Laws (Graduate Entry)
This course information is for local students only
Year
2012
Award
Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)
Length
3 years
Campuses
Melbourne, Bendigo
Course description
This course provides an accredited professional qualification in law. The curriculum is based on a global and social justice perspective, and emphasises practical skills. It includes all the compulsory subjects required by the Council of Legal Education for admission to legal practice in Victoria, as well as a broad range of electives, many with a practical skills component, such as clinical legal education, communication and advocacy skills, and negotiation.
First-year studies aim to provide a strong theoretical and practical foundation through a combination of skills-based and public- and private-law subjects, including Dispute Resolution, Torts, Criminal Law and Principles of Public Law. Second and third-year subjects, such as Property Law, Equity and Trusts and Remedies, address other areas of private law obligation . Students also examine key aspects of statutory regulation, and take subjects with additional practice-related requirements - such as Civil Procedure and Professional Conduct and Ethics.
Course structure
Students complete 22 law subjects: 15 compulsory subjects and seven electives. Honours is offered to students whose work is of a sufficiently high standard - typically a B+ grrade average or higher - for completion in the final year.
Subject details
Overseas study opportunities
Overseas study opportunities are available.
Please see
www.latrobe.edu.au/international/exchange
for more information
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Annual (or Total) Tuition Fee (AUD)
21 260
Scholarships
Applicants who are Australian citizens or who hold permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for a range of University-wide scholarships, including Commonwealth Scholarships. For details please see http://www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/future-undergraduatesSelection
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at postgraduate (EFS5 (70%) PG1) level conducted by La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
or IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0;
or TOEFL Paper-based Test: a minimum score of 575 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English;
or TOEFL Computer-based Test: a minimum score of 233 with a score of 5 in essay writing;
or TOEFL Internet-based Test: a minimum score of 88 with no individual score less than 22;
or approved equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
Successful completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree or approved international equivalent.
Extra requirements
Applicants are required to provide a personal profile or curriculum vitae take in addition to certified documentation as part of their application. The personal profile should address areas such as work experience, achievements, any relevant personal circumstances, community involvement, and career goals.
Prerequisites
Selection based on prior studies and experience.
Semester starts
Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Additional information
Students with strong academic ability, and who commence in July, may be able to complete the course in two and a half years full-time by undertaking electives in summer and winter school.
There will be changes to the structure of this program in 2012, subject to University approval.
Career opportunities
Opportunities available include the legal profession, politics, business and commerce, government service, public administration, education, community legal services and public interest advocacy groups. Although many students interested in studying law are looking towards a career as a legal practitioner (that is, as a solicitor or a barrister), there are other opportunities available in the legal field, including work as a registrar, law clerk or legal assistant, legal executive, judge's associate or law librarian. A legal education is also a valuable preparation for a variety of careers outside the legal field. Skills such as legal research techniques, legal reasoning, the evaluation of rules and policies, the presentation of written and oral arguments and the ability to communicate in everyday English, may be utilised in various occupations.
Professional recognition
The course includes subjects approved by the Victorian Council of Legal Education, which must be completed successfully to qualify for admission to legal practice. Admission to practise as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria requires the completion of a supervised workplace traineeship (formerly known as articles of clerkship) or an approved practical legal training course such as that offered by the Leo Cussen Institute or the College of Law. International graduates would need the relevant visa to complete a supervised workplace traineeship in Australia. International applicants are advised to obtain assurance of recognition of the course by relevant professional bodies in their preferred country of practice.