Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

School of Law & Business

If your ambition is to study law and you have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) is the postgraduate degree for you. The degree is a fully accredited program that can be completed in three years of accelerated full-time study. Upon graduation and completing an approved Practical Legal Training program, you are eligible to apply for admission as a legal practitioner in Australian jurisdictions. Start your legal career today.

• Why study this degree?

  The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) degree is an accelerated program aimed at students who already have a Bachelor’s degree in another field. It is designed to be completed as an accelerated program over three years of full-time study, with five subjects taken in the first semester of the first two years and four subjects per semester in all other terms.

  The program has been designed in collaboration with eminent judges, senior barristers and leading solicitors to create an academically challenging and efficient curriculum. In addition, the School of Law continues to call on prominent members of the profession to assist in teaching, adding to the efficient nature of legal education at Notre Dame.

  Through our Legal Clinic, mentoring program, courtroom visits, mooting and internship programs, our law students have multiple opportunities to experience the law in practice. Furthermore, you cultivate professional legal skills, including negotiation, advocacy and alternative dispute resolution within small, interactive class settings.

  Students are also encouraged to learn outside the classroom by participating in law competitions and attending professional development events such as our prestigious Eminent Speakers Series. This forum connects students and graduates with leading experts in discussing contemporary legal and professional matters.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • Legal Research and Writing
  • Legal Process and Statutory Interpretation
  • Criminal Law A
  • Contract Law A
  • Torts A
  • Criminal Law B
  • Contract Law B
  • Torts B

  Year Two

  • Advocacy
  • Equity
  • Property Law A
  • Constitutional Law
  • Corporations and Partnerships
  • Evidence
  • Trusts
  • Property Law B
  • Administrative Law

  Year Three

  • Remedies
  • Civil Procedure
  • Legal Philosophy
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Commercial Practice and Ethics
  • Law Elective One
  • Law Elective Two (International)
  • Law Elective Three

  Law Electives*

  • Advanced Administrative Law
  • Advanced Civil Procedure
  • Advanced Constitutional Law
  • Advanced Evidence Law
  • Advanced Research Project (i.e. Honours Research)
  • Bioethics and the Law
  • Advanced Taxation Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Commercial Drafting
  • Construction and Building Contract Law
  • Contemporary Legal Issues
  • Directed Research Project
  • Employee Relations Law
  • Entertainment Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law
  • Health Law
  • Human Rights Law
  • Indigenous law
  • Insolvency
  • International Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Introduction to Canon Law (i.e. Church Law)
  • Law and Religion
  • Law in Context (Externships) – involves work experience
  • Legal History
  • Mining and Petroleum Law
  • Occupational Safety and Health Law
  • Introduction to Australian Taxation Law
  • Succession
  • Competition and Consumer Law
  • Trial Advocacy

  Core Curriculum

  The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) requires you to partake in one core curriculum elective from the list below.

  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  The program is open to applicants who have a recognised Bachelor's degree (Level 7 AQF) in any discipline.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) and Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (Honours) graduates will be able to:

  1. Write effective and professional documents adapted to suit the purpose and audience
  2. Develop and deliver effective and professional presentations adapted to suit the purpose and audience, using appropriate technologies
  3. Synthesise, interpret, and apply information in order to resolve legal problems
  4. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of foundational legal concepts, principles, and theories, and apply and transfer knowledge to diverse national, regional, and international legal contexts
  5. Undertake self-directed learning with an appreciation of the value and importance of engaging in continuing professional development
  6. Provide social justice in the community including the provision of legal advice on a pro bono basis.
  7. Use ethical and socially responsible decision-making skills
  8. Critically reflect on the influence of Catholic and other philosophical and intellectual traditions on the law and on their role in resolving legal issues
  9. Work responsibly and collaboratively in diverse teams to achieve shared outcomes
  10. Conduct independent legal research and employ appropriate legal research methods and sources to locate, evaluate, synthesise, and present accurate, up-to-date, and reliable legal sources; and
  11. Critically evaluate, analyse, and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis and communicate their findings in both oral and written form (Honours Only).

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; career opportunities range from solicitor, barrister, judge’s associate, and research assistant.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. This program has no practicum requirements, but students are encouraged to participate in law competitions and attend professional development outside the class.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Law (Graduate Entry) (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Law & Business.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) and Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (Honours) accreditation requirements are according to the accreditation rules administered by the Legal Profession Admission Board in New South Wales and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• Student profile data

  ATAR and selection rank profile

  The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

  Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

  View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome

  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne

  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007