Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws

Why study the Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws at UNE?

BAgr component: Students gain confidence in their ability to search for and find sources of information relevant to the discipline. Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development.

LLB component: This course equips students with the skills needed to ensure the ongoing currency of their legal knowledge; appreciate law as a tool for social justice; and have an understanding that law is a dynamic discipline.

There are a range of employment options from which to choose. Graduates who wish to be admitted to practice as a solicitor, barrister or legal practitioner anywhere in Australia will also have to undertake a course of professional legal training (PLT). This can consist of approximately half a year's full-time training, undertaken internally or externally, or of equivalent part-time training. In some jurisdictions, it may be possible to do articles of clerkship instead. Because the system adopted varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, enquiries should be made to the admission authority in the state or territory in which you intend to practice; this is usually a committee of the Supreme Court of that State or Territory or a special body set up to administer admissions to the legal profession. Additional information can be found on the School of Law page.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this degree can expect employment in agricultural advisory fields in the public and private sector, management and consulting in the cropping and animal industries, agribusiness, primary production, landcare, soil conservation and natural resource management. This degree is a relevant degree for those wishing to become secondary school agriculture teachers.

The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW. Upon completion of the LLB, graduates may complete a period of practical legal training and be qualified to apply for admission as an Australian Lawyer. After admission you are then eligible to apply for a practising certificate as a solicitor from the Law Society of NSW or undertake further studies to obtain a practising certificate as a barrister from the Bar Association of NSW.

At the completion of the five years you will have a range of employment options from which to choose.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

5 Years Full-time
Up to 12 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

84.40 / 8

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation BAgr/LLB
Course Type Undergraduate
CRICOS Code 055675B
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Online
Course Duration
  • 5 Years Full-time
  • Up to 12 years Part-time
2017 ATAR 84.40
2017 OP 8
Fees CSP / International
Total Credit Points 240
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in 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).

Assumed knowledge is any two units of English; any two units of Mathematics.

Recommended studies: Agriculture, Biology and/or Chemistry.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

12 weeks of practical experience in trimester breaks is required for the Bachelor of Agriculture component. For further information refer to the School of Environmental and Rural Science Practical Experience webpage.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

It is not possible to award advanced standing to law units on the basis of work experience due to professional accreditation rules or to studies that were completed in a course other than one leading to admission as a legal practitioner or to a unit that is not listed in a course leading to admission as a legal practitioner.

Honours

Agriculture component: On completion of 144 credit points including all requirements for the Bachelor of Agriculture component of the double degree program, students with a meritorious academic record may be permitted to enrol for the Bachelor of Science with Honours. The Honours year in Science requires the completion of a research project and the submission of a thesis embodying a literature review and the results of the research project.

Law component: Students who have achieved a grade point average of 5.5 or better after completing at least 72 credit points of law units (P=4, C=5, D=6, HD=7) may be admitted to the Honours Program in the final year of study. This program is based on a thesis of 10,000 words. The Honours result is based on 60% of the grade awarded for the honours unit plus 40% of grades for LLM500, LAW400, LAW455 and LAW480.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

Dioptase (BCC 203) and Ultramarine (BCC 148)

Further Information

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

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws 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.

It is not possible to award advanced standing to law units on the basis of work experience due to professional accreditation rules or to studies that were completed in a course other than one leading to admission as a legal practitioner or to a unit that is not listed in a course leading to admission as a legal practitioner.

Period of Candidature

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

Course Requirements

To qualify for the two awards a candidate must pass units to the value of 240 credit points comprising:
Bachelor of Agriculture component: 96 credit points with not more than 36 credit points at 100-level, at least 24 credit points at 300-level and a maximum of 12 credit points at 400-level;
Bachelor of Laws component: 144 credit points with not more than 36 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level or above.

To qualify for the award with Honours a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 36 credit points at 100-level, at least 36 credit points at 300-level and at least 36 credit points at 400-level or higher including LAW490 and LLM500.

Program of Study

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

Course Structure Credit Points Credit Points
Bachelor of Agriculture component: 96 cps
Core Units 78 cps
Practical Experience: 12 weeks -
Prescribed Units 6
Listed Units 12 cps
Bachelor of Laws component: 144 cps
Core Units 108 cps
Listed Units
OR
Honours
18-36 cps
OR
0-18 cps
Total 240 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Agriculture and the Bachelor of Laws.

