar exams.

You can take advantage of this unique opportunity by enrolling in the Embedded Diploma of Legal Practice during your final two years of study.

Personalised learning environment

You will experience a friendly and supportive learning environment at the University of Newcastle Law School. You will benefit from a comfortable student-teacher ratio, which creates a personalised learning environment. You can expect:

• Small tutorial sizes
• Dedicated and accessible teachers
• First-name terms with academic staff
• A tight-knit student community

Join a vibrant student body

The Law Student Association is the heart of the student community at Newcastle Law School. The LSA builds a strong relationship between students and staff by creating a positive culture and spirit of collegiality.

From student advocacy and careers information to competitions and social events, the LSA is committed to enhancing your experience at the University of Newcastle. Annual LSA events include:

• Mooting (mock trials)
• Negotiating and client interview competitions
• Sport competitions
• Social events, including the much anticipated Law Ball

For more information, visit UNLSA.

Responsive teaching and real-world experiences

First-rate classroom tuition combined with practical, hands-on experience prepares and qualifies you to enter legal practice immediately after completing your Bachelor of Laws (Combined). Find out more

Become a graduate in demand

Graduates of the Professional Program (Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice) are eligible to apply for admission to practice as a lawyer without further study. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

Responsive teaching and real-world experiences

First-rate classroom tuition combined with practical, hands-on experience prepares and qualifies you to enter legal practice immediately after completing your Bachelor of Laws (Combined).

The University of Newcastle's law school is the first in Australia to offer an integrated learning experience. Your degree integrates experiential learning and skills training with the conventional Bachelor of Laws curriculum.

The Professional Program - Diploma of Legal Practice

A Bachelor of Laws degree requires the completion of a practical legal training course before you can practice as a lawyer. Through enrolling in the Professional Program you will complete the Diploma of Legal Practice as part of the Bachelor of Laws (Combined), which means you can practice law as soon as you graduate.

The Professional Program has a strong focus on supervised professional legal experience, giving you a range of legal experiences before you enter the profession. You will gain essential legal skills, a critical understanding of the law and an ethical approach to the practice of law.

UoN Legal Centre and 'Law on the Beach'

As a laws (combined) student, you will complete part of your professional placement time helping to run the University's own Legal Centre. You will gain invaluable experience by participating in the day and evening advice sessions held at the centre.

In first year you will conduct observations of clients at the Legal Centre. In your final years, you will take charge of clients’ files, providing advice where necessary or appropriate.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the unique 'Law on the Beach' program. Each summer on Newcastle Beach, you will provide a 'walk up' legal advice service that targets young people. The program gives you the opportunity to interview clients, brief lawyers, sit in on legal advice and do follow-up case work.

Professional placement

If you elect to do the Professional Program (Diploma of Legal Practice) in your final two years of study you will complete at least 180 hours of legal professional placement, in addition to attending seminars and undertaking skills training.

You will enrol in eight semester-long courses and two semester-long 'clinical' courses amounting to a 100 unit load, 20 units more than the standard full-time load. Courses are taught from University House in the city and on the Newcastle campus at Callaghan.

The University of Newcastle's Law School encourages you to pursue professional placements at external law firms and other organisations that you may be interested in joining at the completion of your studies. To help you arrange placements, you can take advantage of the many external relationships held by the University.

Learn from leading academics

You will be taught by a team of leading academics and legal professionals. Your teachers combine their knowledge, research findings and professional experience to deliver contemporary lessons that are relevant to legal practice.

Our academics receive national commendations for their dedication to teaching and learning.

In 2008, Katherine Lindsay, Senior Lecturer and Director of Curriculum in the Law School, was awarded the ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for her efforts with first year students. In 2009 she was also commended with the Australian College of Educators Teachers' Recognition Award.

Dr John Anderson, Senior Lecturer in the Law School, is also a recipient of a number of teaching awards. Most recently, he received the NSW Quality Teaching Award from the Australian College of Educators and NSW Minister for Education, and a Carrick Institute Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

Gain experience through national competitions

University of Newcastle law students have a competitive reputation and frequently excel in national law competitions. Recent highlights include:

• 2012 - Two students represented Australia in the International Client Counselling Competition in Dublin.
• 2011 - Grand finalists in the ALSA interviewing competition.
• 2008 - Won the prestigious Kirby Cup at the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) conference. The Kirby Cup, named in honour of cup sponsor Justice Michael Kirby, tests your ability to argue a case for law reform based on real issues of social concern.

Become a graduate in demand

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws who wish to practice must complete a postgraduate professional training approved by the Legal Profession Admission Board. The Practical Legal Training course is offered by several providers both in NSW and elsewhere in Australia.

Graduates of the Professional Program (Diploma of Legal Practice) are eligible to apply for admission to practice as a lawyer without further study.

In addition to the option of pursuing private legal practice, graduates of both the LLB degree and the Professional Program have a broad range of career opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Many of our graduates have found jobs in both State and Commonwealth Governments and in legal units in large corporate organisations.

Undertaking a law degree with the University of Newcastle will provide you with an innovative program of legal study, including real client experience, academic and professional skills education.

Be recognised

Our law graduates are highly regarded and many have successfully forged exciting careers in government and major law firms in the region, nationally and internationally. Others have gone on to pursue post-graduate studies either in Australia or overseas, such as Oxford and Cambridge Universities. One recent graduate served in the important role of Associate to a Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Meet our achievers