Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) Degree

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) degree is a prestigious program designed for students who achieve high marks in the first two years of their LLB degree. This degree is particularly suitable for those interested in building an academic research career or pursuing postgraduate studies in Law. It can also provide a competitive edge in the job market.

Requirements for Completing the LLB(Hons) Degree

To complete the LLB(Hons) degree, students must successfully finish three extra papers in their final 18 months of study, in addition to meeting the usual requirements for obtaining a LLB degree. These papers include:

• LAWS410 Advanced Research Skills (15 points)
• LAWS420 Honours Research Paper (15 points)
• LAWS430 Honours Dissertation (30 points)

LAWS410 and LAWS420 are designed to help students develop advanced legal research skills through seminars and assessments. These papers are followed by LAWS430, where students write a 15,000-word research dissertation on a legal topic of their choice, supported by an academic supervisor.

Structure and Timeline

Students must complete LAWS410 and LAWS420 in the same calendar year and LAWS430 in the first semester of the following year. For single degree students, these courses are typically taken in their third and fourth years of full-time enrollment in the LLB degree. Double degree students usually complete these courses in their fourth and fifth years of full-time enrollment.

Admission to Honours

Entry to the Honours program is by invitation from the Dean of Law, based on the recommendation of the Honours Directors, and is limited to approximately the top 25 eligible students each year. All students are eligible for admission in the year following the successful completion of LAWS203, LAWS205, and LAWS206. Eligible students are automatically considered; no separate application is required.

Selection Criteria

Students are selected entirely based on their academic achievement in their 200-level law papers. A minimum A- average is usually required, but achieving this average does not guarantee an invitation to join the Honours Programme, as only around 30 students are invited each year. The precise academic standard required varies from year to year.

Further Information

For more detailed information about the LLB(Hons) program, including how the classes of Honours are determined, students can refer to the current Honours Handbook. All students invited to join the Honours Programme are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with one of the Student Advisors for Honours-specific degree planning assistance.

Available Law and Criminal Justice Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree
• Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) degree
• Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) degree
• Graduate & Postgraduate Law or Criminal Justice study

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) degree offers a challenging and rewarding pathway for high-achieving students in the LLB program. With its focus on advanced research skills and the completion of a significant dissertation, this degree prepares students for academic careers, further legal study, or enhanced career opportunities in the legal profession.