Pathway to Honours

Students may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Laws with Honours on the basis of an academic record including the Honours stream deemed by the School to be of sufficient merit. To be admitted to the Honours stream candidates must have completed 72 credit points of law units at UNE with a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 or better.

Where students have completed 72 credit points of law units with a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 or better, but not all units have been completed at UNE, with the exception of LAW400, LAW455, LAW480 then the student may be admitted to the Honours stream at the discretion of the Head of School.

Award of Honours

To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours, candidates must have successfully completed the Honours stream made up of LAW490 and LLM500.
There will be three levels of Honours: First Class Honours, Second Class Honours and Third Class Honours. Honours result will be calculated as follows: 33.33% LAW490 plus 66.67% of the GPA of LLM500, LAW400, LAW480, LAW455.
An exceptionally distinguished student who has been awarded First Class Honours with a GPA of 6.5 or above in Law units may be awarded a University Medal.

Quality in Bachelor Honours Degrees

All students as well as all individuals undertaking a supervisory role for bachelor honours students will be familiar with the responsibilities associated with research supervisors and students, the research examination procedures and procedures for handling any difficulties that might arise during supervision, and the consequences of failing in their obligations. These responsibilities are outlined in School of Law Honours Handbook and available on the School website.

Appointment of Supervisor

In negotiation with the coordinator, students are appointed a research supervisor who is an academic member of the School of Law that can appropriately supervise the topic chosen by the student. Students are encouraged to meet with their supervisor regularly and continue these meetings, where appropriate, for the duration of the unit. Although it is expected that the frequency of the meetings will tend to follow the outlined Formative Assessment Milestones e.g., submitting a proposed topic, research proposal, draft chapters and oral presentation. Meetings may be in person, online, videoconference or telephone conference. From time to time students may be requested to attend supervision meetings in person.

Thesis

(a) In order to complete LAW490, the student shall submit a thesis, embodying an independent investigation on a topic approved by the course coordinator, in a form approved by the course coordinator. The results of the student's work shall make a sound contribution to the discipline of law.
(b) Depending on the topic under investigation, the approval of the relevant Ethics Committee must be sought if required.
(c) Except with the permission of the course coordinator, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the thesis shall not exceed 10,000 words of text, excluding appendices.
(d) Students will be required to enrol in and complete the year long thesis LAW490.

Submission of Thesis

(a) The submission and presentation of the thesis must follow the guidelines set out in the Essential Guide for Studying Law.
(b) Students must comply with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation. The student may not present, as the thesis, any work that has been the basis of the award of a degree at this or another university.

Examination of Thesis

(a) The thesis is examined by two internal examiners. The examiners are selected by the unit coordinator, who will take the recommendation of the supervisor into account.
(b) The thesis supervisor shall not be one of the internal examiners.
(c) The names of the examiners will not be released to the student until after the examination process is complete and may be withheld at the request of the examiners.
(d) Examiners are normally expected to complete and return their report to the unit coordinator within FOUR (4) weeks of the thesis being delivered.
(e) The examiners may write a joint report or separate reports and are expected to recommend that the thesis (LAW490) be given a percentage mark.
(f) If the examiners are unable to reach an agreement, the unit coordinator will appoint an additional examiner to review the reports and recommendations. The unit coordinator will then recommend a percentage mark, taking into account the examiners’ reports.
(g) The unit coordinator will make a recommendation to the Board of Examiners regarding the percentage grade to be awarded for the thesis.
(h) The unit coordinator will advise the supervisor of the recommended percentage grade and provide them with a copy of the examiners' report(s). If the supervisor disputes this outcome, the supervisor should provide a report to the Board of Examiners outlining the reason for the dispute and their own recommended percentage grade.
(i) The Board of Examiners will make the final determination as to the outcome of the examination of the thesis, based on the recommendation of the examiners or, where the examiners had not been able to reach agreement, the unit coordinator.

Honours Result

Honours grades will be awarded in accordance with the University assessment policy.
Honours result will be calculated as follows: 60% for LAW490 plus 40% of the GPA of LLM500, LAW400, LAW480, LAW455.
There will be three levels of Honours: First Class Honours, Second Class Honours and Third Class Honours.

