Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies)

University of South Australia

About

A specialised degree in legal studies will prepare you for a business career in the private, public or legal sectors.

Employers look for graduates who can apply theory to real industry challenges.

You’ll have opportunities to embed an internship into your degree and seek career mentoring from legal professionals.

You will also complete career-focused electives in business and legal studies to get valuable industry experience and deepen your legal knowledge.

The Bachelor of Business (Legal Studies) is also a pathway into our Bachelor of Laws (Honours) or Laws (Honours) Double Degree.

Structure

Course name Area and cat no Units Reference Rules
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Accounting for Business ACCT 1008 4.5 Note(s): 2
OR
Quantitative Methods for Business MATH 1053 4.5 Note(s): 2
Foundations of Law LAWS 1016 4.5
Torts A LAWS 1014 4.5
Principles of Economics ECON 1008 4.5 Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange MARK 1010 4.5 Note(s): 2
Business Law LAWS 1018 4.5 Note(s): 2
Business and Society BUSS 1057 4.5 Note(s): 2
OR
International Study Tour 4.5 Note(s): 3
OR
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1
Career Development for Professionals BUSS 1060 4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1,2
Business Intelligence INFS 2036 4.5 Note(s): 2
Management and Organisation BUSS 2068 4.5 Note(s): 2
Contracts A LAWS 1008 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Principles of Public Law LAWS 1021 4.5
Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact BUSS 2085 4.5
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Strategic Management BUSS 3023 4.5
Legal Studies Elective 4.5 Rule(s): 2
Legal Studies Elective 4.5 Rule(s): 2
International Business Environments BUSS 3103 4.5
OR
International Elective 4.5 Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Legal Studies Elective 4.5 Rule(s): 2
Legal Studies Elective 4.5 Rule(s): 2
Experiential Elective 4.5 Rule(s): 2
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1 Rule(s): 2

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile
Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

  • Qualify for Special Entry, or
  • Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Learning outcomes

The degree starts with core courses in business theory. These will give you a solid grasp of business fundamentals such as international business, economics and accounting and intelligence.

You’ll then branch out into your legal studies specialisation where you’ll focus on areas such as the foundations of law and public law; torts and contracts. You will also study eight electives – four in legal studies and four in business. Through these you’ll get valuable industry experience and deepen your legal knowledge.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

In addition to learning from teachers with professional experience as part of your studies, we offer opportunities for you to connect with industry outside the classroom:

  • Complete an internship or industry project
  • Become a global citizen with our overseas exchange program – we have more than 60 partner universities worldwide, and study options that range from two weeks to one year
  • Build your network and career by participating in our Business Career Mentor Program which pairs you with an experienced business professional

We also host regular University-wide , and in Australia and overseas.

Your career

As we are the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1, our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career ready.

Employment for legal professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 17.8 per cent between now and November 20202. Careers to consider:

  • Court or legal clerk: performing clerical work for courts and legal practices such as organising jury and witness lists, maintaining order in courts, executing court orders, processing court documents, documenting court proceedings
  • Government affairs/policy adviser: analysing policies and their effects to provide advice and guidance to governments and organisations; offering strategic policy and planning advice on programs and operations; reviewing, developing, and implementing policies and strategies
  • Legal adviser: preparing legal documentation; conducting legal research projects; consulting with clients and stakeholders
  • Legal secretary: providing administrative and operational support to legal professionals such as law firms, government departments, law courts and judges
  • Paralegal: support the delivery of legal services such as case planning, legal research, drafting correspondence, fact checking, preparing for and assisting at trial, locating and interviewing witnesses

1ComparED (QILT): Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-19 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). Public SA-founded universities only. 2Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015.

Applying to study with us:

  • go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
  • you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

The Business Student Hub is a convenient, central support service for business students, from first year through to graduation. The team provides expert advice on study options, elective choices and any academic difficulties. It also helps with referrals to support services across the University. The Business Student Hub is there to facilitate your life at university, so you get the most out of your UniSA experience.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

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