Bachelor of Legal Services

Victoria University

About

Our Bachelor of Legal Services teaches sought-after skills in legal research, legal-document preparation, and interviewing.

It’s suited to VCE graduates and mature applicants with relevant work experience.

You’ll learn how legislation is interpreted and applied in different areas, including criminal, family, property and corporations law.

You’ll also develop highly valued skills in professional conduct, critical thinking, teamwork and communication.

Our partnerships with the legal community ensure you develop real-world experience and skills.

This qualification prepares you for a career in the legal services industry, but it does not enable you to practise law.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Legal Services students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core units
  • 96 credit points of Major studies
  • 2 x 48 credit points of Minor studies

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

  • Accounting for Decision Making Unit code BAO1101 Credits12
  • Information Systems for Business Unit code BCO1102 Credits12
  • Australian Legal System in Context Unit code BLB1101 Credits12
  • Legal Research Methods Unit code BLB1114 Credits12
  • Business Law Unit code BLO1105 Credits12
  • Management and Organisation Behaviour Unit code BMO1102 Credits12
  • Legal Writing and Drafting Unit code LLW1003 Credits12
  • Communication and Information Management Unit code NIT1103 Credits12

Majors

  • Law Profession Unit code LMALAW
  • Advanced Legal Services Unit code LMAADV

Minors

  • Private Law Unit code LMIPRI
  • Rights and The Law Unit code LMIRIG
  • Commercial and Corporate Law Unit code LMICOM
  • Law in a Legal Context Unit code LMILAW

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Justice or Police Administration, Corrections, Legal support, Human Services or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 72 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

column1 column2 column3 column4
  1. Integrate fundamental understandings of business including accounting, management and information management with advanced specialist legal knowledge within the discipline of law or legal services;  
  2. Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law in diverse legal services contexts;  
  3. Critically analyse and apply information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems related to legal services in authentic/contemporary settings;  
  4. Exhibit professional judgement, by adapting the knowledge and skills obtained to make effective decisions that reflect the social, political and/or ethical contextual factors;  
  5. Communicate a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills in both oral and written form to a range of audiences;  
  6. Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and pathways to further learning;  
  7. Apply personal and interpersonal competencies necessary to operate within the legal services sector in the immensely divergent and complex cultures of Australia and globally; and  
  8. Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner.  

Institution