Law (Graduate Diploma)
This course information is for local students only
Year
2012
Award
Graduate Diploma in Law
Length
1 year
Campuses
Melbourne
Course description
This course allows graduates from any discipline to undertake studies in law, conflict resolution, global business law and public interest law. It will appeal to non-lawyers seeking legal skills in a specific area, but who do not wish to complete a Bachelor of Laws and seek admission to practice. It may also be used by overseas lawyers as a vehicle for admission to practice in Victoria (up to 120 credit points and subject to Council of Legal Education ruling, for which students must apply prior to admission).
The course is not intended to provide an entry point to the Bachelor of Laws or higher degree studies, but students who later transfer to the law program generally receive advanced standing for law subjects already completed within this course.
Course structure
Students complete up to eight subjects. Subject to prerequisites, they can combine subjects from various programs offered by the School of Law, including the Bachelor of Laws, the Master of Laws in Global Business Law, and the Public Interest Law program. Students who commence in February with no prior LLB studies must enrol in Legal Institutions and Methods; those who commence in July with no prior LLB studies must enrol in Introduction to Australian Law, run in five-day block-release mode.
Contact hours
Bachelor of Laws subjects normally run during teaching period one (February-May) and teaching period two (July-October), but a limited number of elective subjects are also offered in summer school (December-February). All Global Business Law and Public Interest Law subjects are offered in five-day block release mode, normally between teaching periods 1 and 2 (June-July) and over summer (December-February).
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)
21 990
Scholarships
A variety of scholarships and prizes are available for postgraduate students at La Trobe. Visit the postgraduate scholarships webpage for details http://www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/postgraduatesSelection
IELTS (Academic) - minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no individual band score less than 6.0; or
TOEFL Computer-Based Test - A minimum score of 233 with a score of 5 in essay writing; or
TOEFL Paper-based Test - A minimum score of 575 with a score of 5 or more in the test of Written English; or
TOEFL Internet-based Test - A minimum score of 88 with no individual score less than 22; or
Completion of the English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at PG (postgraduate) level available from La Trobe Melbourne; or
Approved equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
An Australian bachelor's degree or an approved international equivalent.
Extra requirements
An overseas law graduate or overseas practioner hoping to seek admission to practice in Australia should seek a ruling from the Legal Services Board in Victoria as to the extent to which their existing academic qualifications and practical legal training may be regarded as sufficient. This should be done at least six months prior to commencing this program. Application can be made under rules 4.02 or 4.04 of the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2008. These rules can be viewed at www.liv.asn.au/Practising-in-Victoria/Careers-Centre
The ruling may require the completion of a number of subjects including federal and state constitutional law, property law and administrative law as well as an additional period of practical training. Alternatively application can be made to the Legal Profession Admission Board in New South Wales for a ruling: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
Semester starts
Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Additional information
Students who commence in February with no prior LLB studies must enrol in Legal Institutions and Methods; those who commence in July with no prior LLB studies must enrol in Introduction to Australian Law, run in five-day block release model.
Career opportunities
For graduates with a Bachelor of Laws degree, opportunities available include the legal profession, politics, business and commerce, government service, public administration, education, community legal services and public interest advocacy groups. For non-law graduates, there are other opportunities available in the legal field, including work as a registrar, law clerk or legal assistant, legal executive, judges' associate or law librarian. A legal education is also a valuable preparation for a variety of careers outside the legal field.