Suspensions and Extensions

The school may grant an extension or suspension of candidature, or a combination of both, to full-time candidates for up to three months or to part-time candidates for up to 6 months as follows:
(a) to compensate by way of extension of candidature, a candidate for time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and unavoidable difficulties; or
(b) to compensate by way of suspension of candidature, a candidate who produces evidence that he/she shall not be in a position to pursue work towards the Honours thesis unit, LAW490.

Re-enrolment

A student, who has previously withdrawn from enrolment in the honours program, must meet the admission requirements at the time of an application for re-enrolment.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules candidates who discontinue their studies in the double degree program may be eligible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies on completion of 72 credit points of law units (LAW, LS or LLM).
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Bachelor of Laws. This may mean that students may not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Transfer from another Award

Students in another award may apply for admission into this course on successful completion of at least 6 units with a minimum GPA of 4.5.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Laws degree seeks to produce graduates who have an excellent science base for the application of scientific knowledge to agricultural practice. Students will not have detailed specialist knowledge but will have developed an appreciation of the science contributing to the main components of the agricultural system as well as good knowledge of practical agriculture. The degree provides a basic scientific background to allow students to interpret and apply scientific principles to the management of agricultural systems, be they plant, soil or animal. The degree also provides graduates with a professionally accredited Law degree and a critical and progressive approach to the existing law and legal system equipping them with the necessary technical and specialist skills including:

1. understanding and knowledge of Australian law and awareness of indigenous, international and theoretical perspectives;

2. competence in using legal research and analytical skills that equip them to work in the legal profession or in a broad range of law related occupations;

3. the ability to take a strategic approach to problem solving by applying critical and innovative thinking to complex legal issues and situations;

4. competence in oral and written communication;

5. the ability to work independently and in groups; and

6. professional judgement and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with having completed a law degree.

7. LLB with Honours students:

and a comprehensive understanding of theoretical, comparative or interdisciplinary research to examine law's effect on society and the effectiveness of the Australian Legal System.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. BAgr component: demonstrate a coherent understanding of agriculture by articulating the methods of agriculture and explaining why current agricultural knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry and by explaining the role and relevance of agriculture in society;
  2. exhibit depth and breadth of agricultural knowledge by demonstrating well-developed knowledge in at least one disciplinary area and by demonstrating knowledge in at least one other disciplinary area;
  3. critically analyse and solve agricultural problems by gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources, designing and planning an investigation, selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation and collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from data;
  4. be effective communicators of agriculture by communicating agricultural results, information or arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes and using a variety of modes; and
  5. be accountable for their own learning and scientific work by being independent and self-directed learners, working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context, demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to their disciplinary area and personally practising ethical conduct.
  6. LLB component: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values, and principles; and have an awareness of international law, and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues;
  7. communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing;
  8. demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives;
  9. demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated;
  10. demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge;
  11. demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses;
  12. demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts;
  13. demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved; and
  14. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform.
  15. LLB with Honours students: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and have an awareness of international law and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues;
  16. communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing;
  17. demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives;
  18. demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated;
  19. demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge;
  20. demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses;
  21. demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts;
  22. demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved;
  23. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform;
  24. conceive, plan and implement an independent programme of legal research that could take a theoretical, comparative or an interdisciplinary approach;
  25. develop and present an oral summary of an independent programme of legal research; and
  26. produce a written thesis that demonstrates original thinking, a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

BAgr component: Students will develop a strong scientific understanding of practical and theoretical aspects of agricultural science and management, and a well-developed capacity for analysis. They will obtain knowledge from lectures, reading materials and by direct experience in practicals and field excursions. Students will be expected to know key terms and concepts to the extent that they can demonstrate and apply them in assessments. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations for some units, and in online tests, practical tasks, oral presentations, essays and reports. Agricultural systems are part of the biosphere, the global perspective is drawn upon in all areas involved with understanding, applying and evaluating agricultural information. Knowledge is built upon from information gathered from agricultural systems throughout the world. Thus teaching will draw upon case studies and examples from a range of countries. Students develop the global context of the discipline and its ability to minimise or solve problems. Interaction with students from all over Australia and overseas will assist in developing students' understanding of global issues. LLB component: Knowledge of the discipline is taught, practised and assessed in both core units and electives; in particular the fundamental discipline areas prescribed by the admitting authorities are taught in the core units. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these key areas that lead to accreditation as a barrister or solicitor in Australia. Students will also be encouraged to consider the law through indigenous, theoretical and international perspectives. Although the focus of an Australian law degree is Australian law, Law units will often provide information about relevant law in other areas of the world in order to encourage a critical perspective. Legal resources may include international law, comparative material such as case-law and legislation from other jurisdictions and also social, political and economic perspectives. LLB with Honours students: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of one particular area of law that the student has selected to research for their Honours thesis.

