Bachelor of Laws

University of Adelaide

About

Studying law is about understanding our society and the power structures within it.

Why do we have the laws we do?

How have they evolved?

How should we interpret them?Whether you want to uphold, use or change the system—law can take you just about anywhere.

Structure

The program consists of a number of compulsory law courses which provide students with a sound understanding of legal concepts, processes and methods. In addition, students choose from a range of elective law courses in areas of specialised interest including but not restricted to Law and Popular Culture, Sport Law, Migration Law, Environmental Law, Human Rights Law, Medical Law and Ethics and Family Law. Students of the four year undergraduate program can include some non-law electives towards their studies, although these are limited. If you are a graduate, the duration of the program is three years full-time (or equivalent) as opposed to four years for non-graduates.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

You can find the academic program rules for this degree under the Faculty of the Professions rules.

Areas of Specialisation

A wide range of elective courses are offered from areas including Comparative Law, Corporate/Taxation Law, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property, Labour and Industrial Relations Law, Human Rights and International Law.

Example Study Plan

Bachelor of Laws - single degree, semester 1 intake Indicative study plan Year 1 S1 LAW 1501: Foundations of  LawLAW 1507: Tort LawOpen Elective (3 units)Open Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 1508: International LawLAW 1504: Principles of Public LawOpen Elective (3 units)Open Elective (3 units) Year 2 S1 LAW 1509: Commercial TransactionsLAW 2599: Criminal LawClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 1510: Contract LawLAW 1511: Property LawClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) Year 3 S1 LAW 2502: EquityLAW 2501: Australian Constitutional LawClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 2598: Corporate LawLAW 2504: Administrative LawClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) Year 4 S1 LAW 3501: Dispute Resolution and EthicsClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 3502: Evidence and AdvocacyClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) *Students are encouraged to participate in an exchange with an overseas partner University for one semester. We recommend students go in one of these semesters. Bachelor of Laws - single degree, semester 2 intake Indicative study plan Year 1 S2 LAW 1501: Foundations of LawLAW 1504: Principles of Public LawOpen Elective (3 units)Open Elective (3 units) Year 2 S1 LAW 1507: Tort LawLAW 1509: Commercial TransactionsOpen Elective (3 units)Open Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 1508: International LawLAW 1510: Contract LawClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) Year 3 S1 LAW 2599: Criminal Law LAW 2502: EquityLAW 2501: Australian Constitutional LawOpen or Closed Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 1511: Property LawLAW 2598: Corporate LawLAW 2504: Administrative LawOpen or Closed Elective (3 units) Year 4 S1 LAW 3501: Dispute Resolution and EthicsClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) S2 LAW 3502: Evidence and AdvocacyClosed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) Year 5 S1 Closed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units)Closed Elective (3 units) *Students are encouraged to participate in an exchange with an overseas partner University for one semester. We recommend students go in one of these semesters. Bachelor of Laws - concurrent degrees Graduates completing two degrees concurrently are uniquely placed to take up specialist career opportunities offered beyond the law - visit the 'Related Degrees' section below for more information.

Entry requirements

For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.

For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.

Learning outcomes

Career Readiness

Roles for law graduates are expanding significantly. Those who become lawyers can become involved in court work, or enter practice as a solicitor. But many graduates also pursue careers in industry, government, commerce, community organisations or academic institutions.

This huge range of options, and the opportunities and influence they afford, gives a career in law a distinctive appeal and makes its study one of the most popular choices among today’s students.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

Adelaide Graduate Attributes
  1. Deep discipline knowledge
  2. Critical thinking and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Career and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Throughout their degree, students can apply to undertake work placements, either through internships or through Clinical Legal Education courses. Each placement or internship is in conjunction with a law elective (three units). Currently the following is available for students:

Clinical Legal Education

Clinical Legal Education is a three-point elective subject available to students in their final year of study in their Bachelor of Laws program. This practical subject gives law students the chance to work in a legal office one day per week and participate in the day-to-day provision of legal services to people in need.

Human Rights Law Internships

Many students are interested in working in the field of human rights when they graduate. However, it is a popular field and finding a job can be competitive. The Adelaide Law School offers a number of human rights electives and student can also receive three units of academic credit for undertaking the Human Rights Internship course.

Native Title Internships

Click here for more information on Native Title Internships.

Public Law Internship Program

Available year-round, Public Law Internships are a great way for students to apply the knowledge of public law theory gained in their degree to practical issues. Through these internships, students are involved in the day-to-day activities of public law offices.

Opportunities are available at public law institutions in Adelaide and Canberra, including:

  • the State Ombudsman's Office
  • the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
  • the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office (summer internship)
  • the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (summer internship).

From time to time additional internship positions are offered by the South Australian Crown Solicitor's Office, the South Australian Solicitor-General's Office and the Attorney-General's Department's Office for Legislation and Legal Policy.

Adelaide Law Review

The Adelaide Law Review (ALR) course introduces students to legal publishing and editing. Students will:

  • consider the legal journal as a means of legal education, involving them in the production of the annual editions of the ALR
  • consider the role of legal publications, critically analyse submitted material and comment upon a diverse range of legal scholarship
  • develop skills in advanced legal writing, copy-editing and journal production.

South Australian Law Reform Institute

In the South Australian Law Reform Institute course, students are provided with the opportunity to work with the Director of the Institute to research and develop law reform proposals.

Professional Accreditation

Our Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Practitioners' Education and Admission Council in South Australia; and provides the academic foundation for admission to legal practice throughout Australia.

To be admitted to practice in Australia, however, you must complete further practical legal training.

In South Australia, we—the University of Adelaide—together with the Law Society of South Australia, provide this additional training through our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. But if you intend to seek admission to practice elsewhere, you should seek advice from the admitting authority in the relevant jurisdiction.

Upon graduation from the Bachelor of Laws and completion of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, you'll be eligible to be admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia (with a restricted practicing certificate). Once admitted, you can then apply for admission in any other Australian jurisdiction.

For more information contact:

The Law Society of South AustraliaLevel 10, 178 North TerraceAdelaide, SA 5000 AustraliaPhone: +61 8 8229 0200Email: email@lawsocietysa.asn.au

Potential careers

Barrister, Business Lawyer, Community Legal Services Officer, Corporate Lawyer, Industrial relations, Intelligence Officer, Ministerial Adviser, Patent Attorney, Juris Doctor, Parliamentary Adviser, Parliamentary Member, Judicial Associate, Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister, Legal Officer / Legal aid, Political Adviser, Politician

Institution