Bachelor of Arts (Law, Policy and Politics)

This degree is flexible, broad and opens up a diverse range of career possibilities.

The Law, Policy and Politics major will provide you with an overview of legal systems, international and domestic law, the politics of environmental change and marginalisation in world affairs.

Key areas of study include:

public international law Indigenous legal systems environmental politics human rights

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

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.

The Law, Policy and Politics major will contextualise Australia’s legal and political systems in the broader context of global politics and international policy and law. Key areas of study include:

• marginalisation in world affairs
• public international law
• Indigenous legal systems
• environmental politics
• human rights

This degree allows you to select two majors ensuring you graduate with a broad knowledge of two areas of interest. You can choose a second major from the following:

• Applied Linguistics
• Creative Writing and Literature
• Cultural Studies
• English Language*
• Languages (French/Italian/Japanese)
• Psychology
• Performing Arts
• Screen Studies
• Social Media
• Sociology

In addition to your two majors, you will also be required to complete four courses from a selected list of minors (also from the above list), and two elective courses in an area of your interest.

* Please note that this major is only available to students whose second language is English.

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

Your career

This program helps you develop many transferable skills which are highly regarded by employers including:

• a broad knowledge of global legal and political systems
• critical analysis
• contemporary research strategies
• applying knowledge to a range of legal and political contexts

The broad nature of this degree means the employment prospects are also broad and diverse. You may choose to work in a variety of roles including:

• political analyst
• policy advisor
• historical analyst
• ministerial advisor
• humanitarian worker

With additional qualifications you may choose to work in teaching, academia or policy research and development.

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.

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:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

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.

As an arts student, you will have access to:

• on-campus Multimedia Languages Lab, where you can connect in real-time with native speakers from around the world
• The Hartley Playhouse Theatre – a 200-seat auditorium ideal for live performances