Communication Skills

BAgr component: Students are taught and assessed on a range of different communication types appropriate to science graduates. There is emphasis on the ability to provide clear and accurate descriptions of agricultural science issues; on writing reports of technical and scientific investigations; and on presenting critical reviews of knowledge. Within the core and prescribed units communication tasks address a range of different audiences and use oral, written and electronic presentation. LLB component: Both oral and written communication skills will be practised and assessed throughout the course. In particular, students will develop skills in legal writing and argument. These skills will benefit participants' ability to communicate with both clients and colleagues in both legal and non-legal contexts. LLB with Honours students: Communicate effectively and confidently orally and in written forms to present well-reasoned arguments, challenge existing theories and defend new ideas and theories in various modes based on doctrinal or interdisciplinary research.

Problem Solving

BAgr component: Students are taught in the scientific context of researching the background to a problem, formulating one or more hypotheses in agricultural science to be tested, and drawing conclusions from the results of those tests. Many practical assignments are based around this approach. Problem solving skills are also developed in field and laboratory settings where students decide the best approach to performing tasks. This will prepare students for dealing with and solving real-world problems that arise in agricultural science and management. LLB component: This graduate attribute is taught, practised and assessed throughout the course using scenarios requiring students to identify legal issues, apply the law, and construct relevant, creative and ethically appropriate solutions. Students are also encouraged to respond and apply these problem-solving skills to broader societal projects. LLB with Honours students: Manage a project by identifying critical issues and conceptualising problems, critically analyse data collected and other relevant information and formulate recommendations and potential solutions.

Information Literacy

BAgr component: Students will be taught how to access the literature (especially online resources), how to evaluate the robustness of literature sources (discrimination skills) and how to critique available information. Students will then practise these skills through the generation of reports and oral presentations in relation to agricultural science. LLB component: Students will be required to identify, access and navigate complex databases to retrieve primary and secondary material. This requires them to obtain a high level of information literacy. Students will also be required to critically evaluate this information to complete assessment tasks. LLB with Honours students: Demonstrate an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within law and other disciplines, and use information collected or generated to construct new concepts or create new understandings.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

BAgr component: Students are taught ethical practices in relation to the discipline, including respecting intellectual property rights, ethical behaviour in fieldwork and assessment tasks, and honesty and trust as the basis of the cooperative endeavour of science. Students will be encouraged to act ethically and be socially responsible. These are underlying principles of the discipline of agricultural science which enable the production of food and fibre at the same time as protecting the environment. Legal obligations and responsibility will also be integrated into the teaching content. LLB component: Students are taught to recognise and reflect upon ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts and to develop their ability to exercise professional judgment. Students are also encouraged throughout the course to reflect critically on the impact of the law on society.

Lifelong Learning

BAgr component: Students gain confidence in their ability to search for and find sources of information relevant to the discipline. Students will develop the ability to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies and/or study skills in pursuit of ongoing personal and professional development. LLB component: This course equips students with the skills needed to ensure the ongoing currency of their legal knowledge; appreciate law as a tool for social justice; and have an understanding that law is a dynamic discipline.

Independence and Collaboration

BAgr component: Students are encouraged and taught to develop independence of thought and action. Teamwork is used in classes at all levels, especially in practical work in the field and laboratory. Students develop the skills to work cooperatively to define and achieve common goals, to take initiative and to assume responsibility for tasks. Students will learn in a professional forum to discuss, calmly and rationally, ideas and concepts, sometimes controversial and sometimes from different points of view. This, in addition to the ability to use the language of the discipline in reasoned argument, is one of the aims of online discussions. LLB component: Students are encouraged to learn and work independently, and where appropriate to collaborate effectively. Students are also encouraged to communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

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International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International. This course is only available on campus.

For more information, click here

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