Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice

The Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice (the Professional Program) is offered by the Faculty of Business and Law. Information on the Bachelor of Laws programs is included here to provide background context for this program.

The Bachelor of Laws degree is offered as a three year full-time graduate program or as a five year full-time program offered in combination with other degree programs: Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Communication, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Social Science. The Bachelor of Laws degree meets the academic requirements needed to gain admission to the practice of law in New South Wales.

During the first three years, combined degree students enrol in the courses offered by the Faculty of Business and Law as part of the LLB program, as well as courses within other Faculties to complete one of the seven degrees taken in combination with the LLB. During the final two years they enrol in LAWS courses only. For information about the non-Law degrees and patterns of study for the combined degrees, refer to the relevant program entries.

Students who already hold a Bachelor's degree undertake the graduate LLB program over three years of full-time study.

Students may undertake the Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice in the final two years of their Law studies.

The opportunities created by the Professional Program and the LLB Program reflect the many career options open to law graduates. Law is now regarded as a useful general education, providing understanding of how our society functions, and fostering skills of analytical and logical reasoning. Some graduates may choose not to practise law, but their qualifications will enhance their employment opportunities in areas of business, government and administration. For further career information see: http://newcastle.edu.au//students/degrees-to-careers/

The Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice Program is only available to students who have met the requirements for their non-Law degree and are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws program at the University of Newcastle. Admission to the professional program is on a competitive basis and selection is based 100% on academic merit in the core program courses with at least 60 of the 80 units being completed at the University of Newcastle. Only core program courses completed at Newcastle will be considered.

• Admission to this program is by completing the prescribed application form and submitting it to the City Hub on the set closing date in November in the year prior to which admission is sought.

  For further selection criteria please see:

  http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/law/students/current.html

Generally credit in the Bachelor of Laws is only considered from another law degree.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program go to https://intraweb.newcastle.edu.au/catso/pages/credittransferhome.aspx to apply online.

Students undertake Professional Placements.

The Bachelor of Laws degree meets the academic requirements needed to gain admission to the practice of law in New South Wales. Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice graduates are eligible to apply for admission to practice as a legal practitioner without further study.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. There is a minimum requirement of 7.0 IELTS result (with a minimum of 6.0 in each subtest) or equivalent for this program.

All International students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Student with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester commences or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School Officers will work together to ensure reasonable adjustments are provided in a timely manner. Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medial condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

Students should refer to the Bachelor of Laws Handbook entry for information regarding the Bachelor of Laws courses.