Bachelor of Legal Studies

Year

View in 2021+ Handbook

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Legal Studies at UNE?

The Bachelor of Legal Studies is a broad and comprehensive course which will provide graduates with a wide legal knowledge and skills in legal reasoning. In particular, this course provides students with the opportunity to design their own program of study after completing the core units. Students may study units of interest from a particular category which will enhance career opportunities in an ever-changing legal services market. The course will also provide career opportunities for those with an interest in a career in policy development and the justice sector.

Students who want to become lawyers will be able to apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Laws (4 Years) on completion of the 8 core units, or who achieve a grade point average of 4.2 or above in a minimum of 4 units during or at the completion of their studies.

Students who wish to exit this course early with the Diploma in Paralegal Studies may do so with the completion of the required 8 core units, or the Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies on the completion of 12 units, being the 8 core units, plus any 4 listed units.

Career Opportunities

This broad and comprehensive course will enhance career opportunities for those who want to work in, what might be described as, an ever-changing legal services market. Almost every industry across the private and public sector depends on professionals with an excellent understanding of the law and skills in legal reasoning. In particular, this course will provide graduates with legal knowledge to equip them to be paralegals working for in-house lawyers (the fastest growing sector in law at present), not just legal practices or law firms, or to pursue a range of careers in areas such as banking and finance, communications and public relations, corporate governance, court administration, information technology, journalism and publishing, justice departments, politics and public policy-making, and research and policy analysis. In addition, opportunities are available in mining and agricultural companies, natural resource and environmental management agencies, and in local, state and federal government.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

New Course

2018 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation

BLegStuds

Course Type

Undergraduate

CRICOS Code

098051A

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 2	Online
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Online

Course Duration

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

144

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Academic Colours

Ultramarine (BCC148)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Legal Studies in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level; at least 36 credit points at 300-level and not more than 12 credit points at 400-level from units listed for this course.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	48 cps
Listed Units	48 cps
Elective Units	48 cps
Total	144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Legal Studies.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who discontinue their studies in the Bachelor of Legal Studies may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in Paralegal Studies on completion of 48 credit points of Core Units. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Diploma in Paralegal Studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements for the Bachelor of Legal Studies. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who discontinue their studies in the Bachelor of Legal Studies may be eligible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies on completion of 72 credit points comprising 48 credit points of Core Units and 24 credit points of Listed Units. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements for the Bachelor of Legal Studies. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Course Aims

To graduate students who can demonstrate:

· a knowledge of the fundamentals of the Australian legal system;

· knowledge of areas that could include judicial administration, criminology, criminal law, business studies, management, communications, environmental and rural studies;

· the knowledge and skills to work in many different roles in research, operations, policy or advocacy in the justice sector;

· autonomy, well-developed judgment and ethical responsibility; and

· cognitive, technical and communication skills to undertake professional roles in research, operations, policy or advocacy in the justice sector.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge and have an understanding of law's purpose and its application;
demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and appreciate law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform;
demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the fundamental areas of law, law's values and principles, an awareness of international law and an understanding of indigenous legal issues;
critically analyse and suggest ethically appropriate solutions in an effective and persuasive manner; and
be accountable for their own learning by being independent and self-directed learners, and personally practising ethical conduct.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will understand the fundamental discipline areas of the law of Australia, but will also have an awareness of indigenous and international perspectives.

Communication Skills

Graduates will be able to communicate legal information or arguments to a range of audiences in both legal and non-legal contexts.

Problem Solving

Graduates will be able to identify legal issues, apply the law and construct ethically appropriate solutions.

Information Literacy

Graduates will be able to critically evaluate legal information from a range of sources using technology and communicate it to a range of audiences.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Graduates will be able to recognise ethical issues that may arise in the legal context and act in a socially responsible way both as an individual and in a team environment, recognising law's impact on society.

Lifelong Learning

Graduates will recognise the need to take personal responsibility for the ongoing currency of their legal knowledge appreciating that law is a tool for social justice; and that law is a dynamic discipline.