Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws

The University of New England offers a flexible approach to the study of law.

UNE boasts one of Australia's largest law schools outside a capital city, as well as being an early adopter of innovative technology in the delivery of its law programs.

The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and mutual recognition legislation extends admission to other Australian jurisdictions.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws aims to create contemporary professionals with a solid grounding in the core business fields of accounting, economics, finance, organisational development, management and marketing needed for organisational survival and success. The course will prepare students to take on a role as a future manager with leadership responsibilities for creating a more inclusive and sustainable global economy. This degree also provides graduates with a professionally accredited Law degree with and a critical and progressive approach to the existing law and legal system quipped 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; and6. professional judgement and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with having completed a law degree.7. LLB with Honours students: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: BBus component: demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of business and management theory and processes and their application to real-world business contexts, including an opportunity to complete a capstone experience, and to promote sustainable business in a globalised economy; utilise cognitive and communication skills, tools and digital technologies to communicate appropriately and persuasively with a range of stakeholders; apply critical and creative thinking to analyse complex real-world business problems and synthesise materials from a variety of sources in identifying solutions; identify relevant information drawn from a range of sources in order to analyse data and complex business-related issues; evaluate and demonstrate judgement in formulating responses to complex, social, cultural and ethical issues; demonstrate a preparedness to engage in continuous learning and reflection to help inform professional practice; and demonstrate ability to work independently and collaboratively with others to generate solutions to business problems. 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; 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; demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform; 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; 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; demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform; conceive, plan and implement an independent programme of legal research that could take a theoretical, comparative or an interdisciplinary approach; develop and present an oral summary of an independent programme of legal research; and 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 BBus component: Students will have learnt about and been assessed in assignments and examinations on the management discipline and have practised responding to real case situations. As part of the assessment, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of operating in a global economy and describe the opportunities and threats for managers operating in a global context. 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 BBus component: Students are required to demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, using diverse written, verbal and visual methods as appropriate: read, critique and judge the value and contribution of written work; and present well-reasoned arguments and illustrate when necessary with relevant examples. 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 BBus component: Students are required to demonstrate an understanding and application of characteristics of professional conduct, integrity and ethics for managers; and demonstrate an understanding of and the application of social responsibility actions in strategic decision-making. 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 BBus component: Students are required to recognise the contribution of the work of others to their own work; reference the use of others' work accurately; and access and use a number of diverse literature resources. 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 BBus component: Students are required to demonstrate an understanding and application of characteristics of professional conduct, integrity and ethics for managers; and demonstrate an understanding of and the application of social responsibility actions in strategic decision-making. 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 judgement. Students are also encouraged throughout the course to reflect critically on the impact of the law on society. Lifelong Learning BBus component: The unit outcomes comprising the course are relevant both professionally and personally on an ongoing basis. 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 BBus component: While students will work independently on a range of learning activities and assessments, they are also expected to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary group to achieve common goals and to solve problems, to contribute specialist knowledge as required and to take responsibility and initiative to contribute to group performance. 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.