Bachelor of Laws (BLAW) - LLB

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 904901; Distance education: 904905; Springfield campus: 924901

CRICOS code (International applicants): 060144J

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Program focus

The Bachelor of Laws provides students with the opportunity for a comprehensive study of law, not only to prepare for practice as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland but also to examine the legal process and its social, political and economic context. The program aims to equip students with an academic qualification for professional practice with particular specialisations offered in commercial law, environmental and natural resources law, international law and general practice. While students undertake the traditional studies in the litigation process, they also learn about the increasingly important alternative methods of resolving disputes. They learn about conflict and communication, negotiating, mediating – from a theoretical as well as practical perspective. Professional Accreditation The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic qualification for admission as a legal practitioner (barrister or solicitor) in Queensland. Note that there are additional practical legal training requirements, apart from the academic qualification. The degree will also satisfy the academic requirement for admission in the other Australian states and territories; however, students should always confirm legal practice admission requirements for the jurisdiction in which they wish to practise as these are usually done on a case by case basis.

Career opportunities

Legal studies teacher (with further study), public service, company secretary. Private practice solicitor or barrister, government departments, non-government agencies, legal organisations and careers outside law.

Professional accreditation

The Bachelor of Laws received accreditation from the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, Queensland, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 13 March 2007, as an approved academic qualification under the Supreme Court (Legal practitioner Admission) Rules 2004 (Qld). This will partially satisfy the requirements to practise as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland. (Intending solicitors and barristers must not only complete an approved law degree but also undertake a practical legal training course, either with another university or private provider, or as a supervised program whilst employed in a law firm).

Program aims

The Bachelor of Laws provides students with the opportunity for a comprehensive study of law, not only to prepare for practice as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland but also to examine the legal process and its social, political and economic context.

The program aims to equip students with an academic qualification for professional practice with particular specialisations offered in commercial law, environmental and natural resources law, international law and general practice. While students undertake the traditional studies in the litigation process, they also learn about the increasingly important alternative methods of resolving disputes. They learn about conflict and communication, negotiating, mediating – from a theoretical as well as practical perspective.

Not all law graduates aspire to a career in legal practice and so the program also builds the special capabilities that a legal education can offer. It provides opportunities to develop analytical, complex problem-solving and research skills. It seeks to build critical thinkers with an appreciation for a range of theories explaining legal regulation as well as for the social, political and economic context of the legal process. To inform students on global issues, an international dimension, for example on the regulation of business and on the protection of human rights, is also available.

Program objectives

On successful completion of this program students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework of subject areas of study

• apply theoretical knowledge, concepts and principles to areas of practical significance

• research legal issues at a proficient level

• critically appraise law reform trends and recent developments and assess their impact upon legal practice and public policy

• demonstrate advanced communication, problem-solving and analytical skill

• satisfy academic admission requirements for legal practice in Queensland (subject to accreditation).

Admission requirements

Candidates for admission into this program must satisfy the normal USQ entry requirements for undergraduate programs. Please refer to Academic Regulation 5.4.2 of the University Calendar, Section 1 (for Australian students) and Section 3 (for international students). International candidates must meet the University's English language proficiency requirements for undergraduate students.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for undergraduate programs may be made through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The same procedure applies whether you plan to study on-campus or by distance education.

If you completed Year 12 at a Queensland secondary school you will be assessed for entry on the basis of your Overall Position (OP) or equivalent score. Year 12 students from other states or territories are considered for entry on the basis of their UAI, ENTER or TER and the subject prerequisites indicated. Other applicants will be based on their overall Rank. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The undergraduate program is 32 units in total. It has three prime components: a core (22 units), law electives (6 units), and non-law electives (4 units).

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 10 years to complete this program.

Core courses

Compulsory core courses:

All students are required to complete a core of twenty-two single-unit courses. The purpose of the core courses is to expose law students to fundamental legal concepts and methods in legal research and reasoning.

The following courses are required of all students in the Bachelor of Laws:

Elective courses

The following law electives have been approved for the Bachelor of Laws at the Toowoomba campus (on-campus and external):

The following law electives have been approved for the Bachelor of Laws at the Springfield campus:

Non-law elective courses

All students must select four units of elective courses from courses offered at undergraduate level by any of the faculties at the University of Southern Queensland (excluding Business Law courses). Enrolment requirements must be satisfied for any course selected.

Students may choose to take four courses in a particular area in order to develop some depth of knowledge in that area. Examples of areas of study can be found in the Minor Studies.

If students propose undertaking the Commercial Law stream in their law electives, it is suggested that they undertake the Business Administration Minor (except LAW1101 Introduction to Law).

Students considering legal practice are encouraged to choose as one of their non-law electives ACC1101 Accounting for Decision-Makingin order to understand the accounting environment and the common financial accounting (external) reports and management accounting (internal) tools used for decision-making purposes. This is useful for many areas of legal practice, not only commercial fields such as taxation but also family and succession law, as well as for a lawyer’s own practice management.

Students with an interest in examining the political and economic context for the legal process are encouraged to choose POL2000 Political and Economic Ideasas one of their non-law electives. This is a course for students interested in political and economic debates who wish to develop a capacity for critical analysis.

Honours

The Bachelor of Laws may be awarded with Honours. The class of honours to be awarded to a student is dependant upon:

• the Grade Point Average calculated from the grades achieved in the courses studied in, or transferred to, the program

• the grade achieved by the student in the single unit course LAW4401 Capstone Research Project.

The minimum levels of achievement normally required for each class of honours are shown in the following table. To be assured of achieving a particular class of honours students must have achieved the specified grade in the research project courses and the minimum GPA requirements for all of the courses studied or for the last 16 courses studied, or for the last eight courses studied.

IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the computer requirements section of the Faculty of Business website.

Other program requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to Academic Regulation 5.9 of the University Calendar.

Residential schools

Voluntary residential schools for external students may be offered in some courses in this program. This applies, for example, to the introductory courses for program orientation relevant to legal process, research and context as well as to select core courses where course leaders offer an optional assessment item by way of a moot. Details are provided in individual course Introductory Books.

A compulsory residential school is held in LAW2206 Legal Conflict Resolution to enable off-campus students to complete the practical assessment. The course is also offered on-campus in intensive teaching mode at the Springfield campus.

Exemptions

Exemptions may be permitted for a limited number of courses, equivalent in content and level successfully completed recently with a recognised institution, in accordance with Academic Regulation 5.5.3 of the University Calendar.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment patterns
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba and Springfield on-campus and Toowoomba external (standard semester 1 intake)
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba and Springfield on-campus and Toowoomba external (standard semester 2 intake)
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba external (3 courses per semester)

Recommended enrolment patterns

The flexibility of this program, particularly for the distance learning students means that there will be a range of enrolment pattern s and many distance learning students will have a unique enrolment pattern. Students requiring assistance should contact a program administrator.

Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba and Springfield on-campus and Toowoomba external (standard semester 1 intake)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba and Springfield on-campus and Toowoomba external (standard semester 2 intake)

Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba external (3 courses per semester)